By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly of The Gambia has urged reforms to the country’s hajj administration system following a study tour to Senegal, recommending that authorities adopt elements of Senegal’s institutional model to improve efficiency and service delivery for pilgrims.
The recommendations are contained in a report presented to lawmakers by the Select Committee on Regional Government, Lands, Independent Electoral Commission, Ombudsman, and Religious Affairs. The report was tabled by the committee’s chairperson, Sulayman Jammeh.
Mr. Jammeh told the Assembly that the committee is proposing a review of The Gambia’s hajj administration framework by drawing on the operational practices of the Senegal Hajj Commission.
“The review should draw on the institutional model and operational practices of Senegal’s Hajj Commission to improve efficiency, coordination, and service delivery,” he said.
The committee also recommended the creation of a more structured national planning framework to strengthen coordination among government institutions responsible for policies and development programs related to hajj management.
Mr. Jammeh said the study tour was designed to deepen lawmakers’ understanding of governance systems and service delivery mechanisms. According to him, the visit enabled the delegation to examine legislative oversight practices and policy implementation in several areas.
“The visit sought to deepen understanding of governance mechanisms, legislative oversight, and improved service delivery in areas such as regional and urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, Hajj coordination, and cultural heritage preservation,” he said.
He described the visit as successful, adding that it strengthened knowledge-sharing between the National Assembly of The Gambia and the National Assembly of Senegal.
Mr. Jammeh said the delegation engaged with Senegalese lawmakers and institutions to learn from their experience in governance, urban planning, infrastructure development, hajj affairs coordination, and sustainable development.
“This visit is part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to enhance legislative oversight capacity, policy formulation, and bilateral cooperation,” he said.
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