Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Banjul City Council (BCC) has come under intense scrutiny as witnesses testified before an investigative commission, exposing alleged financial mismanagement and governance failures surrounding a €3.1 million European Union-funded project. Testimonies detailed self-enrichment schemes, conflicts of interest, and procurement irregularities, raising serious concerns about accountability within the council.

At the heart of the revelations was Sandigie Njie, the council’s administrative manager, who described systemic failures in oversight. He accused members of the project’s steering committee—many of whom were closely linked to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)—of using their positions to increase personal benefits.

“The people implementing the project cannot be the ones overseeing it,” Njie asserted. “That’s not right—it’s a serious issue.”

Njie disclosed that two key project personnel, field coordinator Buba Camara and accountant Ndey, were appointed without a formal interview process. Their eventual resignations under suspicious circumstances, including disputes with the CEO and members of the steering committee, further suggested a web of overlapping interests.

Another major concern raised was the awarding of procurement contracts. Njie testified that Kebba and Sons, a private company, was the near-exclusive recipient of contracts under the EU-funded project, a situation that raised red flags about potential favoritism. He added that auditors had raised concerns, prompting him to write to the CEO about the issue—letters that were ultimately ignored.

The inquiry also heard from Sanna Sawaneh, BCC’s Director of Internal Audit, who provided budget estimates for 2020, 2021, and 2023, along with income statements and multiple years’ worth of audit reports. Among them was a comprehensive review of 2023, as well as assessments covering the second and third quarters of that year.

Further testimony from Yusupha Jallow, a long-serving council employee and Acting Director of Administration, highlighted additional administrative lapses. Jallow, who has been with BCC since 1995, revealed that some staff members were hired directly by the mayor without going through formal procedures.

His testimony also uncovered a relaxed financial culture where employees could request loans directly from the CEO, who approved them without a clear loan policy in place.

The revelations paint a troubling picture of governance within BCC, with evidence of weak financial controls and potential abuse of power. As the investigative commission continues its inquiry, questions remain about the extent of the alleged irregularities and what accountability measures will follow.