The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of President Barrow’s administration following the release of the National Audit Office reports for 2021–2023, which uncovered financial irregularities and systemic corruption totaling over D110 billion. The opposition party demands immediate investigations and accountability for the “criminal” mismanagement of public resources.
The Auditor General’s reports detail a litany of financial discrepancies, including D3.8 billion in concealed arrears in the 2023 government accounts and D32.5 million in undocumented expenditures from the Office of the President. Procurement violations, such as single-sourced contracts for stadium renovations, road works, and the Banquet Hall, were flagged for lacking approval from the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) and missing records. Inflated project costs further exacerbated the financial strain on taxpayers.
The fisheries sector also came under scrutiny, with vessels caught illegally fishing being released without paying fines of over D53 million. In the mining sector, royalties were understated by nearly D80 million, with missing license files and non-compliance with contractual obligations. The reports also exposed payroll mismanagement, including ghost workers, dual salaries, unearned allowances, and unrecovered staff loans across ministries.
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) were not spared, with billions of dollars in government loans extended without proper risk assessments. Many of these loans have defaulted, leaving taxpayers to bear the burden. The UDP described these findings as “an affront to the Gambian people,” accusing the government of presiding over unprecedented corruption while citizens grapple with rising living costs, unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure.
“This level of corruption—whether through fraud, waste, or outright misappropriation—is nothing short of criminal,” the UDP stated in a press release. “The very officials responsible cannot be expected to resolve it. Their only objective is to cling to power as a shield against accountability.”
The UDP calls for immediate investigations into all implicated individuals and institutions, full enforcement of the law to recover stolen funds, and implementation of audit recommendations to prevent further abuses. The party also urged the establishment of stronger oversight bodies to ensure accountability, warning that the government’s dismissal of these demands as “opposition talk” would not silence the truth.
“The Gambia belongs to all its citizens,” the UDP emphasized. “Every dalasi collected in taxes, royalties, and international aid must serve the people, not be squandered through corruption and negligence.” The party called on Gambians to vote out the current administration to end the cycle of mismanagement.
The UDP reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, positioning itself as a champion for systemic reform. As public outrage grows, the audit reports have intensified scrutiny on the government, with the opposition leveraging the findings to rally support ahead of the 2026 elections.
