The National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has begun its scrutiny of the 2025 Government Accounts, uncovering billions of dalasi in arrears and raising serious questions about public spending controls.
During Monday’s session, the Accountant General’s office revealed that The Gambia has accumulated D8.58 billion arrears in subscribed capital contributions, with no payments made since December 2022. Auditors recommended that the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General reassess the government’s investment position and devise measures to address the liabilities.
Expenditure Irregularities
The audit highlighted unauthorized spending in the Histories and Geology sector, where D62.56 million was spent on VDL projects without ministerial approval or inclusion in the Appropriation Bill. This contravenes the Public Finance Act, prompting auditors to call for investigations and stronger budgetary oversight.
Oversight Failures
The Losses Advisory Committee, mandated to meet quarterly, reportedly failed to convene throughout 2025. The committee is responsible for reviewing government losses and determining recoveries or write-offs.
Fisheries Sector Concerns
Auditors noted that the Department of Fisheries had not maintained data on total allowable catch levels and had yet to enforce registration and licensing of artisanal fishing vessels. Additionally, fish processing and fishmeal factories were found to owe unpaid licensing fees.
Debt and Loan Management
The report questioned debt servicing classifications, revealing that D63.95 million in interest payments to the Islamic Development Bank had been wrongly recorded as principal repayments. A D582.3 million loan also lacked evidence of a credit risk assessment, while several state-owned enterprises failed to service on-lent loans or submit mandatory reports.
Misuse of Contingency Fund
Auditors criticized the transfer of D329.5 million from the Contingency Fund for routine expenditures, despite the fund being reserved for unforeseen and urgent needs.
FPAC is expected to continue its hearings, with ministries, departments, and agencies cited in the audit scheduled to appear before the committee to respond to the findings.
