Gambia
Port Authority (GPA), Friday paid an amount of twenty million dalasi as
dividend to the government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Affairs.
The
ceremony was attended by some senior staff of the Authority, minister of
Finance and Economic Affairs Mamburay Njie and his permanent secretaries and
chief executive officer of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
Speaking
at the presentation ceremony held at MOFEA conference hall, managing director
of GPA, Ousman Jobarteh said the payment of the 20 million dalasis was based on
GPA’s audited financial statement from the year ended December 2018.
He
said one of the hallmarks for paying the amount is at a time when the
performance of the Authority was improving as expected, saying although there
are some challenges in term of infrastructural improvement.
Mr.
Jobarteh said the efficiency of the port has significantly improved, which he
said has made them proud. “This is about my staff determination, team work and
commitment.”
He also expressed profound gratitude to the
board of directors of Gambia Ports Authority for their foresight and the
guidance they provided to the management. He commended the government for its
continued support to GPA.
Alieu
Secka, chief executive officer of GCCI, who spoke on behalf of the chairman of
the GPA board of directors said the payment of the amount as dividend to
government was a good move.
He
said for the last 12 months, GPA continued to tackle the challenges and
continues to make giant steps in providing the required services within its
mandate.
He
said commended the previous board for diligently serving and ensuring that the
future of the port is sustained not only today but for the future. He assured
that GPA will continue to work with government to achieve its desired goals to
build the capacity of the port.
In
receiving the cheque on behalf of the government, Minister Mamburay Njie
thanked GPA management for the giant strive, saying that last year, the
Authority had paid 5 million dalasi dividend to the government.
Finance
minister Njie said the payment demonstrates GPA’s commitment to national
development, saying it has performed beyond expectation.
He
said this year’s dividend payment by GPA illustrates the unlimited potentials
in the Authority revenue generation capacity, saying dividend payment of 20
million dalasi is historic compared to 5 million dalasi last year.
“It
is in this regard that the government of The Gambia recommits its support to
the Authority to transform the infrastructure of the port to an ultra modern
facility – capacity of meeting the modern day international tackle facility
requirement.”
He
said this will allow the ports to maintain its regional trade hub status due to
efficiency and increase digitalisation.
