The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has suspended four of its staff at the Rating Unit amid corruption allegation. 

The GPA said it has launched an investigation into the scandal, adding the management expressed concern over the trending allegation making rounds on social media that allegedly involved certain staff at the Rating Unit, who are said to have duplicated payment receipts resulting in a loss of revenue.

“We wish to inform members of the public that whistle-blower information raised an issue about signals of likelihood of leakages. 

“Subsequently, the matter was raised and discussed at a management meeting held on Monday 28th February, 2022. Immediately, precisely on Tuesday 1st March, 2022, a memo was issued constituting a three-member committee, excluding the affected Department, to investigate the drop in shore handling revenue covering from 2020 and 2021 and report back on Wednesday 16th March, 2022,” Yankuba Manneh, the Communications Officer of Gambia Ports Authority said in a statement.

“Apparently, on Thursday 3rd March, an alleged ‘multi-million-dalasi scandal’ broke on What’s On Gambia indicting the Authority. 

“This remains an allegation until proven by the outcome of the investigation. However, four staff suspected of the allegation have been interdicted pending the investigation outcome,” he added.

According to the statement, it is instructive for the public to know that the GPA Management has since early 2021 stopped all cash collection at the Ports and all importers have been paying at the Bank (GT Bank).

“Further to that, arrangements are underway to have the Bank produce the Delivery Order (DO), which is the source document. 

“This is being discussed with the shipping agencies who normally authorize releases on the DO before payments are made. The Port digitisation project also envisages online payments to eliminate all associated risks.”

He said the management assures the general public of its resolve to get to the bottom of the allegations swiftly and then take the next appropriate steps. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba