On Monday, the National Assembly progressed in the debate of the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This bill aims to expand gratuity and pension benefits for lawmakers, their families, and designated successors in instances of death, resignation, or recall from office.
The bill, put forth by nominated member Kebba Lang Fofana, advanced to its second reading, where lawmakers engaged in a discussion regarding its scope and implications. The matter was subsequently referred to the Assembly Business Committee for potential committal to either a standing committee or the Committee of the Whole Assembly.
Throughout the debate, numerous members expressed robust support for the proposal, contending that it fills enduring gaps in current legislation and provides much-needed protection for the families of former legislators.
Hon. Almameh Gibba of Foni Kansala stated that the bill addresses a genuine humanitarian issue, highlighting that the families of deceased MPs frequently encounter significant financial difficulties.
“This bill that is before us, I believe no one on earth will dispute the reality,” Mr. Gibba said. “Let’s agree that death is a thief, and the crusade of that thief is in the head of all of us. I am putting this to the Gambia at
large: let’s not be sentimental on issues of judgment. This is a national course; we are doing this to regulate the wrongs that have been created against other people who are in the grave.”
Lower Fulladu West lawmaker Gibbi Mballow highlighted that the measure does not raise the salaries of current members but aims to address shortcomings in the current pensions framework.
“The bill is to address the gaps that existed in our laws, and I join my colleagues to thank Honorable Kebba Lang Fofana,” he said.
Lower Saloum lawmaker Sainey Jawara expressed robust support for the bill, highlighting that numerous former National Assembly members who have passed away left families struggling due to the lack of any gratuity. He emphasized that the proposed amendment does not aim to raise the salaries of current legislators.
Other members supported this stance, highlighting that the bill is not intended to improve the pay or benefits of current MPs. They stated that the goal is to create a framework that offers financial assistance to the families of members who pass away while in office or are recalled from Parliament.
“Under the proposed amendment, gratuity to next of kin of member dying before end of term: where a member dies during his or her five-year term of office and had completed at least one year of that term, the next of kin of that member shall be paid a gratuity of twenty-five percent of the aggregate emoluments the deceased member had received during his or her membership of the Assembly,” the bill states.
The bill stipulates that any member of the National Assembly who resigns or is recalled after serving a minimum of one year will qualify for a gratuity amounting to 25 percent of their total emoluments. Hon. Bakary K. Badjie, the Member for Foni Bintang, stood alone in his opposition to the bill.
