The debate followed Majority Leader Hon. Billay Tunkara’s motion to establish a special select committee to investigate the sale and disposal of the assets identified by the Commission of Inquiry known as Janneh Commission, which was set up in 2017 to probe the financial activities of public bodies enterprises and associates as regards their dealings with former president Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, and connected matters.
In his motion, Hon. Tunkara stated that: “The Committee shall submit its final report to the National Assembly no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of its first sitting, unless the mandate of the committee is extended by a resolution of the Assembly.”
He added that the report shall include: “Details of all the factual findings; legal and procedural analysis of all the evidence before the committee; a record of evidence received; conclusions and recommendations, including actions to be taken by relevant authorities.”
Reacting to this, nominated member, Kebba Lang Fofana, argued that: “If you look at the responsibilities of this committee and what the committee intends to do, it is my fervent belief that 120 days would not be sufficient.” He suggested that 180 days would be better to avoid the issue of extension.
“We need to get witness statements. And eventually, the most important thing is, the report and we expect the report to be complete whenever it is to be tabled to the plenary,” he said.
The National Assembly Member (NAM) for Janjanbureh Constituency, Hon. Omar Jammeh, reiterated Hon. Fofana’s suggestion, stating ample time should be allocated to avoid insufficient and rushed investigation.
Hon. Gibbi Mballow, Member for Upper Fuladou, said the special committee needs the 180 days to be fully committed to the call and diligently investigate to give concrete report.”
