By: Kebba AF Touray
The Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia, Muhammed BS Jallow, while appearing before the National Assembly, revealed that over one million, five hundred and twenty-nine thousand Dalasi (D1,529,000.00) was recovered from the reported fraud cases revealed in the resolutions of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly (FPAC).
Vice President Jallow was providing an update to the lawmakers on the status of the resolutions passed by FPAC on the 2019 Audited Accounts of the government, Auditor General’s report on covid-19 response phase two, annual activity reports and Audited Financial statements of Public Agencies, Institutions, Area Council and Municipal Councils.
On the resolution for the MDAs to provide a comprehensive list of all fraud cases across government institutions particularly the Accountant General’s Department, Offices of the Auditor General’s Office, Judiciary and IGP, including their amounts, names, dates and their current status.
The recovered amounts, as highlighted by the Vice President, are D700,000 paid by GID officers, D319,000 by the Brikama Health Center, D510,00 by Mass Cham of the Department of Wildlife, which results in a cumulative amount of over D129,000.00.
Reporting on the status of the resolution on the fraud cases involving the officers of the Immigration Department at the Seaport, he said the investigations by the police revealed that visa fees amounting to D1,302,000 was received by the cashier.
Out of the said amount, he said only D700,000 was paid to the government account leaving a balance of D602,000 unaccounted for.
He added: “A follow up with the Justice Ministry, revealed that the perpetrators have been taken to court and the case is adjourned for judgment.”
On the fraud cases at the Brikama Health Center, VP Jallow reported that revenue collected by the collectors but were not deposited into a bank account amounted to D406,674.00. This, he said was reported to the Police who are still working on the case.
He said “Whilst investigations are ongoing an amount of D319,000 has been recovered leaving a balance of D87,674.00.”
Vice President Jallow informed the plenary that on the resolution on a fraud case at the Brikama Sub-Treasury with an unaccounted amount of D6,592,172.50, he said, “The matter is at the courts, however we are informed that the accused (Faisal Bojang) has absconded.”
A fraud case at Kerewan sub-treasury involving an amount of D2,136,372.61 by Baboucarr Bojang, was reported to the Police for investigation. However, he said as at the time of writing the report, the matter was still under investigation at the level of the Police.
About a fraud case at Janjanbureh Sub-Treasury, he said, “This is a fraud case of un-accounted revenue involving one Mr Fakebba Bojang amounting to D521,000. The case was reported to the Police and is still under Police investigation.”
VP Jallow further explained to members of the National Assembly that a fraud case at the Directorate of National Treasury involving some staff of the Directorate relating to un-authorized withdrawal of public funds from the old TMA amounting to D4,064,363.15.
This case was reported to the police for investigation and upon completion of the investigation by the police, it was sent to the courts and the culprits were subsequently prosecuted.
Further dwelling on Fraud Cases, he said a staff of the Department of Forestry, Parks and Wildlife by the name Mass Cham was also implicated in the monies amounting to D839,500.00. However, an amount of D510,060.00 was recovered during the course of the police investigations, leaving a balance of D329,440.00, saying, “The investigations were completed but the accused absconded.”
On resolution for the Finance Ministry to write to FPAC on the reason for the virements made by the Ministry a total of 404 virements totaling Two Billion, Six Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-One Dalasi and Forty Bututs (D2,687,362,341.40),
He said according to the Finance Ministry, the virements were meant for the payment of activities already budgeted.
“However, the explanation advanced by the Ministry was deemed not adequate by FPAC. Therefore, it is recommended to compare the trend with what obtained in the 2020 accounts of the government which is noted,” said Vice President Jallow.
