On Saturday evening, Sulayman Ben Suwareh, known as Bun Dawda, a political analyst, appeared in a radio interview on AG Radio. He was posed many questions about the D20 million corruption scandal associated with Ousman Jobarteh, the Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA).
In the course of the interview, Bun Dawda recounts an incident that occurred at Statehouse shortly before Christmas during a cabinet meeting. This event involved Finance Minister Seedy Kieta and Works Minister Ebrima Sillah, with President Adama Barrow in attendance.
AG Radio: What is your views on the scandal that has come to light in relation to more general accusations of corruption in the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA)? Ousman Jobarteh, the Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority, was accused of economic crimes involving over D20 million in reported procurement fraud, corruption, and inflated contracts related to port modernization projects that conflicted with the Albayrak project’s schedule.
Bun Dawda: What makes Ousman Jobarteh trustworthy? Didn’t Adama Barrow initially bring in the corrupt Mambury Njie to solidify his corrupt rule? Apart from corruption, what is his background? He brought Alagie Ceesay to strengthen his hold on corruption, didn’t he? Why is Barrow retaining Ousman Jobarteh as the Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority when all of these dishonest individuals, including Jobarteh, have previously admitted their guilt before the Janneh Commission? They should never again be employed by a government. President Adama Barrow continues to shield Jobarteh, which is why the D20 million corruption allegations remain unanswered.
AG Radio: In a highly contentious incident in late 2025, a rights group asserted that Albayrak attempted, without adequate supervision, to use Gambia Ports Authority’s assets as security for a private bank loan. What does this reveal about Albayrak and President Adama Barrow’s administration?
Bun Dawda: As long as they profit from this bad contract, Statehouse does not care about the people. Why, in your opinion, is Barrow constructing so many impressive NPP bureaus across the country? The reason for this is the funds he receives from these shady contracts. Let me tell you this: corruption has gotten so bad that, during a cabinet meeting just before Christmas, in front of President Adam Barrow, a physical altercation breaks out between Finance Minister Seedy Kieta and Works Minister Ebrima Sillah.
According to Bun Dawda, Ebrima Sillah Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure receives kickbacks from government road project contractors. They must first be paid before he can receive any kickbacks. In cabinet, Seedy Kieta, the Finance Minister, usually agrees to whatever Barrow proposes, but there are not enough funds to finance some of these projects. So, it takes time to pay the road project contractors, which delays Sillah’s share of the pie. This led Sillah to be very angry with Kieta because the delayed payments were delaying his kickbacks.
