Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has terminated its staff transfer arrangement with Alport Banjul and resolved to reintegrate affected employees back into the authority, effectively ending a standoff that had threatened operations at the Port of Banjul.
The decision follows mounting pressure from workers under the Ports Staff Association, who earlier on Thursday convened a public meeting with GPA management to air grievances over their treatment under Alport’s administration.
Staff cited persistent salary delays, non-payment of overtime, and what they described as a broader erosion of workers’ rights.
At the meeting, employees demanded the outright cancellation of the concession arrangement with Alport and a full return of port management to GPA. They warned that failure to meet their demands would result in an industrial action, initially resolving to down tools after 4:00 PM.
In a press release confirming the breakthrough, GPA management announced that it had “resolved the current standoff” between transferred staff and Alport.
The authority stated that operations at the port have resumed with immediate effect, with GPA assuming responsibility for all human resources and administrative functions, while operational directives remain under Alport in line with the concession framework.
The dispute traces back to concerns raised earlier this week in a formal letter by staff addressed to GPA management and copied to key state institutions, including the Office of the President and the Ministry of Works and Transport Infrastructure.
In the correspondence, workers argued that their transfer to Alport was premised on guarantees that their existing terms and conditions of service under GPA would be preserved, assurances they say have not been honored.
Through their association president, Adama Jatta, staff highlighted several unmet commitments, including the promise that key leadership roles such as Head of Human Resources and Deputy Chief Executive Officer would be held by Gambian nationals with substantive authority.
The workers also pointed to inconsistencies in salary administration, delays in payments, and the absence of clear human resource policies under the new management. Additional concerns included stalled career progression, restrictions on staff benefits such as loans, and uncertainty surrounding the continuation of studies for employees enrolled in tertiary education.
Staff further argued that the transfer process was prematurely executed before all concession requirements were finalized, leaving employees exposed to administrative gaps and uncertainties.
As part of their demands, workers had called for full disclosure of all staff-related provisions within the concession agreement and clarity on prior commitments affecting their welfare.
They insisted that all human resource functions be returned to GPA or, alternatively, that all transferred staff be fully reabsorbed into the authority.
Although the association had issued a 28-day ultimatum threatening a sit-down strike if demands were not implemented, GPA’s latest decision appears to have preempted the industrial action, at least temporarily restoring stability at the country’s main seaport.
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