Members of The Gambia’s newly constituted National Assembly Authority paid their first courtesy call on President Adama Barrow in his office in Fajara today. It was their first visit to the President since they were sworn in after parliamentary elections in April. The visit was a prelude to the imminent opening of the National Assembly.
National Assembly Speaker Mariam Jack-Denton led the delegation. She said the purpose of the visit was to thank President Barrow for his support and brief him on the work of the National Assembly.
Mrs. Jack-Denton was accompanied by Majority Leader Bakary K. K. Barrow, Minority Leader Samba Jallow, Members for Basse and Banjul South, Muhammed Magassy and Fatoumata Njie, respectively, and Clerk of the National Assembly DodouKebbeh.
President Barrow commended the National Assembly members for the multi-party pluralism approach applied in the identification of select committees in the Assembly. He said Gambians had trust in their National Assembly, and he called on its members to conduct themselves in that light.
The President told the delegation that he remained steadfastly committed to the promotion of democracy and would ensure that ministers attended parliamentary sessions to respond to issues. He stressed the importance of keeping people informed to avert unfounded rumours.
Responding to logistical concerns raised, President Barrow said his administration had met an economy in bad shape but promised to support the National Assembly with vehicles. He told the delegation that it was his personal plan to do so in order to facilitate their reach to their constituencies. He said he was grateful to some philanthropists who had supported him during his campaign, and who continued to support him to fulfill his campaign pledge of 60 vehicles for the National Assembly. Twenty of these, he added, were already available.
Speaker Jack-Denton assured President Barrow that important issues like electoral reform would get the attention that they deserved.