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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 17:38:26
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Culled from The Daily News
Brikama Area Council Scandal Intensify
Sanna & Alieu
If reports reaching The Daily News are anything to go by, the scandal that has been besetting the BAC is indeed true as it corroborates the information of our sources which further reveals the infighting, sand mining controversy, and overall staff performances.
Describing the parties involved in the infighting scandal as "The Troika", our sources said it includes Senior Government and BAC officials and involves a certain sum of money that was to be paid to a party involved. Our sources added that this led to a probe into the sand mining operations of the Council.
The former SoS for Local Government and Lands, Mr. Manlafi Jarjue was said to be at the centre of the scandal as he is purported to have demanded the sum of D100, 000 from the Council offers as "supplementary funding for his trip to South Africa". The then Chairman of the Council, Dr. Ahmed Gibril Jassey accordingly consented and approved the request. However, this was subsequently rejected by the then Director of Finance Mr. Fafa Kuyateh who refused to pay the sum of money to the then SoS for Local Government and Lands, our sources explained.
This disagreement is what led to "the infighting" between the "Troika" and subsequently leading to other acts and forming the bases of the infighting. However, an Audit Report dated 11th March 2004 cleared the then Director of Finance, from any financial malpractices. "He was neither surcharged nor taken before any Court of Law, despite his appearance before the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into the assets, properties and activities of Public Officials", our sources stated, adding that the circumstances surrounding his dismissal be revisited.
Going further, it says since the dismissal of the then Director of Finance in 2004, the Council’s financial management has been seriously affected both interms of revenue collection, implementation of projects and in the delivery of Services.
On the sand mining controversy, our sources said that the income realized from sand mining operations was on the average of about D1, 250, 000 monthly. "An account was opened with the AGIB known as the Brikama Area Council Development Account. The purpose of the account was to enable the Council to settle NAWEC bills which at the time amounted to D3, 700, 000", against a D15million owed by the Council to NAWEC. "The Council offices and Brikama streetlights have been disconnected as a result of Council’s inability to settle the bills," it said. Before sand mining was transferred from the Council to the Geology Department, sources said the Council paid D2, 100, 000 to NAWEC leaving an outstanding balance of D1, 600, 000. Sources said Council continues to receive quarterly Royalty payment from Sand Mining Revenue.
On the staffing and staff performance of the Council, our sources said there was no standard of grading, confirmation or promotion and in few instances, appointment letters could not be found for people on permanent pay scale.
It added that there should be a close supervision and monitoring on the performance of the Council staff in the execution of their duties in accordance with Local Government Act Sec. 118(2) (C) while the appointment of Senior staff be decentralized … There should be no room for any Senior staff whose performance is below standard to be transferred, they either deliver or get the sack.
According to our sources, there was a mini-staff audit, followed by a major staff audit by the Personal Management Office. "At the end of the exercise only 29 out of the 50 Permanent Staff Collectors were retained". It made reference to a year in which 50 percent of rates and taxes for 4 years could not be accounted for. "As a result all Commission Collectors have been terminated".
Meanwhile, our Sources made specific mention of the current CEO of the Council Mr. Momodou Jallow, who is described as "highly motivated and competent" and therefore needs all the support and encouragement.
Source: The Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2009 : 17:51:45
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Brikama Area Council
Alieu
The Management and staff of Brikama Area Council wishes to clarified recent media report concerning alleged irregularities. These reports are totally misleading, inaccurate and devoid of truth.
It is our firm conviction that the reports published by the Daily News newspaper and the Point newspaper is in balance, since the authors of the articles did not make efforts to seek the view of council’s Public Relations Officer. The reported fifty-four million Dalasis scam by the Point Newspaper is equally baseless, gravely false and taken out of context.
The reported non-payment of salaries is erroneous and unjustified, as council has not been found wanting in the payment of salaries to it staff. There have always been regular and timely payment of salaries. Council even go further to provide loans to its staff. To the contrary, the financial transactions and records of council are accurate and readily made available to councilors during monthly council meeting.
Council is fully committed and has been committed to plough back the revenue generated from the people in the forms of services and development and is committed to respond to the concerns and welfare of the tax payers. Such reports are mere allegation and fabrication.
