Transport Ministry Rebukes Darboeʼs Claims On Port Sale
The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure has reburked allegation made by the UDP leader, Ousainou Darboe alleging that the government has sold the port of Banjul to the Turkish company Albayrak.
The Ministry further described the statement as “utterly misleading”.
“A statement by the Leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) Lawyer Ousainou Darboe during his press conference on Tuesday 4th March 2025 where he repeatedly claimed that The Gambia Government has sold the Port of Banjul to a Turkish
company, Albayrak.
Lawyer Darboe’s statements were not only tastelessly false but were deliberately crafted to misinform his audience principally to discredit a business opportunity that is clearly set
to transform Port Service delivery in The Gambia.
For the avoidance of doubt, and
contrary to Lawyer Darboe’s misinformed claims during his press conference”.
The Ministry said its partners involved in the port, Concession negotiation were guided by good faith, patriotism and love for the country.
“The process was aided and supported all through by an International Transactional Advisory Firm with
experience in delivering such mega projects in more than ten countries in Europe and Africa.” the statement added.
The statement added: “In his clear low level of understanding of port operations, Lawyer Darboe made a varied and demeaning characterization of the present management of Gambia Ports Authority as men and women who are not up to the task compared to previous managers before them, surprisingly even those who served under a dictatorship that used and misused the resources of the Ports to oppress and jail Mr. Darboe.
However, to set the records straight, it has to be clear that the Port of Banjul was a small Port during the late 80’s to the early 90s and real growth and expansion only happened in 1992.
The population in The Gambia then was below 700,000 and the import figures up to the mid-90s was less than 500,000 tonnes, commensurate with the population growth and consumption rate.
With the advent of the new Government in 2016, volume grew more than expected to the level than the Port of Banjul, which was less than busy, started to experience acute congestion due to the growth in volumes.
Record dividend ever was paid by the current GPA Management to Government during this period after more than 10 years, starting with 20 Million in 2018 reaching 190 Million by 2021.”.
The statement outlined numerous achievements registered under the new government, including Severance of Dockworkers employed under the 1963 Labour Ordinance and setting up of the private Stevedoring Dock Labour Company Salary Increment and Bonus Payment to staff after more than 20 years.
Launching of the 4th Banjul Port Development Project Signing of the new Performance Contract with Government since 1994. Record payment of Dividend to Government.
The signing of a concession agreement with Albayrak, ensures all fixed assets remain under Government ownership with 20% equity.
The statement added: “Contrary to the statement that the Port is sold, all the fixed assets of the GPA remain under Government ownership while the investor bears all the financing
risks, and is allowed right to use the Port with payment of certain percentage of the gross revenues to Government.
Other advantages of the Concession, in which The Gambia and Guinea Bissau
are the only ports within the sub region to remain under public ownership and
management include: GoG/GPA will hold 20% equity in the SPV.
The investor will invest USD 19 million to improve efficiency in Banjul over 6 years.
This investment will include new equipment, expansion/upgrading of the container terminal and truck parking.
A new truck parking at Bund Road for a vehicle calling system, GoG/GPA will receive USD 5 million as payments for all moveable assets in Banjul, GoG/GPA will receive 4% annually from the gross revenue in Banjul.
Percentage of the profits in Banjul will be set aside as reserve funds, earmarked
for investment in Sanyang Deep Seaport” statement concluded.
Publish [12:10, 06/03/2025]