The Local Government Commission of Inquiry has launched an investigation on Basse Area Council over procurement of second-hand vehicles.

A statement from the commission said that the Basse Area Council wanted to procure a used Toyota Prado for D850,000, adding that it noted that the declaration form was attached in the file but it was not signed by the members of contracts committee of the Basse Area Council.

“A declaration form is a key component of any procurement process. An essential part of the Conflict of Interest declaration process is each individual member of the contracts committee assessment of whether they have a conflict of interest or not – that is what happens prior to submitting the declaration.

“Samba Tambura said the declaration form is a necessary form and it should be signed. He explained that the people who discuss the procurement are expected to sign the document to indicate that they are not conflicted. When asked what the implication is, Tambura said it is an anomaly.

“The declaration form in the file contains only one name – Muhammed Jawneh, but he did not sign. The Commission further noted that the signature of the contracts committee was not sufficient as only two out of the three mandatory signatories signed the document,” the commission said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba