Kanifing Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda appeared before the Local Government Commission today (3 Sept.) to clarify his authority over council expenditures amid questions about compliance with financial procedures.

During the session, several key documents were reviewed, including the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual (2017), minutes from multiple General Council and Finance Committee meetings from 2018, and letters addressed to the Mayor detailing committee recommendations.

These documents were admitted into evidence as a bundle marked LGC/KMC/TAB/004.

The Mayor’s authority to approve expenditures stems from a General Council resolution dated 31 May 2018, which allowed him to oversee contracts, memorandums of understanding, and other binding agreements.

However, the Finance Committee later noted that this resolution appeared to conflict with Section 6.2.4 of the KMC Accounting Manual, which specifies expenditure thresholds and approval methods, from single sourcing for amounts up to GMD 10,000 to international tendering for sums above GMD 10 million.

Speaking during the session, Mayor Bensouda said: “all decisions I have taken regarding council expenditures have been guided by council directives and intended to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Wherever possible, approvals have been done in consultation with standing committees to strengthen oversight.”

The session also examined Finance Committee minutes from 13 June 2018, where concerns were raised about staffing matters and the former CEO’s expenditure approvals.

Letters from the Finance Committee to the Mayor, including one dated 2 July 2018, recommended aligning the 31 May 2018 resolution with the Accounting Manual to ensure consistent procedures.

Mayor Bensouda stressed that the council has always sought to comply with established policies:”where discrepancies are identified, we are ready to review them. My priority is to ensure that all council procedures meet the required standards.”

The Commission marked all documents and is expected to produce a report detailing whether council practices align with official policies.

By Adama Makasuba