Africa-Press – Gambia. Famara Saidyba, the Vehicle Controller at the State House, appeared before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on Tuesday as part of its ongoing inquiry into the sale and disposal of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.
During the proceedings, committee member Hon. Jammeh questioned Saidyba about claims that Sergeant Adama Jagne had moved several white buses from the State House to the Kanifing Garage. In response, Saidyba denied any such transfer, stating that the buses in question were used officially during presidential tours. He explained that four white buses were under his supervision and were removed only for official purposes.
Saidyba further testified that three additional buses were parked at the Cement Store but were in poor condition and could not be allocated to any state institution. According to him, these buses were later sold by the Commission in 2019.
Hon. Jammeh, however, informed the witness that evidence before the committee indicated that more than one bus had been moved to Kanifing. In reply, Saidyba noted that the Kanifing site is a military base and not under his jurisdiction, emphasizing that any movement of government property from there would require proper documentation by the military.
When asked whether he had ever received a green and a black Land Cruiser, Saidyba said he managed several Land Cruisers but could not recall moving any from the State House garage. He explained that, under the directive of the then Secretary General, some vehicles at the State House were cut and disposed of through a tender process involving five bidders, with the highest bidder awarded the contract.
Saidyba also said he had no knowledge of any Mercedes “gele gele” ambulances being part of the State House fleet and denied ever instructing anyone to distribute tractors.
Hon. Jammeh told him that two tractors, which were supposed to be auctioned, had instead been sold to a GRA officer in Brikama. Saidyba expressed surprise at this revelation, stating that he had taken an inventory of all tractors and submitted it to the Janneh Commission, and was unaware that any were sold outside the official auction process.
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