Almameh Gibba, the representative for Foni Kansala, challenged the government's 2027 budget priorities during recent legislative proceedings. Expressing concern over the state of public finances, Gibba stated, "I think when we have a budget, we need to understand, if I’m correct by the number, it’s about seven billion dalasi that they have arrears on institutions." Government records confirm that authorities currently hold approximately D7 billion in outstanding arrears to various institutions. Separately, the 2027 budget proposal shows an increase in the allocation for government rents and rates. This specific expenditure rose from D563 million to D622 million. The representative questioned these spending choices as the government manages these substantial financial obligations.
Security Personnel Allowance Arrears
Security personnel training allowance arrears have reached approximately D75 million. Almameh Gibba, the member for Foni Kansala, questioned the status of these payments during the legislative session. "I can tell you for free, [for] the risk allowance; imagine somebody working in the ministry as a soldier, armed and security, he is not paid risk allowance," Gibba stated.
Regarding education funding, the 2027 budget proposal allocates D107 million for open scholarships. Government records indicate that arrears for this same category currently stand at approximately D180 million. Gibba addressed this disparity while reviewing the fiscal plan. "When you look at the arrears that they have on the open scholarship, it’s about 180 million arrears that they have," he noted. These figures represent the outstanding financial obligations in both the security and education sectors.
Presidential Spending and Travel
Government records show that as of August, the Presidency had spent D623 million of its D718 million total budget allocation. Legislative documents indicate that while Parliament approved D50 million for presidential travel, expenditures in this category reached D75.9 million by the same month. Addressing these figures, Almameh Gibba, the member for Foni Kansala, stated, "Parliament has approved 50 million. And already, as of now, or as of August, or as of the figures I have, 75.9 million is already spent."
Almameh Gibba also questioned the financial sustainability of establishing multiple institutions, including the University of Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) and the Civil Service University, while existing entities struggle with payroll. "We were told that USET, formerly GTTI, their salaries are still not paid because of what was budgeted for them," he noted. He argued that the University of The Gambia (UTG) should serve as a central hub with specialized branches rather than creating separate universities. "UTG could have been the umbilical cord of all universities, and not a university, it could be what? Branches. Education. School of Education. School of Engineering. School of Sciences," he said.
Criticizing the broader fiscal approach, Almameh Gibba remarked, "The system asks, that is, we are paying more rent and building also more offices." He linked these spending concerns to the needs of personnel, stating, "It is time for us, for the budget to reflect the needs and aspirations of the armed forces and security." Regarding security personnel arrears, he added, "Some of them, five years, six years, 10 years, you name it, about 75 million dalasi arrears, they will still not be paid."
