By: Binta Jaiteh
Gamtel/Gamtel on Monday presents their activity Report and financial statement for the year ended 2018 before the National Assembly select committee on Public Enterprise.
Speaking during the presentation, Ahmed Tijan Jallow, Chairperson of Gamtel/Gamcel said in 2019 the board and management organized a three-day retreated to undertake a strategic review the of potentials, prospects and challenges facing Gamtel.
“One of the key outcomes of the retreat was the agreement to develop turn-around strategies have been developed,” he added.
According to him, the board, management and the line ministry are closely working together to find ways of implementing the strategies.
The turn-around strategies charted at this retreat are meant to solve critical issues impeding the operational and financial performance of both companies, he said
Mr. Jallow explained that, Gamtel/Gamtel way forward is sharply focused strategies and new business models, capital infusion to modernize and expand their infrastructures.
“We have no doubt that turning around these companies will be a difficult challenge after years of neglect, under-investment and serious policy constraints.
Alhagie Seedy Jaiteh, Managing Director of Gamtel/Gamcel also said in the last quarter of 2017, government has facilitated 20Million loan from the bank to roll out a national program.
“The National program did not only provide increase in internet penetration but it also makes it efficient and affordable,” he added.
He said over few past years the company pursues debtor strategies to cover their debts.
Government is still limiting Gamtel’s effort to expand and modernize, he said.
Elizabeth Johnson, General Manager of Gamcel, said the company is operating a network infrastructure with only second and third generation most of which the equipment is installed in 2001.
She said when the company Gamtel/Gamcel network is not easily accessible and where it is accessible is faced with serious convection, adding that this has resulted to loss of over 70% of its market share from last ten years and over 50% of the pre-paid customer is inactive, Gamcel is now third in the market in terms of network coverage