The Mayor of Banjul has told a public inquiry that she has no control over how the city council’s money is spent, saying that power lies solely with the chief executive officer.

Rohey Malick Lowe, who has served as mayor since 2018, was giving evidence on Tuesday before the Gambia’s Local Government Commission of Inquiry, which is probing alleged mismanagement in councils across the country.

In her testimony, Mayor Lowe described her role in financial matters as largely symbolic, stating that the CEO holds “exclusive powers” to authorise expenditure at the Banjul City Council (BCC).

“I only advise. The CEO and others implement,” she told the Commission.

Her comments raised questions about whether elected officials are being sidelined by senior bureaucrats, with the Commission’s lead counsel warning that her interpretation was at odds with the Local Government Act.

“You have power, too,” Patrick Gomez told her, citing the law that gives elected mayors a supervisory role over municipal affairs.

But she disagreed. “I do not think mayors in The Gambia have power,” she said. “The mayor cannot discipline, promote, demote or take any decision against any person. The mayor cannot spend anything.”

The Commission is investigating how councils are run and whether they comply with governance and financial regulations. Tuesday’s hearing focused on the operations of BCC under Mayor Lowe’s leadership.

She admitted to having limited knowledge of key public finance laws, including the Finance and Audit Act and the Financial Manual, saying: “I am not a master in that.”

She added that her understanding of council governance was based on the Local Government Act and the practices of her predecessors — such as making donations to religious groups and offering scholarships.

The mayor also discussed the nomination of councillors in 2018, naming four individuals selected to represent women, youth, business, and social groups. While she initially claimed to have nominated them, she later said she could not recall how the youth representative had been selected.

The Commission has asked her to provide documents to support her claims, including nomination letters and ministerial confirmations.

Mayor Lowe confirmed that BCC had developed a Strategic Plan and Action Plan in 2018 but was unable to recall key details of either.

She was also unable to name all four committees within the council.

The Commission is expected to make recommendations on how to improve transparency and accountability in local government when its hearings conclude.

By Adama Makasuba