By Mama A. Touray

The Local Government Commission of Inquiry, tasked with conducting a thorough and unbiased investigation into the local government councils, has honoured its seven recently promoted police officers who serve as aides to the commissioners and the Lead Counsel.

The seven decorated orderlies were Corporal Roland Malu, Corporal Abdoulie Bojang, First Class Momodou Touray, First Class Babucarr Bah, First Class Sulayman Jawo, First Class Ebrima J. Ceesay and Double First Class Fatou Jamanka.

Others promoted also included First Class Fatou Bah, First Class Wurry Sowe, First Class Simon Jatta, First Class Dodou Nyassi, First Class Basiru Sarjo and First Class Gibbi Baldeh.

The officers were promoted recently by the Gambia Police Force.

Chairperson Bah, who spoke on behalf of the Commission, thanked the police for providing security to the Commission and encouraged the officers to strive for the best in their career.

“Remember, to whom much is given much is expected, you have shown maximum dedication to your job here in the Commission and we would want you to continue on this at your respective duty posts after the Commission,” she said.

Chairperson Bah’s speech primarily urged the young officers to continue the discipline they have demonstrated within the Commission and to extend it to their respective assignments outside the Commission.

“We are proud of you,” she said.

The Commissioners present were Honourable Samba Faal (Vice Chairperson), Oreme E. Joiner, Sukai Secka Sagnia and Alagie Sillah.

The parade was coordinated by the head of the security unit in the Commission, Sub-Inspector Ousman Bojang and assisted Corporal Samba Sarr. Both Bojang and Sarr were also recently promoted to their new ranks.

Lamin K. Kanteh, the Principal Cashier of the Brikama Area Council, conceded to issuing a receipt of D136,000 to Jainaba Cham, a revenue collector, after first refuting the allegations during the Local Government Commission of Inquiry proceedings.

It may be remembered that Jainaba Cham, in her testimony, alleged to the commission that the collection of D136,000 was conducted by her colleague, Mustapha Joof, utilizing her login credentials.

In response to Jainaba’s claim, Kanteh, upon being shown the receipt, disputed its legitimacy, stating, “This is not my receipt, and [is it] not my signature [either].”

Kanteh told the commission that he only gives receipts to collectors who passed through the Internal Audit Unit and also records the information contained in the lodgement roll in the receipts.

He stated that Jainaba Cham was not being truthful and initially described Mustapha’s actions as criminal, but then promptly revised his statement to “What Mustapha did was not correct.”

When Counsel Gomez took him back to what he said, Kanteh responded: “It is a slip of the tongue. It is a mistake. I wanted to say what he did was wrong”.

Kanteh continued: “Jainaba Cham cannot collect that huge sum because she collects flat rates. The money must be with Mustapha Joof. I did not receive any money”.

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez presented further evidence and persisted with his questioning. Kanteh subsequently admitted to the Commission, “I made a mistake. The receipt and the signature are mine.”

Counsel Gomez told him “You cannot come here and have it easy. We will get you”.

Cashier Lamin testified that upon noticing the substantial amount and realizing that Jainaba Cham could not have collected such a sum in her usual duties, he alerted the auditors and requested their intervention.

When asked the whereabouts of the money, he said he asked both Jainaba and Mustapha and they claimed to have deposited the money into the council account.

Kanteh stated that he issued the receipt believing it would implicate Jainaba and Mustapha, anticipating that the National Audit Office’s investigation after one year and six months would ensnare them.

Gomez asked: “You want Jainaba and Mustapha to wait for the National Audit Office to account for the money? “Yes,” he answered.

When asked if he had asked for a bank deposit, Kanteh said no. Both Chairperson Jainaba Bah and Counsel Gomez then told him “You don’t care for the funds of the Brikama Area Council”.

He responded that when the auditors come, they will be able to see it.

Kanteh stated that he did not request proof of the bank deposit, nor did he verify the Council’s accounts to confirm whether the money was deposited.

He explained that before issuing a receipt, he depends on the information provided in the lodgement log by the Internal Audit Unit.

He added that the receipt he issued showed D140,300, but Chairperson Jainaba Bah indicated that the total should have been D141,750, a discrepancy he acknowledged.

Commissioner Sillah pointed out that his decision to leave the issue to be resolved by the NAO was irresponsible, which he conceded.

Kanteh revealed that Mustapha Joof had confessed to using Jainaba Cham’s login credentials to withdraw the money.

