The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, has reported that the smuggling of taxable goods into the country has been reduced by 95% following the introduction of digital excise stamps.

The Gambia’s revenue mobilisation chief expressed enthusiasm that this development has created more market opportunities for local producers and importers.

In an interview with local journalists, CG Darboe explained that a digital tax stamp is being applied to cigarettes, flour, soft drinks, and all excisable commodities. He acknowledged the government’s support in creating an enabling environment for the country’s primary revenue mobilising agency to collect taxes for national development.

The GRA chief pointed out that the agency would not have succeeded in virtually eliminating the smuggling of excisable commodities without the government’s backing, as the policy has faced resistance from certain quarters. He further recognised the government’s support in advancing the GRA’s reform agenda, noting that such reforms would increase tax revenue.

CG Darboe emphasised the importance of digital taxation in domestic revenue mobilisation, stating that in this day and age, most developing countries are advocating for domestic revenue generation rather than relying on external sources of revenue.

“Whatever we are doing, the government is helping us to make sure that we can collect more for the use of the government. GRA comes with reforms, and the government supports us so that at the end of the day, there is a strong digital structure on different tax lines, and we will be able to collect more revenue that the government can use to sustain whatever development desire they have,” the GRA boss said.

He also said The Gambia is standing high when it comes to domestic revenue mobilization, explaining that GRA’s modus operandi makes it one of the best in the sub-region as they enjoy the support of the government in pushing forward their reforms.

“If we don’t have the support of the government, some of these reforms will be hard,” he said.

The digital stamp initiative was introduced in March 2024 in The Gambia to revolutionise the tracking and monitoring of excisable products in real time. This followed an agreement between the government of The Gambia and SICPA, the solution provider, in fulfilment of the GRA’s reform priorities as outlined in their Corporate Strategy Plan 2020-2024.

According to the GRA, the initiative is expected to streamline operations by enabling them to swiftly identify and prevent illicit trade and smuggling.

Speaking about the revenue mobilisation solution provided by SICPA, Finance Minister Seedy Keita stated that its full implementation would enable the GRA to access accurate, real-time production data for locally produced excisable goods and to distinguish between illicit and legitimately imported excisable goods.

“This (DTS) will protect the market share from unfair competition from fake and illicit products and the public will gain through the consumption of genuinely imported and locally produced excisable goods,” he said.

By: Michaella Faith Wright

Residents of Tranquil, Brusubi, are calling for an immediate halt to the construction of a Drug Rehabilitation and Correctional Center in their community, citing security risks, environmental hazards, and the potential devaluation of property. Despite engagement with government authorities, construction continues, fueling frustration and demands for urgent intervention. Many residents claim the project was initiated without their consultation and believe it poses significant risks to their neighborhood.

Residents argue that housing first-time drug offenders in a correctional facility near their homes increases security threats. With recent violent crimes, including a murder in Brufut and a rise in armed robberies, many fear potential breakouts and inadequate measures to protect the neighborhood.

Environmental concerns are also mounting, with fears of increased noise pollution, dust, and improper waste management, which could negatively impact the residential environment.

Moreover, homeowners worry about the economic implications, stating that the presence of a correctional facility could reduce property values and discourage investment in the area.

In response, residents have submitted petitions to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Interior, ECOWAS, the Ministry of Lands, and the National Environment Agency (NEA). A meeting with the Governor of the West Coast Region led to a direct appeal to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) to halt construction. The Ministry of Interior has invited residents for further discussions, and ECOWAS has been informed of the issue.

Despite these efforts, construction continues, prompting residents to demand immediate intervention. They seek clarity on security measures, emergency response plans, environmental impact assessments, and the reason for the lack of prior community consultation.

While residents appreciate government engagement, they insist that ongoing construction must cease until a transparent resolution is reached.

By Dawda Baldeh

Presidential youth adviser Lamin K. Saidy has urged young individuals to avoid illegal activities that could result in imprisonment.

K. Saidy made these remarks during a donation event at the State Central Prison (Mile II), organised by Africell with the support of the youth advisory team.

He informed reporters that since his appointment several months ago, he has visited various institutions, including the prison, to assess the needs of young people.

“I am encouraging young individuals to avoid actions that could result in imprisonment,” he stated, emphasizing that young people represent the future of the nation, which needs safeguarding.

“I cannot just inform the president about the many young individuals in prison; I will go further to ensure that the challenges faced by young people are taken into account.”

He pledged to advocate for youth issues to be prioritized in every government agenda.

Saidy, recognized for his active engagement in youth affairs, expressed his commitment to assisting in the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth.

“Every time I visit the prison I feel a sense of sadness. During my last visit, I reported back to the president on how we can best assist in transforming the lives of the young people behind bars,” he disclosed.

Saidy, who has experience working in various institutions prior to his role as youth adviser, also stressed the importance of young people adhering to the law.

“We have laws that must be respected. We should coexist peacefully, which means I should not harm you, and you should not harm me,” he clarified.

He also praised the prison authorities for their efforts in aiding the rehabilitation of inmates.

By Alieu Jallow

The Managing Director of the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Union (GTUCCU), Dawda Kujabie, has responded to teachers’ concerns about the recently introduced Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

The scheme, which has sparked backlash from some members, was intended to provide long-term financial security for teachers but has been met with complaints of lack of consultation and miscommunication.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Kujabie described the situation as “unfortunate” but clarified that decisions regarding the scheme were taken by the GTUCCU Board, which is the highest decision-making body within the cooperative. He emphasised that the board acts on behalf of the general membership and that teachers had been informed through various channels.

