By Alieu Ceesay
Five pieces of evidence have already emerged on day one of the National Assembly Joint Committee’s investigation into the Petroleum Corruption scandal.
The National Assembly Joint Committee, charged with investigating the petroleum corruption allegation, has begun its public hearings today on the petroleum products inquiry.
This is the first of its kind for Gambia’s lawmakers to investigate such wild corruption allegations.
The Joint Committee is investigating allegations surrounding the sale of 36,953.614 metric tons of petroleum products valued at $30,000,000.00. (about D2 Billion).
The Committee kicked off its investigation with allegations of bribery and tax evasion leveled against Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics concerning the sale of petroleum products.
The Honourable Sainey Jawara, National Assembly Member for Lower Saloum, appeared before his fellow lawmakers as the first witness to alleged corruption.
Giving his testimony, Hon. Jawara stated that he had gathered five different pieces of evidence against the petroleum mentioned above products dealers.
He added that Mr. Aromase was arrested and handed over to police in Banjul for further investigation, as he allegedly caused substantial economic losses to the state.
“The GRA and the police inspector general were provided with intelligence reports for further action.
The FIB received a report that certain individuals are allegedly receiving kickbacks (bribery) of Six Hundred Thousand Dalasis (600,000) monthly,” Hon. Jawara stated.
Hon. Jawara expressed concern that most of the financial transactions done by the said company are likely petroleum product sales in the Gambia.
Lower Saloum Lawmaker reminds his colleagues that tackling such corrupt practices will save the state from future financial loss, as the country heavily depends on taxation to finance development projects and programmes.
“If citizens are paying tax, why are taxes not paid in huge transactions? My aim is to save the government from this taxation evasion.”
The Lower Saloum representative has been looking into this matter for the past year and has good insights and understanding of the occurrence.
“Taxation should not be given any waver without the approval of parliament,” Hon. Jawara emphasized.
The petroleum products in question are said to be in a Russian vessel that stayed in Gambian waters for over three months without taxation.
The vessel is believed to be transiting Ghana. According to sources, it has not met the required standards to do business in Ghana, forcing it to stay in Gambian waters with “Substandard petroleum products.”
The Committee was granted 90 days to complete its inquiry and report to the plenary by 22nd October 2024.
