Nominated National Assembly member Ya Kumba Jaiteh has strongly defended the contentious 54 million dalasis loan scheme, explaining that it is only parliament that has no loan scheme in government since independence.

Last week Ms Jaiteh proposed 54 million dalasis loan scheme for members of parliament and secured support of 24 lawmakers. 

But the multi-million dalasis loan scheme was greeted with criticism and condemnation from all sections of the Gambian society.  

“I am the one who proposed this and I take full responsibility and I have very good basis for doing this. This loan scheme has been in existence in the civil services for time in memorial. 

“I am proposing this loan not for my benefit because I have a house to live in for the rest of my life, but others don’t [have house],” she said.

According to her, this is the opportunity created to encourage people to stay in the civil service given the low rate of salaries they are being paid and its extended to the entire civil service.

She added: “So, it’s the National Assembly alone out of the entire public service that do not have access to this loan and that is not fair given the fact that we are political persons and we are making decisions on behalf of the entire country. And there is tendency for us to be corrupted given the low earning we have.”

The controversial lawmaker continued: “I did my research and all the ministers they all have access to this loan judiciary, all the ministries, only the national assembly members don’t have it. 

“When we came in the banks offered us loan of 340,000 it is killing members because they paying 23% on it. When they have this loan, they can go and clear the rest to finish their buildings.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba