By: Fatou Krubally
More than six weeks after President Adama Barrow’s government set up a committee to review the controversial D50 per 1GB data price floor imposed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Gambians continue to pay the high tariffs, with no suspension in sight, civil society body remarked recently.
The People’s Coalition Against the Data Price Floor has sharply criticized the government for failing to act on the committee’s recommendations, which were established following the price floor’s introduction on 20 August 2025.
The coalition also condemned the arrest of 23 advocates outside PURA while attempting to submit a petition against the data price floor. The group said the detained advocates continue to face charges of unlawful assembly, describing the arrests as an attempt to stifle peaceful protest and prevent citizens from petitioning public institutions.
“Contrary to President Barrow’s claims that his government respects citizens’ rights to protest, the administration has shown hostility toward peaceful demonstrations, selectively using police to crack down on dissenting voices,” the coalition said.
The coalition noted that the high data tariffs add to already expensive electricity rates, commonly referred to as cash power, placing additional financial strain on households.
At the Mansa Kunda Town Hall meeting on 3 October 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy Lamin Jabbi confirmed that the committee had submitted its report to the cabinet.
“A committee that was constituted to look at tariff issues has just submitted its report, which will be tabled to the cabinet. And something good is there for the people of this country, I can assure you of that,” said the Minister.
The coalition has called for the report to be made public and for the cabinet to act immediately, noting that Gambians have endured more than 49 days of high data tariffs in addition to rising living costs.
“It is important for the government to demonstrate that it is a functioning government capable of making decisions for the benefit of the population, regardless of whether the head of state is on an extended leave,” the statement read.
The coalition also criticized the government for issuing repeated calls for dialogue without formally inviting their organizations, while continuing the prosecution of advocates.
“The continued abrogation of our rights to peacefully assemble will not deter us from demanding our rights. We call on the government to drop all charges of unlawful assembly and respect citizens’ rights. Only then will we entertain any calls for dialogue,” the statement concluded.
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By: Fatou Krubally More than six weeks after President Adama Barrow’s government set up a committee to review the controversial…
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This data price floor drama is getting *peak* Gambia. One minute its a committee, the next its D50 GB, then arrests! The governments something good for the people line sounds suspiciously like were thinking about raising prices even more. And the calls for dialogue without *actually* inviting anyone? Pure performance art! Civil society isnt falling for it. They want charges dropped and respect, or no talk. Honestly, the only thing more confusing than the data tariffs is the governments communication strategy. Keep the report public, folks – we need to know if something good means more expensive internet or just more committee reports.vòng quay may