By Yankuba Jallow
In a significant revelation during the ongoing public inquiry into the management of public funds, former CEO of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Jonga, admitted that more than D30 million intended for community development was diverted from its original purpose. The funds, which were part of the royalties from mining operations, were meant to support projects that would directly benefit the local communities. However, in his testimony, Jonga acknowledged the diversion of the Geology Funds for other uses, deviating from the agreements laid out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Lead counsel Patrick Gomez delved into the details of the council’s financial management. Jonga’s statements revealed an unsettling pattern of management and irregularities surrounding the funds, which had been allocated to the council by the Accountant General’s office.
Gomez opened the questioning by asking about the records for the Geology Fund:
Gomez: “Mr. Jonga, do you have the evidence of monies received from the Accountant General for the Geology Fund?”
Jonga: “Yes, I have a summary of the payments, but I could not see in the statement the payment dated 12 June 2023.”
The conversation quickly turned to the total payments made to the council for the Geology Fund. Jonga confirmed that the council had received a series of payments, totaling D30,705,422.09, though there were discrepancies in the records. Notably, the payment dated June 2023 appeared to be missing from the statement.
Gomez: “So you can confirm seven transactions from the accountants, correct?”
Jonga: “Yes, but I’ll be able to confirm the final one if the statement covers the period. The statement only covers May 2023. It’s not up to June, yes.”
The discussion moved to the use of the funds. Jonga explained that, in some instances, the funds had been allocated to road works and relief efforts for victims of windstorms, yet these expenditures appeared to stray from the original intention of community development in areas impacted by mining activities. Gomez questioned whether these actions were in line with the MOU’s objectives.
Gomez: “What have this to do with the Geology Fund?”
Jonga: “These were additional payments made from the Geology Fund.”
As the inquiry proceeded, Jonga confessed that several payments had been made without consulting the chairman of the council. He also admitted to authorizing expenditures that did not adhere to the original terms of the agreement, describing a lack of proper oversight. He said he sometimes inform Sonko.
Gomez: “Why were you making these various expenditures without accordance with the MOU?”
Jonga: “Like I said on Thursday, our intention at the time was wrong. We knew that that was not the right thing to do. We wouldn’t have authorized for payments from the funds that are not for the communities that are directly affected by minor operations.”
When Gomez pressed further, asking why there had been such deviations from the prescribed procedures, Jonga remained candid about the shortcomings in his administration.
Gomez: “We expect after that process, there of course should be an audit to see how far they have gone in relation to executing or spending the funds for the benefit of the community, right?”
Jonga: “Yes.”
Gomez: “So you have deviated substantially from that, correct?”
Jonga: “Yes.”
The inquiry also exposed the breakdown in communication within the council itself. Jonga confirmed that while some of the payments had been made with the knowledge of the chairman, Mr. Sonko, others had been made without his approval. Gomez questioned Sonko about his role in overseeing these expenditures.
Gomez: “Mr. Sonko, where were you when Mr. Jonga was spending the Geology Fund without following the MOU, the direction or the dictates of the MOU?”
Sonko: “I believe I should have been in the council by then.”
Gomez: “You didn’t check?”
Sonko: “Yes.”
Gomez: “You were supposed to check?”
Sonko: “Yes.”
Gomez: “You didn’t?”
Sonko: “No.”
Reporters Note: There were certain mistakes made in the previous publication of the same issue. The errors have been corrected in this expanded report showing direct quotes from the two former officials of the Brikama Area Council.
