National Audit Office Urges Review of Securiport Airport Security Arrangement
But the report states: “During the audit, we noted that the administration is required to issue a directive to airlines operating at Banjul International Airport to collect from passengers on behalf of Securiport, a security fee for each inbound and outbound…
Archive note: the original publication date could not be verified. March 14, 2021 is an assigned catalogue date for this record.
But the report states: “During the audit, we noted that the administration is required to issue a directive to airlines operating at Banjul International Airport to collect from passengers on behalf of Securiport, a security fee for each inbound and outbound international passenger.”
The NAO report adds that the task force set up by the government to assess the viability of the project recommended the replacement of the 15% sales tax currently levied on air tickets with the new security fee considering the numerous charges included in the air-ticket.
But the report states, executive approval from the Office of the President was issued to forge ahead with the contract without considering the recommendation of the task force.
“Our discussions with officials revealed government failed to obtain approval from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to allow airlines to include the security fee in the air tickets as The Gambia was already considered an expensive destination with numerous airport fees already embedded in the air tickets, and airlines were not willing to accept and include additional fee in the tickets of passengers.”
Moreover, the report posits that the above-mentioned oversight delayed the implementation process of the project and eventually resulted in a separate arrangement where staff of Securiport were deployed at the airport terminal to collect the security fee.
The report further notes that the administrative procedure of cash payment of the airport security fee at the airport creates hassle and inconvenience to passengers as they have to queue at the terminal to make this payment.
“There is a risk that tourists might choose other less expensive destinations leading to reduction in foreign exchange into the country,” the report cautions. “There is a risk of public outcry in respect of this security fee leading to civil unrest.”