Civil Society Group Urges Parliament to Reverse Banjul Port Takeover by Albayrak
GPA Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh © GPA Facebook
By Fatoumata Jaiteh
The recent takeover of Banjul Port by the Turkish company Albayrak has sparked controversy, with the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) questioning the legality of the concession. In a statement released on 19th February 2025, the civil society group argued that the agreement, which was not approved by the National Assembly, lacks a legal framework and threatens the job security of port workers. As concerns grow, EFSCRJ is calling for immediate parliamentary intervention to reverse the deal and keep the port under Gambian control.
In July 2024, the Gambian government signed a concession agreement with Albayrak for the financing, rehabilitation, maintenance, and operation of the Port of Banjul, as well as the inland ports of Basse and Kaur. The agreement also includes the construction of a new deep-sea port in Sanyang. According to the Ministry of Information, the project aims to enhance efficiency in port management and improve services within the broader port ecosystem.
In a recent update, the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) announced via its Facebook page that the concession agreement between GPA and Albayrak had officially commenced at Banjul Port. The statement confirmed that operations began on Friday, 14th February 2025, and that the agreement falls under a public-private partnership.
However, in its statement, the EFSCRJ pointed out that The Gambia currently lacks a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law to regulate the concession of a national enterprise to a foreign entity. The group also noted that there is no active PPP policy, as the last one expired in 2020. Additionally, they emphasized that the GPA was established by an Act of Parliament, meaning that any handover of the port to another entity would require a review of the GPA Act and approval from the National Assembly.
During a stakeholder meeting with the Albayrak Group in Banjul, GPA Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh encouraged port users and the shipping community to “embrace the transition with a positive mindset,” asserting that the initiative has the potential to drive growth and improve operations.
EFSCRJ, however, expressed deep concern over the welfare of GPA staff, arguing that the new concession fails to provide adequate job security for port employees, who they say are now at the mercy of the new management. “A concession or merger must be based on clear agreements and legal frameworks to protect workers' rights, among other critical issues,” the group stated.
Furthermore, the civil society organization reiterated its total rejection of the Banjul Port handover to Albayrak. They urged the Public Enterprise Committee of the National Assembly to intervene and reverse the concession, maintaining the port’s ownership under GPA. The group argued that the issue is not about a lack of capacity within GPA or other public institutions but rather a failure of proper management by those in charge.
As the debate over the Banjul Port concession intensifies, concerns persist regarding the legality of the agreement, its impact on national sovereignty, and the security of port workers. While the government and GPA officials highlight the potential benefits of the transition, civil society groups like EFSCRJ continue to demand transparency, legal compliance, and worker protections. With growing calls for parliamentary intervention, the fate of the port remains uncertain, leaving many Gambians questioning whether the deal serves the national interest or compromises it.
