Former Brikama Area Council Chairman Sheriffo Sonko has denied any involvement in the administration and distribution of more than D33.7 million in royalties obtained from the Department of Geology. These funds were intended to be distributed to communities impacted by mining operations between May 2020 and June 2023.
Sonko stated in his testimony before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that he was not involved in the distribution or management of the D33,713,176.01 in royalties while he was employed. He informed the panel that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Finance, the Director of Planning, and the appropriate council member worked together to manage the finances.
“The CEO and the director of finance are responsible for this money when it comes,” Sonko said. “I am not present for the process or the disbursement. The CEO, the Director of Finance and Planning, and the council member collaborate on it,” he said.
However, lead counsel Patrick Gomez questioned Sonko about his ignorance, pointing out that in his capacity as chairman, he was responsible for supervising the council’s executive management, which included the financial director and CEO.
Sonko acknowledged that he might have made a mistake by not knowing about the situation. However, I’m not sure. I should follow up with you.
Counsel Gomez disputed Sonko’s assertions, saying that in his capacity as chairman, he was ultimately in charge of guaranteeing accountability and openness in the council’s operations.
Counsel Gomez emphasized that the money was intended for the impacted areas and shouldn’t have been taken out to pay for council costs.
He also told Sonko that the commission will call the council’s CEO and Director of Finance for additional interrogation because he denied knowing anything about the situation.
Counsel Gomez remarked, “You were aware that the money was coming in, but you showed no concern for ensuring that it was spent appropriately.”
Sonko admitted that it was only during the CEO and finance director’s testimony before the panel that he learned of the D33 million in royalties. Additionally, he acknowledged that he had not tried to find out if the money was being used for its original purpose and concurred with the lead counsel that the funds were not being managed appropriately.
Subsequent investigation showed that rather than being distributed to the areas for which the royalties were meant, a sizable amount of the money was utilized to balance the council’s negative bank balances. Only D3 million was given to the impacted towns, based on evidence that was presented to the commission.
