This story goes far beyond tomato paste. It is about how State Land, Tax exemptions, and Political power are being abused, at the expense of the public.
Let me explain.
1. State land meant for AgroIndustry
According to an Investigation by The Republic, 22,688 square metres of Prime State Land in Banjulinding was allocated in 2008 to GACH for a Tomato Paste Factory.
The condition was explicit:
The land was strictly for Agroindustrial use.
However, The Investigation shows that nearly one-fifth of that land is now being developed into:
Shops
Offices
Warehouses
Apartments
There is no approval for a change of land use from the Ministry of Lands. Under Gambian law, this makes the development illegal.
2. The rent, and the Constitutional Issue!
The same Investigation reveals that these buildings are being advertised FOR RENT by Majum Estate Agency.
Majum Estate Agency is:
A private business.
Owned by President Adama Barrow
Not placed under a trustee.
Section 68 of the 1997 Constitution is clear:
A sitting President must not operate or benefit from a business and must place any business under a trustee.
If rent is being collected from buildings developed on State Land, this amounts to a Constitutional breach and conflict of interest.
3. The EPZ tax exemption abuse!
The Republic also found that GACH was granted an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) licence, which provides:
Duty-free imports.
VAT exemptions.
Corporate tax exemptions.
In return, The Company is required by law to export at least 80% of its output.
The investigation shows that:
GACH imports Chinese tomato paste.
Packages it locally.
Sells it entirely on the domestic market.
Exports nothing.
This violates the GIEPA Act and turns public tax incentives into a private tax avoidance scheme.
4. Regulatory failure
According to The Republic:
GiEPA refused to release audited accounts.
Gave conflicting information about the status of the EPZ licence.
GRA does not actively monitor EPZ compliance.
This reflects Institutional failure and lack of accountability.
5. What did The Republic exposes?
This investigation exposes a dangerous pattern:
Public land allocated for development.
Tax exemptions abused.
Commercial Real Estate built instead.
Rent collected through Presidential business.
This is not politics, but about public trust, constitutional governance, and accountability.
Calling on Institutions responsible:
The Gambia National Assembly
The Auditor General, The Gambia National Audit Office -NAO
GiEPA
The Gambia Revenue Authority
The Ministry of Lands
Physical Planning
The Anti Corruption Commission
The Ombudsman
The Attorney General, and the courts to act in the public interest because they have the duty to do so and they must act. Public office is not a business opportunity.
Read the whole story here: https://therepublic.gm/gach-the-tomato-paste-ploy…/3042…
Source: Mustapha-Swandi K Darboe, The Republic
By Ndey Jobarteh
