By: Momodou Gagigo
More than 800 staff members who were transferred from the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) to Alport Banjul Limited have formally petitioned GPA management, voicing deep frustration over the alleged failure to honor the agreed employment terms and conditions following the port’s concession arrangement.
The petition, signed by the vast majority of transferred operational personnel, was presented collectively amid mounting discontent. Workers claim that assurances given during the transition—that their terms of service would remain unchanged—have not been implemented, leading to significant welfare challenges.
Staff representatives noted that although more employees were affected by the transfer, the petition garnered over 800 signatures from active workers. This figure represents nearly the entire operational workforce, accounting for those who have since retired, fallen ill, or are currently abroad.
Key grievances outlined in the petition include the absence of a clear staff budget for 2026, the stalling of promotions, restricted access to institutional loans, and the complete suspension of study and training opportunities that were previously available under GPA.
Adama Jatta, President of the Alport Banjul Staff Association, who spoke on behalf of the workers, said the petition captures widespread dissatisfaction.
“We signed the petition together as staff who were transferred to Alport Banjul under the understanding that we would continue working under the same terms and conditions we had at GPA,” she stated. “But currently, there is no budget for 2026, staff cannot be promoted, staff cannot access loans, and even opportunities for studies and training have been stopped.”
Jatta highlighted the severe financial strain on many employees. With an embargo on institutional loans lasting nearly two years, workers have turned to multiple commercial banks, resulting in heavy debt burdens. “Many staff are going home with very little from their salaries each month. Staff are frustrated and not happy with the current situation,” she added.
The staff leader recalled the initial optimism at the start of the concession. Workers, motivated by the promised continuity of benefits, doubled their efforts and contributed to notable operational improvements, including reduced vessel turnaround times that once drew praise from Alport management. “Now staff are saying they are tired, they are frustrated, and they want their voices to be heard,” Jatta said.
Another representative, Baba Barjo, echoed these sentiments, warning that the deterioration in staff welfare since the transition risks undermining port operations. “We were told clearly that when the new operators came, we would continue under the same terms and conditions we enjoyed at GPA. But since the transfer, we have realized that many of those assurances were empty promises,” he remarked.
Barjo stressed the critical role of the transferred staff, describing them as the “operational backbone” responsible for everything from port entrance activities to container delivery at the gate. “If the nucleus of the institution is not satisfied, you cannot expect operations to continue at the expected level,” he cautioned.
He also pointed to broader structural concerns, noting the lack of clear administrative frameworks and policy guidelines under the concession. GPA, established in 1972, had long operated with established structures and welfare policies that appear to have gaps in the new arrangement.
The workers have given management a 28-day notice period to address their concerns. During this time, they will continue monitoring developments while awaiting a formal response before deciding on further action.
Copies of the petition have been submitted not only to GPA but also to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Commission, the National Assembly, and the Department of Labor, signaling a call for broader governmental and institutional intervention.
Staff representatives emphasized that their action is not politically motivated but stems from years of dedicated service and a genuine appeal for resolution. “These are citizens who have served the institution for many years and are now appealing to government and stakeholders to listen to their concerns and help find solutions,” Barjo stated.
The concession of Banjul Port to Alport Banjul Limited (a partnership involving Turkish interests) was intended to modernize operations and improve efficiency. However, the current dispute highlights ongoing tensions over staff welfare and the practical implementation of transfer agreements.
As the 28-day window begins, all eyes remain on GPA and relevant authorities to see whether dialogue can resolve the impasse before it affects the port’s critical role in The Gambia’s economy. Port operations remain ongoing for now, but sustained low morale could pose risks to efficiency if the concerns are not promptly addressed.
