By Buba Gagigo
The Local Government Service Commission has issued a directive for more than seven previously suspended staff members of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) to resume their duties.
The Commission’s investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of these individuals, who were initially suspended by the council on allegations of suppressing Council revenue.
The Commission specifically identified the seven license collectors, namely Binta Fatty, Famara Sanyang, Alfusainey Colley, Buba Jabang, Modou L. Saidykhan, Assan Jassey, and Kebba Jammeh, stating that they were not found guilty of the alleged revenue suppression. Consequently, the Commission has instructed that they immediately return to their respective positions.
“The findings of the Commission revealed that the following seven license collectors who were alleged to have been suppressing Council revenue were not found wanting. Therefore, the Commission has instructed that they should all go back to work immediately. They are: Binta Fatty, Famara Sanyang, Alfusainey Colley, Buba Jabang, Modou L. Saidykhan, Assan Jassey and Kebba Jammeh,” the local government services commission said.
However, the Local Government Service Commission has recommended the termination of services for Bai Sait Jeng and Muhammed Ebrima Jallow. These individuals were found to have been appointed without following due process, prompting the commission to advise their immediate removal from the Council’s payroll.
“Since the circumstances surrounding such appointments was wrong, their services should be terminated immediately and their names removed from Council’s payroll,” they said.
The commission also addressed the involvement of Director of Finance Alhagie Jeng and Director of Administration Ebrima Sawaneh in the wrongful appointments of Bai Sait Jeng and Muhammed Ebrima Jallow. Alhagie Jeng, identified as the mastermind behind the appointments, has been suspended for one month without salary, while Ebrima Sawaneh received a strict warning against issuing appointment letters without following due process.
“Consequently, Mr. Alhagie Jeng being the mastermind of their appointments, is to be suspended for 1 (one) month without salary, whilst Mr Ebrima Sawaneh be strictly warned to desist from issuing appointment letters without following due process,” the service commission said.
Regarding allegations against Alhagie Jeng for appointing close relatives (Malick Jeng, Sulayman Jeng, and Omar Saidykhan) under the Finance Department, the commission found no direct responsibility but identified undue influence. As a result, Mr. Jeng has been warned to refrain from such behaviour, and his close relatives will be redeployed to other Councils.
“It was also found to be unethical to have his close relatives under his department, Therefore, the Commission resolved that: Mr. Jeng be strictly warned to desist from such unethical behaviour. The Commission will redeploy his close relatives to other Councils,” the service commission revealed.
Additionally, the commission clarified that Omar Saidykhan was not found guilty of alleged wrongdoings in June 2023, as the withdrawn funds were properly accounted for. Similarly, Alhagie Malick Jeng, on annual leave in September 2023, was not implicated in revenue suppression during that month.
“A review of his cash book revealed that Sulayman Jeng was not found wanting for suppressing revenue as alleged. However, he was found to have issued his receipt book to Bai Sait Jeng who was attached to him to collect revenue.
Therefore, he should be strictly warned to desist from giving his receipt book to anyone,” the service commission said.
Finally, the commission cleared Ebrima Jallow, Licence Manager, of allegations related to revenue suppression, highlighting that he is not a collector and does not sign for receipt books. However, he was cautioned for privately photocopying invoices without proper procedures, and a warning letter has been recommended.
“He was found to have privately photocopied invoices at a cost of D2, 500 (Two Thousand and Five Hundred Dalasis) without the involvement of the Procurement Unit. The Commission also observed that since the said invoice was not incurred by the Council, he should take full responsibility in settling the liability for his failure to follow due process in photocopying the invoices. Hence, a warning letter should be sent to him to desist from such practice and should go back to work,” the Service Commission said.
In light of their findings and recommendations, the Local Government Service Commission provided several observations to the council, emphasizing the importance of engaging staff members personally, ensuring preliminary reports accompany resolutions, and refraining from implementing resolutions before final decisions are made.
.” Staff members alleged to have been involved in malpractices should be engaged in person and be given the opportunity for a fair hearing before resolutions are passed or decisions are made.
• Resolutions relating to alleged malpractices submitted to the Commission should be supported with a preliminary report on findings made.
• Council to desist from implementing resolutions submitted to the Commission for consideration even before a final decision is made,” they concluded.