Members of the National Assembly will today, Monday December 3rd, at 5pm, received the draft estimates of revenue and expenditure including development expenditures of the government of The Gambia for the fiscal year 1st January to 31st December 2008, to kick-start the fourth meeting of the National Assembly in the 2007 Legislative Year sessions.

According to reports from the Office of the Speaker, the secretary of state for finance and economic affairs is expected to lay the draft estimates of revenue and expenditures including development expenditure of the government of The Gambia for the fiscal year 1st January to 31st December 2008 before the house.

Honourable members will then proceed on Tuesday 4th December 2007 at 5pm, to receive a motion of confirmation from Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia on the appointment of Ombudsman and two deputy Ombudsman.

Subsequently, during the same period, NAPs will proceed on other days to consider motions on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investment between the government of The Gambia and the government of the Islamic republic of Iran, the ratifica tion of the revised Cotonou Agreement between the ACP and the EU, ratification of loan agreement between the Islamic Development Bank and the government of The Gambia for the construction of the Westfield-Sukuta Highway.

The Assembly Shall also consider the Income and Sales Tax Act (Amendment) Bill 2007 and the appropriation Bill 2008 during the same session.

The secretary of state for finance and economic affairs is therefore expected to deliver the annual Budget Speech on Friday 14th December 2007 at 5pm prompt.  The Assembly shall adjourn sine-die on Tuesday 18th December 2007.