The date slated for the laying of this report is 17 March 2025.
The inquiry highly attracted national attention due to the amount of money involved. It had been closely watched by citizens and economic analysts alike – with an outcome expected to spark debate as series of institutions, companies and individuals are implicated during investigation.
The inquiry delves into the procurement, distribution, and potential misuse of the significant amount of petroleum products. While the details of the report remain unknown until its presentation to parliament, expectations are high that it will reveal critical information about the country's reliance on external resources and its impact on national development.
It could be recalled that on 22 July 2024, Hon. Sainey Jawara of Lower Saloum tabled a motion seeking to establish a commission to investigate the alleged illegal importation of petroleum products into the country.
Hon. Jawara pointed out that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) intervened in the trading of certain products that were being traded without following the proper procedures through bank transactions in both Ecobank and Access Bank Gambia Limited.
The FIU then requested the account opening package and statements of accounts from Access Bank and Ecobank for further investigation into the matter.
Hon. Jawara further revealed that one Mr Aurimas Steblys was arrested and handed over to the police in Banjul for questioning and the intelligence report indicated that this name mentioned should be further investigated to establish possible criminal transactions and loss of revenue to the state.
According to him, intelligence report was received that certain individual(s) allegedly received kickbacks (bribes) of D600,000 monthly, which shows that at the end of every month, this said amount is withdrawn from the Access Bank Account No.0010110000555 by one Mr Aurimas Steblys.
“The deposits in the accounts are likely from petroleum product sales in The Gambia by Apogee through Ultimate Beige Logistic and Creed Energy Limited. Access Bank's documents reveal an agreement between Creed Energy and Crossbreed Holding Company to trade petroleum products in The Gambia. However, the agreement was objected to by Apogee FZC and was never enforced,” he revealed.
Following his motion to investigate the alleged issue, the Joint Committee on Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) and the Public Enterprise Committee (PEC) were tasked to get into the matter within 90 days.
Several witnesses appeared on and off camera to tender their pieces of evidence within these said periods.
The parliamentary session is expected to be a lively one, with debates on the report's findings and potential policy implications as well as recommendations.
