Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Local Government Commission of Inquiry heard testimony from two key witnesses on Wednesday as it continues to scrutinize financial and administrative dealings in local councils between May 2018 and January 2023.

Isatou Jawara, Managing Director of the Arab Gambian Islamic Bank (AGIB), testified about the bank’s role in financing the Mbalit Project, a municipal waste management initiative. She clarified that AGIB’s involvement was solely through a partnership with Espace Motors and that the bank had no direct financial dealings with the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).

“We don’t have anything with the KMC,” she stated.

Jawara explained that Espace Motors initially presented the project to AGIB, which then assessed its viability before financing the purchase of 19 Mbalit trucks under a profit-sharing arrangement. She emphasized that AGIB did not extend a credit facility to Espace Motors but instead facilitated the truck procurement.

The Commission requested documentation on the project, including assessment reports, to evaluate its viability. While Jawara maintained that the project was financially sound, Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez challenged her assertion, stating that the project was not viable. She is scheduled to reappear before the Commission on February 13, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, Councillor Habib M.L. Ceesay of Ebo-Town/New Jeshwang Ward refuted claims that he had challenged KMC Mayor Talib Bensouda over disputed appointments in 2018. Ceesay, who chairs the council’s Establishment and Appointment Committee, dismissed testimony from former KMC Chief Executive Officer Salama Njie, who alleged that he had confronted the mayor over hiring practices.

“What she said is unfounded and misleading,” Ceesay said, rejecting the claim that he had opposed the appointments of Isatou Faal as Director of Public Relations and Nuru Deen Adams as Mayor’s Protocol Officer due to personal affiliations with Bensouda.

However, he admitted voting against Faal’s appointment, arguing she was not qualified for a managerial role.

“I was against it—Isatou Faal is not qualified to be a manager,” he stated.

Lead Counsel Gomez pressed him on whether he had openly resisted irregularities in KMC’s hiring process.

“Yes, that is true,” Ceesay conceded, though he denied any direct confrontation with Bensouda. He maintained that his role was merely to ensure proper procedures were followed.

“The mayor cannot appoint people,” he asserted. “I felt the appointments of Isatou Faal and others were not right.”

Ceesay is set to return before the Commission with additional documents. He has been instructed to coordinate with the registrar to ensure their proper submission as evidence.

The Commission’s ongoing inquiry aims to enhance transparency and accountability in local governance.