The Commission of Inquiry set up to look into alleged corruption scandal with the Kanifing Municipal Council will begin its hearings today at the Dunes Hotel in Kotu.
The Ministry of Lands and Local Government Commission said the Commission will complete its inquiry within three months from the date of establishment of the inquiry.
“The Commission shall complete its inquiry within three months from the date of establishment of the inquiry. In line with the above, your office and the general council are requested to support the process and the commission as mandated,” it said.
Meanwhile, Alieu Saidykhan, Secretary to the Commission said in a letter that: “The Minister for Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs acting under the powers conferred on him by the Local Government Act 2002, has constituted a Commission of Inquiry to investigate into the alleged fraudulent malpractices which was reported by the Lord Mayor of the Kanifing. To this end in the interest of the general public, the Commission hereby invites media houses to attend the sittings of the commission to provide coverage of its hearings for the public.”
The message continued that the commission will seek “to ascertain the alleged soliciting of bribe by the council’s former deputy mayor Musa Bah and CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko from the officials of ECOTECH and ALMOT, the circumstances of the deductions from the salaries of 106 members of the association for the purpose of repaying the loan facility, payment of salary advances to councillors, allowances increment of councillors and circumstances of renewal of contract of staff.”
It also said the inquiry will also focus on appointment of staff, circumstances surrounding the unilateral stopping or halting of deduction of loan repayments of staff salaries, contracts awarded by the council, acquisition and financing of the “Mbalit Trucks” (waste collection trucks) and identify whether any person or group of persons have committed any offence related to the subject matter of the inquiry.
