By: Fatou Krubally
Internal audit officer of the Banjul City Council (BCC) Assan A. Jallow has revealed that an imprest worth D300,000 was allegedly given to the mayor of Banjul without going through the audit process. Testifying before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday, March 10, Jallow also questioned payments made to cultural groups for their participation in the Banjul roads rehabilitation project.
According to Jallow, the D300,000 imprest given to the Mayor did not follow due process, raising concerns about financial accountability within the council. He told the Commission that payments of D2,000 each were also made to cultural groups for their performances during the launch of the rehabilitation of the Banjul sewage, road and drainage systems project, but the justification for these expenditures remained unclear.
Jallow further stated that these financial transactions were conducted without the necessary audit oversight which, he argued, was a violation of standard financial procedures. He said auditors, who questioned such transactions, faced pressure from senior officials within the council, including acting director Yusupha Jallow.
The internal auditor also revealed that financial mismanagement within BCC extended to other areas, including loan disbursements and the operations of RAFELA, a non-partisan organization linked to the Mayor. He alleged that council funds were being spent on RAFELA’s activities, despite it not being a recognized entity under council management.
During questioning by lead counsel Patrick Gomez, Jallow admitted that he personally took a loan but justified it by stating that the council had refused to support his education. He maintained that his repeated requests for financial assistance were denied, forcing him to seek alternative means.
Jallow has been asked to submit details of his loan history, including bank statements, and is expected to return to the Commission for further testimony.
The revelations by the internal auditor have raised fresh concerns about financial oversight within BCC. The Commission continues to probe allegations of mismanagement as it examines governance practices within local councils.