The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, has notified the National Assembly that numerous eco-lodge projects awarded to the Gambia Tourism Board are still incomplete, even after the contractor has received millions of dalasis in payments.
In response to an inquiry from the National Assembly Member representing the Sami Constituency, the minister stated that the projects, which began in 2020 at various sites nationwide, have faced significant challenges in implementation and contractual management.
Mr. Jobe informed lawmakers that on March 24, 2020, the Gambia Tourism Board, led by its former Director General Abdoulie Hydara, granted a contract to Lerr Group for the construction of eco-lodges at Barra, Kunkiling, Sotoma, Sambukoi, Nyanga Bantang, and Arafat. The contract was valued at D111,690,525 and was set to be completed by September 30, 2021.
The minister stated that the contract featured an advance payment arrangement, allowing the contractor to receive a significant payment soon after the agreement was executed.
“The payment structure included a 40% advance payment, and 38,848,878.26 was paid on the 6th of April 2020,” stated Mr. Jobe.
He also revealed that the contract value was subsequently raised through addendums sanctioned by a later director general.
“In June the former Director General, Mr. Abubakar Camara, approved three addendums totaling 6,881,000, increasing the contract sum to 118,571,910,” the minister said.
Mr. Jobe stated that, despite the payments made, none of the eco-lodges have been completed, and construction has not commenced at certain sites.
“GT Board has since paid the contractor D72,727,748.26, representing 61% of the contract amount; however, none of the ecologists have been completed and construction never commenced at Nyanga Bantang and Arafat,” he told lawmakers.
Mr. Jobe stated that upon taking office, he instructed the tourism board to provide a detailed report on the projects, which uncovered notable contractual and construction deficiencies.
“The review revealed serious contractual management deficiencies, and all payments to Lerr were suspended pending an independent assessment by GamWorks,” he said.
An independent assessment submitted in November 2024 revealed differing degrees of incomplete and defective work throughout the project sites. The report also noted a significant increase in the cost of completing the remaining works.
“The estimated cost by GamWorks to complete the outstanding works at Barra, Sotoma Sambukoi, Kunkuling and Arafat is 157,715,000 at 2025 prices,” the minister said.
Mr. Jobe stated that legal counsel from the Ministry of Justice identified substantial legal issues within the contract and advised its termination. “The guidance suggested ending the contract and pursuing legal action to reclaim funds and damages,” he stated.
According to the minister, the matter was presented to Cabinet earlier this year.
“In January 2026 I presented the matter to Cabinet and Cabinet approved the following actions to terminate the contract between GT Board and Lerr Group and instruct GT Board under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice to commence legal proceedings against Lerr Group,” he said.
