By Lamin Njie
The ministry of trade has dismissed claims President Adama Barrow gave instructions for the over 700 million dalasis foodstuff contract to be given to Abubakary Jawara.
Abubakary Jawara is a powerful businessman who owns Gach group and is reportedly a close friend and financier of President Barrow.
He was present when President Barrow launched his government’s food relief package in Banjul on Sunday. Reports later abounded that it was Mr Jawara and his sister who were given the exclusive rights to deliver rice, sugar and oil to the government to be distributed to Gambians.
Trade ministry permanent secretary Lamin Dampha told The Fatu Network on Monday the reports were not true.
Mr Dampha said: “It’s not true, it’s not true. In fact the president is not in charge of the process. Then how can he exclusively give the contract to Fatoumatta Jawara and Abubakary Jawara.
“Abubakary Jawara, his business is Gach and Gach has not applied. Fatoumatta Jawara… Because she’s a small business player. It belongs to a women’s group and the women group has applied and they won.”
