In his testimony, Mr. Jallow described the asset sales’ current state as well as the function of the government task force in charge of the procedure. According to him, the disposals were carried out in three stages, with the fourth and last stage still pending.
The phase four final sales are the ones that are still pending. The task force received the completed property valuations. The task committee convened to discuss those assessments and determined that, in the sense that they were completed a long time ago, time had surpassed them, according to Jallow.
The attorney general indicated that the government is carefully reconsidering whether all remaining properties need to be sold. “I have received instructions that, let’s hold on, because the government might not necessarily have to end up selling those properties. Because the government is in need of certain properties for use, that is where we are,” he said. The cabinet or another competent authority will make decisions on the future of these assets.
According to Mr. Jallow, sales were temporarily suspended so that the National Assembly Select Committee could carry out its investigation. “It would have been reasonable for you to start an investigation before we got to work selling. We must let you carry out your duties and most likely offer advice.
Regarding particular properties, he mentioned that one on Banjul’s Daniel Goddard Street that was suggested for the Gambia Tourism Board was sold in accordance with the receiver’s report and never returned to the government. He also mentioned Hamza Barracks, which had been sold and then reverted, pointing out that both transactions had place prior to his time as minister.
Mr. Jallow underlined that prior to his appointment as attorney general, phase one of the sales had been allowed. He came to the conclusion that the government is consulting itself about the best course of action and will take action in response to suggestions from qualified experts.
