The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has wrapped up its public hearings after more than two years of proceedings, with Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez delivering a short closing address on Tuesday.
Mr Gomez told the Commission that over the course of 28 months, evidence was heard from 366 witnesses, including officials from government institutions such as the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Government and Lands, the National Audit Office, the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), as well as contractors and suppliers. Also, the officials of the various councils like the chief executive officers and the finance directors, finance manager, revenue collectors and other staff, together chairpersons and mayors as well as councillors all appeared before the Commission.
He outlined the Commission’s mandate, which covers the period between May 2018 and January 2023, noting that investigators were tasked with scrutinising a wide range of financial and administrative practices within local government councils. These included loans acquired on behalf of councils, the creation and operation of council accounts, withdrawals of public funds, land allocations, staffing arrangements, contracts, recruitment of consultants, and the establishment of limited liability companies by councils.
“We have to identify whether any persons or group of persons committed any offense in relation to any matter inquired into by the commission,” Mr Gomez said, adding that the inquiry also examined whether assets or funds were misappropriated and whether projects complied with applicable procedures and laws.
He stressed that the Commission’s work revealed systemic problems, including weak oversight mechanisms, questionable withdrawals from council accounts, and evidence suggesting complicity by regulatory bodies in procurement processes. “We have evidence throughout this process to show that the finance directors [and] the CEOs have had absolute freedom to withdraw monies and operate accounts,” he told the Commission.
The Lead Counsel noted that while councils enjoy financial autonomy and the power to levy taxes, the funds raised “for the longest period have not properly been checked to make sure that they benefit the people in the manner in which they’re supposed to benefit.”
He concluded by thanking the Commission and its staff for their cooperation and support throughout the inquiry.
Responding to the summation, Commission Chairperson Jainaba Bah commended the legal team’s efforts. “Thank you very much lead counsel for the summation of what we have done in 28 months,” she said. “We do hope that the next step, which is the writing of the report for the analysis of the documents we have received, is done diligently as has been done over the past 28 months.”
The Commission, established to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the financial and administrative activities of local government councils, will now proceed to compile its final report and recommendations.
