Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe spent several hours these past days answering tough questions before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, as the panel delved into financial and administrative practices at the Banjul City Council (BCC) during her tenure from May 2018 to January 2023.

The ongoing inquiry, which is examining the use of public funds across local councils in The Gambia, zeroed in on a series of questionable transactions made under Mayor Lowe’s administration—many of which were processed in her name or through individuals linked directly to her office, rather than through official council channels.

One of the first issues raised was a D100,000 cheque payment intended for victims of a fire incident on Hagen and Williams Streets.

The funds were handed over not through the Council’s standard procedures, but via Fatou Mbenga, a staff member in the Mayor’s office.

“Fatou Mbenga used my name because she needed to put someone’s name. She couldn’t write on her own behalf,” Lowe explained. “But the money went to the victims.”

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez pushed back sharply. “Council initiatives should go through the Council’s name and structure. This is about accountability,” he said. The Mayor conceded, “I agree the process was very wrong.”

The inquiry further scrutinized a D23,000 payment for condolence packages and wrestler stipends, again processed in the Mayor’s name. It also questioned the use of Council funds to support a wrestling event in Senegal where Mayor Lowe was personally honored.

“Public money should be spent on things like education, healthcare, and agriculture. Wrestling in Senegal does not meet that bar,” Gomez argued.

“I don’t think it was a waste. I was named in the flag because I’m the Mayor,” Lowe countered, prompting Gomez to caution: “There’s a thin line between public and personal interest. That line must not be crossed.”

A payment of D30,000 for a media consultancy drew more criticism. Lowe admitted she did not know how the consultancy was selected and that no competitive bidding process appeared to have taken place.

Additional questionable transactions included D25,000 paid to Star FM and Star TV to broadcast a town hall meeting, D40,000 for a Quranic recitation at Dobson Street, D43,000 in clothes and cash gifts to Bishop Hanna Faal, D23,000 in gifts to a political adviser with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), D200,000 for 1,000 branded t-shirts, sourced through a supplier introduced by the Mayor’s protocol officer, bypassing procurement staff

When confronted with testimony by Mbenga that these instructions came directly from her, Lowe responded, “If she said so, it’s true.”

The Commission also questioned a D10,000 expenditure on media coverage for the Mayor’s personal Refala presidential campaign—a political bid under the regional network of female mayors.

“It came from the visibility budget,” Lowe said, but later admitted, “Yes, I understand it could be seen as problematic.”

The inquiry revealed that although the Council had a procurement budget, there was no functioning procurement system. Purchases were routinely handled by staff close to the Mayor without formal oversight.

“That is not how procurement should work. It creates space for abuse,” Gomez said.

In a moment of candor, Mayor Lowe acknowledged the systemic weaknesses. “I inherited a broken system, but I accept responsibility for not fixing it. If I return to office, I will correct these mistakes,” she told the Commission.

Lead Counsel Gomez concluded by reminding the mayor—and the public—of the stakes involved: “Even one butut matters. If you don’t follow the rules with small amounts, you open the door to bigger violations.”

Mayor Lowe is scheduled to reappear before the Commission on July 7.