Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Salama Njie, a former acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has accused Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of nepotism and undue interference during her six-month tenure in 2018. Njie made these allegations on Thursday while testifying before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the administrative and financial conduct of local councils from 2018 to 2023.

Njie alleged that after Mayor Bensouda’s election, he instructed her to redeploy all support staff in the Office of the Lord Mayor, replacing them with individuals he trusted. She testified that Bensouda justified the move by asserting, “I am an elected official, and it is a norm all over that elected officials have their team.” This decision reportedly created friction within the council’s administrative framework.

Clashes Over Appointments

Njie’s testimony shed light on disputes over appointments within the council, particularly a confrontation between Councillor Habib Ceesay, Chairperson of the Establishment and Appointment Committee, and Mayor Bensouda. According to Njie, Ceesay accused the Mayor of dictating appointments to favor close associates, bypassing established procedures.

Njie also criticized the appointment of Aisha Faal, who she claimed was unqualified for her position, and pointed to this and other instances of interference as reasons for her eventual resignation.

Allegations of Contractor Intimidation

The former CEO further accused Kanjura Kanyi, a contractor allegedly close to Mayor Bensouda, of intimidating her after she refused to approve a refund of over D100,000 for works she claimed were improperly handled. These allegations add to the growing list of controversies under investigation by the Commission.

Financial Mismanagement Probed

The inquiry also explored irregularities in financial management during Njie’s tenure. Notably, the Commission questioned a payment of D260,000 as an honorarium to councillors for a revenue collection exercise. While Njie approved the payment, Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez revealed that the attendance register for the exercise appeared to have been signed in a single day, raising concerns about procedural flaws.

Njie’s testimony also highlighted disparities in proposed salary adjustments, including a push for the Mayor’s driver to receive an unusually high salary, which she opposed.

Hostile Working Environment

Njie revealed that she retired later in 2018, citing marital grounds and what she described as a hostile working environment. Her testimony painted a picture of deep-seated tensions and management challenges within the council under Mayor Bensouda’s leadership.

The Commission’s proceedings remain ongoing, and Njie is expected to reappear to provide additional evidence. Meanwhile, the inquiry continues to scrutinize the administrative and financial practices of local councils across The Gambia during the past five years.