While debating the Consolidated Report of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) on the Committees consideration of the 2025 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the National Assembly Members queried the increased budget for the President’s Meet the People Tour.
The budget, which has been increased from D30 million to D50 million, raised eyebrows among members as some showed solidarity while others opposed it.
Giving his submission, Hon Yahya Sanyang, Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, underscored that the budget increase on the President’s Meet the People Tour “is disturbing”, quizzing why “the budget is increased from D30 million to D50 million, while you cut spending from relevant ministries like Education and Health. This amount should have been committed to Gambians than on the president’s tour,” he reasoned, suggesting that the government should consider reducing “unnecessary” expenditure in order to boost the country’s revenue.
However, Hon. Alagie B. Ceesay, NAM for Sabach Sanjal, stated that the budget allocated for the president’s tour for the year 2025 “is worthy”.
“It's a constitutional mandate, that the President should meet the people, listen and discuss their concerns. If you want to limit budget for that, it is going to create a gap,” he argued, saying: “Currently what is happening on the ongoing tour is that they usually gather three districts together for the President to meet, and this is due to the limited resources, which is not right.”
He added: “Each district and constituency has their own problems; thus packing them together at one venue only effects slow solutions for those problems.
“Insufficient funds for this cause only will hinder our people in expressing their concerns to the president, as some villages might be skipped and others might not have the opportunity to express their concerns.”
He capped his argument: “We would not speak for the reduction of our constituency allowances as members; therefore, let’s support this increment as it is for the greater good of the country.”
