Is former President Jammeh’s D88m tent not included in his frozen assets?
This was the burning question on the lips of some Gambians when State House announced last week that President Adama Barrow will be using the tent on the 23rd January to host over 144 senior civil servants for a meeting to exchange ideas on key issues related to the Public Sector Reform.
The tent, which was bought for D88m, was used by Barrow’s predecessor for his outdoor events and festivals.
However, it was recently disclosed before the Commission of Inquiry that the tent was purchased using public funds.
A senior lawyer in Banjul told What’s On-Gambia: “I am not sure if it’s part of Jammeh’s frozen assets. But if it is part of them, they can’t use it without the permission of the court and it has to be formal. In that, they have to file a motion asking the leave of court to use it.”
He added: “But I think its use is in the interest of the public. This is because it’s going to save the country from cost. Its use is no cost to the government whilst usage of another ground may incur an unnecessary cost to the state.”