Members of the National Assembly voted last night to maintain the budget allocation for President’s annual “Meet the People” tour after a contentious debate over proposed cuts.
The debate was sparked when Hon. Almamy Gibba suggested reducing the allocation from D50 million to D35 million, (approximately from over $600,000USD to about $400,000USD)
arguing that other sectors, including health, should take priority.
However, Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta defended the expenditure, emphasizing that the tour is a constitutional requirement and should be treated as a key budget item.
In the final vote, 22 lawmakers opposed the reduction, 14 supported it, and one abstained.
