Jaja Cham is a resident of Lamin CDC and works for the Kanifing Municipal Council. He began working in KMC in 2006 as a clerk of the council and he left two years later. He moved to the private sector working in the banks. He came back to work for KMC 2016/2017 and he was appointed as direector of administration.
The witness gave three statements dated 27 April 2023, 7 July 2023 and 13 August 2024. The statements were admitted in evidence. The witness replaced the former acting CEO Salama Njie, who resigned. The witness was later appointed as acting CEO for 1 year and 4 months. The witness said after a year the position of the CEO of KMC was advertised by the Ministry and five (5) of them were shortlisted. He applied, but Sainabou Martin-Sonko was appointed by the Ministry. The witness stated that he handed over to Sainabou Martin-Sonko.
The witness resumed his previous position as director of administration. He explained that the position of deputy CEO was vacant. He said one Kajally Drammeh was appointed by the Ministry. He added that Kajally had previously applied for the position of the CEO and he was unsuccessful.
The witness took time to explain the organogram in the KMC. He mentioned those that he can recall and he was requested by the Commission to provide the document.
The witness was asked about the storage of documents and files. The witness said the cash books and related financial books are under the custody of the finance unit. He added that the administration ensures that the finance unit has a safekeeping space of their records.
The witness claimed that the KMC has a strategic plan as of 2018 and he was requested to bring it.
The witness testified that in 2018 and 2019 there were internal audit reports.
“It is only recently that we started it. I mean 2024 is when we started having internal audit reports,” the witness said.
He later stated that he thinks there were some reports prepared by the assistant who took over the internal audit unit.
“I am not sure,” the witness said.
He testified that there were some audit reports conducted, but he cannot confirm the periods of those audit exercises. The Commission requested him to provide the internal audit reports.
The witness said from 2018 to 2023 there were salary increments. He testified that it was one-time a council resolution. The commission requested him to bring the council’s resolution and the periods the salaries were increased in the Council.
The witness was handed a file containing two documents of the establishment register. The witness said the writings were small and he was not able to read from the documents. He claimed that he has the establishment register and the Commission requested him to bring what he has.
He stated that Senghore Law Practice replaced AB and Co. as the retained lawyers for the KMC. He was questioned about the recruitment process of the law firm, but the witness could not provide an explanation. The Commission requested that he provides the details including the contracts, the contracts committee meeting minutes, council meetings and any other issues related to the law firm selection.
The witness said the KMC created companies called KMT (Kanifing Municipal Transport) and KMM (Kanifing Municipal Markets). The Commission requested that he provide the details of all the companies created by the KMC when he comes back next. He was asked about the shareholders of the companies, but the witness could not provide answers. He was requested to provide the details about the shareholders of the companies. The witness said the companies have their own staff.
He said the Director of Finance in 2018 was Sheriff Njie. He explained that as of 2018 the KMC had several accounts with many banks. He testified that he had written to all the banks inquiring from them to provide them details of accounts maintained by KMC with them. He stated that only a few banks responded. He testified that he was able to trim them down to three (3) accounts during his time as acting CEO.
The witness was questioned about loans the KMC gave out. He testified that there was committee established for issuing out loan, but there was an embargo through a council resolution. He said the CEO was later allowed to use his discretion to give loans. He was requested to provide the details of the loans giving.
He was asked about the 19 trucks purchased by the KMC. The witness said he was involved in the procurement as they were purchased during his time as the acting CEO. He explained that there was an agreement with ESPACE MOTORS and AGIB BANK. He was requested to provide the details.
The witness said he does not know the cost of the trucks in China, but he claimed that there was value for money. He added that at the time he used to sit in the contracts committee. He stated that the contracts committee did not know the cost of the trucks in China. He was asked to provide the details.
The witness said he has only one bank account and he does not run any business. He was asked to provide his bank statement from GT Bank. He testified that he has only two landed properties.
