By Binta Jaiteh
Lawmakers Wednesday commenced debate of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2021 tabled by the Minister of Finance Honorable Mambury Njie.
Honorable Ousman Sillah, member for Banjul north said: “I was expecting that the extra ordinary session will deal with the recent happenings in the country to Covid-19 as we know it is damaging the country and the health system is coping in very difficult system.”
“Voting that is the enfranchising in the diaspora but all these three expectations has been dashed. I’m not keen for supporting IEC, I said it here not for any opportunistic. Gambia was colonized when the colonist came and said Gambians are immature politically so cannot determine their destiny,” he added.
He noted that this led to Edward Francis Small championing the cause no taxation. We need to enfranchise people who are paying taxes to sustain colonial order.
“However I am not expecting any vote from the diaspora by the virtue of this intervention, (but it) is my duty to make sure that rights are protected and is there rights to vote and not too late. IEC is asking for D80million for application software system and licenses what of registering Diaspora,” he said.
Honorable Dawda Kawsu Jawara, NAM Upper Fuladu West said: “just last year they approved D1.6 billion for the health sector adding that after all approval of huge amount the citizens still use their own money to buy gloves to be cured. Hospitals are suffering and yet nothing has been done. Health Minister make sure that no Gambian should use his or her own money to buy gloves just to be cured.” .
He said since we came in office from 2017 till date, we have borrowed D21 billion for and we still counting for more, adding that “we want to serve the Gambian people to their best interest and I urge my colleagues to save this money for another issue.”
Honorable Halifa Sallah also noted that GRTS should cover this parliament and the committee they have failed in their responsibility and we cannot continue to encourage them.
“We have authority to scrutinize what is laid before us to agree or disagree adding that weather is enlighten with the interest of the people based on the context. However, the minister has informed us that what we approved was executed and by March 2021 3.8 billion have been spent. That indicated D1 billion was spent on personal emolument but key other issues are capital expenditure and debt service,” he continued.
