By Demba Bah
A contentious debate unfolded at the Banjul City Council (BCC) meeting on April 3, 2025, after Councillor Sheikh Jaw of Crab Island Ward allegedly claimed in a WhatsApp forum that the council had received payments from a sand mining company. The statement, which sparked online discussion, was strongly refuted by other councillors during the meeting.
The issue was not originally on the meeting’s agenda but was raised by Councillor Bintou S.M. Jaiteh of Campama Ward, who informed her colleagues about the circulating claim. Jaiteh asserted that the council had never received the promised funds.
Previously, the Mayor had assured councillors that businessman Omar Jah would pay the council 2 million dalasi monthly, with the funds allocated for ward development projects. However, BCC is still claiming 20 million dalasi in royalties from the sand mining company, and no payments have been received.
Sheriff Njie, BCC’s acting finance director, and Abdoulie Boss Gaye, chairman of the finance committee, both confirmed that the council had not yet received any money from the company.
Councillors criticized Jaw for making unverified statements online, arguing that such actions could damage the council’s credibility. The meeting, originally scheduled to cover key agenda items, was derailed by this discussion and another matter related to the city’s cleansing exercise. As a result, the meeting was adjourned to today.
The agenda for the council meeting included a review and adoption of the agenda items, approval of the previous general council meeting minutes, discussion of matters arising from the minutes, updates on the 2025 budget estimates, general updates, a status report on market canteens and outlets by the market manager, reports from council committees, an update on draft rules of procedure (standing orders), and any other business.
However, due to prolonged discussions on the controversy, none of these agenda items were addressed. The council is expected to reconvene today to deliberate on these pending matters.