Council has initiated numerous projects which include the purchase of three new tractors and two official vehicles costing D3, 331, 425.00 to enhance waste collection and disposal, the two hundred thousand Lamin Darussalam Water Extension Project, twenty-five thousand Dalasis council contribution for the completion of the Brikama Mortuary project , the payment of five hundred thousand Dalasis to GAMWORK as council contribution for the construction of the Wellingara Market, donation of twenty-five thousand to Sukuta youth & Sport Committee, repairing of the Lighting Project, rehabilitation of roads, construction of toilets at Sayang markets, the hundred and fifty seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy Dalasi Busumbala electricity extension project, construction of a new well at Giana Foni Kansala and the nine hundred thousand payment to NAWEC and fifty thousand Dalasis as payment of school fees for sponsored students in the year 2009 etc.
The reported deduction of the salary of some cleansing service workers is misguided since the deduction was sanctioned by an audit report of the Personnel Management Office.
The deduction of salaries of staff was not limited to the cleansing service unit only but it was general and was based on regulating improper grading, so as to based payment of salaries in line with the respective qualifications and positions of our staff.
The concerns of the cleansing service unit have been a priority for council and as such the unit is provided with protective gears, medical bill to motivate them. Concerning the other issues raised, we felt they are personnel and therefore irrelevant for us to respond.
It is our view that the press in it quest to inform the public of events, must fully adhered to journalistic values of honesty, truth, accuracy, balance and independence rather than bent on misleading the public.
Finally council will continue to leave up to expectation and be responsive to the concerns of the tax payers.
Editor’s Note: The Daily News still stand by the veracity of our facts
Source: The Daily News |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 14:41:26
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BAC’s Lawyer Writes to The Daily News
As the scandal engulfing the Brikama Area Council intensify, a renowned Gambian lawyer Lamin (Baba Dingding) Jobarteh has written to the Daily News, stating that he is acting on instructions from the Brikama Area Council.
“Since you have chosen to publish such unfounded allegations, my instructions are that without prejudice to any action that may be taken against your papers, I am to demand from you an unqualified apology and a rejoinder on all the allegations made in front page of your papers”, Lawyer Jobarteh said. We reproduce hereunder the full text of his letter:
RE: FINACIAL SCAM BURIED AT BAC PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY AUGUST 27TH- 31ST SEPTEMBER 2009 BY THE DAILY NEWS AND BAC REFUTES D54M FINACIAL SCANDAL DATED MONDAY 31ST 2009 AND BAC UNDER FIRE AGAIN DATED TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 01 2009 BY THE POINT AND DAILY NEWS.
I act for the Management and staff of Brikama Area Council, Brikama, and Western Region of the Republic of The Gambia on the above captioned subject matters published by your papers.
My clients’ instructions are that the allegations made by your various papers are not only false and baseless but intended to tarnish their image and reputation. The nature of your publication has affected the public peace and tranquility of the people they serve thereby causing fear and alarm in them. It is regrettable to imagine that you would publish information of such a nature without resort or recourse to the verification of the said allegations. I would however refer to few amongst others some of the allegations and statements therein your various publications which are as follows:-
THE DAILY NEWS.
1. The Daily News in its publication dated Monday, August 31st -1st September, 2009 and captioned MORE REVELTIONS ON THE BAC SCANDAL BY SANA AND ALIEU printed the picture of the Honourable Minister for Local Government with some various allegations without any reference to him or stating any reason for printing of his picture. The said printing of his picture for all intent and purposes makes him appear to have had a hand in such false and baseless allegations. Such an act is most reprehensible and irresponsible of you.
2. The Daily News continues to receive startling revelations with regards to the Financial Scam and Managerial Problems that have been affecting the capacity of the council to deliver over the years.
3. The article further refers to your Source to have referred to fifteen markets in the Western Region which are alleged to be owned by individuals. That your Source cited instances where all revenues generated including Market Fees for over one year were never paid to the council, adding that some markets are managed like “State within a State without any approving authority involved”. The question here is how reliable is your Source. Assuming without conceding that your Source is reliable would it not have been more ideal to resort to or from abundance of caution take recourse to the verification of the said allegations which would enable you to hear the other side of the story.
