By Nicholas Bass
Tanji Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson, Ebrima S. Jallow disclosed that the D5 million allegation scandal leveled against him by the Tanji VDC was unfounded beyond reasonable doubt.
‘’There is a Beach Committee responsible for the daily collection of money at Tanji Beach and the VDC is not responsible for collecting money from its coastal area ‘’, the Tanji VDC Chairperson disclosed in an interview with this reporter.
He continued that Tanji VDC has a daily share from the fish harvest at Tanji, noting that each boat is mandated to give a certain amount of fish to the VDC among other shares.
The VDC Chairperson refrained from giving proof of the D5 million scandal leveled against Tanji VDC.
Meanwhile, according to a reliable source, the Tanji VDC was alleged to have embezzled over D5 million noting that the daily money collected from the fishing industry in Tanji is between D150,000 and D200,000.
‘’Tanji VDC usually collects duties from petty traders and store owners and its fishing industry’’, a source revealed.
One of the ex-executives of Tanji VDC, Salifu Touray told this reporter that in the early 90s, Tanji VDC was also alleged of embezzling thousands of Dalasi, adding that at that time the VDC of Tanji were interrogated by the Junta Government at the Village Center.
‘’I was the Secretary at that time who answered questions from youths of Tanji but when the security officers realized that it was not safe to continue we were arrested and taken to Banjulinding Central Intelligence Department’’, Tourayexplained.
He said that the interrogation of the Junta Government regarding the allegations of embezzlement of thousands of Dalasi leveled against Tanji VDC has brought about mistrust and hatred among natives of Tanji.
He, therefore, suggested that the government should set up a mechanism to minimize the embezzlement of funds within the Village Development Committees in the country.