By Mafugi Ceesay
The Alkamba Times is reliably informed that the Gambia Ports Authority has issued one month suspension to two of its staff for openly supporting the opposition party in the recently concluded Presidential election.
This medium has confirmed that two staff of the GPA allegedly believed to be staunch supporters of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) have commenced a monthlong suspension period starting Tuesday 11th January, 2022.
The suspended staff belong to different Departments and designations at the GPA.
One of them is a Senior HR Manager and the other an Operator at the Ports Traffic Department.
The suspension letter seen by The Alkamba Times indicated that the affected staff will be on half salary ‘pending the outcome of the investigation and decision of the board of Directors of the Gambia Ports Authority.’
“I am directed to communicate to you the Gambia Ports Authority’s Board of Directors decision to suspend you from duty on half salary with immediate effect for 1 (one) month. This decision is based on your breach of SR 0701 (1) and disciplinary measures as per 0702 (2) (b).
Your active participation and public appearance in support of a political party and failure to respond to a query sent to you on the matter necessitates this action.
This suspension is pending further investigations into the matter and reports to the boards of directors for consideration,” the letter to the one of suspended staff states.
Talking to the Alkamba Times about GPA Board’s decision, one of the victims said he was utterly surprised to receive news of his suspension when he was already on his way to night duty. He contested that the Boards decision was taken under duress.
“I have no doubt that this decision came from the top and was imposed on the Board and Management of the GPA for implementation. It’s politically unfair to be victimized on the basis of my party affiliation. We all have rights to association. In fact, everyone campaigned either covertly or overtly. Why are those in NPP spared? This is the height of unfairness and political expediency,” he lamented.