“Mr. Kanteh, we are interested in knowing where the money is. You must tell us where the money is or else it will appear that you conspired with the revenue collectors to deprive the Council of revenue,” Counsel Gomez told the witness.

By Alieu Jallow

Abubacarr Mishari Njie, a renowned Nasheed singer from Gambia, is scheduled to travel to the United Arab Emirates to take part in an international Nasheed concert.

Last November the songster participated in a similar concert capturing the hearts of many and leaving footprints in the scriptures among the Arabian Peninsula.

His remarkable performance last year earned him another call for participation this year. Ahead of the concern, Njie is optimistic about making another stride.

“My objective for the second trip to the UAE for an Islamic concert would be to participate in and contribute to a cultural exchange event that promotes understanding, unity, and appreciation of Nasheed and arts”.

Mr Njie will be performing and collaborating with local artists as well as taking part in workshops that will discuss topics related to Nasheed traditions.

When asked about the benefits he will be driving from such a trip, Njie said:

“It would provide an opportunity to connect with diverse audiences, showcase the beauty of Nasheed, and learn from other talented Nasheeders. It would also allow me to contribute positively to cultural dialogue and foster mutual respect and understanding,” he outlined.

Mr Njie believes his participation can help boost tourism, promote cultural diversity, and enhance the country’s reputation as a hub for arts and culture.

“It can also strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties with other nations, leading to broader international cooperation and goodwill. Overall, this kind of cultural exchange can enrich both individuals and societies by celebrating diversity and promoting peaceful coexistence” he emphasised.

The current Local Government Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate corruption and financial mismanagement in local government councils, has observed that Sohna Touray, a Brikama resident and rates and taxes collector stationed at New Yundum, accumulated D56,000 from 1st April 2022 to July 2022, yet failed to deposit more than D17,370.

Sohna received additional information regarding her collections, noting that she deposited less than what was collected. She faced inquiries about the dates and amounts of the repayments she claimed to have made.

She was asked about a D4000 shortage which she claimed to have repaid.

“I made the payment in the Council’s account after I was told about the shortage,” she said.

The deposit slip, dated 14th April 2020 and the receipt dated 14th April 2020 from the Brikama Area Council, were both tendered and admitted on evidence.

Counsel Gomez inquired of Sohna about the evidence she could present to the commission to demonstrate that the specific payment was to cover her shortfall. Sohna replied that the payment had been made at the bank, and the deposit slip was submitted to the Council, where she received a receipt.

Gomez told her that the amount was supposed to be D4,200, but she paid D4,050.

At this juncture, the witness furnished the commission with two sets of cash books: the first encompassing the years 2015 to 2020, and the second documenting the year 2023.

“The cash book for 2021 and 2022 was lost. I was not making entries. I do the collection and go to the bank to do the deposits then go to the council with the deposit slips to the auditors for auditing,” she informed the commission.

Sohna Touray faced further inquiries regarding her collections and her absence from auditing sessions. Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez notified the witness that the lodgement registers from the Internal Audit Unit showed she had not attended the auditing.

She was also informed of her D1,575, D3,325, D4,950, D2,550, D1,100, and D3,600 collections. She responded: “I submitted all these collections, and I was issued bank receipts for all of them. I took the deposit slips to the audit unit for auditing. The only mistake I made was that I did not sign the audit books”.

She added: “After all this, I went to the Principal Cashier and got the receipts. The receipts are lost”.

Touray said she was informed that she had a shortage of D17,000. She went to the auditors to do a reconciliation and explained “After the reconciliation, there was a shortage of D12,800 and I have paid the money already”.

The witness submitted an Eco Bank deposit slip dated March 9, 2024, and GTR receipts from March 19, 2024, each documenting transactions totalling D12,800. Both items were accepted as evidence and labelled as exhibits.

Sohna Touray will reappear at the commission to continue her testimony.

By: Adama Sanneh

In 2023, the Salimatou Foundation for Education organized a National Spelling Bee championship, where the winners were supposed to represent The Gambia in Ethiopia for the African Spelling Bee championship.

However, their dream of representing their country was not realized as the foundation could not fund their trip to Ethiopia for the Championship.

This has caused so much disappointment for both the foundation and the winners of the junior and senior categories, as their efforts to promote the education of Gambian youngsters on the continental level were thwarted.

According to the Founder/CEO of the Salimatou Foundation for Education, Salimatou Fatty, the funds they gathered were used for the regional and national championships. “Three winners from both categories qualified to represent Gambia at the African Spelling Bee. However, we have financial challenges, including insufficient support from stakeholders,” she stressed.

