Members of the National Assembly have recommended that the government review the contract with US-based company Securiport for potential termination. The recommendation follows concerns raised about the agreement's transparency, which has been a recurring issue. A National Audit Office report in 2023 previously indicated that the contract "lacked transparency and was being awarded with intention of receiving kickbacks," raising significant questions about the procurement process and the ultimate beneficiaries of the agreement.
Contractual Irregularities Uncovered
The Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) of the National Assembly, in its full financial report on State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for 2022, advised the ministries of Finance, Interior, and Works to thoroughly review the Securiport contract and consider its possible termination. This recommendation came after a detailed assessment of the agreement's terms, its implementation, and the financial implications for state entities. The committee's findings noted several critical areas of concern that warrant immediate government attention.
Further irregularities were identified regarding the contract's duration. Contracting agencies, specifically the Office of the President and the Immigration Department, disregarded explicit advice from the Attorney General. These entities proceeded to extend the contract's duration, unilaterally altering it from an initial ten years to fifteen years, despite the Attorney General's counsel against such an extension. This decision to extend the contract against legal advice has been a point of contention, suggesting potential overreach or disregard for established legal processes. The PEC emphasized that such actions undermine good governance and contractual integrity.
Financial Discrepancies and GCAA Grievances
Securiport has reportedly not compensated the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for utilizing its facilities to collect fees or for acting as a collection agency. The company collects a $20 security fee from arriving and departing passengers at the Banjul International Airport. The GCAA is not deriving any benefits from these border security fees, despite Securiport utilizing four cash collection points within the airport terminal without paying rent or concessions, according to reports. This situation places an undue burden on the GCAA, which provides essential infrastructure and services without receiving appropriate remuneration for Securiport's commercial activities on its premises.
Between July and December 2022, the GCAA, acting on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, transferred D43,824,494.38 to the government as its share from collections. However, the GCAA reportedly received no compensation for this service, effectively making it an unremunerated agent in the collection process. This lack of compensation for the GCAA, despite its operational involvement and financial transfers to the government, represents a significant financial discrepancy. The imposition of the levy has also had consequences for the country's vital tourism sector, with tour operators such as Nordic Leisure Travel Group suspending operations to Gambia in 2022 due to the fee. This suspension shows the potential negative economic impact of the security fee on the broader economy, particularly for a nation reliant on tourism.
Audit Findings and Future Recommendations
The Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) recommended that invoices issued to the Office of the President and former Managing Director Lamin Cham be fully settled. The committee requested notification of the recovery plan's implementation status by July 31, 2026, to ensure accountability and resolution of these outstanding debts.
National Assembly Members further urged Gambia International Airlines (GIA) management to ensure its Finance Department confirms all intending pilgrims have fully settled payments before seat allocation. This recommendation stems from observations of financial irregularities related to Hajj pilgrimage payments. In 2022, 17 pilgrims sponsored by the Office of the President were expected to pay D7,140,000 for hajj tickets. However, only D4,040,000 was paid by the Office of the President through Ecobank, leaving an unpaid balance of D3,100,000 as of December 31, 2022. Additionally, four pilgrims in 2022 (three on the first hajj flight and one on the second) were reportedly under the care of former Managing Director Lamin Cham without evidence of payments. The Committee stated, "No payment as in respect of these four seats totaling D1,680,000, was invoiced to the MD and booked as hajj revenue as at 31st December 2022." These findings highlight a need for stricter financial oversight and adherence to payment protocols within GIA to prevent future revenue losses and ensure equitable access for all pilgrims.