Africa-Press – Gambia. Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, former Secretary of the Janneh Commission, on Thursday testified before the National Assembly Special Select Committee on the sale and disposal of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh. During the hearing, Kurang provided insight into the procurement, seizure, and eventual sale of over 500 tractors linked to Jammeh’s regime.
Counsel Lamin M. Dibba, leading the questioning, referenced Kurang’s prior statement indicating that the tractors were acquired through projects funded by the Indian government.
“Could you guide the committee on what knowledge you have as to the extent of the tractors?” asked Counsel Dibba.
In response, Kurang explained that, based on commission findings, the tractors were part of a bilateral arrangement between the Government of India and the Government of The Gambia, valued at approximately $6 million. He added that the amount was guaranteed by the Gambian government and that institutions such as the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) were involved in making some payments.
“As a result of testimonies before the commission, it was indicated that a total amount of 6 million dollars, if I could remember, and this amount was guaranteed by the government and was to be paid later. I have also seen records of some government institutions, for example, Social Security, making some payments,” he said.
He recalled that approximately 500 tractors were involved in the initiative, which were categorized into different classes and assembled locally in The Gambia. He further testified that a team from India, working in collaboration with the Maintenance Service Department at the Kotu Workshop, was responsible for assembling the tractors.
According to the witness, some of the tractors were sold to individuals through Kanilai Group International (KGI), a company affiliated with former President Yahya Jammeh.
He stated that the Vehicle Control Unit at the State House was tasked with identifying, locating, and seizing the tractors, which were subsequently parked at various police stations throughout the country.
The witness added that records of the tractors were maintained by the Vehicle Control Department and were submitted to the Commission through its legal counsel.
He concluded by noting that a total of 43 tractors were sold. “It wasn’t all the tractors that were sold, because some, the commission has decided to give them back to communities,” he said.
The witness testified that at the time the tractors were impounded, approximately 90% had already been allocated by former President Yahya Jammeh or the government to various individuals or communities.
He further stated that some individuals later approached the commission, claiming to have purchased the tractors from Kanilai Group International (KGI). These individuals submitted receipts of purchase to the secretariat.
Upon receiving the documentation, the witness said he would forward the receipts to legal counsel for advice on whether the evidence was sufficient to warrant the return of the tractors to their rightful owners. He noted that in a few instances, the tractors were indeed released following this process.
During the proceedings, Counsel Dibba asked, “Where would you get such authority to conduct the valuation and the sales?”
The witness replied, “The commission issued an order to that effect, for the tractors to be valued and put up for sale.”
Counsel Dibba asked the witness, “Who is responsible for attaching values to the tractors?”
The witness replied that the valuation was carried out by one Mr. Njie, who had previously appeared before the Commission as a witness in relation to the Maintenance Services Department. He added that, to the best of his recollection, Mr. Njie once served as the Managing Director of the Kotu Workshop.
Counsel Dibba then inquired who had recommended Mr. Njie for the role of valuer.
The witness responded that he had never met Mr. Njie prior to that assignment and, based on his understanding, assumed the nomination came from the Office of the Lead Counsel.
Pressed further on whether it was the responsibility of the Lead Counsel to appoint valuers, the witness clarified that while suggestions could be made, valuers must ultimately be approved by the Commission.
“Obviously the lead counsel would have been available to advise them,” The Witness Said.
Mr. Kurang testified that the reasoning behind the sale of the tractors would be better addressed by either the chairperson or the legal counsel.
He further explained that the sale of the tractors began at the Banjulinding Police Station through an auction process. Announcements were made via radio, television, and newspapers to invite interested buyers to gather at the police station, where the auction was conducted by a designated auctioneer.
Mr. Kurang added that bidding commenced, resulting in the sale of approximately five tractors, with each item going to the highest bidder.
He continued, “The following day, I think we proceeded to Brikama, where there were four tractors, and the same process happened there. On the 24th is when we did Brikama, Bwiam, Sibanor, and Somita, and on the 25th, which happened in Kanilai, and the 26th, which happened at the Kotu workshop. All of them follow a similar process.”
He stated that only a few individuals showed interest in the item, and they were unwilling to leave it for one another. He added that there was no time available for negotiation.
He further testified that the tractors were sold to the highest bidder.
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