Africa-Press – Gambia. A parliamentary committee has directed The Banjul City Council (BCC) to immediately recover suppressed market revenue following serious audit revelations exposing financial mismanagement and gaps in accountability.
A recent audit report reviewed by the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) highlighted numerous irregularities in BCC’s financial records for the years 2019 and 2020, including the non-presentation of key documents, suppressed cash collections, and failure to maintain proper accounting controls.
One of the most alarming findings was the suppression of GMD195,120 in daily market ticket sales and monthly canteen rent collections. These payments, made in cash by revenue collectors, were handed over to the Main Cashier but never banked or recorded in the council’s main office.
FPAC has ordered BCC’s management, through the office of the Chief Executive Officer, to recover the suppressed funds immediately. The Committee also recommended that the incident be reported to the police for investigation and prosecution. Furthermore, the council was urged to establish an effective control mechanism over market revenue administration to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In addition to the missing funds, the audit revealed that several financial documents, including General Receipt Books (GTRs) and Cash Books from market revenue collectors, were not presented for review. FPAC gave the council a 60-day deadline to produce these records, failing which action will be taken against responsible officers.
The report also pointed out serious deficiencies in BCC’s financial management systems. The council did not maintain a proper Cash Book to record receipts and payments in compliance with regulatory standards. The existing Cash Book lacked necessary columns, was not balanced monthly, and recorded cash deposits incorrectly, which undermined the accuracy of reported balances.
Moreover, the council did not conduct monthly bank reconciliations for 2019 and 2020, a critical control required to match bank statements with the council’s records.
The committee further noted that BCC failed to deduct withholding tax from suppliers and contractors, which was a legal obligation. Unpaid staff and non-staff loans amounting to over GMD176,000 remained outstanding, with some debtors no longer employed by the council.
Other areas of concern included unbudgeted payments totalling GMD394,276, payments made without supporting documents, and unused software systems purchased at significant cost but not implemented.
FPAC recommended that BCC’s management improve governance and financial controls urgently, regularize key staff appointments, and take corrective measures to restore the council’s credibility.
This audit report underscores the urgent need for reforms to safeguard public resources at Banjul City Council and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of city funds.
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