4. Some Executive Officers of the Council have been singled out to have undertaken illicit deals at the expense of the Council. While others like one Mr. Ousman Gaye “in his capacity as Acting Chairman of Brikama Area Council has caused a lot of revenue loss to the Council”. The article further states several allegations which have not been substantiated nor verified from the Management and Staff of the Brikama Area Council. It did not mention any specific Executive Officer leaving in the minds of the public more particularly the people they serve and collect revenues from course to speculate. This is most unfair.
The use of quotation marks in your article clearly shows that you are quoting from a Source verbatim which from any stretch of imagination ought to have been revealed for reasons of posterity and fairness to those affected. The question here is how authentic and true are the allegations given by your Source more particularly where such allegations have not been shifted and verified from the Management and Staff of the Brikama Area Council or at the least those affected.
5. Again The Daily News in its publication dated Thursday August 27th -30th, 2009 captioned FINANCIAL SCAM BURIED AT BAC BY SANA CAMARA & ALIEU DARBOE stated that “The Daily News has uncovered a mountain of Financial Scam that has been threating the very foundation of the Brikama Area Council since 2004, seriously affecting the revenue collections, projects implementation and overall delivery of services. The article further states several allegations ranging from the council’s financial inability to pay salaries, indiscipline, lack of commitment and incompetence, non accountability and collection of rates and taxes. That D42, 186, 000.00 could not be verified. That there is no financial system in place in the Physical Planning Office of the Council alone.
That there are indications that the Assistant Director of Finance is being sidelined and “his major responsibility are assigned to junior clerks.”
I pause to ask whether the said Assistant Director of Finance and junior clerks who are said to have been assigned his major responsibility been interviewed to ascertain such allegations? One would conclude that this has not been verified or ascertained the truth of the allegations which by any stretch of imagination is again reprehensible and irresponsible on your part. Since you have chosen to publish, you are duty bound to accurately inform the public on a balanced dissemination of information for their consumption.
THE POINT
Just as in the case of The Daily News in its publication dated Monday, August 31st –1st September, 2009 and captioned MORE REVELATIONS ON THE BAC SCANDAL BY SANA AND ALIEU, your paper in its article dated Tuesday, September 01 2009 and captioned BAC UNDER FIRE AGAIN has also printed the picture of the Honourable Minister for Local Government with some various allegations without any reference to him or stating any reason for the printing of his picture. Similarly the said printing of his picture for all intent and purposes makes him appear to have had a hand in such false and baseless allegations. Such an act is most reprehensible and irresponsible of you.
2. Contrary to the publication by the Daily News, your paper stated that the recent media reports unearthed an alleged financial misappropriation of over D54 Million at the Council.
3. In your editorial, you have stated that “the alleged impropriety against the top echelons of the Brikama Area Council {BAC} is disturbing. At least Fifty Four Million Dalasis is alleged to have been unaccounted for, or gone missing from the coffers of the Brikama Area Council since 2004. According to the scoop, BAC is weakened by embezzlement, incompetence, nepotism, negligence and dereliction of the duty from top to bottom.”
The above contradictory statements in both papers/articles leave serious doubts in the minds of your readers as to what to believe. Without going further, it is pertinent to note that if you believe in the truth of what you have published then why did two of your reporters walk into the office of the Brikama Area Council and made apologies for the said publications?
I must say that the immediate and predominant purpose of the allegations therein your various articles is to excite in your audience disaffection towards the Brikama Area Council and to further tarnish the image and reputation of innocent people at the Council. It must be borne in mind that the circumstance of your publication and utterances without proves and veracity from the Management and Staff of the Council determines your intention to incite violence and disaffection in the minds of your readers thereby intending the natural consequences of your irresponsible acts. This calls o mind the fact that in your calculated and malicious device and with deliberate intention to injure the Management and Staff of the Council, you wrote with reckless indifference to truth or falsity and the defamatory character or otherwise of the allegations made against the Management and Staff of the Council and by inference to the Honourable Minister for Local Government by printing his picture without any reference to him. You did not and if you did you failed to make diligent inquiry as to the correctness of your allegations. You have breached the ethics of your Journalistic Profession.
