The Gambia national assembly members on Wednesday voted in support of President Adama Barrow’s 30 million dalasis travelling expenditure.

The voting followed a heated debate among the lawmakers as finance minister, Seedy Keita, tabled the 2024 national budget in parliament for consideration and adoption.

Only 15 lawmakers voted against the 30 million dalasis for Barrow’s yearly travel expenditure while 26 other lawmakers voted in support of the proposal. 

Most of the MPs who voted in for the 30 million dalasis are in Barrow’s National People’s Party.

Muhammed Kanteh, national assembly member for Busumbala constituency, insisted in his argument that the colossal sum of money for Barrow’s yearly travel expenditure should be slashed, adding that “because meet-the-people [tour] is all about politics.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba