By Yankuba Jallow
Katim Touray, the Director of Planning at the Banjul City Council, appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry last Thursday, where he faced a detailed examination of contracts, vouchers and procurement processes under the council’s watch. Counsel Sunkary Camara led the questioning, walking the witness through stacks of documents that spanned years of transactions.
The Commission admitted into evidence a contract agreement between the council and ASK Plumbing Goods and Services, signed by Touray and the contractor on August 8, 2017. “Attached to this contract agreement, there are three different performer invoices all dated the 18th day of July 2017,” counsel read aloud. “One single one dated the same 18th July 2017 for the sum of D40,000. The third performer invoice from ASH Enterprise dated the same 18th July 2017 sent to BCC for the sum of D33,150. Another three invoices sent to BCC dated the 19th day of July 2017 for the sum of D193,000.”
Attention then turned to a series of payments. “The other document is payment vouchers from Mr. Dembacham. BCC checked payment vouchers to Mr. Dembacham dated the 3rd day of July 2019 for the sum of D20,000 together with its requisition form. The second BCC checked payment to Mr. Dembacham is dated the 10th of June 2019 for the sum of D83,000 together with its requisition form and attachments.”
The list stretched on: “The third proforma invoice sent to BCC is dated the 30th day of May 2019 together with its requisition form and is for the sum of D83,700 together with its retirement as well. The fourth checked payment from BCC to Mr. Demba Cham is dated the 17th day of May 2019 and is for the sum of D177,300 together with a memo from the Director of Planning, that is the witness, sent to the CEO of BCC dated the 4th day of May 2019, subject to tiling and painting of the public toilet number 1 and 4 at the Albert Market.”
Another payment trail drew scrutiny. “It is dated the 20th day of August 2021 and is for the sum of D12,900. Attached to this payment voucher is three memos. Two are requests for the daily allowance reform and one is for the payment of transport reform.” Counsel continued: “The first one is from the Director of Planning to the Chief Executive Officer, dated the 10th of August, request for daily allowance together with its retirement. The second one is also dated the 10th of August 2021 from the Director of Planning, the witness to the CEO, subject request for payment of transport reform together with its retirement as well. And the third one is dated the 12th of August 2021 from the witness to the Chief Executive Officer of BCC with its subject request for payment of daily allowance reform.”
The inquiry widened to cover larger infrastructure projects. “Another document is from the witness. It states it’s a provisional acceptance certificate from GAMTEC, dated the 15th day of May 2020. Attached to this document is a letter from Lerr Group, dated the 5th of July 2022 from the Project Manager with the subject completion and key handing over of Banjul City Council Head Office Independence Drive.”
At the heart of the hearing was the council’s controversial streetlight project. “One of which is a memo from the witness to the Chief Executive Officer via the Director of Finance, dated the 8th day of September 2021, with the subject request for the payment of sample LED light system installed at Musk Road and Thomas Street in the City of Banjul, together with its daily expenditure analysis check.”
The figures were substantial. “And a payment voucher with the number BCC PV2100124 for the payment of D138,000. And another memo attached to it, dated the same day, and it is from the witness, the Director of Planning and Development. Mr. Touray, the letter dated 8th of September 2021, we have about three copies of these letters, so two of them will all be returned to you and we’ll keep the original.”
Even larger sums emerged. “Another payment voucher in the name of the payee, PowerCon Morgan, with the voucher BCC PV22000353, dated the 12th of August, and it is for the sum of D600,000, with its retirement, and a delivery note.” Counsel pressed further: “Mr. Touray, there is another payment voucher with the PV number BCC PV22000597, for the payment of $600,000. Is it different from the first $600,000 with the PV number ending 353 instead of 597? How many payments have been made for the sum of D600,000?”
Touray struggled to give a definitive answer. “Yeah, okay. I could not remember how many payments were made for the streetlights, but I believe all the necessary documents are in that bunch that I gave you.”
Beyond the streetlights, the hearing delved into technicalities of invoices. “What I want to find out from you is that each one of those invoices has a separate total or does it have a cumulative total?”
Touray responded: “No, no, no. They all add to one total. They have one cumulative total. ASK has one, two, three. All total to 183. ASH is the same thing. Also, one, two, three. Total into. Something like one hundred and, yeah, 188.”
The Commission also heard evidence on Crab Island toilets and PPE procurement. “Mr. Touray, do you have other documents with you? Yes, there are others to be submitted.” Counsel pressed: “And were you able to prepare the list of documents? Yes, please. One is the PPE procurement. This year and the crab island public toilet contract. Then the general council meeting minutes where they mentioned this abattoir construction to be taken care of by the department.”
Touray admitted delays in some cases. “The completion certificate also for the youth for excellence. I couldn’t get from gumbox agency. I have been going to gumbox to try and have it, but I could not. It’s not yet given. You can try and get the document.”
The witness also faced questions on a large disbursement. “The last document from the witness is the payment voucher dated 22nd day of September 2021 and it’s for the payment of D400,000. Attached to this payment voucher is a cheque payment voucher for the same amount dated the 4th day of May 2021. Attached therein is also a memo from the director of planning the witness to the CEO requesting for clearing of all indiscriminating waste dumping site within the city of Banjul, I read. Signed by the witness.”
