Africa-Press – Gambia. The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has identified “inconsistencies and malfeasance” in the application ratification process put in place by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA).
This observation follows the ratification by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) of a restricted tender for the Banjul Municipal Council (BCC) for the acquisition of a vehicle with a worth $3 million for the mayor.
The witness, Mr Samba JB Tambura, Director of the Supervisory Service at the Gambia Public Procurement Administration (GPPA), revealed to the commission that they received a letter from the Banjul Municipal Council (BCC) on 19 October 2018, requesting a restricted tender for the acquisition of a vehicle for the mayor, whose vehicle was in a deplorable state. He said the letter revealed that “the present vehicle was acquired in 2011 and it is time to procure a new vehicle for the mayor. »
The letter also stated that “the Mayor’s vehicle is in good condition with regular maintenance. »
The deputy lead lawyer, Maître Patrick Gomez, asked the witness if they had been informed of the contradictions contained in the letter.
He also warned the two directors that another letter from the Banjul City Council (BCC) informed the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) that the Mayoress’ vehicle was in a deplorable state. The witnesses answered that they had been informed.Mr Tambura said the restricted tender request was, according to the Banjul Municipal Council (BCC), due to the limited number of car dealerships.
When the Deputy Senior Counsel asked if this justification was sufficient to approve the restricted tender, the witness answered in the affirmative.
He said: “Section 44 of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘when applying for a restricted tender, the procurement organization must draw up a pre-qualification; they must have a list of vehicle dealerships which must be known to all and this list must be kept by the applying institution.’” He also said that they had received approval from the RT.
“Who ordinarily approved these requests following the identification of different signatures in the meeting files? the lawyer also asked.
“He’s the general manager,” replied the witness Mr. Ebrima Sanyang, director of procurement policy and transactions.Maître Gomez also put the question to the witnesses: “We see these authorizations signed for the general manager. Could it be that the authorizations are granted without the knowledge of the director? »
The witness stated that all draft letters were sent to the CEO and all letters were signed on his behalf.
Mr. Gomez then asked whether all transactions of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) have been approved by the Director General. Mr. Sanyang replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Gomez therefore told witnesses: “You don’t exactly adhere to the rules and regulations of ratifying or rejecting contracts. »
Source: thepoint
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