By Makutu Manneh
Mustapha Batchily, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul City Council (BCC), appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday to challenge Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe’s claims that the CEO and Finance Director wield absolute authority within the council.
During the afternoon session, Mr. Batchily categorically denied Mayor Lowe’s assertion that key administrative officers operate independently, often without the mayor’s knowledge or consent.
“I would not agree to that because everything we used to do at the council she was part of it, and she knew what we were doing,” Mr. Batchily told the commission.
Lead counsel Patrick Gomez questioned Mr. Batchily about Mayor Lowe’s earlier testimony, in which she described the CEO and Finance Director as the most powerful figures at BCC, capable of acting without the administration’s awareness.
In response, Mr. Batchily clarified that while routine management meetings typically exclude the mayor, consisting mainly of the CEO and senior staff, all minutes from these and committee meetings are regularly forwarded to the mayor’s office. He offered to provide documentation to substantiate this practice.
“So am surprised that we are running the council without her knowing. She is representing the council,” he said.
When questioned by Counsel Patrick Gomez about whether he wielded unchecked authority in his role as CEO, Mr. Batchily firmly rejected the implication, instead highlighting his collaborative approach to leadership.
“It depends on the context,” he responded.
“Do you have absolute control of the area council? You as the CEO, so much so that whatever you want is what happens. Is that how it is run because that is how she portrayed it?” Mr. Batchily maintained that such a characterization was inaccurate.
He denied the allegations, claiming that these behaviors do not align with his leadership style. He emphasized that his administration is consultative in nature, noting that even senior council staff could attest to this approach.
Counsel Gomez then posed a follow-up: “If the Mayor disagrees with a particular payment, would you still proceed with it?”
In response, Mr. Batchily stated that it would depend on the nature of the payment. He explained that if the payment falls within his authority and does not require the Mayor’s approval, it would be processed accordingly.
Counsel Gomez reminded the witness that the financial manual outlines specific thresholds, assigning authorization limits to the Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor, and the general council, respectively.
He informed the witness that the Commission was aware that the Banjul City Council (BCC) does not issue a resolution for such matters. “But on a daily basis, as a matter of practice, do you have a limit?” Counsel Gomez asked.
Witness Batchily agreed; he said they do not operate along those lines.
He further confirmed that Mayor Lowe was kept informed of all significant payments, explaining, “like I said, we used to have consultative meetings in the morning so all issues that require payment, especially payments of bigger magnitudes. she is always informed.”
The lead counsel reminded him that during his previous testimony before the commission, he had accused him of being a ‘rubber stamp’—suggesting that he simply approved whatever the mayor desired.
“The mayor sat here, and her testimony was such that in fact it appears as if she is maybe the victim. You are the ones who will do whatever you want and for her, she just has to be advised by the CEO, but apparently for her, she has no say in practice,” Counsel Gomez said.
Counsel Gomez, after citing the law regarding the mayor’s administrative powers, noted that Mayor Lowe insisted the CEO holds the ultimate authority within the Banjul City Council (BCC). According to Mayor Lowe, the CEO is the overall head and wields more power than both the council and the mayor.
“Mr. Batchily, are you that powerful?” Counsel Gomez inquired.
Witness Batchily responded firmly, “I am certainly not that powerful. Coming to the issue of things being done without her knowledge, I continuously, and I will continuously, deny it.”