By Makutu Manneh
The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has warned Gambians against the fraudulent act of issuing fake KMC trade licences to people.
The KMC informed the populace that such an act is illegal and can lead to those involved facing severe penalties.
The Council said the fake licence does not have the signature of the Mayor and the payments are not made to the Council’s cashier.
“There are only two ways to pay for your Trade Licence Invoice. Either at KMC Offices with the Cashier, or at one of our partner banks (Agip Bank, GTBank and Megabank),” KMC stated in a press release.
“An authentic trade licence must bear the signatures of the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with their official stamps. The Mayor may be deputised by the Deputy Mayor, or for the CEO, the Deputy CEO or Director of Admin. The fake licence did not have both of these signatures.”
The release further stated that whenever one made a payment, the person will be given a receipt which should be taken to the Licensing Officer in KMC.
KMC said if anyone is worried whether he or she has fallen a victim to this act, s/he can report to the council for clarification.
The Council urged the public to follow the due course of obtaining a legal trade licence from the council and warned those involved to desist from the act.
The Council went on to say that it will write to all embassies and high commissions in The Gambia to enlighten them on how to detect a fraudulent Trade Licence.