The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has expressed deep concern over the current takeover of the Banjul Port by the Turkish firm Albayrak beneath a concession settlement with the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), calling the deal unlawful and detrimental to nationwide pursuits.
“The Banjul Port is a vital national asset that should remain under state control if managed professionally and transparently,” EFSCRJ said.
The organisation argues that the concession, which took impact on 14 February 2025, was by no means authorised by the National Assembly.
“GPA is a statutory body created by an Act of the National Assembly in 1972, and there is no legal provision in the Act for such a concession,” EFSCRJ famous.
It additionally highlighted that The Gambia lacks a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) legislation and that the final nationwide PPP coverage expired in 2020, elevating issues concerning the authorized framework for this settlement.
“In light of these facts, we ask on what legal basis does this port concession stand?” the group questioned.
In October 2024, EFSCRJ requested entry to the concession contract beneath The Gambia’s Access to Information Act 2021. However, GPA declined, citing a “condition precedent” within the contract.
“The GPA promised to publish the document on its website in January 2025, but as of now, that promise remains unfulfilled,” the group identified, calling this a “direct violation” of the Access to Information Act.
The group can be elevating issues concerning the job safety of GPA employees beneath the brand new administration. The newly appointed port supervisor, Cem Öztürk, assured native media that every one GPA workers could be transferred to the brand new entity, Alport Banjul, with their rights, salaries, and pensions intact.
However, EFSCRJ stays skeptical. “A concession or a merger must be based on clear agreements and laws to protect workers’ rights,” it asserted.
Another main difficulty is the possession construction of Alport Banjul. According to Öztürk, Albayrak will maintain 80% of shares, leaving The Gambia with simply 20%.
“Who negotiated this arrangement, and why was such a significant national asset largely handed over to a foreign company?” EFSCRJ requested.
The group is urging the National Assembly’s Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) to intervene and reverse the concession, guaranteeing that the port stays absolutely beneath state management.
“We call on PEC and the National Assembly to play their oversight role more effectively and hold GPA accountable,” EFSCRJ said.
EFSCRJ additionally referred to as on the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Commission to implement stricter oversight and governance measures to enhance effectivity and curb corruption inside public enterprises.
“Public enterprises are viable and can generate profits for the nation if properly managed,” the group emphasised.
Finally, the group is interesting on to President Adama Barrow. “We urge the president to immediately halt this concession agreement. It does not serve the national interest but rather rewards corruption and mismanagement,” EFSCRJ declared.
By Adama Makasuba
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