By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to reverse its directive mandating banks to replace non-Gambian employees with qualified Gambian nationals, warning that the policy could undermine regional integration and threaten the jobs of Nigerian professionals.
The directive, reportedly issued recently, gives banks until December 31 to replace existing non-Gambian employees, a development that could affect 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia.
NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the development as deeply worrisome, noting that the affected Nigerians reportedly possess valid residency and work permits and have made significant contributions to the Gambian banking sector.
According to the Commission, The Gambia has the legitimate right to promote local employment and develop its workforce, but such policies must respect existing employment arrangements, valid work authorisations and the principles of African solidarity and regional integration.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday and signed by NiDCOM Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission highlighted the economic contributions of the four Nigerian-origin banks to The Gambia.
It disclosed that the banks collectively account for approximately 37.2 per cent of total banking industry deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasi, and 32.6 per cent of loans amounting to 7.67 billion dalasi.
The institutions also reportedly account for 37 per cent of the industry’s total assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasi, and approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds.
NiDCOM further noted that the banks reportedly provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company, NAWEC.
The Commission described the proposed replacement policy as inconsistent with efforts to promote African investment, regional economic cooperation and the free movement of people, warning against indiscriminate displacement of qualified African professionals.
NiDCOM also appealed to Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
The Commission stressed the need for constructive diplomatic engagement to resolve the matter in a manner that protects the interests of both countries and strengthens regional cooperation.
