Gambiaj.com – Banjul, The Gambia – The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) is reeling under a wave of serious financial mismanagement revelations, following a damning report by The Gambia’s National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC).
The report, tabled before lawmakers on Thursday, July 3, 2025, details over GMD 7.6 million in missing payment vouchers, unrecorded revenues, questionable staff appointments, and unresolved fraud allegations, sparking urgent calls for accountability.
Presented by Honourable Alagie Darboe, the FPAC report stems from examinations of the Auditor General’s findings for government accounts up to December 31, 2020, and public institutions’ financial statements from 2019 to 2021.
Lawmakers expressed profound concern over the persistent lapses in public financial management. The Assembly unanimously adopted the report, signaling a heightened commitment to scrutinizing public resources.
Missing Millions and Unrecorded Income
Among the most alarming findings is the disappearance of GMD 7,677,470.61 in payment vouchers from KMC’s financial records. These crucial documents, essential for audit review, were not submitted, leaving a significant gap in the Council’s accountability.
The report explicitly stated, “Several payment vouchers amounting to GMD7,677,470.61 have not been found within the vouchers submitted for audit review.” This raises serious transparency concerns, with lawmakers warning that the missing documents could be concealing misuse of public funds.
Adding to the financial irregularities, FPAC also identified GMD 60,000 in unrecorded revenue collections by KMC staff, indicating weaknesses in the Council’s internal financial controls and a potential underreporting of income.
Governance Failures and Unresolved Fraud
Beyond the financial discrepancies, the report exposed deep-rooted governance issues within KMC, particularly concerning staffing. FPAC found that several senior positions were held by individuals lacking the necessary qualifications and experience outlined in the Council’s own Scheme of Service.
The Committee noted that “Most of them are direct entries to the positions, but neither qualification nor experience is evidenced to justify the appointment.” FPAC has recommended a review of these appointments to ensure qualified personnel are in place.
Furthermore, the report highlighted unresolved fraud allegations, including a GMD 12 million loan for land purchases for senior management, alleged forgery of a Council document, and a reported GMD 30,000 bribe.
The Committee expressed dismay that KMC failed to submit an internal investigative report on these grave matters for parliamentary review.
Parliament Demands Swift Action
The FPAC’s findings are the result of public hearings held between October 2023 and February 2024, involving various government stakeholders and local council officials. Under Sections 102 and 109 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution, FPAC holds the power to examine audited public accounts and recommend remedial actions, including sanctions.
During the parliamentary debate, lawmakers voiced frustration over recurring mismanagement in public institutions, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of financial rules. Honourable Alagie Darboe underscored the importance of holding public officials accountable.
With the unanimous adoption of the report, KMC is now under immense pressure to implement the recommended reforms. Citizens will be closely watching whether the Council will act to recover missing funds, regularize unqualified staff appointments, and definitively address the outstanding fraud allegations.
The coming months will be crucial in determining if this report will genuinely drive change or become another unheeded warning in the ongoing struggle for accountability in The Gambia’s public sector.
