By Arret Jatta
Dr. Alieu Keita, the Director of Finance of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) said the ‘Mbalit’ Project was to the disadvantage of the Council, and he described the project as an ‘Unusual Project’ and a “highly complicated” which he believes did not favour the Council.
He said after reviewing the contract, he approached Mayor Talib Bensouda that the banks were taking advantage of the council and there was a need to review the Project to save money for the Council.
When I told the Mayor, he asked me to leave it like that,” the Director of Finance said.
Dr. Keita also stated that the agreement they had with the bank (AGIB), was “highly complicated”.
“It was a special agreement between AGIB and the Council. The guarantors were used as collateral. I wanted to save the council some money and I wanted to ensure that they were not overcharged,” he added.
He also stated that everything was to the advantage of (AGIB Bank and Espace Motors) while the Council was in a disadvantaged position.
The witness said he was not involved in the MbalitProject, adding that his former deputy Sheriff Njiehas all the documentation.
The witness did not provide more details of the ‘Mbalit Project’ as he said the project was complicated.
“What was complicated?” Counsel Gomez asked.
“It is not the normal loan that I know of that banks give out. It was a special arrangement between the Council and Espace Motors. It is not normal,” the witness said.
The witness said monies were taken from the KMC main accounts plus the revenue generated from the Mbalit Project to pay the loan. He added that the payment was made to AGIB Bank in the Mbalit Account.
The Commission requested he provide all the documents related to the Mbalit Project in his position.
