Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, was questioned by the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday about his responsibility for approving the actions of council members.
Patrick Gomez, the lead counsel, pushed the mayor to explain the distinction between authorizing the payment of an activity and approving it. He provided documentation to Mayor Bensouda that demonstrated how Councillor Kemo Bojang had written to his office to request approval for proposed projects.
Mayor Bensouda retorted that his approval was restricted to the activity and not to the distribution of funds. He clarified that the office was under pressure because council members frequently went straight to the CEO for activities and payments.
Mayor Bensouda informed the commission that the CEOs would be complaining that the council members would use their office to put pressure on them, and that may force them to make payments that should not be done.
According to the mayor, he brought the subject before the entire council to find a solution, and they decided that council members should submit their requests to him for consideration first. He would evaluate the activity’s merits under this system, and the CEO would have the final say over whether to approve or reject payments.
“I am approving the subject matter, not the payment,” Mayor Bensouda emphasized, emphasizing that his power does not include financial approval.
He went on to say that the CEO has the last say over financial authorization, even though he takes into account the activity’s nature and the estimated cost.
In response to the mayor’s explanation, Counsel Gomez stated, “I will support that resolution if it is passed. It properly will be in line; you explained the pressure that may be put on the CEO,” Counsel Gomez said.
