Alfusainey Gano, who led the project from its launch in 2020 until December 2022, revealed that the ambitious urban development programme meant to transform Banjul’s infrastructure, governance, and youth empowerment prospects was riddled with oversight failures and poorly coordinated execution from the start.
“We were overwhelmed from the beginning,” Gano told commissioners. “There was no office, no team structure, no steering committee. Then COVID hit. But even after that, things didn’t improve.”
He testified that the redevelopment of the derelict Crab Island into a thriving youth skills and innovation hub, remains unfinished more than three years later. Two contractors were hired Eco Farm and Jalokolong but delays were rampant, and Jalokolong’s contract was eventually terminated for non-performance.
“The site was still under renovation when I left,” Gano said, highlighting the disconnect between funding and results. While some initiatives like the women’s garden made headway, the larger goals “were not achieved,” he admitted.
The Commission scrutinized four payments totaling over D440,000 made in Gano’s name, often approved without proper documentation, market rate verification, or involvement of procurement officers.
Gano admitted to approving over D440,000 in payments some for volunteer allowances, equipment rentals, and greening materials without verified market rates or adherence to formal procurement protocols, adding that in several cases, receipts were submitted only after funds were released.
“I relied on verbal confirmations,” Gano said. “There was no time or structure to cross-check everything.”
The Commission also scrutinized a D2.2 million payment to a vendor called Jitta Trading for personal protective equipment during the covid. Gano claimed he had no knowledge of the transaction and said the project team never received the items.
“That activity was executed entirely by the BCC,” he said, referring to the Banjul City Council. “We were not involved.”
Despite being the project manager, Gano said he was not a signatory to the project account, which was under council control. Commissioners challenged this arrangement, saying Gano still held fiduciary responsibility for oversight and should have flagged irregularities.
“You were expected to lead, not defer,” one Commissioner Sillah noted sharply.
The Commission has since requested Gano return with the full implementation plan, budget, procurement contracts, and communications related to questionable disbursements.
“This was a failure,” commissioner said “Millions were spent. But what does the city have to show for it?”
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