Africa-Press – Gambia. The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has questioned Mustapha Batchily, former Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul City Council (BCC), regarding the decision to grant revenue collector Mustapha A.B.E. Sarr a fully paid 12-month leave to engage in political activities.
Batchily confirmed that Mr. Sarr was indeed granted leave to participate in politics. However, when asked why the leave was approved with full salary, Batchily said, “From this juncture, I cannot recall what the motivation was.”
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez pressed further, suggesting that the decision may have been influenced by Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, noting the commission’s understanding that Sarr is closely associated with the mayor. Batchily acknowledged that this was a possibility.
Turning to Sarr, who was present at the hearing and sitting next to Batchily, Counsel Gomez asked whether the CEO’s inability to justify the paid leave was reasonable.
“Mr. Sarr, is that possible because the CEO cannot say why you were issued 12 months’ leave with salary?”
Sarr responded that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had advised him to take a 12-month leave in order to participate in political activities.
Counsel Gomez then questioned why Sarr continued to receive a salary during that period if the leave was for political engagement. Batchily admitted that Sarr should not have been paid, adding that he only became aware of the issue after it was flagged by the internal audit team.
Counsel Gomez pointed out that when Sarr was granted leave, arrangements should have been made to ensure he did not receive a salary.
“I agree with you,” Batchily replied.
Counsel Gomez questioned whether Sarr, the same collector who allegedly withheld revenue totaling three hundred and twenty-four thousand dalasis, had faced any disciplinary action.
Batchily responded that the matter had been brought to his attention by the Director of Finance, who had assured him that it would be addressed. He acknowledged that he had not followed up on the issue and confirmed that no disciplinary measures had been taken against Sarr.
Counsel Gomez emphasized that the only logical explanation for Mr. Sarr’s actions appears to be his personal relationship with Mayor Lowe. “It is the only logical conclusion; otherwise, Sarr should not have been anywhere close to the council.”
During his testimony, Sarr admitted to withholding the revenue by deliberately bypassing the internal audit process after collecting the funds.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
