The Banjul City Council has been instructed by the Local Government Service Commission to put twenty-seven (27) employees on administrative leave while the police look into the results of an audit report.
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) voiced its concerns about the audit findings for Banjul City Council concerning the financial years ending December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, as well as the EU Banjul-Ostende project covering January 1, 2020, to April 31, 2024, in a letter dated September 9, 2024, from the National Audit Office referring to HC93/474/01/VII (4).
Regarding the above mentioned matter, I refer to a letter from the National Audit Office dated September 9, 2024, with reference number HC93/474/01/VII (4). “The audit findings of Banjul City Council for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, as well as the EU Banjul – Ostende project for the period 1 January 2020 to April 31, 2024, were noted with concern by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) at its meeting on October 14, 2024,” the commission wrote in a letter to the council.The Ministry has alerted the LGSC and the office of the Inspector General of Police of these facts, calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the situation.
Accordingly, the Commission has determined that the individuals listed below who have been negatively mentioned should be placed on administrative leave immediately, they stated.As a result, the Commission has determined that employees who were negatively mentioned in the audit report ought to be placed on administrative leave right away. The following people are impacted:
- Muhammed Cham – Finance/Project Manager
- Katim Touray – Director of Planning & Development
- Abdoulie J. Corr – Audit Manager
- Essaha Sowe – Senior Procurement Officer
- Adama Faye – Admin Secretary
- Ousman Jobe – City Link Coordinator
- Macoumba Sanneh – Council Adviser
- Mustapha A. B. E. Sarr – Trade Licence Collector
- Fatou Mbenga – Assistant PRO
- Assan Jallow – Auditor
- Oumie Darboe – Receiving Cashier
- Kaddijatou Penn – Finance Officer
- Marget B Samba – Protocol Officer
- Alagie Njie – Market Collector
- Maimuna Touray – Market Collector
- Fatou Joof – Market Collector
- Jorjoh Sagnia – Market Collector
- Jalika Manneh – Market Collector
- Amie Sallah – Market Collector
- Ndey Ida Gaye – Market Collector
- Oumie Darboe – Main Receiving Cashier
- Sarjo Jammeh – IT Officer
- Annette Camara – Visibility/Communications Officer
- Mbugouma Ismaila Jeng – Field Supervisor
- Ousman Jobe – Coordinator EU Project
- Momodou Kalleh – Field Supervisor
- Timothy Secka – Electrician.
According to the commission, these employees will get half of their pay while the inquiry is being conducted.
The Commission has directed them to immediately turn over their responsibilities and any property pertaining to the Council or the project to their deputies. The results of the probe will determine their position going forward.
Lastly, they must immediately and without fail turn over their responsibilities to their deputies, together with any Council or project properties that are available to them. The Commission’s next decisions will be determined by the Police investigation’s conclusion. They said, “Thank you in advance of your prompt action.”
“It seems like the commission is only set for the Banjul City Council, how can you indicate 27 staff?” a council insider told Kerr Fatou. Who are the remaining employees of the council? It’s not fair, in my opinion.