She added that the winners are slated to represent Gambia in Nigeria later this year if the necessary support is given.

Muhammed Barrow from the West Coast Region and one of the winners to represent The Gambia shares his disappointment after preparing for the championship only to be told the trip is canceled due to financial constraints. “My father had my passport made, and I was looking forward to my first flight. It was so disappointing, but we are praying that it will be possible next time,” he said.

Ebrima Sarr, the coach for Muhammed, shared his frustration and expressed disappointment in the lack of support for education in The Gambia. “We have no doubt that if it were a sports program somewhere else in the world, they would have found the money somehow. The government is not just paying lip service to education!”

He added that it was a missed opportunity to see how Gambian children would fare against their compatriots in other countries. “Hopefully, we will get it right this time. Otherwise, it would be terrible,” he lamented.

The Spelling Bee is a major contributor to helping critical thinking skills and the ability to react to words. The championship could be an avenue for young Gambians to showcase their talents to the world.

The winners include Muhammed Barrow, Mariama E. Jassey, and Mariama Darboe for the junior category, and Saiduna Muhammed Darboe, Assan Njie, and Fatoumatta Bintou Sonko for the senior category.

The organization appeals to the government, relevant stakeholders, and education advocates to support them in enabling the exceptional winners to go to Nigeria this year for the Championship.

By: Mama A. Touray

Another revenue collector from the Brikama Area Council, Fatou Dampha, has confessed during the ongoing Local Government Commission of Inquiry about the 2019 audit report, which highlighted a total shortage of D33,000 in council funds.

Prior to this admission, Dampha testified that after collecting council funds, she was supposed to deposit the money into the council’s accounts. However, she informed the commission that there were instances where she fell short and did not deposit the full amount she collected.

Addressing the 2019 audit findings regarding D6,050 she had collected, the witness acknowledged collecting the amount but admitted to not depositing it into the council’s account.

Fatou added quickly, “It might be a calculation problem,” when questioned by counsel Gomez about what she meant. She explained that there were times when she calculated her collections and recorded shortages, stating, “It happened several times.”

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez confronted the witness, saying, “You used the money for your own personal issues,” to which she replied, “Yes.”

The commission informed Collector Dampha about the council’s lodgment roll, which showed that from February 24th to March 2nd, 2022, she collected D60,000 but did not undergo auditing. In September, there was a balance of Two Hundred and Fifty Dalasi (D250), and from May 12th to May 18th, 2022, there was a collection of Twenty-Five Thousand (D25,000).

The witness was provided with the bank statements of the Brikama Area Council to verify the deposits she made in relation to her collections. While she could trace some of her deposits, in most instances, she did not deposit all her collections.

“I was not aware of these shortages,” the witness claimed.

She was then instructed to cross-check her cash book with the bank statement, after which she admitted to not depositing all the funds she had collected.

Counsel Gomez pointed out that she used to present herself before the Council’s Cashier but did not undergo auditing at the audit unit, which she acknowledged, confirming the accuracy of the information in the lodgment register.

Additionally, in February 2022, the witness deposited D50,000, but council records indicated a higher collection. The Commission observed that she was issued a receipt for D59,000 while her deposit was only D50,000 at Eco Bank.

“We understand that the receipts given to you by the cashier were fraudulent because our account checks show different amounts. You deposited less than the receipts you were given,” Chairperson Bah informed the witness.

After a moment of silence, the witness stated that she would verify the information from the office.

Furthermore, Dampha testified that she had taken a D50,000 loan from the Council in 2021 and had repaid it.

Chairperson Jainaba Bah intervened, instructing her to provide evidence of the repayment to the commission.

The witness’s cash book covering 2018 to 2022 was submitted and admitted as evidence. An additional statement from the witness dated March 21, 2024, was also tendered and accepted as evidence.

In the additional statement, the witness mentioned that she repaid the loan last week.

Fatou Dampha resides in Brikama Nyambai and joined the BAC in 2014 as a revenue collector at the Rates and Taxes Unit before being redeployed to the License Unit in 2017. Currently, she is responsible for the Nema-su area and collects revenue solely from business establishments in that area.

By Mama A. Touray

Amid the ongoing Local Governments Commission of Inquiry into financial mismanagement and corruption at the Brikama Area Council (BAC), the council’s information technology officer, Alieu Badou Jeng, testified that their IT unit is capable of monitoring revenue collectors and the amounts they have collected.

