By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Gambia authorities have launched an investigation into an alleged fraud involving 45.5 million dalasis (approximately $720,000) in the Ministry of Health, centring on the purchase of 13 Toyota Prado vehicles under the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) project.
The case, now under scrutiny by the Fraud Squad unit of the Gambia Police Force, follows an internal audit that flagged discrepancies in the procurement process. A subsequent national audit found that while an open tender was issued, the contract was ultimately awarded to KMF, a company specializing in electronics rather than vehicle sales.
Irregularities in the Procurement Process
Among the bidders were TK Motors and CFAO, both licensed Toyota dealers in The Gambia. However, auditors found that KMF, which offered the highest price among bidders, secured the contract. According to the audit report, KMF acquired the vehicles at 7 million dalasi ($110,000) each—double the standard market price of 3.5 million dalasi ($55,000) per unit.
Compounding the concerns, auditors discovered that the payment for the vehicles was deposited into a private account rather than KMF’s business account. This raised further questions about financial transparency in the procurement process.
Once these irregularities surfaced, the auditors forwarded their findings to the Fraud Squad, leading to an investigation that implicated several high-ranking officials within the Health Ministry.
Officials Under Investigation
Authorities have questioned and released on bail multiple individuals linked to the transaction, including:
Abdoulie Mam Njie, former project coordinator at the Health Ministry
Fatou Sagarr Njie, coordinator of the Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
Fatou Kene Njie, procurement officer
Santang B. Hummer, financial controller
Fanta Bai Secka, deputy permanent secretary
Adama Secka Bah, procurement specialist (reportedly at large in the U.S.)
Sutay Jobe, procurement officer
The proprietor of KMF, Kalifa Faal, has also been questioned by investigators.
Government and Industry Reactions
Health Minister Dr Lamin Samateh confirmed the government’s awareness of the issue, stating: “The Ministry has been informed of the irregularities concerning vehicle procurement for the SWEDD project. The government takes the matter very seriously, and the police have begun investigations. It is important to wait for the results before taking further action.”
Meanwhile, TK Motors and CFAO, both of whom lost the bid, raised concerns over the government’s decision to award some contracts to unlicensed companies. Representatives from both firms noted that they deal directly with Toyota manufacturers and offer vehicle warranties, unlike third-party suppliers.
“It is worrying that such contracts often go to briefcase companies with no formal authorization to trade in these vehicles,” one of the representatives told Foroyaa.
Supplier Defends Himself
Kalifa, the proprietor of KMF, defended his company’s handling of the contract, arguing that he followed due process.
“I saw the bid, applied, and was awarded the contract. I did not force the Ministry to choose me,” he said.
He justified the inflated price by citing additional logistical costs, including urgent shipping arrangements to meet the 30-day delivery deadline. However, auditors found that the vehicles were not imported but sourced locally—from CFAO itself.
Kalifa admitted to this, explaining that he took the vehicles on credit from CFAO and later repaid them once his own shipment arrived.
On the issue of the payment going to his private account, Kalifa stated that he requested it to be deposited there because it was a dollar account.
“If the funds had gone to my company’s account, they would have been in dalasi, and accessing dollars in The Gambia is difficult. This was the easiest way to facilitate the transaction,” he said.
Ongoing Investigation
For two weeks, the implicated officials have been reporting on bail as the Fraud Squad continues its probe. Law enforcement officials have yet to indicate whether charges will be filed, but the case remains under active investigation.
This is a developing story. Foroyaa will provide updates as new information emerges.
