Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow on Tuesday received the official report of the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils and connected matters at the State House, marking the conclusion of a three-year investigation into the operations of local councils across the country.
The inquiry examined the financial, administrative, procurement, revenue, land, staffing, and governance practices of local government councils and related institutions, with the aim of strengthening accountability and improving the management of public resources.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, President Barrow said the inquiry was initiated to reinforce public institutions and ensure that public servants manage state resources lawfully and in the interest of citizens.
He stressed that decentralization of local government authority must be matched with accountability, noting that the findings of the commission would help address institutional weaknesses, curb systemic lapses, and build councils that are transparent, efficient, and better equipped to serve communities.
Three-Year Investigation
Chairperson of the commission, Jainaba Bah, said the inquiry was conducted over a period of three years and involved extensive hearings and evidence gathering.
According to her, the commission heard testimony from 387 witnesses, including representatives of oversight institutions, serving and former officials from the country’s eight area councils, revenue collectors, contractors, and other stakeholders connected to local government administration.
Bah said the investigation revealed that many of the problems identified were not due to a lack of regulations but rather the “widespread normalization of non-compliance.”
She warned that when established procedures are treated as optional, public resources become vulnerable to abuse and accountability mechanisms weaken, particularly when proper documentation is absent.
Report Meant to Guide Reforms
The commission described the report as both an account of its findings and a warning to institutions responsible for managing public resources.
It noted that public confidence erodes when funds and resources collected on behalf of citizens cannot be properly traced to their intended use and benefit.
The commission further stressed that the effectiveness of the inquiry would ultimately depend on the strict implementation of its recommendations by relevant institutions and authorities.
President Barrow commended the commissioners for their work and thanked witnesses and institutions that cooperated with the investigation.
He assured that the government would address the weaknesses identified in the report responsibly and urged institutions to embrace its findings as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and safeguard public resources.
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