By Alieu Ceesay
Former leaders of the Brikama Area Council (BAC), Sheriffo Sonko (former chairman), Mam Sait Jallow, and Modou Jonga (former Chief Executive Officers), reappeared before the Local Government Commission (LGC) on Wednesday to account for their roles in the alleged mismanagement of a D33.7 million Geology Fund during their tenure. The fund, generated from mining activities in areas such as Bullock, Kartong, Gunjur, and Pirang in the West Coast Region, was intended to support affected communities but has sparked controversy over its misuse.
The commission’s inquiry focused on how the Geology Fund, meant for community development, was allegedly diverted to offset council loans, overdrafts, and unauthorized expenditures. Momodou Jeng, a key witness, admitted to approving payments from the fund without adhering to the Financial Manual for Local Government Councils. He confessed to using the funds to settle bank overdrafts and loans, including a D4.2 million Geology Fund payment received on October 26, 2021, which was used to clear a negative D2.5 million account balance, leaving only D1.6 million.
Jeng further revealed that D11.8 million was reportedly disbursed to wards, though evidence presented to the commission showed only D3.8 million was accounted for. He admitted the funds were misused to pay salaries and rehabilitate roads—decisions he made unilaterally without consulting Sonko or the council. “We could not stick to the course,” Jeng said, acknowledging the unlawfulness of his actions. He claimed the plan was to repay the funds once the council generated revenue, but “the funds never came.”
Jeng’s testimony also implicated a lack of oversight, stating that Sonko was unaware of the overdrafts and loans. He insisted, however, that the chairman and council were informed about contracts, though he personally ensured contractual obligations were met. Lead counsel Patrick Gomez pressed for accountability, arguing the misused funds should be recovered since Jeng acted independently.
The commission also questioned Mam Sait Jallow, BAC’s CEO from May 2018 to October 2019, about honorarium payments to councillors and a controversial contract with 5C Energy Gambia Limited. Jallow admitted that honorarium payments were not approved by the council and were made for work outside the councillors’ official duties. He was unsure if Sonko was aware of these payments.
On the 5C Energy contract, Jallow faced scrutiny over discrepancies in the council’s financial baseline provided to the company. The baseline was reported as D68 million, despite the actual figure being D78 million. Jallow claimed the figure was revised but could not justify the reduction, citing the passage of time. Gomez challenged Jallow’s failure to follow due process, to which he responded that the council lacked funds. Jallow provided meeting minutes from the contracts committee to support his claims, which were admitted as evidence.
The Geology Fund was designed to benefit mining-affected villages, with communities required to submit proposals to access it. Jeng explained that only three villages successfully applied, denying claims that the council deliberately excluded others. However, ward councillors had previously accused the BAC of denying them access to the funds, fueling tensions.
The inquiry revealed systemic financial mismanagement at the BAC, including a lack of adherence to financial protocols and poor communication among leadership. Jeng’s admissions of unauthorized spending and Jallow’s vague justifications have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in local governance.
Gomez emphasized the need to recover the misappropriated funds, given the impact on communities that relied on the Geology Fund for development.
Sonko and Jeng are scheduled to reappear before the commission on Monday to face further questioning. As the inquiry unfolds, residents of the West Coast Region await answers on how their resources were mismanaged and what measures will be taken to prevent future abuses of public funds.
