Lamin Dibba was elected in May 2018 and re-elected in 2022 for a second term. He told the commission that he holds an advanced diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Management Development Institute (MDI) under a scholarship by the Brikama Area Council.
He recalled that the Council gave him D12,000 for a certificate course and another D24,000 for his advanced diploma course.
He said he applied for the sponsorship, and it was granted by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), claiming that there was a council policy regarding such.
‘This was contrary to previous witnesses from council, who all stated that there was no such policy.’ He was then ordered to bring the policy.
Continuing his testimony, Dibba told commissioners that the Geology Fund he received was over D700,000 and was paid in the Pirang Ward Development Account at GTBank in 2019.
He indicated that his Ward did not benefit from any ward allocation from the council for development.
He was also asked about the 'Salibo Allowance’, further admitting that it was illegal and was never discussed in any council meeting.
Further quizzed over his decision to boycott council meetings, Dibba responded that ex-chairperson of BAC, Sheriffo Sonko was expelled from his party (United Democratic Party) and was therefore holding office illegally.
He said some councilors, including himself, wrote to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), conveying their position that they would not attend council meetings.
At this juncture, he was referred to the Local Government Act, which states that a Councilor, who fails to attend Council’s meetings for three consecutive meetings without written permission from the chairperson shall cease being a member of the council.
Dibba admitted that the process for removal of the chairperson was not exhausted.
He is expected to continue his testimony on Thursday.
