By: BintaJaiteh
HonourableLaminJabbi, the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, thoughtfully addressed lawmakers regarding the status of GAMTEL and GAMCEL staff in light of their petition addressing concerns with management.
In response to a query from Hon Assan Touray, the representative from Bakau, the Minister emphasized the essential role that both operators play in our nation’s socio-economic landscape, stating, “It is crucial that we recognize the importance of addressing any matters concerning GAMTEL and GAMCEL with the urgency they deserve.”
The Minister shared that significant steps have been taken to respond to the staff’s concerns, notably through the allocation of funds. “Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, we have allocated D9 million dalasis to GAMCEL to facilitate the timely payment of staff salaries for at least two months, all while we continue to seek lasting solutions,” he noted.
He also mentioned that a social plan was presented to the Cabinet and received favorable approval, allowing for constructive engagement with the leadership of both GAMTEL and GAMCEL. “Our Ministry has held two productive meetings with the board of directors to thoroughly discuss the issues raised in the staff’s petition,” he informed lawmakers.
The Minister highlighted the importance of dialogue with the petitioners, stating, “We sought clarifications from them and in turn provided assurances of the government’s steadfast commitment to repositioning and revitalizing GAMTEL and GAMCEL in order to comprehensively address staff concerns.”
Over the past month, the Ministry has launched several initiatives aimed at both immediate and long-term resolutions. “We are diligently engaging key stakeholders in our efforts to identify sustainable solutions and are exploring various avenues for resource mobilization to secure a valuable partner for GAMCEL,” he expressed.
As a newly established ministry, the Minister reaffirmed their commitment to understanding the challenges faced by both operators, noting, “These insights will guide our resource mobilization efforts moving forward.”
In response to Hon Alagie S. Darboe, the representative from Brikama North, who inquired about outstanding salary payments, the Minister clarified, “The petition specifically requested payment for the period in question. To address this, we found it necessary to ensure that two months’ salary payments were made, covering both the current and upcoming month while we work toward additional resource initiatives.” He concluded with confidence, stating, “I am pleased to report that staff are now receiving their salaries without any issues.”
