The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has refuted claims President Adama Barrow gave instructions for the 700 million dalasis food contract to be awarded to Gambian business tycoon, Abubacarr Jawara.

Mr Jawara, who owns GACH group, is reported to be a close friend and financier of President Adama Barrow.

The reports claimed that it was Mr Jawara and his sister who were given the exclusive rights to deliver rice, sugar and oil to The Gambia government to be distributed to Gambians.

Mr Jawara was however present when President Barrow launched his government’s food relief package in Banjul on Sunday.

And the ministry’s reaction to claims comes two days after President Barrow launched a 700 million dalasis food support package for at least 84 per cent of the country’s population.

The food support package is meant to help Gambians amid coronavirus pandemic, as the country is in a 45 days lockdown to curtail the spread of the virus. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba