Africa-Press – Gambia. During his testimony at the ongoing local government commission of inquiry on Tuesday, Mustapha Batchilly, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul City Council (BCC), admitted to authorizing unauthorized payments and contracts that violated procurement regulations.
Batchilly acknowledged that a total of D496,000 was unlawfully disbursed as festive bonuses to members of the EU-funded project team and the steering committee. He clarified that these payments were not included in the project’s approved budget. Although Batchilly explained that the project coordinator in Belgium was aware of and supported the bonus payments, the lead counsel disputed this, emphasizing that the payments were not approved within the budget and thus, were unlawful. Batchilly ultimately conceded that the payments were unauthorized.
In response to a question from the lead counsel, Batchilly agreed that such payments were improper, as he was expected to authorize expenditures in accordance with the budget.
“The project team left a lot of work when their term expires,” Batchilly said in an attempt to justify the bonuses.
“You were supposed to authorize expenditure in accordance with the budget. If you don’t, that would be wrong,” the lead counsel reminded him.
“Yes,” Batchilly replied.
The former CEO also admitted to serious procurement irregularities, including the awarding of contracts without proper procedures. He was questioned about the engagement of three separate companies—Jolongkono Construction, SM Bio, and Gam Engineering—for the development of a single master plan for the Crab Island School project. Batchilly admitted there was no formal procurement process in place.
“How will you pay three companies for the same work?” the lead counsel asked.
“The payments would have been a mistake,” Batchilly acknowledged.
In another instance, the Commission questioned a contract awarded to Eco Farm Ecology Construction for the rehabilitation of the Crab Island Upper Basic School. The contract, valued at D8,773,201 and signed in 2021, was to be paid in installments over an eight-month period. However, the Commission revealed that the company received over D9.1 million—exceeding the original contract amount without justification.
Batchilly confirmed the contract was signed and was asked to provide documentation, including payment records and explanations for the overpayment.
“Was the contract signed” The lead counsel asked.
Yes” the witness responded The Commission further raised concerns over the procurement of 60 waste bins from Dembas Trading for D600,000. Batchilly admitted that only 10 bins were delivered, yet the full payment was made. He also acknowledged that the contract did not go through the Contracts Committee and was instead approved solely through a decision by the Mayor.
“Why was that the case,” Lead counsel Asked.
“Because it was a repetition of having a very good works done in those areas,” The witness responded Pressed further, he admitted that it was not good procurement practice for the Mayor to make such a decision without committee oversight. “It just happened and I allowed it,” he stated.
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