The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly identified serious financial issues at the Banjul City Council (BCC) during their review of financial statements from 2019 and 2020. Key findings included:
BCC failed to submit timely and accurate financial statements for the years 2019–2022.
Discrepancies in General Tax Receipts raised concerns about revenue accuracy, and significant cash from market ticket sales was not deposited.
Essential accounting policies were lacking, and BCC did not conduct monthly bank reconciliations, compromising financial reliability.
Two major projects, costing nearly GMD2 million each, were largely unfinished, with funds improperly advanced for staff.
Procurement procedures were often ignored, resulting in unplanned and unsupported payments without proper documentation.
Significant unpaid loans and salary advances were reported, and BCC’s Fixed Asset Register was incomplete.
The Council purchased unutilized software systems and lacked adequate data protection measures and governance structures.
FPAC made over 30 recommendations, including the submission of missing documents, recovery of hidden revenue, adherence to procurement rules, and improvements in IT security.
FPAC provided a timeframe of 30 to 60 days for BCC to address these issues, warning of potential legal actions for non-compliance. The report underscores concern about financial accountability and transparency in local governments in The Gambia.
