This articulation, which was confirmed by the day’s witness, Alagie Sowe, came amidst testimonies that the Agricultural Committee has been dormant, almost non-operational, and that BAC has no regard for agriculture.
Alagie Sowe, resident of Labakoreh and a former councilor of Jabang ward in Old Yundum Constituency from 2018 to 2023, testified on the day (Monday), providing evidence pertaining to crucial matters.
He was the chairperson of the Agricultural Committee, a member of the Development Sub-Committee, and a member of the Environment, Health, and Sanitation Committee.
Sowe said the Agricultural Committee was dormant, and they only held about 3 meetings within 5 years. He alleged that the Brikama Area Council does not prioritise agriculture, adding that as the chairperson, he even contemplated resigning at some point, although he didn’t eventually resign.
“We stopped meeting because we felt that it has no use,” Sowe stated emphatically.
Sowe passionately reinforced the lead counsel’s statement, saying the Agricultural Committee failed “hundred per cent”.
Sowe testified that in 2021, Jabang ward received D500,000 as ward allocation. He was subsequently questioned about the Koriteh and Tobaski payments he used to receive.
“It is a norm. We used to receive it twice a year," the former councilor said.
Lead counsel asked why, but Sowe only stated: “Sometimes they tell us it is Salibo, and sometimes they tell us it is honorarium.”
However, when asked what he thought it was, he said it was honorarium.
The witness testified that he was part of the councilors who went to the chairperson to request to be paid during Koriteh and Tobaski.
“The Chairman will tell us that it is a wrong thing to do, but he will see what to do. Normally, it is paid two days before Koriteh or Tobaski,” the witness said.
Witness Sowe agreed with the Chairperson that the payment was wrong. Notwithstanding, his argument that it was an honorarium persisted. He was referred to his written statement wherein he indicated that the payments during the Koriteh and Tobaski were “gifts”.
He further indicated that some of them benefitted from the 1 by 6 allowance payment payable within 6 months. His testimony before the Commission proved inconsistent with his written statement. The witness in the end agreed that the payment was a “gift”.
