He also disclosed that the government included D20 million in the 2025 Annual Revenue and Estimates Budget for victims’ reparations.
“These sums will start as the initial funds for the Victims Reparations Fund, soon to be established,” the minister said while responding to a question from deputies on reparations.
Hon. Madi Ceesay, the Member for Serrekunda West wanted to know why the payment of the said balances has anything to do with the setting up a commission.
According to Hon. Ceesay, when the first payments were made, there was no immediate plan of setting up the Reparations Commission. And the victims were promised that their balances would be paid.
Responding to this, Minister Jallow explained that the mandate of the TRRC was to do interim reparations, and that was tied to the mandate of the TRRC.
“As soon as TRRC completed their mandate and they dissolved, that mandate is gone with it.”
“It is now for government to take over from where TRRC stopped and the government is not competent. We don't have the capacity and the expertise to administer reparations. Therefore, we suspended reparations matters until a competent institution is created that will take over from where TRRC stopped.
“Thus, that is the explanation why no further payments were done from the time the TRRC stopped up to now.”
“We are equally concerned about the affairs of the victims, and we are expediting this. Hopefully, by the 1st of April, the commission will be up and running.
“Their offices have been secured, furniture, and then appointment letters have already been signed. I have signed all the appointment letters.”
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