By: Alieu Ceesay
The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has resumed, with former Kololi Ward Councillor Peter Mendy taking the stand to share his experiences and illuminate his role in the council’s ‘Mbalit’ project.
The commission was established to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into local government financial dealings, including KMC’s controversial waste collection project.
As Mr. Mendy presented his internal audit report for 2022, he revealed that the council sometimes failed to provide development funds for his ward.
“Council says there is no fund,” he recalled, noting how this shortage hindered community projects. Traditionally, council funds are allocated to support various developmental initiatives in local communities, referred to as the “development fund.”
Addressing his decision to appoint his son as a “Pointer” in the council’s waste collection team—popularly known as the ‘Mbalit’ project—, Mendy clarified his son’s role was “not to collect revenue but to serve as a Pointer who will guide collectors during their work.” However, Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez questioned this appointment, pointing out that other people had already been assigned similar roles. Mendy admitted, “I agree that my son should not have been there.”
Mendy also touched on some troubling financial discrepancies in the ‘Mbalit’ project, revealing that D873,550 was reported as collected by an official named Binta Jabang, while her total deposit was D450,000, leaving an unaccounted balance of D423,550. “I was not aware of it, and no one told me about it,” Mendy asserted, distancing himself from the incident. At the time, he said the management of the trucks was already under the council.
He added that the trucks were formerly under his supervision, but after the incident allegedly involving his son, he returned the trucks to the council and repaid the missing sum.
He disclosed that about D60,000 had once gone missing during his tenure as the truck’s supervisor, which he eventually repaid before returning the vehicle to the council.
He stated that he repaid it because his son was allegedly involved, even though he knew he had no access to the funds. He explained that his son handles the books rather than the cash. He also said that D100,000 in ward allocations had been invested in local infrastructure, including developing a football field and improving feeder roads.
In another revelation, Mendy mentioned that councilors received a D10,000 honorarium during festive periods, admitting he was unaware of any restrictions on receiving such amounts. “I was never aware that receiving such an amount is wrong,” he stated.
The commission also heard from Lamin Darboe, a councilor of Bundung Ward and a contractor, who clarified that despite his dual roles, he had “never benefited from any contract by the council.” He disclosed that his construction company had yet to register with the central tax authority, meaning he had not paid taxes on the company.
Being elected into the public where public funds are being used, the commission asked Mr. Darboe to provide documents on how he used his development funds during his tenure in office.
The testimonies from Mendy and Darboe have cast new light on the KMC’s internal workings and financial management as the commission seeks to uncover lapses in accountability.
