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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30703, member: 2262"] The National Assembly finished its first regular 2025 session on Friday. They followed every rule in section 98 (1) (b) of the 1997 Constitution plus Orders 13 (5) and 54 (1). Billay Tunkara from Kantora, who leads the House majority, asked to end the session until further notice. MPs checked and approved daily Records of Votes and Proceedings as required by Order 35 (2). They asked Cabinet Ministers plenty of questions about their departments and agencies, just as Standing Order 41 allows. A breakthrough came when they approved an agreement letting people with Diplomatic and Service Passports travel between The Gambia and United Arab Emirates without visas. The Foreign Affairs Minister introduced this agreement, building stronger ties between nations. The majority leader praised several new laws they approved during the session. These included the Elections Bill (2021), Criminal Procedure Bill (2020), and Criminal Offences Bill (2020), all pushed by the Justice Minister. Changes to interpretation laws also moved forward, thanks to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee. The Trade Minister secured passage of The Gambia Legal Metrology Bill (2025), and the Vice President led efforts to pass The National Security Council Bill (2023). Three additional bills came from the Higher Education Minister: The Students Revolving Loan Scheme (2025), The National Research Fund (2024), and The Gambia Higher Education Trust Fund (2024). According to Tunkara, passing the criminal laws marked a turning point. These replace outdated rules from 1933—laws that had been around for almost 92 years—completely changing how their justice system works. He called on all members to meet their responsibilities, especially attending sessions. He emphasized that enough members must attend to maintain the Assembly's dignity. [/QUOTE]

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