Lamin S. Darboe is a resident of Gunjur, and he was a nominated councillor representing the chiefs of West Coast Region in the Council. He appeared before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday, 2 September 2024.
His written statement of the witness dated 29 August 2024 was tendered and admitted in evidence. He was the chief of Kombo South until October 2021. He was first elected in January 1983 as a chief, and in 1995, the military junta replaced him with another chief. He was reinstated in 2017, and he was removed in 2021. He referred to himself as the Chief’s Councillor.
“I did not belong to any committee. I only attend the general council meetings,” he said.
He was asked about the Koriteh and Tobaski payments they used to receive. He explained that he did not know it was wrong in the past.
“I would not have taken it to protect my integrity. I was a recipient of it,” he said.
He testified that the Salibo Allowance for Koriteh and Tobaski was wrong.
He testified that he has been proposing to the Council to utilise the district tribunals to clear the backlog of tax arrears. He stated that during the era of the First Republic, the district tribunals were instrumental in tax collection. He added that there was a tribunal in Foni that made 100% in clearing the backlogs. He explained that the Chiefs used to compete as to who makes the highest collection and the success rate. He added that the Brikama Area Council approved his proposal, but it was never implemented.
