The release stated that President Barrow finds “it puzzling that a malicious story premised on falsehood and cheap political propaganda is what some politicians and their media apologists use to caricature and allege corruption and lack of transparency in his government.”
“Following widespread allegations orchestrated and bandied about by the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Mr. Ousainou Darboe, President Adama Barrow wishes to make it abundantly clear to all citizens, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, that his government has never, ever, lifted a single barrel of crude oil from the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the government stated.
The statement continued that the allegation that has since been amplified by opposition elements and a section of the news media with reporting styles anathema to all ethical standards of journalism, is fatally false, malicious, and without a scintilla of truth.
“In actuality negotiations for The Gambia Government to resume benefitting from Nigerian crude oil began in June 2018 while Mr. Ousainou Darboe was Foreign Minister and later, vice president. The Nigerian Government granted approval in June 2019 barely two months after Mr. Darboe’s exit from the corridors of power.”
“Between August and September 2021, The Gambia Government embarked on a thorough examination of the offer based on international standards of due diligence and serious expert evaluations of its costs, benefits, and ramifications.”
Spokesperson Sankareh explained that when Cabinet convened on 6 October 2021, this matter was discussed under ‘Any Other Businesses’ (AOB), and not even as a major Cabinet paper. He added that following exhaustive evaluation, the cabinet condcluded that while the opportunity represented goodwill and generosity of the Nigerian government, it was costly.
“Cabinet, therefore, quashed the entire programme and not a single barrel of crude oil was ever lifted either directly or indirectly by the Barrow government. In fact, the ongoing court cases over the Diplomatic Passport saga and the recent arrest, remand, and trial of the former Ministry of Fisheries Permanent Secretary, show the seriousness with which the Barrow Government takes issues of corruption in all places regardless of status or position.”
Mr. Sankareh reiterated that judicial processes could be long and cumbersome and as a true believer in the Rule of Law, the principle of Separation of Powers, and the independence of the Judiciary, President Barrow does not interfere with judicial processes.
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