Government Allegedly Diverts Italian Food Aid
The Independent
February 16, 2001
Posted to the web February 16, 2001
Banjul
Reports reaching The Independent have intimated hat the Gambia Government
has sold a consignment of rice intended as food aid assistance from the
Italian government.
The reports suggest that the Trans Sahara Trading company the owners of
which are still unknown was involved in an arrangement with the government
to sell the rice consignment at a price of over D4 million.
According to reports, the rice consignment, totalling 28,968 bags was
intended for the Gambian people but was reportedly diverted by the
government and sold away to the Trans Sahara Trading.
A letter (No DSA/C/177/01) from the Department of State for Agriculture
dated January 22, 2001 and addressed to the General Manager and Trans Sahara
trading in Kanifing, indicated that "the payment of outstanding balance of
rice consignment provided as food aid assistance by the Italian government,
indicated that Trans Sahara Trading are yet to effect payment to the tune of
D1, 058,495.00 (one million fifty-eight thousand four hundred and
ninety-five dalasis).
The final amount was arrived at using figures as follows: value of rice
(using SGS figures) 28,008 bags, loss 96 bags and 28,104 bags x 175= 4,
918,200.00, 4/9/00 payment (500mt in Urea fertiliser) =D1,789,705.00,
31/7/00 payment check No.740192=D1,000,000,00 and also 4th /9/00 payment 535
Metric ton of Urea Fertiliser to TST) D1,070,000.00. Total payment D1,058,
495.00.
The letter added that these outstanding payments are now overdue. It said
Trans Sahara Trading has been repeatedly reminded to make the payment. "The
delay in receiving the amount is seriously affecting our plans to implement
important activities in support of small-scale farmers" it indicated.
The letter which was signed by Baboucarr Sompo-Ceesay permanent secretary at
the Department of State for Agriculture indicated that by a copy of the
letter the Office of the President was requested to intervene "so that the
matter is urgently resolved bearing in mind our obligations to the Italian
authorities".
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