Finance Secy expected to Outline Govt. Draft Estimates

The fourth meeting of the National Assembly in the 2007 legislative year (budget session) will today, Monday 3rd December 2007 commence at the National Assembly complex in Banjul.

According to reports from the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Musa Bala Gaye, will today lay before members of the National Assembly the draft estimates of revenue and expenditure, including development expenditures of the government of The Gambia for the fiscal year 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2008.

Furthermore, the report went on, Honourable members of the National Assembly will proceed on Tuesday, 4th December, to receive a motion of confirmation from Her Excellency the Vice President of the republic, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, on the appointment of Ombudsman and two deputy Ombudsmen.

Subsequently, Honourable members are scheduled to proceed on other days of the same session to consider motions on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investment between the government of The Gambia and the government of the Islamic republic of Iran; the ratification of the revised Cotonou Agreement between the ACP and the European union; the ratification of a loan agreement between the Islamic Development Bank and the government of the Gambia for the construction of the West field- Sukuta Highway.

The reports also have it that the Assembly shall also consider the Income and Sales Tax Act (amendment) bill 2007 and the appropriation bill 2008 during the same session.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs is expected to deliver the annual budget speech on Friday, 14th December 2007, after which the National Assembly will on Tuesday, 18th December 2007, adjourn indefinitely.