Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Galbia) – Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kerewan Area Council, Seedy K. Touray, faced intense questioning before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry as Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez scrutinized his tenure, exposing a series of irregularities, financial mismanagement, and questionable contract awards.

During his testimony, Touray struggled to confirm the legitimacy of his appointment, admitting under pressure that he was uncertain about the exact details of his confirmation as CEO. A letter he presented to verify his position lacked explicit confirmation, raising doubts about the legality of his tenure.

A key point of contention was a discrepancy between his purported confirmation in 2010 and a document dated 2013, which he sought to rely on. Although subsequent correspondence referred to him as CEO, the inconsistencies in official documentation cast a shadow over his appointment.

Financial Mismanagement and Suspicious Transactions

The commission delved into Touray’s oversight of council finances, uncovering major lapses in transparency and governance. He admitted to authorizing expenditures for revenue collectors despite lacking the legal authority to do so. Lead Counsel Gomez highlighted how this practice undermined accountability in the council’s financial operations.

One of the most damning revelations involved a 48,000 dalasi cheque issued in January 2021, which was later traced to Touray’s personal bank account. When confronted with the bank records, Touray claimed not to recall the transaction. Gomez, however, accused him of fraudulent conduct and personal enrichment at the council’s expense.

Additionally, Touray acknowledged that the council failed to conduct pre-audits on expenditures, a violation of financial regulations. He admitted, “Actually, we were not doing pre-auditing,” attributing the lapse to administrative shortcomings despite being fully aware of its legal necessity.

Controversial Contracts and Alleged Kickbacks

The commission also examined Touray’s role in awarding an 850,000 dalasi borehole drilling contract to Sanneh and Sons Enterprise. Procurement rules were bypassed, and when pressed about the involvement of Nyakassi Gassama—who had no formal ties to the company—Touray admitted that Gassama had made large deposits into his personal account. While he insisted the payments were part of a personal business transaction, Gomez suggested they were kickbacks from the contract.

“Your fraudulent activities have been seen in every area council that you have worked in,” Gomez charged, accusing Touray of using revenue collectors and contractors for personal financial gain.

Labor Violations and Dubious Loans

Further scrutiny was placed on the dismissal of two revenue collectors, Mariama Khan and Fatou Jeng, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Touray justified their termination as a financial necessity but conceded that proper legal procedures were not followed. Gomez pointed out that their abrupt dismissal violated labor laws, as they had served for over a year and were entitled to severance benefits.

The inquiry also revealed that Touray had authorized staff loans despite the council lacking a formal policy on lending. Deductions were made from employee salaries without adequate oversight, raising further governance concerns.

Lack of Financial Records and Ongoing Investigation

Another glaring issue was the council’s failure to maintain essential financial records. Touray was unable to provide key documents, including revenue assessment reports and annual financial statements. The absence of bank reconciliations further compounded concerns about the council’s financial mismanagement.

As the inquiry continues, investigators are assessing whether Touray’s actions constitute criminal misconduct. The commission has underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in local government councils, as it seeks to address systemic governance failures exposed in the ongoing probe.