Suntou Touray, The Gambia consular in the United Kingdom said salary increment will go a long way in minimizing corruption in the country particularly in the public sectors. 

Early last week, the government dispatched a proposed revision to this effect but critics doubted its authenticity, describing it as politically motivated aimed  to score political points ahead of the December presidential election.

Mr. Touray however holds a different opinion. He said the plan exhibited by the government is a step towards the right direction as far as tackling corruption in the country is concerned.

 “That is the best way to close down all windows of corruption. We call on all public servants to redouble their efforts and dedicate time and energy to making the Gambia a country of envy in our sub-region. This government deserves to be commended in terms of the significant improvement they are able to make in terms of creating good wages for public servants. Even if there is a political element in what they do, the benefits outweigh the political elements,” he added.

Going further, he said low salaries create lots of social constraints which eventually lead to poor service delivery because when people are not paid enough, they will develop a nonchalant attitude towards their work which can have a negative impact on the country’s revenue.

“It is not a political gesture alone to pay workers good wages, it is about valuing their contribution and improving their living conditions so that they can focus on the everyday task and duty assigned to them,” he said.

Mr Touray commended the president saying “thinking in the right direction and should be commended. He has the political will in showing interest in the welfare of public servants. Democracy goes beyond tolerance alone as amply demonstrated by President Barrow. He is caricatured, mocked and sometimes personally attacked, yet he remains restrained and allowing due process to take its course.”

By: Fatoumatta Samateh