During his testimony, Jeng explained to the commission that a revenue collector is only authorized to collect revenue for a specific area. Similarly, a licensed collector may have access to information about properties or markets, but they are restricted to collecting licenses only within the area they are assigned to.

“The system will capture the name of the person, the property, the location, the date of collection, and the amount collected,” he said.

Alieu informed the commission that the collection device allows for cash payment, cheque, or bank transfer and that the devices only record information input by the revenue collectors, adding that it cannot by itself input information.

He said the dashboard shows the summary of the collections from rates, licenses, and markets.

“Any transaction that is done immediately reflects in the dashboard,” he said.

Regarding access to the dashboard, Jeng stated that the Internal Audit Unit, the Chief Executive Officer, and the IT Unit all have access and can monitor the activities of the revenue collectors.

He said he sends the Internal Audit Unit emails containing information on the collections, which is what they use to do reconciliation with the collectors.

Jeng testified that 5C supplied BAC with four digital tax collection systems in 2020 and subsequently provided an additional ninety-six. Upon inquiry about these devices, he committed to furnishing the Commission with comprehensive details about the devices and the revenue collectors.

He said 5C first did a presentation about their system and the Council decided to use it.

Regarding the operation of the devices, the witness explained that they consist of three modules: one for the market, another for licensing, and a third for property. He further stated that revenue collectors are granted access to these modules to carry out their collections.

He clarified that taxpayer information is integrated into the system, and upon collecting the revenue, the collector simply prints out a ticket and hands it to the taxpayer.

“The machine will record every transaction they conduct unlike the GTR system where the collectors would bring what they claim to have collected,” the witness said.

Regarding the security of the data system at the Brikama Area Council, the Jeng said they purchased anti-viruses last year, but they have already expired.

He mentioned that they are now in the procurement phase to acquire new ones. He noted that a draft policy was developed approximately two years ago, yet it has not been reviewed with the management of the BAC.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe, has announced that they collected over 2 billion dalasis in March alone.

Darboe informed the press at a conference held in Banjul, where he provided updates on various aspects of the GRA’s operations.

During the conference, he addressed matters such as the contract awarded to SICPA, a Swiss Security Company, and the implementation of digital transformation initiatives.

For the year 2024, GRA has been assigned the task of collecting 19.3 billion, with an already accumulated amount of over 5 billion.

This significant achievement stems from continuous improvements, including the adoption of new technologies to enhance revenue generation.

Darboe reinforced GRA’s dedication to maximizing revenue for national development.

He also provided clarification on the subject of rental income tax and highlighted the notable progress made through internal reforms, such as the implementation of the ASYCUDA World system.

This system has effectively reduced revenue leaks and increased compliance, as failure to pay on time results in blockages.

To further streamline operations, GRA is introducing a web-based platform called I-Tax, which will facilitate online payments and allow for the transparent monitoring of vehicle movements during transit.

Moreover, the Commissioner General guided reporters through additional measures undertaken by GRA, such as the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor border activities.

To ensure accurate revenue collection at the port, GRA has established a sophisticated weighting brigade and a container detecting system.

The issue of SICPA’s involvement is clarified by Darboe, stating that a comprehensive tender process was followed, in which SICPA emerged as the winning company.

Darboe revealed that SICPA operates in two phases, wherein they introduce tax stamps and fuel marking systems.

This approach will enable GRA to effectively monitor production levels and levy appropriate taxes, thus ensuring the quality and quantity of goods produced by companies are regulated.

Additionally, fuel marking is anticipated to simplify GRA’s operations and provide solid revenue assurances through digital systems.

To improve performance and align with global practices, Darboe urged the public to embrace digital reforms.

He emphasized the importance of paying fair taxes to facilitate the nation’s growth and development.

By: Zackline Colley

In a historic move, The Gambia is set to host the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit for the first time in its history. The event, scheduled from May 4th to the 5th, marks a significant milestone for the West African nation as it prepares to welcome leaders and delegates from 57 member states, including 48 Muslim-majority countries.

The OIC, founded in 1969, aims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world, advocating for international peace and harmony while safeguarding the interests of its member states. With a collective population exceeding 1.8 billion people and covering an area of 31.66 million square kilometers, the organization holds considerable global influence.

To ensure a successful summit, The Gambia has invested in infrastructural development, including the construction of the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, where the event will take place. Additionally, significant improvements have been made to the country’s road networks, enhancing accessibility for delegates and visitors.

The government of The Gambia has allocated a budget of 300 million Dalasis towards hosting the summit, underscoring its commitment to providing a conducive environment for meaningful discussions and collaborations among member states.

In anticipation of the event, the media, often referred to as the fourth estate, has undergone extensive training on ethics, etiquette, and interview techniques. This initiative aims to ensure smooth coverage of the summit and accurate reporting, highlighting The Gambia’s capabilities on the global stage.

As The Gambia prepares to welcome leaders and delegates from across the Muslim world, the hosting of the OIC summit signifies a momentous occasion for the nation, showcasing its potential as a key player in promoting international cooperation and dialogue.

By: Alieu Jallow

A young Gambian lady recently fell victim to an online scam.

According to her, she met a person claiming to be Dr. Martinez Harr with whom she regularly chatted on WhatsApp. She described their communication as very cordial and frequent.

“He calls me all the time, both via video call and WhatsApp,” she asserts.

The young lady told our reporter that the man made her believe he was a doctor by sending her pictures of his patients at the hospital, all geared towards building trust and executing his plans.

“He sent me pictures of his patients at the hospital, and in the end, I trusted him so much because of what he showed me. But as they say, don’t even trust your shadow.”

The young lady further explained that one day, Dr. Martinez shared photos of himself in a shopping mall, on a shopping spree, where he promised to buy her materials.

“He showed me everything, and when he returned home, he took pictures of the materials and sent them to me. When I asked him who owned these materials, he told me they were mine, and he asked for my details, which I sent to him.”

The young woman, falling victim to the scammer’s deception, asserts that she received pictures from the purported delivery agent, indicating receipt of her materials. These materials were due to arrive in The Gambia within a given time frame, and she was told she would receive a call from the agency to provide information about payment and pickup.

“One morning, I received a call from the agency, and they told me the package had arrived. They asked me to pay D15,000.00 to get the package, but I told them I didn’t have that amount. We agreed on D3000, and when I sent them that, they said it wasn’t enough. They demanded another payment of D25,000.00 because they claimed the package contained more items. They promised me I would receive the package, so I paid the money at Guaranty Trust Bank.”

She further narrated that upon payment of the D25,000, the fraudsters requested more money. It was only then that she realized she had fallen into the hands of scammers.

In distress and desperate for resolution, the young lady said she understood that she was not the only victim. Many others had also paid into a Guaranty Trust Bank account under the name Lamin Bojang.

“I am a victim, and all I can advise my sisters is to be very careful so that what happened to me does not happen to you. Never trust anyone, and if a stranger texts you, don’t reply; just block them. I’m not even sure if they are not using black magic or juju. It’s crazy,” she shared as a piece of advice.

By: Adama Sanneh

In Sami Koto (URR), women are the frontline workers in the daily activities of the village, from gardening to marketing in a neighboring community. They rely entirely on agriculture, especially their gardens, to feed their families. However, they face numerous challenges with limited opportunities.

Despite encountering social challenges, the notable issues in their gardens include a poorly maintained perimeter fence, insufficient water supply, and a lack of fertilizer. Fanta Jabbie, a gardener, expressed her frustrations: “We face many challenges in Sami Koto, including our garden. For two days, I have been trying to sell my harvest without success, and I don’t have a storage facility to keep it fresh. This is a significant loss for me as I end up having to discard it.”

She further explained, “We only have one market to sell our products, which is Garawol, our neighboring village. Our men are mostly unemployed, and this garden is our main source of livelihood. However, we lack fertilizer, and the government pays little attention to our plight. We need assistance!” she emphasized.

Fanta highlighted that the income from selling their produce is crucial for supporting their families. The garden has only one well, causing delays as multiple people have to wait to water their beds. If the well dries up, they must wait until the next day, impacting the garden’s growth.

Mama Jawla, Wuday Kebba Fatty, Fanta Banora, and Bakary Fatty, all gardeners, echoed similar challenges. They lamented the poor condition of the perimeter fence, which allows animals to intrude and destroy their plants. Consequently, they are forced to stay in the garden late to prevent such intrusions.

Moreover, they emphasized the lack of storage facilities for their products. The women of Sami Koto wake up at 5 o’clock every morning to catch the first vehicle to Garawol or walk several kilometers to sell their products.

Since farming is their sole source of livelihood, these women urge the government to provide electricity to explore other means of survival and better care for their children.