By: Sandally Sawo & Haddy Touray
The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure mentioned the UDP chief’s claims that the Banjul Port was bought off to the Turkish firm the Albayrak Group was “utterly misleading” however the UDP mentioned the works ministry has but to clear the thriller shrouding the port concession settlement.
Darboe made repeated claims in a press convention on Tuesday that The Gambia Government has bought the Port of Banjul to Albayrak.
Ebrima Sillah. Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure.
“Lawyer Darboe’s statements were not only tastelessly false but were deliberately crafted to misinform his audience principally to discredit a business opportunity that is clearly set to transform Port Service delivery in The Gambia. For the avoidance of doubt, and contrary to Lawyer Darboe’s misinformed claims during his press conference, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and its partners involved in the Port Concession negotiation were guided by good faith, patriotism and love for the country. The process was aided and supported all through by an International Transactional Advisory Firm with experience in delivering such mega projects in more than ten countries in Europe and Africa,” the works ministry mentioned in an announcement.
“In his clear low level of understanding of port operations, Lawyer Darboe made a varied and demeaning characterization of the present management of Gambia Ports Authority as men and women who are not up to the task compared to previous managers before them, surprisingly even those who served under a dictatorship that used and misused the resources of the Ports to oppress and jail Mr. Darboe,” the assertion learn. It added: “However, to set the data straight, it needs to be clear that the Port of Banjul was a small Port through the late 80’s to the early 90s and actual progress and growth solely occurred in 1992.
“The inhabitants in The Gambia then was beneath 700,000 and the import figures as much as the mid-90s was lower than 500,000 tonnes, commensurate with the inhabitants progress and consumption price.
With the arrival of the brand new Government in 2016, quantity grew greater than anticipated to the extent than the Port of Banjul, which was lower than busy, began to expertise acute congestion because of the progress in volumes. Record dividend ever was paid by the present GPA Management to Government throughout this era after greater than 10 years, beginning with 20 Million in 2018 reaching 190 Million by 2021.”
The works ministry mentioned the Banjul Port remains to be 100% Gambian-owned.
“Therefore, from the above factsheet, it is clear that the Port remains 100% property of The Gambia Government. What is concessioner out are management and operations. The harbour and mooring services still remain under the control of the Government. The general public is therefore urged to ignore the misinformation coming from the UDP camp since the successful launch of the Port Concession. They are meant to get good Gambians engaged in fishy expeditions and mindless banter in the social media thinking that will discredit the government and actors behind the Concession Project. That has woefully failed flat on the face of the perpetrators,” concluded the assertion.
UDP chief Ousainou Darboe
Meanwhile, this assertion has triggered a response from the UDP, which states: “ The United Democratic Party acknowledges the press launch issued by the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure on March 5, 2025, regarding the concession settlement with Albayrak Group. While we admire the Ministry’s efforts to make clear its place, vital considerations stay unaddressed, significantly relating to transparency, fairness, and the long-term implications of this association.
“Our concerns are not rooted in accusations of “selling” the Port of Banjul however within the opaque phrases of the concession itself. The Gambian public and key stakeholders, together with the National Assembly, have been excluded from scrutinizing an settlement that binds nationwide property and income streams for 30 years, the Ministry’s failure to contain the National Assembly or disclose the complete settlement to the general public undermines democratic governance. Concessions of this magnitude, which contain strategic nationwide infrastructure, should endure parliamentary debate and public session per constitutional ideas. The declare that the method was “guided by patriotism” doesn’t substitute for accountability [and] the 80-20 revenue break up in favor of Albayrak raises severe questions: Why ought to a international entity retain 80% of income from Gambian sources for 3 many years? Is this ratio according to international greatest practices for port concessions, significantly in comparable West African nations? What safeguards exist to make sure The Gambia’s 20% fairness share yields significant returns, given inflation and evolving financial circumstances?”
The UDP additionally raised concern over the length of the concession.
“A 30-year term risks locking The Gambia into an arrangement that may not align with future economic priorities. Long-term concessions demand rigorous cost-benefit analysis, including: exit clauses for non-performance by the investor, mechanisms for periodic review to adjust terms in line with national interests,” it said.
The Gambia’s largest opposition occasion additionally mentioned questions concerning the public advantages of the concession settlement stay unanswered.
“While the Ministry highlights infrastructure upgrades (e.g., Sanyang Deep Seaport), critical details are absent:What guarantees exist that Albayrak will fulfill its USD 19 million investment pledge? How will the promised “4% of gross revenue” and “dividends” be calculated and audited? Why are Basse and Kaur Inland Ports talked about solely in passing, with no binding timelines?”
The occasion additionally raised native content material and employment considerations.
“The concession’s “1% local content provision” is inadequate for a challenge of this scale. Furthermore, retaining present employees beneath Albayrak doesn’t deal with broader unemployment or expertise growth for Gambians,” learn the discharge.
The UDP urged the Ministry to right away publish the complete concession settlement for impartial evaluate, topic the settlement to parliamentary scrutiny and public hearings, re-negotiate phrases to make sure a fairer profit-sharing mannequin and shorter concession interval and to ascertain a multi-stakeholder committee to watch implementation.
“The Gambia’s ports are strategic assets that belong to its people. Any concession must prioritize national interest, transparency, and equitable gains. We reject attempts to dismiss legitimate concerns as “misinformation” and demand accountability to safeguard our nation’s future,” it careworn.
Post Views: 10