By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly on Monday advanced debate on the National Assembly Salaries and Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to broaden gratuity and pension entitlements for lawmakers, their families, and designated successors in cases of death, resignation, or recall from office.
The bill, introduced by nominated member Kebba Lang Fofana, proceeded through its second reading, during which lawmakers debated its scope and implications. It was later referred to the Assembly Business Committee for possible committal to either a standing committee or the Committee of the Whole Assembly.
During the debate, several members voiced strong support for the proposal, arguing that it addresses longstanding gaps in existing legislation and offers overdue protection to the families of former legislators.
Hon. Almameh Gibba of Foni Kansala said the bill responds to a real humanitarian concern, noting that families of deceased MPs often face severe financial hardship.
“This bill that is before us, I believe no one on earth will dispute the reality,” Mr. Gibba said. “Let’s agree that death is a thief, and the crusade of that thief is in the head of all of us. I am putting this to the Gambia at large: let’s not be sentimental on issues of judgment. This is a national course; we are doing this to regulate the wrongs that have been created against other people who are in the grave.”
Lower Fulladu West lawmaker Gibbi Mballow emphasized that the measure does not increase the salaries of current members but instead seeks to remedy deficiencies in the existing pensions framework.
“The bill is to address the gaps that existed in our laws, and I join my colleagues to thank Honorable Kebba Lang Fofana,” he said.
Lower Saloum lawmaker Sainey Jawara also voiced strong support for the bill, noting that many former National Assembly members who have passed away left behind families who faced hardship due to the absence of any gratuity. He stressed that the proposed amendment does not seek to increase the salaries of current legislators.
Other members echoed this position, emphasizing that the bill is not designed to enhance the remuneration or benefits of sitting MPs. Instead, they said, it aims to establish a framework that provides financial support to the families of members who die in office or are recalled from Parliament.
“Under the proposed amendment, gratuity to next of kin of member dying before end of term: where a member dies during his or her five-year term of office and had completed at least one year of that term, the next of kin of that member shall be paid a gratuity of twenty-five percent of the aggregate emoluments the deceased member had received during his or her membership of the Assembly,” the bill states.
The bill also provides that any National Assembly member who resigns or is recalled after completing at least one year of service will be eligible for a gratuity equivalent to 25 percent of their total emoluments.
The Member for Foni Bintang, Hon. Bakary K. Badjie, was the only lawmaker to oppose the bill.