The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has successfully resolved the standoff with over 800 transferred staff at Alport Banjul Limited, announcing that all Human Resources and Administrative matters for the affected workers will now fall directly under GPA management.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the Authority, as the contracting party in the Port of Banjul Concession Agreement with Albayrak, confirmed that the dispute over welfare and employment conditions has been settled. Operations at the port have resumed immediately following the resolution.
The development comes days after more than 800 operational staff petitioned GPA management, expressing deep frustration over the non-implementation of the agreed terms and conditions of service. Workers had complained about the absence of a 2026 staff budget, stalled promotions, and suspension of institutional loans. They halted study and training opportunities — issues they said violated assurances given during the concession transfer.
Adama Jatta, President of the Alport Banjul Staff Association, and Baba Barjo had led the petition, warning that unresolved grievances could affect staff morale and port efficiency. The workers had issued a 28-day notice and copied the petition to the Office of the President, the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, the SOE Commission, the National Assembly, and the Department of Labor.
Under the new arrangement, GPA will assume full responsibility for Human Resources and Administrative functions for the transferred staff, while Alport retains operational control as per the concession agreement. This hybrid structure aims to address long-standing welfare concerns while maintaining the efficiency gains achieved under the private operator.
The resolution is expected to restore confidence among the workforce, many of whom had expressed fatigue after nearly two years of uncertainty. Staff had previously contributed significantly to improved port performance, including reduced vessel turnaround times, driven by initial optimism about the concession.
GPA’s intervention underscores its role as the ultimate authority in staff welfare matters despite the concession.
The move is likely to be welcomed by workers who had appealed for government and stakeholder intervention to protect their conditions of service.
Port operations, which form a critical backbone of The Gambia’s economy, are now back to normal. Both GPA and Alport management are expected to provide further details on the implementation of the new HR framework in the coming days.
This swift resolution prevents potential disruptions at Banjul Port and highlights the importance of clear communication and adherence to transfer agreements in public-private partnerships.
