Commission Gives Former BCC CEO Deadline to Produce Receipts Over Contractor Overpayment

By Makutu Manneh

The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has given Mustapha Batchily, former Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul City Council (BCC), until next week to submit payment receipts in response to an audit query concerning an alleged overpayment to a contractor.

During Thursday’s hearing, Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez cited findings from the 2021–2022 Special Audit conducted by the National Audit Office, which revealed that an overpayment of GMD 191,892 was made to Future Generation Construction Company for works carried out at the Banjul Albert Market dumpsite.

Gomez further noted that, according to the audit report, the contract sum was GMD 968,000 and was to be disbursed in four installments. However, records showed that a total of GMD 1,160,150 was paid in five installments. This discrepancy, he said, was uncovered during the National Audit Office’s review of the Banjul City Council’s cash book for the 2021–2022 financial year.

When questioned about the overpayment, Mr. Batchily responded, “From my records, especially the PVs that I signed, I did not come across an overpayment.” Lead Counsel Gomez instructed him to provide all relevant payment records to the commission by next week, to which Batchily agreed.

Counsel Gomez further highlighted additional concerns raised in the audit. On 21 December 2021, BCC cashier Oumie Darbo allegedly withdrew GMD 500,000 from the Council’s Trust Bank account, followed by another GMD 42,150 on 23 December 2022. Similarly, Ebou Drammeh, an accounts officer, reportedly withdrew GMD 132,677.17 from the same account. Mr. Batchily was asked to submit supporting documentation for these transactions.

Counsel Gomez also questioned the legality of payments made to staff as “commissions” for executing their routine duties. “You were paying staff commission for performing their duties; why was that?” Counsel Gomez asked. Batchily explained that the payments were intended as motivation.

In response, Counsel Gomez requested that Mr. Batchily return with a comprehensive list of all recipients of the motivational payments, identify the specific section of the budget from which the funds were drawn, and provide a justification for the legal basis of the disbursements.

“Where does that fall within the budget? Please note it down,” Counsel Gomez told Batchily. “When you come back you guide us through all the beneficiaries of this motivational payment. You come with the budget and tell us the legality of such payment.”