“Some teachers may claim they were not informed, but the decision was taken in the best interest of the members. The savings have been in place for a while, and many teachers have already benefited from the institution. However, we acknowledge that there were communication lapses in the process,” Kujabie admitted.

Addressing concerns about the consultation process, Kujabie stated that forms were distributed for teachers to voluntarily opt into the scheme. He also explained that experiential marketing was used to educate teachers on the benefits of the scheme.

“The scheme has been in place since 2023, and funds have been rolling for nearly two years. Some teachers may not visit the credit union frequently, leading to claims of not being informed,” he said.

On the legal framework, Kujabie explained that the initiative was backed by GTUCCU’s policies and board decisions, which are mandated to act on behalf of members. He dismissed claims that the scheme contradicts the government’s pension plan, clarifying that the GTUCCU initiative is more of a savings and support scheme rather than a replacement for the government’s pension program.

He outlined the benefits of the scheme, highlighting its potential to support teachers’ professional and personal development. He explained that the scheme would create a pool of funds to provide low-interest student loans for teachers who wish to further their education.

“Many young teachers struggle to finance their higher education. We have seen cases where teachers were admitted to institutions like Gambia College but could not afford the fees. This scheme is designed to ensure financial security and educational advancement for teachers,” he noted.

He further explained that participation in the pension scheme would also qualify teachers for additional financial benefits, including access to credit and investment opportunities.

Kujabie acknowledged that some teachers, particularly those with less than five years of service, were among the main critics of the scheme. However, he noted that long-serving teachers appreciated its potential benefits.

When asked if teachers could opt out, he confirmed that participation was not mandatory, and teachers were free to withdraw their funds if they were dissatisfied.

“Anyone who wishes to exit the scheme is allowed to do so without any charges or penalties,” he assured.

He highlighted that to improve transparency and address concerns, GTUCCU has embarked on a nationwide tour to engage teachers in various regions. Kujabie stated that meetings have been held with teachers in different clusters, and more engagements are planned in the coming weeks.

“We have visited the major regions and continue to engage teachers directly. The reception has been largely positive, with many teachers appreciating the scheme once they fully understand its benefits,” he explained.

He dismissed allegations of selective justice in the scheme’s implementation, stating that every teacher is given equal access and that cluster representatives play a key role in decision-making.

Kujabie urged teachers to trust the process and make informed decisions about their financial future. He emphasized that the scheme was designed to provide long-term benefits, including financial security after retirement.

“Many teachers serve for over 30 years and retire into poverty. This scheme ensures that teachers have financial security when they retire. It also provides short-term benefits, including access to loans and educational support,” he said.

He encouraged teachers to seek clarification from GTUCCU rather than rely on misinformation, emphasizing that the credit union remains committed to the welfare of its members.

By Alieu Jallow

The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has confirmed that two children were rescued from a suspected abduction attempt following the prompt response of immigration and intelligence officers in the border village of Dimbaya.

In an exclusive interview, the Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department, Inspector Simam Lowe, told The Fatu Network that Assistant Immigration Control Officer (AICO) Demba Bah, who was on duty at the time, responded to an uproar from villagers. The villagers believed there was a possible match of the twins in the company of three individuals: Mohamadou Jallow, Amadou Kanteh, and Isatou Jallow.

Sensing something amiss, AICO Bah, accompanied by an officer from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), quickly moved to the scene and apprehended the suspects.

PRO Lowe noted that, acting on intelligence and demonstrating professionalism, the officer in charge swiftly secured the twins from the villagers to prevent a potential confrontation between the villagers and the suspects.

“AICO Bah, along with an officer from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), rushed to the scene and apprehended the suspects. To prevent a potential altercation, they separated the suspects from the children and engaged with the community to maintain decorum.

“The officers took them into custody and secured them in a holding cell. They then contacted the children’s relatives using the phone number provided on a flyer. Shortly after, a relative arrived at the Dimbaya Immigration Post, accompanied by a police officer, GID handed over the case to the Madina Salanding Police Station.

“The suspects and the children were immediately handed over to them for further processing and necessary investigation,” he stated.

The immigration’s PRO revealed that further investigations disclosed that the suspects had attempted to secure motorcycles to transport them across the border into Senegal given the nature of the Gambia’s porous borders.

“The immigration officer intercepted the suspects as they attempted to secure motorcycles for transportation into Senegal through the support of the community, a critical effort in GID’s intelligence sharing and community engagement initiatives,” he said.

On Monday, reports emerged that seven-year-old twins were forcibly taken from their cousin while on their way to school in Brikama Jiddah. The alleged abductor was identified as their biological father, who had been estranged from their lives for years following a divorce. Their mother has since remarried and built a new life with another man.

The incident, according to media reports on Monday, occurred while their cousin was taking them to school and was abruptly stopped by a taxi with five passengers, including the driver. A man wearing a face mask quickly exited the vehicle, shoved the cousin after a brief struggle, and forcefully dragged the children into the car. The vehicle then sped off.

When asked about immigration’s commitment to combating transnational crimes, PRO Lowe reassured the public of their commitment to combating such crimes, stating: “The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) is highly vigilant regarding transnational crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking. This awareness is a fundamental part of GID’s operations at border points, ensuring meticulous security checks. Through the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), all individuals crossing the border are enrolled and subjected to thorough security screenings,” he said.

Following the successful handing over of the suspects to the police, they have reported to be investigating the matter.