Adama Makasuba
Gambians applying for biometric passports will face increased fees after the government announced a hike from 3,060 dalasis to 5,100 dalasis. Officials stated that this adjustment aims to enhance the sustainability of service delivery, as the government has been subsidizing the cost of processing this vital national document for several years.
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of Information, addressed the planned increase, explaining, “According to the 2023 contract, the fee was initially set to rise to 4,000 dalasis. However, the government acknowledged this would be a substantial burden for many Gambians and opted to delay the increase.” He further noted, “Now, as dictated by the contract terms, the price is scheduled to increase to 5,100 dalasis in 2025, and we are ready to implement that change.”
Additionally, Dr. Ceesay mentioned plans to decentralize passport processing centers across the country, which would help alleviate the challenges faced by Gambians living in rural areas when obtaining their passports.
In response to the anticipated fee increase, the Edward Francis Small Centre for Justice has urged the government to clarify various contracts associated with border security and the issuance of national documents.
The organization has raised questions about the legality of a 2019 contract awarded to the US-based firm Securiport, citing a 2020 Auditor General’s report that labeled the agreement illegal for bypassing competitive tendering processes. This concern emerges alongside claims that a prior arrangement with Zetes in 2013 already covered similar services, including installing eGates at airports.
Moreover, the Edward Francis Small Centre highlighted potential issues of overlapping projects, such as a multimillion-dollar initiative funded by Japan and launched in 2024 to enhance border infrastructure.
The organization demands complete transparency regarding contracts with Zetes, Securiport, Margins Group, and information about the now-defunct GAMBIS system.
