Africa-Press – Gambia. Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has dismissed allegations that chief executive officers (CEOs) of the council were required to seek his clearance before effecting payments.
Mayor Bensouda, who has led the KMC since 2018, told the inquiry that no CEO under his tenure has ever been obliged to seek approval from his office.
“I would like to put on record that I will categorically say any CEO who says they have to come to the mayor’s office to seek clearance is making a false statement. If they do that, it is at their own volition,” Bensouda stated.
Lead Counsel Gomez, however, presented minutes of a Senior Management Team (SMT) meeting held on 24 April 2020, which indicated that certain payments were forwarded to the mayor’s office for endorsement.
Bensouda maintained that the records were inaccurate, pointing out that the minutes do not show that clearance was sought from my office.
Counsel Gomez countered, telling the mayor that there was documentary evidence—including statements by the finance director—that payment requests were sent to his office.
“Counsel, I believe that is your opinion,” Bensouda responded. “You have to provide evidence to me that clearance was sought from my office and I gave approval for any clearance,” Mayor Bensouda asserted.
The exchange grew tense when Counsel Gomez reminded the mayor that it was the counsel’s role—not his—to determine what evidence to present.
“Mr. Bensouda, you don’t tell me what kind of evidence to present to you. I give you the evidence I think I have, the manner in which and time of my choosing,” Counsel Gomez stated.
He then submitted additional minutes from a senior management meeting, which recorded the Lord Mayor expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of senior officials, describing it as unacceptable. According to the minutes, the mayor directed them to ensure the collection of no less than D2.5 million henceforth.
The minutes further indicated that Mayor Bensouda instructed the Director of Services to expedite the appointment of Kemo Fatty, citing his extensive experience in environmental matters.
Counsel Gomez challenged the mayor’s earlier claim that he does not involve himself in the day-to-day affairs of the council, asking, “Why would you task the director of services to fast-track the appointment of one Kemo Fatty?”
In response, Mayor Bensouda said he would need to review Fatty’s appointment letter but assumed the appointment was made by the establishment committee.
The counsel pressed further: “No, I am concerned about the role you play. Remember, you have already stressed throughout that you do not interfere with the day-to-day running of the council, that you only advise, and that
you don’t give instructions. As far as I am concerned, with respect to the investigation I have done, it appears that would not be the case.”
He added that testimonies from chief executive officers (CEOs) and the senior management team’s minutes directly contradicted the mayor’s claims, indicating that he had indeed been issuing instructions.
In reply, Mayor Bensouda argued that the lead counsel should present him with the CEOs’ evidence directly. He maintained that he only provided advice or assigned tasks when necessary but never issued directives to the CEO, stressing that CEOs report to the council and the line ministry, not to him personally.
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