Finally your physical appearance at the Brikama Area Council and the apologies made thereof are not enough. Since you have chosen to publish such unfounded allegations, my instructions are that without prejudice to any action that may be taken against your papers, I am to demand from you an unqualified apology and a rejoinder on all the allegations made in front page of your papers.
A word for the Wise is enough.
Lamin AMS Jobarteh.
Editor’s Note: The Daily News still stands by our facts. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 14:43:45
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BAC And Media Reports:
The media believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation for democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.
Conscientious journalists from all media specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of journalistic credibility. As professional journalists, we should diligently seek news stories to give people or institutions the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrong doing.
The daily news in its editions 44, and 45, and 46 carried news items concerning some financial and other related managerial irregularities at the Brikama Area Council (BAC).
How ever BAC decided to come up with a press release in their bid to clarify or make corrections. The release said “The management and staff of the Brikama Area Council wishes to clarified recent media reports concerning alleged irregularities. These reports are totally misleading, inaccurate and devoid of truth”
This press release was published in our last edition as our profession dictates. They have a right to respond, which right we have accorded them. On the contrary we believe that the press release in question is not much helpful. The mere brushing aside of the media reports on alleged irregularities without much substance means little. The fact that the authors of the said articles did not consult the Pubic Relations Officer at BAC cannot make the report baseless or devoid of truth as the press release implied.
A second press release, which was in the form of a rejoinder, was sent out to the media, this time by lawyer Lamin Jorbateh on behalf of Brikama Area Council. In that rejoinder Jorbateh is calling for an apology from us. The said rejoinder implies that two of our reporters went to the BAC, and apologized. This is not true; none of the Daily News reporters apologized to BAC. As far as we at the Daily News are concerned we maintain our position.
Public funds are entrusted to few hands but this does not mean that the rest of the public who are rightful owners do not have a right in how those funds are managed on their behalf. Those who are privileged to be at the helm of affairs should always be mindful of such. The BAC is one of the biggest councils and one can say for certain that it is also one of the richest local government councils. It has the sand mining industry, and apart from that most of the major hotels are under their council.
In 2004, BAC with the help of revenue accrued from its sand mining industry and other sources were able to immensely contribute to NAWEC arrears to the tune of D2.1 million. This was reported in a local newspaper in November of 2004. A council that went almost bankrupt, and was able to make such a remarkable effort in settling such big arrears , should have better clarifications on irregularities in other sources such as markets.
What we are calling for is an independent enquiry to be set up by the Local Government ministry to look into irregularities at BAC. The Ministry has all rights to probe into the activities of any local government council in the country if the need arises. We are all aware that interim committees were set up in all the councils before the 2007 local government elections by the president of the republic for a period of 90 days and were given functions. Each of those interim committees compiled reports of their findings and made recommendations to the Ministry for local government for action. So it will not be difficult for the Ministry to act now.
Source: The Daily News
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 16:35:49
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| I'm liking this Daily News a lot. It seems like they have got BAC by the balls and had them scared to death. Brilliant journalism. Threat of lawsuit? Bring it on!! Then the whole world would come to know about the corruption galore in BAC. I wonder why the NIA and the Anti-fraud division of the police are yet to take any action at BAC. Could there possibly be a high profile cover up within the government? Who is being protected here? WELL DONE DAILY NEWS!!! A newspaper really worth its salt. Thanks Momodou |
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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 17:48:33
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Shaka, I think there are more skeletons in the cupboard at BAC that’s why the scare tactics. These public institutions should be scrutinized and made accountable about finances. Here are the other related topics: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7997
May be we will soon have another case similar to Sanna Manneh (Ticks) against the former vice president in the first Republic Saihou Sabally.
Can you imagine the NIA collecting over due compound rates (pre 2009 rates) at the KMC? I don't know if it's like that in the other municipalities in the country but thats what is currently going on at KMC where they have an office sanctioned by the State House. Where is that money also going to?
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 18:05:40
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| Interesting Momodou. I have heard similar stories during my last visit but had held them as rumours until now. Why is the state still failing to act despite this glaring public exposure? It all stank of a high profile cover up as i mentioned earlier. I hope the Daily News don't succumb to the bullies. Thanks again. |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2009 : 18:09:18
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| Ticks Manneh. Exactly my thoughts when i saw the Daily News' stance towards the legal threat. |
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