By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
The 2023 Executive Budget is the focus of the Sixth Edition of the Gambia Parliamentary Newsletter (GPN). GPN was initiated in April 2022 with the First Edition published in May 2022 depicting all the Parliamentarians elected and nominated into the Sixth Legislature. The Executive Budget is the Government’s proposal submitted to Parliament and is often referred to as the Draft Budget. This edition highlights numerous government plans for the year 2023.
Download the Sixth Edition here. 2022-10-GPN 6th Edition
The latest edition highlights Parliament’s proposal to increase the salaries of National Assembly members by 30% with the Speaker’s Salary also proposed to be increased by up to 137%. It’s not clear if the proposal has been accepted yet, however, a future GPN Publication will feature the Approved 2023 Budget which will shed light on this. During the 2023 Budget debate, two Parliamentarians in Hon Fatoumatta Njai and Hon Gibbi Mballow put forward divergent opinions on the need for salary increases.
The focus on the 2023 Executive Budget highlights the Government’s plans on Agriculture, the Government’s plan to create 150,000 jobs by 2026, the D3.9 Billion Budget Deficit for 2023 and much more.
The GPN is created by Gainako Online Newspaper as a platform for journalists reporting from Parliament, working with various media houses. Our publications feature journalists working with Gainako, Foroyaa and the Point. Through support from the Migration Sustainable Development Goal Project, GPN has published up to Six Editions so far with plans to publish more in the future.
Hon Fatoumatta Njai of Banjul South is featured multiple times in the Sixth Edition. She features in a publication demanding for the submission of electronic copies of the 2023 Draft Budget and again for her recommendation directed to Finance Minister, Hon Seedy Keita to allocate funds towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Some D75 Million has been allocated to Reparations for Victims of the TRRC, this is detailed in the Sixth Edition.
The 2023 Executive Budget Edition covers government expenditure from January to the end of September 2022 and highlights the Government Institutions which overspent and underspent within the first nine months of the year 2022. Also included in the 2023 Executive Budget Edition is the Justice Minister’s response to the sale of over One Billion of former President Jammeh’s assets. Tax Revenue, Non-Tax Revenue and Grants are also featured as well as the Government’s approved loans from BADEA and the Islamic Development Bank to the combined tune of US$27 Million.
Gambia Participates engagement with Parliamentarians on Budget Analysis is also covered which features statements from the US Ambassador, the Clerk of the National Assembly and Gambia Participates Executive Director Mr Marr Nyang.
Here is the front page of the Sixth Edition. Download the Sixth Edition here. 2022-10-GPN 6th Edition
Download the 5th Edition here. Download the 4th Edition here. Download the 3rd Edition Here.
Download the 2nd Edition Here. Download the 1st Edition Here.
The next GPN Edition will focus on the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) which resulted in the death of some 69 Children and investigated by Parliament’s Health Committee. This will be followed by the End of 2022 GPN Edition.
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