By: Fatou Krubally
The Local Government Commission of Inquiry (LGCI) took a revealing turn on Wednesday as KajaliKongira, Chief Mechanic of Banjul City Council (BCC), testified about long-abandoned council trucks, questionable repairs, and the mysterious disappearance of dismantled vehicle parts. His testimony exposed serious lapses in accountability, decision-making, and financial oversight involving high-ranking officials.
Kongira confirmed that several BCC trucks had been left unused for years, deteriorating without intervention from the authorities. When questioned about the prolonged inaction, he admitted that while he had diagnosed the mechanical faults and recommended solutions, BCC leadership failed to act.
“For eight years, no one engaged me about these trucks,” Kongira told the LGCI panel, highlighting the prolonged neglect of council assets.
When BCC finally decided to act, Kongira said he was instructed by the then-CEO, Mustapha, to recommend a welder for the job. He suggested Omar Cham, a welder known for modifying trucks. However, Kongira distanced himself from the financial dealings, stating: “I was not involved in the payment. Omar Cham dealt directly with the CEO.”
One of the most startling revelations in Kongira’s testimony was the disappearance of parts from a dismantled truck. While some components were reportedly used to repair two other vehicles, the remaining scraps vanished. When Kongira questioned Cham, he was told that an agreement with CEO Mustapha allowed the welder to keep the leftover parts as compensation for his work.
“I asked Omar about the remaining parts, and he said the agreement with my people, specifically CEO Mustapha, was that the scraps would belong to him,” Kongira testified.
However, when pressed further, Kongira admitted that he never sought confirmation from Mustapha, creating a significant accountability gap.
Another major issue that emerged was the lack of a formal procurement process. Kongira acknowledged that there was no written request for funding, nor any official documentation approving the scrapping or repairs of the trucks. Instead, the process was handled verbally between himself, his director (KT), and the CEO.
“There was nothing in writing. I was just instructed to proceed,” he said.
Additionally, when asked if he was aware of any official auction or sale of BCC vehicles, Kongira denied any knowledge. He also distanced himself from reports that former Mayor Abdul’s Toyota vehicle had been sold and reassigned to the Deputy Mayor, saying “I was not involved in any auction at BCC.”
Kongira’s testimony raises serious concerns about BCC’s asset management, procurement transparency, and financial accountability. While he attempted to clarify his limited role, the missing truck parts, verbal-only agreements, and neglected council vehicles point to deeper administrative failures within the BCC.
As the LGCI continued, key questions remain was there an official agreement allowing Cham to claim the scraps? Why were proper procurement procedures ignored, who is responsible for the years of neglect, that left valuable council resources to waste?
Answers may emerge in future testimonies, but for now, the spotlight remains firmly on BCC’s management practices.
