Africa-Press – Gambia. Saihou Jawara, Chairman of the Kuntaur Area Council, came under scrutiny on Monday, July 21, before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry over allegations of financial impropriety involving a council contractor.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez presented testimony from contractor Sulayman Joof, who informed the commission that Chairman Jawara awarded him a contract valued at D299,000. Joof stated that the project remained unfinished because Chairman Jawara allegedly withheld part of the funds and took a water tank originally designated for the contracted work, citing community needs. Joof agreed to let Jawara use the tank on the condition that it would be replaced when needed; however, he claimed the tank was never returned. Additionally, Joof indicated that the council still owes him D49,000.
In response, Chairman Jawara denied receiving any funds from Joof beyond what was rightfully his: “I heard his testimony that he has given me money. That is not true, lead counsel. The money he has given me is my money. I handed the cheque to him so that I would be able to take my money from him because he is staying in my compound during this process,” Jawara stated.
He further claimed that Joof remains indebted to him. “This man doesn’t have anything to give me that I don’t have. Even right now, he owes me ninety thousand dalasis,” he said.
Counsel Gomez pressed Chairman Jawara on whether it was appropriate for a public official to engage in personal financial transactions with a contractor hired by the council. Jawara replied that, aside from being a public official, he is also a member of the community and occasionally assists others out of goodwill.
Gomez pushed back, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “This is a contractor. Somebody who is paid monies from the people that you govern. This is from the people paying taxes, so, therefore, he is not an ordinary person,” Counsel Gomez put to him.
Counsel Gomez informed Chairman Jawara that the Commission is not concerned with whether he lent money to Mr. Joof in his personal capacity. However, he emphasized that the issue arises from the fact that, as a result of this financial arrangement, Mr. Joof was unable to complete the work he was contracted to do.
Gomez explained that, according to Joof, the failure to fulfill the contract was due to the chairman taking money from his contractor. In response, Chairman Jawara acknowledged that he understood the point being made.
“Your private relationship with Mr. Joof remains to be private,” Counsel Gomez added. “But you cannot get the cheque from the council and now demand that he pay you from the money that he is supposed to use to do the work. That will affect the contract.”
Chairman Jawara concurred with Counsel Gomez, admitting that he should not have accepted money from Joof. He explained that he was unaware of the implications at the time and insisted that, had he known, he would never have borrowed money from Joof.
In response, Counsel Gomez informed him that, under the law, his actions amounted to bribery. He added that such consequences arise when proper procedures are not followed.
“Lead Counsel, I agree,” Chairman Jawara replied. “But I never knew that this was wrong.”
Counsel Gomez informed Chairman Jawara that the awarding of the contract to Joof was improper, arguing that it had been done unilaterally by the chairman.
In response, Chairman Jawara disagreed, stating that both the management team and the general council had discussed the matter. He further noted that the council’s planning department had conducted an assessment.
When asked to provide the commission with minutes from the relevant management and general council meetings, Jawara replied that he could furnish the assessment report prepared by the planning department. He added that he would search for the meeting minutes.
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