By Alieu Ceesay
The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of The Gambia’s National Assembly has issued a stern warning to the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), demanding a retraction and public apology for a controversial press release issued by the Council on July 3, 2025. The press release, titled “Clarification on Alkamba Times Publication,” disputed claims by FPAC and a report by The Alkamba Times regarding missing payment vouchers worth over seven million dalasi (GMD7,677,470.61) at KMC. The Assembly has given KMC seven days to comply, threatening sanctions under the 1997 Constitution if the Council fails to act.
The controversy stems from FPAC’s recent report, presented on July 3, 2025, which scrutinized the Auditor General’s Report on the Audited Accounts of the Government of The Gambia for the financial year ending December 31, 2020, alongside the financial statements of various public institutions, including KMC, for the period 2019 to 2021. The FPAC report highlighted significant irregularities at KMC, stating that payment vouchers totaling GMD7,677,470.61 were missing from the documents submitted for audit review. This finding raised concerns about financial mismanagement and accountability within the Council.
In response, KMC issued a press release on July 4, 2025, refuting the allegations. The Council claimed that “there are no missing vouchers from 2018 to date” and emphasized its commitment to transparent financial management. KMC further stated that its engagement with FPAC was incomplete due to the committee’s meeting cancellations and that it had not been provided with a draft copy of the audit report before its publication. The Council’s statement, posted on its official Facebook page, also challenged the credibility of The Alkamba Times’ report, which had echoed FPAC’s findings.
FPAC, in a resolution adopted on July 10, 2025, condemned KMC’s press release as “misleading” and demanded immediate retraction. The committee’s resolution stated: “The Assembly demands that the KMC management retract this misleading publication within 7 days and apologize to the Assembly; failure to do so will result in sanctions.” The resolution cited the 1997 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly authority to impose sanctions for non-compliance.
The dispute has sparked public debate about transparency and accountability in local governance. FPAC’s report has underscored longstanding concerns about financial oversight at KMC, one of The Gambia’s largest municipal councils. According to FPAC, the missing vouchers represent a significant gap in the Council’s financial records, potentially indicating mismanagement or fraud. KMC’s swift denial and claim of incomplete engagement with FPAC have further escalated tensions, with the Assembly viewing the Council’s public statement as an affront to its authority.
This is not the first time KMC has faced scrutiny over its financial practices. The Auditor General’s reports have previously flagged irregularities in the Council’s accounts, prompting FPAC to intensify its oversight. The current standoff raises questions about the relationship between local government institutions and the National Assembly, as well as the mechanisms in place to ensure accountability in public spending.
As the seven-day deadline approaches, all eyes are on KMC’s next move. Will the Council comply with FPAC’s demands, or will it risk sanctions by standing by its claims? The outcome could set a precedent for resolving disputes between local councils and the National Assembly in The Gambia.
The public awaits KMC’s response, while FPAC’s resolution signals a broader push for transparency in governance. The controversy over the missing D7 million vouchers remains unresolved, casting a shadow over KMC’s financial integrity and relationship with the National Assembly.
