The National Assembly is requesting an additional D50 million in the 2026 national budget to upgrade its aging information and communications technology system, cautioning that the existing infrastructure is obsolete and progressively susceptible to malfunction.
The request was articulated in the Finance and Public Accounts Committee’s examination of the 2026 revenue and expenditure estimates, as presented by the committee’s chairperson, Alagie S. Darboe.
“The Assembly requires an urgent additional budget of D50 million for the
2026 fiscal year to overhaul its failing ICT infrastructure,” Mr. Darboe said, noting that the system—installed more than a decade ago—has reached a critical state.
The committee’s report indicates that the ICT network, which was installed in 2014, currently faces a “high risk of total collapse.” Lawmakers assert that ongoing technical failures have consistently interrupted parliamentary sessions, disrupted the proceedings of debates, and compromised the integrity of official parliamentary records.
“The current system, installed in 2014, is obsolete and at high risk of total collapse, frequently disrupting debates, compromising official records, and threatening to paralyze parliamentary operations,” the report noted.
The suggested funding aims to support an extensive digital modernization initiative, encompassing the implementation of a new digital microphone system, an electronic voting platform, tablets for members, and an enhanced Hansard recording system.
“This investment is critical to prevent an institutional shutdown, enhance legislative efficiency and transparency, and align the Assembly with modern parliamentary standards,” the committee said.
