ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND PROCUREMENT IRREGULARITIES ROCK GAMBIA

Fresh Allegations of Corruption and Irregularities Rock the Gambian Government

Banjul, The Gambia - Just months after the ousting of former dictator Yahya Jammeh from power, fresh allegations of corruption and procurement irregularities have rocked the Gambian government.

Ignoring Established Procurement Rules

According to sources, the current administration has been accused of ignoring established procurement rules in several high-profile contracts. One such example is the recent contract awarded to QTV, a private TV station, to cover the proceedings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), the state broadcaster, has alleged that they were unfairly excluded from bidding for the contract due to an unreasonable deadline.

Opaque Contract with Semlex Europe SA

Another controversy surrounds the opaque contract signed between the government and Semlex Europe SA, a company tasked with managing the country’s identity documents. Leaked documents have revealed that the contract does not restrict or monitor Semlex’ role in collecting, storing, using or safeguarding citizens’ private data, raising concerns about potential privacy breaches.

Jammeh’s Reputation for Kleptocracy

The allegations of corruption come as no surprise to many, given Jammeh’s reputation as a kleptocrat. The former dictator was known for his lavish lifestyle, which included expensive cars, private jets, and sprawling mansions. His assets in the country are currently being searched for missing millions, and according to government officials, his Kanilai estate is just a fraction of his holdings.

New Government’s Promise to Address Corruption

The new government under President Adama Barrow has promised to tackle corruption and improve transparency in public procurement. However, the recent allegations suggest that more needs to be done to address these systemic weaknesses.

“The Gambia has made significant progress since Jammeh’s departure from power,” said a government spokesperson. “However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done to root out corruption and ensure transparency in our public procurement processes.”

Anti-Corruption Efforts

The country’s anti-corruption efforts have been boosted by the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Helpdesk, which provides guidance on best practices for detecting and preventing corruption.

Restoring Trust in Institutions

As the government continues to grapple with these allegations, many are left wondering how much longer it will take to restore trust in the country’s institutions.