BANJUL, The Gambia – A Gambian contractor has testified before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, admitting that he paid a bribe to officials of the Kuntaur Area Council (KAC) after securing a government contract.

Lamin Y.F.A. Mboge, a resident of Banyaka and proprietor of Mbulmano Construction, revealed that council officials demanded a bribe of 150,000 dalasi in connection with a borehole drilling contract. After negotiations, he ultimately paid 100,000 dalasi, a sum that significantly impacted his ability to procure materials for the project.

Mboge had been awarded two contracts from the Kuntaur Area Council—one worth over 400,000 dalasi and the other exceeding 600,000 dalasi. He testified that Wally Ndimbalang, the councilor representing Nyanga Bantang Ward, introduced him to the council’s leadership, which included the chairman, chief executive officer, director of finance, and director of planning and development.

While he initially resisted kickbacks, Mboge said bribery was a common expectation in the procurement process.

“If you are awarded a contract, you are expected to deliver to expectation, but that is not happening,” he told the commission. “Officials ask for bribes, which they call ‘paying under the table.’”

According to Mboge, council officials initially demanded 40 percent of his contract’s value, sparking tense negotiations before he settled on the 100,000 dalasi payment. He testified that he handed the money to Lamin Kujabi, the director of planning, who was tasked with distributing it among senior officials, including the chairman, the CEO, and the director of finance.

“It is a collective thing,” Mboge stated. “The chairman, the CEO, and all others are involved. Lamin Kujabi is just the one on the front line, but all others were involved.”

He further claimed that the final payment took place in the presence of his technician, Pierre Mendy.

The Local Government Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate the financial and administrative operations of local councils, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in municipal and area council governance.