The Gambia Armed Forces commanders have sought clarification from the Personnel Management Office (PMO) over the unauthorised deductions of soldiers salaries. 

“The GAF High Command invited officials of the PMO led by their permanent secretary to the Defence Headquarters, seeking clarification on the issue. 

“During the frank and constructive discussion witnessed by the permanent secretary Ministry of Defence, GAF Service Chiefs and Commanding Officers, amongst others, personnel of the PMO posited that in implementing the allowance reform system, some imputing errors were reported and these errors affected the GAF in general whose pay should legally draw inspiration from the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS Officers and Soldiers),” Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) said in a statement. 

“GAF wishes to bring to the attention of the general public that the recent measures taken by the Personnel Management Office (PMO) to rationalise and standardise the allowance structure across the civil service has affected the GAF as well as other institutions, according to an explanation from the PMO.”

“However, this exercise led to the deduction of the take home pay of the entire membership of the GAF,” the soldiers added.

GAF High Command assured soldiers that their pay and welfare is top most priority on the Chief of Defence Staff’s priority list.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba