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The Managing Director of the Geology Department, Mr. Abdoulie Cham has reappeared before the commission of inquiry set up to look into the financial activities of the former president Yahya Jammeh and his close associates.
Cham revealed that the Batokunku mining site was a no go area for his department while a company known as GAMICO was mining without any records or paying royalties to the state.
He submitted that the estimate HNC sand mine by GAMICO was a total balance of D30, 235, 813 Million Dalasi. It was admitted and marked as exhibits.
“These were no go areas,” Abdoulie Cham said.
He added: “We teamed up with NEA officials to visit the site. They were later arrested by the NIA”.
Cham told the commission that he was not aware of any agreement between APAM and a Chinese Company, saying the latter was the only mining company engaged in quarrying at Gunjur and Sanyang mining sites.
When asked whether his department has engaged Tony Ghattas on the dredging of sand at the affected beach coast, he answered in the negative but added that he was not aware of the dredging from the sea bed.
Cham was shown a letter written to his office by Mr. Tony Ghattas offering to rehabilitate Banjul and Senegambia Beach Coasts. He said a request was made to Mr. Ghattas to come up with a detailed proposal. He said this suggestion was not fulfilled by Mr. Ghattas.
Meanwhile, Mr. Madun Sanyang, Financial Director of the GNPC was the next witness to testify before the commission. He was summoned in respect to the withdrawals which he allegedly received from the GNPC Account. He confirmed the said withdrawals.
Sanyang said he was arrested along with the petroleum officials in 2016. He said he was reinstated in 2017. He is currently under interdiction.
Mr. Sanyang confirmed the change of signatories from him and Mr. Momodou Badjie, Managing Director of GNPC to the former President Yahya Jammeh and Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General.
He was questioned about the withdrawals of substantial amounts including $150, 000 US Dollars from the Corporation Accounts which he confirmed. He explained that the money withdrawn was received by him and Managing Director and delivered to The Office of the President. It was signed by Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General.
Meanwhile, Sanyang told the commission that he was appointed by the Corporation but was sacked by the Personal Management Office.
