Institutions and records
Audits and parliamentary scrutiny of Banjul airport
Short answer
- Audit body
- National Audit Office 1
- Contract audited
- Securiport, immigration security services at Banjul airport 1
- Audit period
- 1 September 2019 to 31 May 2021 5
- Fee split in contract
- US$15 Securiport, US$5 GCAA 2
- First GCAA share
- D16,452,987.3 on 20 May 2021 2
- Amount to recover
- Over D164 million, per audit as reported 5
The Securiport audit
The Point reported the National Audit Office report from 7 February 2023. The office said the security initiative began in 2016 and that Ministry of Justice letters in July 2016, December 2017 and May 2018 urged due diligence, warned about unsolicited PPP proposals and suggested redrafting 1.
It said the contracting authorities signed without considering the Attorney General's advice. It said a lack of transparency in contract awards suggests contracts may be awarded in exchange for kickbacks. It recommended an investigation of the officials responsible 1.
Dubawa reported the audit period as 1 September 2019 to 31 May 2021, and said the audit advised the government to recover over D164 million it described as unjustifiably paid to Securiport 5.
Main findings
| Finding | Detail | Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Fee share not paid 2 | No 25 percent GCAA share from September 2020 to April 2021, called a deliberate breach 2 | 9 February 2023 2 |
| Recommendation on liability 2 | Hold Securiport liable and seek compensation 2 | 9 February 2023 2 |
| Missing receipts 4 | No matching receipts for deposits of US$3,235 and £6,780 4 | 8 February 2023 4 |
| Cash collection at terminal 3 | IATA approval to add fee to tickets not obtained, so staff collected cash 3 | 10 February 2023 3 |
| Exemptions 5 | Diplomatic and service passports exempted though not in the contract list 5 | 6 March 2023 5 |
Recommendations
The audit office warned of a risk of public outcry and civil unrest over the fee, and that tourists may choose cheaper destinations 3.
- Review the whole Securiport project through the Directorate of PPP, weighing economic and social benefits 3.
- Deposit all cash into the joint account and share it monthly, as the contract provides 2.
- Provide receipts and bank transaction details for fee collections 4.
- Investigate the contract and the officials who disregarded legal advice 1.
Official responses
On 21 March 2023 President Adama Barrow defended the contract on national security grounds. He said officials were negotiating to add the US$20 fee to airline tickets 7.
On 28 March 2023 presidential adviser Sulayman Camara called the audit report half-baked. He said it did not include management's response. He said single sourcing is used for security matters 6.
A government spokesperson told Dubawa that diplomatic passport holders do not pay and that an addendum cancelled the service passport exemption 5. The Point reports carried no response from Securiport or the GCAA 2.
National Assembly scrutiny
In January 2016 the joint PAC and PEC session adopted the GCAA activity and financial report and commended the authority for complying with procurement rules 8.
In March 2024 the Public Enterprise Committee ordered GIA to retire D835,185 in imprest by 1 May 2024 and to investigate a D842,074 balance difference 9.
In July 2025 the Assembly adopted a resolution on the Finance and Public Accounts Committee report on the Auditor General's report for 2020. The resolution page does not mention the airport 10. This site found no Assembly committee report on the Securiport contract in the Assembly online library.
Common questions
What did the audit office find about Securiport?
It found the contract was signed without considering the Attorney General's advice 1 and the GCAA got no fee share for seven months 2.
How is the airport security fee shared?
The audit office reported US$15 to Securiport and US$5 to the GCAA 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@gambiaairportguide.com.
Sources
- The Point (Adama Tine): NAO demands OP's explanation over Securiport contract (7 February 2023)
- The Point (Adama Tine): Gov't loses 7-month share to Securiport (9 February 2023)
- The Point (Adama Tine): NAO demands review of Securiport project by gov't (10 February 2023)
- Gambiana (Adama Makasuba): Securiport fails to provide bank receipts for some of the collected airport fees, says Audit Office (8 February 2023)
- Dubawa (Mariam Sankanu): Assessing Securiport contract breach and its subsequent chaos (6 March 2023)
- The Point (Momodou Jawo): Securiport intercepted many security threats at airport (28 March 2023)
- The Point: Barrow justifies Securiport contract (21 March 2023)
- The Point (Njie Baldeh): GCAA commended for being compliant (29 January 2016)
- The Point (Jankey Ceesay): GIA given ultimatum to retire over 800k imprest (27 March 2024)
- National Assembly of The Gambia: Resolution on the adopted FPAC report on the Auditor General's report for 2020 (July 2025)
Related
- The Banjul airport security fee
How the US$20 Airport Security Fee at Banjul works, how to pay it, who runs it, how the money is split and what the National Audit Office found.
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
The GCAA regulates aviation and runs Banjul International Airport. Its legal basis, directorates, passenger charges, and what audits and Parliament said.
- Ground handling at Banjul International Airport
Gambia International Airlines handles passengers, bags and cargo at Banjul airport. Its services, equipment, past management contract and audit findings.
- Banjul airport charges inside and outside the air fare
Which Banjul airport charges sit in your ticket and which you pay at the airport, the plan to move the US$20 security fee into fares, and ECOWAS tax cuts.
- ICAO safety and security audits of The Gambia
The Gambia's ICAO safety oversight score of 70.48 percent from an October 2020 validation, by area, plus FAA status and security audit records.