Africa-Press – Gambia. The Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday continued its examination of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda’s involvement in approving financial transactions at the council.
During the session, several payment vouchers and memos were presented to the mayor, with particular focus on his handwritten minutes directing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Deputy CEO (DCEO) on funding requests.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez suggested this amounted to an instruction. Mayor Bensouda, however, maintained that it was merely a recommendation. He explained that the school board reports directly to him, and when funds budgeted for the school are delayed, the administration typically alerts his office. “So on the mayor’s copy, I am suggesting to the DCEO to pay on a monthly basis,” he said.
Counsel Gomez pressed him on whether the word “suggestion” appeared on the voucher. The mayor replied that his intent was to prevent the school from facing financial strain due to accumulated payments.
“I have said this over and over, and no matter how many vouchers come, this is the fact. The fact is, the CEO is the authorizing officer; I cannot direct the CEO to make any payment. If a CEO knows their job, their terms of reference, and understands how council works, if they don’t want to make the payment, they say, Mayor, I am not going to make this payment,” Bensouda argued.
He stressed that while requests are copied to his office to keep him informed, he lacks the authority to compel the CEO to approve disbursements.
Counsel Gomez asked, “Did you write that the DCEO should pay?” The mayor replied in the affirmative.
Another voucher presented involved a request from musician Jalimadi for sponsorship, in which Bensouda had noted, “CEO processed 300 tickets from the culture budget for members of our committee.”
The counsel asked if this would cost money. Mayor Bensouda acknowledged that the request carried financial implications.
The inquiry also examined a memo from the Bakoteh Ward Development Committee seeking funding for a community lighting project. On that document, Bensouda wrote, “CEO, support the community with margin funding of the same amount of seventy-five thousand Dalasi for this community project.” Asked whether this amount was paid, Bensouda said the voucher suggested so, prompting Counsel Gomez to challenge his answer.
“No, I am asking you a question, and you will answer the question, my friend,” Counsel Gomez stated.
The mayor replied that he had answered the question.
The commission further reviewed a request from the Ebo Town/New Jeshwang Ward Development Committee for D28,000 in support of capacity-building activities. Bensouda had minuted: “CEO give them D15,000; the WDC will contribute the rest.” He confirmed the payment was eventually made.
Another case involved a D10,000 request from the Abuko Councillor to support local football teams. The mayor’s note read: “CEO pay the director of service D10,000; he should go to Abuko, identify the teams, and disburse with advice from the councillor.” Bensouda acknowledged that, based on the voucher, the funds appeared to have been disbursed. “From the voucher, it seems so,” he said.
Counsel Gomez argued that such patterns reinforced testimony from former CEOs who claimed that payments—particularly those exceeding D100,000—were only processed after clearance from the mayor.
“But the Lord Mayor wants to deny that, but the evidence is clear; it speaks for itself,” Counsel Gomez stated, adding that further council resolutions would be presented to the mayor to eliminate any room for denial. “so there will not be any room for denial because the documents will speak for themselves.”
The commission also examined a memo from the chairman of the Establishment and Appointment Committee recommending a D150,000 honorarium for HR expert Modou Gaye. On the document, Bensouda had written: “CEO 100 approved for Mr. Modou Gaye.” While the mayor insisted he had not approved the amount, Counsel Gomez maintained that his words amounted to an approval.
In another instance, the Gambia National Youth Council requested D100,000 to sponsor a show by entertainer Nyangcho. Bensouda’s note read: “DCEO approved, and to the director of finance, please pay,” asked by the commission, the mayor explained that he approved the activity, not the amount. “I never approve amounts; I approve activities. If the amount requires my input, I will say reduce,” he clarified.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
