Lawmakers Approved D557, 458, 585.00 Supplementary Appropriation Bill

Members of National Assembly on Friday night adopted and approved D557, 458, 585.00 as supplementary appropriation bill for the year 2018.

The over half a billion dalasi supplementary appropriation bill was presented to the House  by  finance minister Mamburay Njie, saying that  the appropriation was for farmers’ fertilizer, flying in of Cuban doctors and salaries of workers at various ministries.

The supplementary appropriation bill for the year 2018 amounting to over D1.2 billion was rejected last week by Members and following reduction in the amount the bill was passed and approved by lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Halifa Sallah of Serrekunda Central, Ousman Sillah of Banjul North and Amul Nyassi of Foni Kansala, opposed the bill.

The lawmakers from the United Democratic Party were divided on the bill with 8 supporting and 11 opposing while all the five members of National Reconciliation Party were in support.

The bill contained over 32 million for the Defense Ministry, over 33 million for the Interior Ministry, over 402 million for Centralized Services and over 89 million for the Basic and Secondary Education Ministry.

“This National Assembly is not going to be remote controlled… My conscience cannot allow me to accept a bill that I rejected last week on grounds that it is unlawful…,” said Alagie Darboe of Brikama North.