Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly has referred the Communications Bill 2025 to the relevant committee for detailed scrutiny following its second reading on the floor of the House.
The motion, moved without notice by the Member for Upper Saloum, Hon. Alagie Mbow, was grounded in Clause 68 of the Standing Orders, which outlines the procedure for committing a bill to a committee after its second reading.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Mbow cited provisions of the Standing Orders requiring that within three working days after the conclusion of the second reading, the Assembly Business Committee may refer a bill to a committee for detailed investigation and reporting.
He further noted that if the committee fails to initiate the process within the stipulated timeframe, any member may move a motion to have the bill committed to a committee.
Relying on this provision, Hon. Mbow moved that the Communications Bill 2025 be referred to the National Assembly Select Committee on Education, Training, and ICT for further consideration and review.
The motion was seconded on the floor, after which the presiding officer put the question to members. With no objections raised, the motion was carried.
The Speaker subsequently committed the bill to the Education, Training, and ICT Committee for further scrutiny and reporting back to the Assembly.
The referral marks the next stage of the legislative process, during which the committee is expected to conduct a detailed examination of the bill, consult relevant stakeholders, and present its findings and recommendations to the Assembly for consideration.
The Communications Bill 2025 is expected to address key issues within the country’s communications sector, though its provisions will now undergo committee-level analysis before the Assembly proceeds with further debate.
Leave a Reply