The $30 Million Oil Scandal: How Barrow’s Government Fueled Corruption and Failed Gambians

The Gambia, a nation still recovering from decades of dictatorship under Yahya Jammeh, now faces another crisis—systemic corruption under President Adama Barrow’s administration. The $30 million oil scandal, uncovered by a National Assembly investigation, is one of the most egregious examples of graft in recent years, exposing how government negligence and complicity have allowed foreign and local actors to plunder public resources with impunity.

This scandal is not just about stolen money; it is about broken institutions, lost opportunities, and a generation of Gambian youth left without hope. As fuel prices soar, unemployment rises, and basic services collapse, the Barrow government’s failure to prosecute those responsible has deepened public anger. This article examines how the oil scandal unfolded, its devastating impact on ordinary Gambians, and why youth-led movements like Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) are demanding accountability.

---

How the $30 Million Oil Scandal Unfolded

1. Unlicensed Firms and Regulatory Collapse

The Joint Committee of the National Assembly revealed that Apogee FZC, Creed Energy Ltd., and Ultimate Beige Logistics—foreign companies with no proper licensing—were allowed to operate in Gambia’s petroleum sector, bypassing oversight from PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority), GRA (Gambia Revenue Authority), and the Central Bank.

• Kickbacks and Tax Evasion: These firms allegedly diverted millions in VAT and tax revenues, using illicit bank accounts controlled by a single foreign national, Aurimas Steiblys.
• No Prosecutions: Despite the damning report, no arrests have been made, fueling suspicions of high-level political protection .

2. Government Inaction and Suspected Cover-Ups

The Barrow administration has:

• Failed to freeze stolen funds stashed abroad.
• Ignored calls for a Special Tribunal to investigate the scandal.
• Allowed implicated officials to remain in office, including ministers named in the National Assembly’s censure motion.

GALA’s petition accuses the government of deliberately shielding suspects, with police probes allegedly halted due to political interference.

---

How Corruption Is Killing Gambia’s Youth

1. Economic Collapse and Rising Living Costs

While elites profit from oil scams, ordinary Gambians suffer:

• Fuel prices have surged to D81 per liter, inflating transport and food costs.
• Bread prices have doubled to D12 per loaf, while a 50kg bag of rice now costs D3,000—up from D1,200 in 2020.
• Rent inflation has made housing unaffordable, with single-room apartments now D5,000–D8,000/month.

2. Mass Unemployment and Desperation

• Youth unemployment stands at 37.4%, with many graduates resorting to street hawking or illegal migration.
• Backway deaths continue as desperate youths flee economic hopelessness.

3. Healthcare and Education Neglect

• No National Medicines Lab: Despite the AKI tragedy (70 children killed by toxic cough syrup), the government has not established a quality control lab mandated since 2014.
• Public hospitals charge D100 for consultations, up from D25, forcing families into debt.

4. Protests and Repression

• May 2025 Crackdown: Police arrested 27 GALA protesters demanding transparency in Jammeh’s asset sales.
• July 2025 Mass Protest: Thousands marched under slogans like “Gambians are not slaves to corruption!”, delivering petitions to Barrow’s office.

---

Conclusion: A Call for Revolution

The $30 million oil scandal is a microcosm of Barrow’s failed leadership. Instead of rooting out corruption, his government has:

1. Protected thieves while Gambians starve.
2. Ignored youth unemployment, pushing thousands toward deadly migration.
3. Weakened institutions, allowing another Jammeh-era culture of impunity.

GALA and other activists warn: “This is the beginning of a revolution” . If Barrow does not act, Gambian youth will—through protests, legal challenges, and ultimately, the ballot box.

What Must Be Done?

• Prosecute all oil scandal suspects and recover stolen funds.
• Slash ministerial luxuries (e.g., bulletproof cars) to fund healthcare and jobs.
• Pass laws to insulate regulators (PURA, GRA) from political interference.

The time for excuses is over. Either Barrow fights corruption, or Gambians will fight his government.

---

Sources:

1. The Point: Barrow Pressured on $30M Oil Scandal & AKI Crisis
2. ARPS Media: National Assembly Approves Oil Scandal Report
3. Kerr Fatou: UDP Condemns Barrow’s Economic Failures
4. Brasil de Fato: GALA Protests & Mass Arrests
5. Trading Economics: Gambia Youth Unemployment Data
6. LamToro News: Corruption Under Barrow
7. RTL Today: Gambians Protest Corruption

This article synthesizes verified reports to expose how corruption under Barrow is strangling Gambia’s future. Share it widely—silence is complicity.