Muhammed Cham, Finance Manager, Banjul City Council
By Fatou Sillah
The Finance Manager of the Banjul City Council (BCC), Muhammed Cham, appeared Tuesday before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry to testify about his involvement in the EU-funded Banjul-Ostend project.
Mr. Cham told the commission that he was seconded to the project after the original finance manager resigned. He submitted a copy of his secondment letter to the inquiry, which was accepted into evidence.Cham stated that he served as the finance manager for 14 months, during which he was responsible for preparing monthly financial reports and handling other finance-related tasks.
“As the finance manager of the project, I support the financial reports of the procurement process; I also effect payments, and I prepare financial reports on a monthly basis,” He Said.
Lead counsel Patrick Gomez questioned Mr. Cham on the financial oversight mechanisms of the project and requested copies of the reports he prepared. Mr. Cham explained that procurement requests typically originated from the project manager and required approval from the project coordinator before moving forward.
During the proceedings, Mr. Gomez presented four payment vouchers made out to project manager Alfusainey Gano. Mr. Cham acknowledged that he processed three of the four payments, noting that they had been authorized by the BCC’s Chief Executive Officer and project coordinator.
“I remember this voucher for 10 of March 2022. These payments are authorized by the project coordinator and the CEO of BCC; they are the authorizing officers. I just prepared the vouchers and had my signature. This request was made by Gano and payment was made to him,” He Said.
When asked whether Mr. Gano retired the funds—meaning submitted documentation showing how the funds were used—Mr. Cham said he believed so but could not confirm. Counsel Gomez requested that any such documentation be submitted to the commission.
Mr. Cham also testified about another payment voucher in the amount of 58,350 dalasis, reportedly issued to Mr. Gano for materials and labor related to the covering of trees along the beach.
When pressed on whether the payment followed public procurement guidelines, Mr. Cham said he could not confirm without further review. “Yes, I do prepare the check. I am not certain if the procurement rules were followed unless I check,” He said.
He emphasized that the checks were ultimately signed by the CEO and the Finance Director, and that his role was limited to preparation.