Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – An investigation by The Alkamba Times (TAT) has exposed major irregularities in the Gambia Government’s concession agreement with Turkish company Albayrak for the management of the Banjul Seaport and the development of a Deep Seaport in Sanyang.

Findings from the Technical Proposal Evaluation Report, prepared by Maritime and Transportation Business Solutions (MTBS), raise significant concerns about the bidding process, Albayrak’s qualifications, and the government’s decision-making.

Dubious Bidding Process

According to The Alkamba Times, the government awarded the contract to the Albayrak-Negmar Consortium despite the evaluation showing that among the seven companies that bid for the concession—Albayrak-Negmar Consortium, Bolloré, DP World, Marsa Maroc and Tanger Med Consortium, Meridiam, RSGT, and Vilport—only Bolloré met all bid requirements.

The technical proposal assessment by Maritime and Transportation Business Solutions (MTBS) indicated that Albayrak and Negmar failed to meet critical criteria, including compliance checks, investment plans, and concession agreement stipulations. Furthermore, the consortium did not provide a third-year financial statement or sufficient evidence of its capacity to manage a seaport of Banjul’s scale.

One of the other primary concerns at the time of the bidding is the lack of evidence regarding the consortium’s management experience, specifically the experience of operating a container terminal with a capacity larger than 200,000 TEU for at least five years. The consortium’s details about the quay’s capacity to support Ship-to-Shore cranes and geared vessels were not established.

Moreover, the report indicates that the Request for Proposal (RFP) lacked several key elements. These include detailed information on investment costs, the phasing of investments, and the division between replacement capital expenditures (CAPEX) needed to maintain current capacity and expansion CAPEX required to increase capacity.

Specific areas lacking detail include terminal infrastructure (such as quay walls and berth pockets dredging), terminal superstructure (including paving, buildings, and utilities), terminal equipment (like quay cranes and transport equipment), terminal IT systems (such as the terminal operating system), capacity calculations and drawings, and a strategy for asset transfer at the end of the concession period.

Despite these shortcomings, the Concession Committee still awarded the contract to Albayrak and Negmar, bypassing Bolloré, which had met all technical and financial criteria.

Consortium Breakdown and Financial Gaps

TAT’s investigation also revealed that the Albayrak-Negmar partnership has since dissolved due to financial and managerial disputes. Negmar reportedly withdrew upon realizing that it lacked the necessary capital and human resources to execute the project. Sources disclosed that raising the estimated $1 billion investment for the Sanyang Deep Seaport was a significant challenge.

The evaluation report further noted that the consortium lacked a clear strategy for port operations, investment timelines, and capacity calculations. Key omissions included terminal infrastructure planning, dredging specifics, and a strategy for asset transfer at the concession’s end.

Revenue Distribution and Alleged Corruption

A Gambian expert interviewed by The Alkamba Times warned that the agreement effectively mortgages the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), which contributes nearly 40% to the country’s economy. He criticized the revenue-sharing structure, under which 80% of port-generated income would go to Albayrak, leaving only 20% for the Gambian government.

Furthermore, the expert recommended that the Gambia Police Force and the National Assembly Select Committee on Public Enterprises conduct investigations into high-ranking government and GPA officials involved in the process to determine whether or not they have been paid to support the concession agreement.

Albayrak’s Troubled Track Record

Concerns over Albayrak’s suitability for the project have been further heightened by its past engagements in other African countries. According to The Alkamba Times, Albayrak has faced allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and unfair revenue-sharing agreements in Guinea and Somalia.

In Somalia, reports claim the company manipulated port revenue figures to reduce government earnings. Similarly, in Guinea, the company secured a 25-year lease with an 82% revenue share, leading to accusations of preferential treatment.

Community Concerns in Sanyang

Residents of Sanyang have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the proposed deep seaport. The community’s legal representative, Lamin J. Darboe, has requested that all project facilities be relocated to less populated areas, citing environmental and community impacts. Affected residents have complained about inadequate consultations and unclear property evaluation processes.

TAT reports that despite multiple attempts to obtain official comments, GPA’s Public Relations Officer, Gibbou M. Saidy, has stated that inquiries were forwarded to the Concession Committee, but no response has been received.

The findings of The Alkamba Times raise the urgent need for government accountability in this infrastructure agreement, particularly considering the importance of a critical national asset like the Banjul Seaport. With this TAT report, public scrutiny is expected to put pressure on the Gambian government to review the concession agreement and guarantee more openness and due diligence in upcoming projects.

Click Here for the Full Alkamba Times Investigation Story