Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly of The Gambia has raised concerns over governance and compliance shortcomings at the country’s state-owned telecommunications companies, Gamtel and Gamcel, following its review of their 2022 financial and audit reports.
During the review, the committee examined the companies’ financial statements, management letters, and annual activity reports, focusing on their operational performance and adherence to financial regulations.
The Chairperson of the committee noted that Gamtel recorded revenue of D450.3 million in 2022, compared to D356 million in 2019. The increase was described as a significant improvement, despite the operational difficulties and restructuring efforts faced by the company in recent years.
Gamtel management told lawmakers they remain committed to safeguarding the country’s telecommunications infrastructure and strengthening internal governance systems to improve performance and accountability.
However, the audit findings revealed several areas of concern. These include unpaid staff salary deductions owed to the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Social Security scheme, failure to fully comply with COVID-19 preventive measures, and procurement irregularities involving missing supporting documents.
Auditors warned that such lapses could expose the institutions to financial risks, including the possibility of unauthorized transactions and penalties.
In response, the management acknowledged the findings and assured the committee that corrective measures would be implemented. Officials emphasized their commitment to compliance and said procurement is conducted directly with suppliers to ensure transparency.
Salieu A. Jack, Chairman of both Gamtel and Gamcel, also assured lawmakers that the institutions would address the concerns with urgency and diligence.
The review forms part of the National Assembly’s oversight responsibility to ensure public institutions maintain financial discipline and operate in line with national regulations.
