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Environment PS ordered to provide agreements on forfeited timber

Sep 21, 2023, 11:49 AM | Article By: Pa Modou Cham

The National Assembly has asked the Permanent Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Environment to provide to the Auditor General and FPAC, on or before 28th September 2023 all agreements between the Gambia Government and Senegal relating to all forfeited timber seized on Gambian soil and all payments made from the proceeds.

This came following the recommendations of the Consolidated Report of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) for the period June 2022 to July 2023 on the 2019 Audited Accounts of the Government, Annual Activity Reports and Audited Financial Statements of Public Agencies and Institutions, City, Municipal and Area Councils.

The parliament further recommends that the PS at the said Ministry must provide to the Auditor General and FPAC on or before 28th September 2023, the authority to spend the funds generated from the sale of confiscated timber.

Furthermore, Parliament demanded that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) provide a written explanation to the Auditors and the FPAC, on or before 28th September 2023, the procurement of 15 motor vehicles; brands that are different from the specifications on the contract, failure of which, the Inspector General of Police must launch an investigation immediately and report back to the FPAC within 90 days.