The director of the procurement cadre at the Ministry of Finance has tendered his resignation after what he described as ‘undue interference and influence’ allegedly by the Gambia government.
Dr. Solomon Jatta, a trained and seasoned procurement official, in a letter seen by Alkamba Times to his bosses at the Ministry of Finance, bitterly complained about undue influence and interferences in his work.
“It’s become abundantly clear that I cannot continue to perform my professional duties as the Director of Procurement due to interferences and undue influences. Therefore, I shall resign the Directorship of Procurement effective noon this twenty-sixth day of May 2023,” Dr. Jatta’s resignation letter seen by TAT stated.
” To the Procurement Cadre, I wish I could continue the good fight with you – to deliver Value for Money at the doorsteps of the Government. Unfortunately, I can’t. Therefore, I apologize to all who put your hopes and aspirations on me. I leave the office indebted to you for your kindness and support, but more importantly, for the lessons you taught me. My belief in you hasn’t waned.”
Dr. Jatta, according to several sources who talked to TAT from the finance ministry, credited him for leading efforts to fight against procurement malpractices and corruption to ensure government value for money.
Before his resignation, The sources said Jatta started the Procurement organization’s restructuring plan to reflect a modern procurement organization for the Gambia to ensure transparency, effectiveness, economy, efficiency, responsiveness, and value for money.
Efforts to hear from both Ministry of Finance and Dr. Jatta prove futile at the time of going to press.
