Gambia’s newly installed National Assembly Speaker, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has urged parliamentarians to put the interest of the country ahead of their own.
“[I] implore all of us at all times to be guided by the supreme interest of our beloved motherland in dealing with matters tabled before us,” he said in an address he delivered during the swearing – in ceremony held Thursday at the country’s lawmaking body.
Gambians went to the polls on April 9 to elect 53 representatives at the National Assembly. The ruling National People’s Parly (NPP) fell short of winning an absolute majority with 18 seats. The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) managed to secure 15 seats while the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) came first in 4 constituencies. The People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) got each 2 seats.
While calling on members of parliament to “endeavour and ensure that the rules of debate” are strictly upheld, Speaker Hatta expressed his resolve to “be fair to all and therefore seek your understanding in advance.”
Fabakary Tombong Jatta replaces his predecessor Mariam Jack Denton who was presiding over the destiny of the National Assembly since 2017. Seedy SK Njie was elected by his pairs as the seond-in-command.
Meanwhile, in a news dispatch seen by Jollofnews, the Office of the Clerk revealed that National Assembly Member for Kantora, Bilay G. Tunkara, has been picked by the NPP to occupy the position of Majority Leader.
NAM for Old Yundum, Abdoulie Ceesay, is also announced as the Deputy Majority Leader while Member for Upper Niumi, Omar Darboe, is selected as the Chief Whip…
