The Assistant Commissioner OiC Finance, Karalang Jarju, delivered the process report of the gains in revenue collection of the Gambia Immigration Department for 2024 at a press briefing this morning in Banjul.
“The entire revenue was deposited into the consolidated fund, demonstrating GID’s commitment to fiscal responsibility”.
Looking toward 2025, GID is targeting D250 million in revenue through strategic initiatives, including modernization of the revenue collection system, digitalization of immigration services, and the expansion of immigration service centres in key locations. Plans also include enhanced border control and intelligence, a major recruitment drive, and increased advocacy for better budget allocations from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has collected more than D420 million in revenue for 2024, marking the first time the department has achieved such a figure. This represents a significant increase from the D317 million recorded in 2023.
Jarju explained that although the internal revenue projection for 2024 was D220 million, the department’s effective management and rigorous monitoring led to the achievement of the over D420 million figure. “ he said. Looking ahead, the department aims to surpass D250 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025, contingent upon adequate budgetary support.
Several factors contributed to this revenue surge, according to Jarju. These included the introduction of updated fees, enhanced financial management, system modernization, and the establishment of new issuing centres and stations. Additionally, improved support to regional commissioners, area commanders, and unit heads further boosted operational performance.
Jarju also highlighted key accomplishments under the leadership of Director General Ebrima Mboob, including strategic staff redeployment, the promotion of 346 officers, and the establishment of community engagement programs, which all contributed to increased efficiency.
Despite these successes, the GID faced several challenges. Jarju noted that only 45.34% of the proposed 2024 budget was approved, which limited the department’s operational capacity. The lack of a dedicated national headquarters and insufficient regional offices have also affected efficiency. Additionally, the department’s ageing vehicle fleet has hampered mobility, particularly in remote border regions.
