By: Nyima Sillah
Former Senior Official in Regional Integration at African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Lamin Manneh says Illicit financial flows (IFFs) are draining millions from The Gambia, undermining infrastructure development, agriculture, and public service delivery.
Mr. Manneh made the remarks during an interview granted to this reporter on Thursday.
He says widespread corruption and weak political leadership are at the heart of the problem, stressing the importance of building local capacity in construction to reduce dependency on foreign contractors and ensure better value for money.
“I believe skilled professionals within institutions like the National Roads Authority (NRA) could eventually form competent private firms to handle national projects. That’s how we make sure we get the value we pay for,” Dr.Manneh stated.
He pointed out the significant inflation cost in recent road projects saying “Fifty million dollars allocated for 50 kilometers of OIC roads could have delivered at least 100 kilometers, especially since these are secondary roads. Instead, we are paying up to $1 million per kilometer when it should cost no more than $200,000,”he revealed.
Adding: “The roads being built don’t even meet basic standards and won’t last long. That’s not just mismanagement it’s a failure of political leadership.”
Dr. Manneh noted that national spending on roads has overshadowed other vital sectors, such as energy, asserting that that one kilometer of highway or 1MW of energy costs around $1 million. “Part of that $50 million spent on road could have helped NAWEC generate enough electricity for the country, but that opportunity was missed.”
Manneh, who also has extensive experience in regional economic communities, infrastructure, policy coordination and institutional partnerships across Africa, pointed out that the Karpowership deal, in particular, raised concerns as the Turkish company was contracted to provide power at an annual cost of about $30-$35 million for just two years, but remained in operation for seven years.
He further stated that the agriculture sector also showed troubling signs, citing that the government announced reforms in tractor procurement last year, but to date, no tractors have been delivered. “We’ve examined the costs, and they simply don’t make sense. Where is the money? He asked. “Similar questions surrounded the purchase of ambulances. Dozens broke down within a year. They were not new as claimed and we have asked these questions but received no answers.”
Manneh argues that these cases are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of corruption that fuels illicit financial flows. “They come from contract manipulation, procurement fraud, and even criminal networks involving human trafficking and money laundering,” he emphasized.
He also warns that many corrupt officials have hidden their money abroad, stressing that those responsible know their time might come so they hide the money offshore. He, however, says despite public outcry, there has been no meaningful investigation into big-name scandals, including those linked to the Panama Papers. “We’ve heard the names, even of high-profile figures, but no action was taken. Not even attempts to recover stolen assets.”
He suggests that the solution lies in strong, honest leadership and comprehensive audits. “Where there is corruption, there are illicit financial flows, whether in The Gambia, the sub-region, or globally. It’s time we face this reality and act decisively,” Manneh concluded.
