KMC finance boss admits 10% withholding tax is not deducted

It is incumbent upon the KMC and all other local councils to withhold 10% tax from the total money they pay contractors or suppliers.

Keita was asked about one Mustapha Kanyi. He responded that Kanyi was an employee of the KMC, but while working for the Council, he was at the same time contracted by the Council to supervise the dumpsite. He stated that the contract fees were included in his salary.

“He was there to supervise the place, and at every end of month, we pay him as part of his salary,” Keita said.

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez said Mustapha Kanyi was contracted by the KMC for consultancy on debt recovery services.

Auditors uncovered that information of transactions was deleted in the KMC systems. This related to rate collection monies amounting to D297,941.43. The auditors identified that the fund was received by senior accounts clerk Yankuba Sonko.

Keita testified that when the information reached him, he caused Yankuba Sonko to write his side of the story, which was forwarded to the mayor and was later brought to the attention of the Establishment and Appointment Committee for investigation.

Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez told Keita that the rates manager then, Adama Jammeh, testified before the Commission that she did not appear before any investigative committee regarding the matter. Keita was told that there was no investigation.

On the per diem allowances paid to people by the KMC, Dr Keita said they are guided by the service rules, and the amount that they pay depends on the area the person goes.  He was requested to provide detailed information about all the per diem paid to people during his time as director of finance.

Witness Keita also said a lady was appointed and brought to his office without his knowledge. She was deployed as a cashier. He said he informed the Establishment Committee about their wrongdoing. He also said another lady was appointed in the “Mbalit” Project without his knowledge, and he complained about that as well.