Lawmakers plan to share early findings about Russian fuel deals during their next meeting. The group looked into how three businesses brought 36,935 metric tons of gas worth $30 million into The Gambia without paying any taxes. These companies - Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Limited, and Ultimate Beige Logistics - moved fuel from a Russian ship sitting in the Atlantic Ocean. People claim officials took bribes to ignore these activities.
Many important people answered questions during this investigation. Former Petroleum Minister Abdoulie Jobe testified along with Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy and Police Chief Seedy Touray. Tax boss Yankuba Darboe spoke, as did heads of Gam Petroleum, PURA, and GNPC, plus several government secretaries and the acting business registrar. Reporters couldn't hear everyone because they weren't always allowed inside when witnesses talked.
Upper Saloum representative Alagie Mbow, who helps lead the committee, discussed the situation. He said the full parliament must decide whether to continue digging after hearing what they found. "Our joint committee hasn't finished yet. As we ask more questions, we discover new problems that break Gambian laws," Mbow explained during a weekend TV show called The Brunch. He mentioned that some registered companies seem impossible to locate.
The original time limit for this work was 90 days, but it has ended. Mbow believes this process revealed major problems across the country. He pointed out weak spots in legal systems and noted how government offices acted however they wanted. The committee keeps finding new witnesses as it continues its work. Some lawyers created these mysterious companies and acted as their secretaries, but the actual businesses remain hidden from view.
Many important people answered questions during this investigation. Former Petroleum Minister Abdoulie Jobe testified along with Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy and Police Chief Seedy Touray. Tax boss Yankuba Darboe spoke, as did heads of Gam Petroleum, PURA, and GNPC, plus several government secretaries and the acting business registrar. Reporters couldn't hear everyone because they weren't always allowed inside when witnesses talked.
Upper Saloum representative Alagie Mbow, who helps lead the committee, discussed the situation. He said the full parliament must decide whether to continue digging after hearing what they found. "Our joint committee hasn't finished yet. As we ask more questions, we discover new problems that break Gambian laws," Mbow explained during a weekend TV show called The Brunch. He mentioned that some registered companies seem impossible to locate.
The original time limit for this work was 90 days, but it has ended. Mbow believes this process revealed major problems across the country. He pointed out weak spots in legal systems and noted how government offices acted however they wanted. The committee keeps finding new witnesses as it continues its work. Some lawyers created these mysterious companies and acted as their secretaries, but the actual businesses remain hidden from view.
