By Aminata Sanneh
The Gambia Government, through the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MoTWI) and Ministry of Trade, Industry, Employment and Regional Integration (MoTIE), in collaboration with other ministries and other state owned enterprises recently hosted high profile Senegalese authorities for a meeting at Mansakonko.
The meeting was about the border situation between The Gambia and Senegal. It also aimed to reinforce the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Agreed terms and conditions
by both parties
The parties agreed that the fees for the electronic tracker remains in force. The Gambia Revenue Authority stipulated tariffs remains the same and all trucks in transit through Gambia are expected to comply. Senegal will soon start the implementation of the electronic tracking system which they will later explore possibilities of harmonizing fees with that of Gambia.
Three hundred and fifty (350) trucks currently at both ends of the border were allowed to pass without payment (escort fees valid) for 24 hours after which the payment will be activated. This is a good will gesture from President Barrow to ease the current tension at the border.
The agreement further stipulated that the Gambia will send a list of goods that are exempted from payment of duty to the Senegalese authorities. The period for the Laissez Passe (passavant) paid by Gambian vehicles entering Senegal was discussed and agreed on.
The initial payment of 5000cfa for ten days has been changed from 10 days to 30 days at a cost of 5000 CFA and renewal for 15 days for 10,000 CFA. Equally, all Senegalese vehicles entering Gambia will also be issued a 30 day Laissez passé at a cost of 5000CFA and renewable for another 15 days at a cost of 15000 CFA.
The Laissez passé for vehicles entering Gambia and Passavant for vehicles entering Senegal does not apply for trucks in transit.
In addition, Trucks on transit will only pay electronic tracking service fee. Gambian trucks in transit to Bissau, Mali and Conakry, using the Senegalese corridor will only be charged for escort fees and nothing else.
Priority service for
Senegalese Diplomats
The ferry crossing service charges for Senegal’s Dakar Dem Dik and Gambia’s GTSC buses has been restored back to its original price of 63000 CFA. Students from Senegal on excursions, Diplomats will be given priority crossing.
Finally, all vehicles using the Trans-Gambia bridge have the option to pay the same amount in either currencies (Dalasi or CFA) based on the exchange rate. Further to this, weekly exchange rates should be published at the Bridge for the information of end users.
Goods bought from Senegal for Gambia shall no more be charged the 80,000CFA fee imposed on goods valued at 500,000CFA or above.
The Gambian delegation also included Minister of Interior, Minister of Information, The Permanent Secretaries of Works (MoTWI), Finance (MoFEA), Commissioner General Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID), and Director of The Gambia Transport Service Company Limited (GTSC).
On the other hand, the Senegalese delegation includes Minister of Infrastructure, Land Transport and Aerial; Minister of Industry and Commerce; Cabinet Director MITTA; High Commander, Gendarmerie; Director General, National Police; Director General, Customs; Director General, Transport; protocol officials; and two technical advisors of the Ministers; as well as the President of Transporters Syndicate.
