By Makutu Manneh
Samba M.K. Leigh, a former Chief Executive Officer of Kerewan Area Council, told the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that the council had no designated cashier during his tenure. Instead, revenue collectors—who were responsible for gathering public funds—were also tasked with making payments.
Leigh said that when he assumed office in 2021, he found the system already in place and was advised by the director of finance and director of planning to maintain it.
“I was relying on my lieutenants—the finance director and the planning director,” he said. “They advised me to continue with the system. So, we assigned revenue collectors to handle payments.”
“It Doesn’t Make Sense”
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez challenged Leigh’s decision, arguing that as CEO, he should have guided his finance director on proper financial management. Leigh acknowledged this but insisted that he, too, had to take advice from his senior staff.
Gomez dismissed the justification.
“Being advised not to have a cashier does not make sense,” he said. “You are experienced enough to know this.”
Leigh admitted that having a cashier would have been beneficial but claimed he lacked the authority to appoint one. He said that only the Local Government Service Commission had the mandate to make such hires.
“We wrote to the Ministry of Local Government, requesting the service commission to appoint a cashier along with filling other vacancies at the council,” Leigh said, adding that he could only hire staff up to grade three. The commission directed him to provide copies of his correspondence with the ministry.
Trust vs. Regulations
Gomez pressed Leigh on why he allowed revenue collectors to handle payments, noting that they were already responsible for collecting council funds.
Leigh admitted that the arrangement was unconventional but claimed he believed it was in the best interest of the council.
“I thought it would help keep the cash safe,” he said.
“The cash is not safe,” Gomez countered. “It is being spent in an unregulated manner, degrading all financial rules.”
Leigh responded that the council’s revenue collectors were trusted employees.
“That is not how public service works,” Gomez retorted. “You’re not supposed to trust anyone. You are supposed to follow financial regulations. This is not your personal business—even in your personal business, you wouldn’t operate like this.”
Leigh agreed with the counsel.
