By Michaella Faith Wright
Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called on the Gambian government to publicly disclose how much Mega Bank was sold for and to whom, expressing concern over transparency and accountability in the transaction.
Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Darboe said he was deeply troubled by what he described as a lack of openness surrounding the sale. He urged the government to reveal the total amount received and the identity of the buyer, insisting that Gambians deserve full disclosure.
“We want the government of The Gambia to tell the Gambian people how much Mega Bank was sold for and to whom,” Darboe stated. “We are not talking about how the bank was managed during its operation; we are talking about how much was paid for that bank, bearing in mind that the investment involved was the Gambian people’s money.”
Darboe explained that the bank’s total assets exceeded two billion dalasi, including both physical cash and properties across the country. He alleged that the sale price may have been far below the institution’s true value.
“It was more than one billion for a going concern, not just in cash but in assets from Banjul and beyond,” he said. “We question whether the amount it was sold for truly reflects its worth.”
He noted that a previous attempt to sell the bank had been rejected by the then finance minister, who considered the proposed price too low. Darboe added that the bank had been turned into a profitable institution before its eventual sale.
Commenting on the Auditor General’s findings, Darboe said the report confirmed earlier concerns about mismanagement.
“It is unfortunate. These findings show how wasteful we are and how we misplace our priorities,” he said. “Funds that should have been used for critical sectors have gone down the drain to the detriment of the Gambian people.”
Darboe concluded by expressing disappointment over the treatment of the Auditor General, describing the situation as “a sad day for the country.”
By Michaella Faith Wright Lawyer Ousainu Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has called on the Gambian government to publicly disclose how much Mega Bank was sold for and to whom, expressing concern over transparency and accountability in the transaction. Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Darboe said he was deeply troubled The Fatu Network
