The minister was speaking during press conference held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Tuesday.
According to Minister Badjie, the amount was a grant approved by the Ministry of Finance in 2020 after all required procurement procedures were followed through the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA).
He said the ministry provided the National Audit Office with documentation to support the expenditure and requested that the amount is excluded from the audit report, but the request was not reflected in the final findings.
"The ministry also revealed that a total of D376 million has been spent so far on the renovation of the Independence Stadium".
Addressing the state of the Independence Stadium, the minister said renovation works are progressing and that The Gambia is on course to host its upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches. He noted that several key requirements set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have already been met.
Among the completed and ongoing upgrades, Minister Badjie cited the installation of 40 CCTV cameras, improvements to spectator safety measures, and the provision of designated seating areas for persons with disabilities in line with CAF compliance standards.
On the status of the playing surface, technical officials overseeing the renovation works dismissed reports that the stadium’s artificial turf had been completely removed. They explained that only the top layer of grass, which was infected and uneven, was removed, while the main turf remains intact and covered with sand as part of the renovation process.
The officials further disclosed that seeding is expected to commence soon, and that within four months, a functional and standard pitch is anticipated.
Minister Badjie expressed confidence that once the remaining works, particularly on the pitch, are completed, the national team will be able to resume playing competitive international matches at home.
