Dem’s Trading, which specializes in the supply and retail of general goods and services, reportedly secured the lucrative deal from the Banjul City Council (BCC) after being contacted via email.
According to Dem, BCC initially reached out via a phone call, requesting his email address, followed by the delivery of tender documents. These documents, along with the acknowledgment of receipt and a notification letter, were later admitted into evidence during an inquiry.
According to Musa, he had supplied cocoa and 420 bags of fertilizers to the Council. In this particular project, he provided 3,000 coconut seedlings a combination of 415 dwarf, 380 tall, noting that he offered a discount of D10,000.
When questioned about the source of the seedlings, Dem stated they were purchased from Senegal, arguing that the quality and availability there were better than in The Gambia.
However, controversy deepened when Dem admitted to losing key documents, including the original invoices and receipts related to the fertilizer supply.
He acknowledged that he was not issued receipts for the 420 bags of fertilizers he supplied, which raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
When asked by the lead counsel whether this could allow overcharging of public offices to go unnoticed, Dem appeared unable to refute the implication.
Dem also disclosed that he had no prior or subsequent business dealings with BCC aside from this contract and that he only met a key figure, referred to as Gano, during the execution of the project.
He confirmed being paid via cheque and admitted submitting an invoice for the dwarf coconut seedlings, which was included as evidence.
When pressed about his qualifications to handle such contracts, Dem admitted he lacked formal expertise but argued that experience was sufficient.
For his part ,Momodou Lamin Kinteh, proprietor of South 3 Garden and a registered ornamental gardener with the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), testified regarding two contracts awarded to him by the Banjul City Council (BCC) in 2022.
According to his statement, Kinteh was awarded two contracts one valued at D215,000 and another at D300,000. He stated that he was introduced to the opportunity by a friend, Ebou Faye, after which he submitted a bid following the required procedures.
However, Kinteh admitted that no formal bidding process was held for the contracts.
For the D215,000 contract, he was initially expected to receive D180,000 via Trust Bank. Payment was issued in two cheques of D90,000 each, but the remainder was withheld due to a miscalculation in the number of plants supplied.
Kinteh confirmed there was an issue in the procurement process that led to a reduction in the plants delivered.
The second contract, valued at D300,000, was awarded without a bidding process, reportedly based on his performance in the first. Kinteh admitted subcontracting part of the supply, which later led to misunderstandings. Despite this, he received the full payment for the second contract. No withholding, tax was applied in either transaction.
Kinteh also confirmed he had no prior connections within BCC and was paid entirely by cheque.
