His testimony, which forms part of an ongoing investigation into local government councils’ financial and administrative activities from May 2018 to January 2023, has exposed deep flaws within one of the Gambia’s key local authorities.
Njie, a dedicated civil servant with over two decades of experience at BCC, offered compelling evidence of the administrative lapses, conflicts of interest, and administrative mishandlings that have plagued the council in recent years. His testimony not only reflected the failures of leadership but also exposed the tangled and opaque financial dealings that have left the public questioning the integrity of the BCC.
Sandiki Njie, who first joined the BCC in 2002, has held several roles over the years, including Internal Audit Clerk, Public Relations Officer (PRO), and, most recently, Administrative Manager. In his testimony, Njie chronicled his work history, presenting documents that included letters of appointment, transfers, and promotions. His long tenure within BCC positioned him as a first-hand observer of its internal dynamics, and it was clear from his words that the administrative structure had been in disarray for years.
The testimony revealed that while Njie was once part of BCC’s management team, attending crucial meetings and contributing to key decisions, his role within the council had significantly diminished after 2018. He recalled that after 2018, he was excluded from most management meetings, which were then conducted in the Mayor’s office with only the CEO and select directors present. This created a culture of exclusion, which undermined transparency and accountability within the council. The lack of collaboration and clear communication became evident as Njie described how crucial decisions were taken behind closed doors, with little or no oversight from the rest of the administration.
One of the most striking elements of Njie’s testimony was his account of the mishandling of the European Union (EU) project, a major initiative intended to enhance the council’s development efforts. Njie revealed that while the council was allocated a 3.1 million dalasi grant as part of this project, its management and disbursement were fraught with issues.
The project included a scholarship package, and Njie, who had been with the council for years and had demonstrated his qualifications, applied for one of these scholarships. However, his application was rejected, and the reasons for the denial were never made clear. Njie recalled writing to the CEO, Mustapha Batchilly, asking why he had been excluded from receiving a scholarship. In response, he received a circular sent to all staff, informing them of the scholarship opportunities, but the CEO’s subsequent reply stated that senior managers were ineligible.
Undeterred, Njie questioned the policy and once again sought clarification. When the CEO sent him a list of staff members who had been awarded scholarships, Njie discovered that the very first name on the list was that of a senior manager. Outraged by this apparent contradiction, Njie wrote back to the CEO, pointing out the inconsistency and accusing the council of discrimination. The matter escalated, and Njie’s allegations soon involved the National Assembly. Despite these efforts, the scholarship was never granted to him.
Njie provided several letters written to the CEO, including one dated 29 March 2021, titled Request for Intervention, which was copied to the Permanent Secretary and other relevant officials. His frustration was palpable, and he described the entire experience as a form of personal vendetta against him. “For me, I see it as a personal vendetta,” he said during his testimony.
Njie’s dealings with the CEO took a more personal turn in 2018. While on annual leave, Njie discovered that his office fixtures had been moved without his knowledge or consent to a different room—one that was occupied by the procurement office. When he questioned the CEO about this action, Njie felt his concerns were dismissed and ignored. In response, he wrote a formal letter on 10 December 2018, titled Concerns Regarding Transfer of Office Belongings During Annual Leave, which was copied to the Permanent Secretary and the Local Government Service Commission.
The move, Njie argued, was not only disrespectful but also indicative of a broader issue of retaliation and intimidation. The letter raised concerns about the CEO’s disregard for the basic principles of professionalism, transparency, and mutual respect within the organisation.
In one of the most significant moments of the inquiry, Njie read out a letter he had written on 4 June 2019 to the CEO, warning him about his unlawful appointments and disregard for procedural guidelines. In the letter, Njie highlighted what he described as the CEO’s abuse of power and blatant disregard for the Local Government Act 2002, which outlines the responsibilities and limitations of the CEO’s office.
The letter was a clear plea for accountability, urging the CEO to adhere to the established guidelines for appointing staff and to rescind a consultancy contract that had been awarded without proper procedures. Njie’s letter included the following stern warning:
“Your office offered employment to people without following due process and even at senior grades which falls outside the mandate of your office. I need not gently remind you that your office is privileged to employ from grades one to five (1-5) and should have avoided flouting the rules.”
Njie’s letter did not stop there; he also pointed out the implications of such actions for the council’s integrity. He directly accused the CEO of ignoring the proper processes and warned of the damaging consequences of such behavior. The letter also raised concerns about the consultancy contract given to a man named Mam Lais Jasseh, who, according to Njie, lacked the requisite qualifications for the position.
The inquiry also turned its focus to Rafela, a women’s leadership initiative that was created under the umbrella of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA). Njie revealed that, despite being an independent platform, BCC had provided financial resources for Rafela’s activities. Njie, who was involved in its establishment, emphasised that while the initiative aimed to support women in local governance, the financial involvement of BCC raised troubling questions.
“It’s supposed to be different,” Njie remarked during his testimony. “Rafela and the council are different, and they should be different.” He clarified that while he had provided guidance on the project, he had never been a signatory to the project’s accounts, and he found it troubling that council funds had been spent on its activities without clear accountability.
Commissioner Samba Faal, a former Mayor of Banjul and a key figure in the creation of Rafela, intervened during the testimony, clarifying that Rafela was meant to be a national initiative and not the responsibility of the BCC alone. Faal reiterated that Rafela had been founded to support women across The Gambia and had no direct ties to the BCC as an institution.
Njie’s testimony also shed light on the mismanagement of procurement processes within the council. He explained that while the council had a procurement unit, it lacked a proper director or manager to oversee these activities. Staff members would submit procurement requests to the CEO, and once approved, the requests would be passed to the Director of Finance. However, Njie pointed out that there were no established guidelines for overseeing this process, and the absence of a clear procurement manager left the system open to inefficiency and misuse.
Additionally, Njie discussed the issue of software purchases made by the council, revealing that large sums of money were allocated for new software, but there was no evidence to suggest that any software had actually been purchased or implemented. This raised further questions about the council’s financial stewardship and its ability to properly account for public funds.
Njie will continue with his testimony on Tuesday, 25 March 2025. (Source: LGCI)
