Africa-Press – Gambia. The Chairman of Kuntaur Area Council, Saihou Jawara, and the council’s former Chief Executive Officer, Pa Nfansu Darboe, appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry to explain the transfer of D100,000 from a COVID-19 relief fund to the Governor of the Central River Region (CRR) in 2019.
Chairman Jawara told the Commission that the former CEO had informed him of a request from the governor for D100,000, claiming it was intended for national disaster relief purposes.
“We even had a push and pull between me and the CEO. The CEO finally convinced me,” Jawara said, adding that he agreed to the request because the governor has supervisory authority over the council.
However, Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez reminded the chairman that while the governor may oversee council operations, local councils are financially autonomous and operate independently. Jawara acknowledged this, stating he knew that.
Former CEO Darboe explained that the governor’s request was delivered through Abubacarr Fofana, the regional disaster relief officer. According to Darboe, the D100,000 in question was a donation made to the council during the COVID-19 pandemic by Ousainou Darbo.
Darboe said he instructed Fofana to submit a formal written request to the council, which was then provided to the commission and admitted into evidence.
Despite the written request, Counsel Gomez questioned the appropriateness of approving the transfer, emphasizing that all council funds—whether from licenses, taxes, donations, or grants—are public funds meant to be managed by the council itself. “Why would you advise the chairman to give this money to the governor?” Counsel Gomez asked.
Darboe conceded the lapse in judgment. “Yes, I think that is our fault because I know the money is ours,” he said.
Chairman Jawara also admitted the mistake, stating, “If it is today, that will never happen.”
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
