By Lamin Kujabi
The Minister of Information Lamin Queen Jammeh has stated that the controversial issue of airport tax levy charged on travelers at the Banjul International Airport, has been sorted out and that cabinet had tasked the Finance minister to work out modalities to ensure funds from the airport levy are consolidated via the central government coffers.
The Minister said this while updating journalists at the end of the 5th cabinet meeting held on Thursday, October 27th.
The airport security tax levied on travelers has been a subject of controversy in the country. The National Audit Office had released a report indicating government incurring economic and financial losses as a result of the levy on travelers, which funds are directly collected by the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
“The Minister of Finance was instructed to prepare a motion for the transfer of all those funds from Civil Aviation Authority to the consolidated fund,” Minister Jammeh informed.
On other matters Minister Jammeh disclosed that Minister of Communication and Digital Economy had updated cabinet about the candidature of the Gambia for the position of Director at the International Telecom Union and the state of the campaign. He said Digital Economy minister had informed them that the campaign was progressing well and that significant support was coming from ECOWAS member countries, as well as from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and many others.
On the issue of sand mining at Denton Bridge, “it was confirmed that the National Environmental Agency (NEA) issued a stop notice to the mining company on the 18th of May 2022, for not being compliant to the environmental requirements. Also, the National Security Council has raised concern particularly about the sand dunes at the Denton Bridge, which they say pose security threat and obstruct traffic,” he said.
The Information minister said alternative site has been identified behind Wadna Beach Hotel and that study has commenced into the matter, while the Justice Minister and the NEA adviced to suspend all mining licences.
Other matters discussed, according to Minister Jammeh included Tourism Minister’s announcement of the upcoming ‘Home coming rediscovery, and reconnection cultural festival’ to be held in Janjanbureh from 22nd to 23rd April 2023, aimed to contribute to developing Gambian tourism product.
Finally, the minister said the Defence Minister presented defence paper about the country’s defence policy.
