By: Fatou Krubally
Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday questioned the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs over audit-reported financial irregularities involving tens of millions of dalasis, as the government cited ongoing investigations, court proceedings and administrative delays in recovery efforts.
The session, centred on Questions 076 and 077 of 2026, focused on findings from the Auditor General’s reports, which flagged significant discrepancies in public fund management.
The Minister of Finance told lawmakers that about D27.5 million was identified in the 2023 audit cycle as suspected cases of misuse, with approximately D1 million recovered so far. He added that the 2024 audit report highlighted about D72 million in questioned transactions currently under investigation or legal review.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the pace of recovery and the limited evidence of funds returned to the state.
The Member for Janjanbureh, Hon. Omar Jatto Jammeh, requested documentary evidence of recovered funds, including receipts and treasury records, and questioned whether the National Audit Office had independently verified the recoveries.
The Finance Minister responded that audit records already reflect verified transactions, adding that several cases remain before the courts and that recovery processes cannot be completed until legal determinations are made.
The Member for Kiang West, Hon. Lamin Ceesay, also sought clarification on whether the D72 million represented confirmed fraud or audit observations, and called for a breakdown of affected institutions and officials.
Responding, the Speaker of the National Assembly urged ministers to provide clear and self-contained answers on the floor of Parliament without reliance on external documents not immediately available to members.
The Speaker further called for improved transparency and strengthened parliamentary oversight in public financial management.
The Minister assured lawmakers that government is compiling a comprehensive list of ongoing cases in collaboration with audit and oversight bodies, which will be submitted to Parliament within one month
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