Patrick Gomez, Lead Counsel for the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, called Banjul City Council notorious for ignoring procurement rules yesterday. His comments came during testimony from businessman Musa Dem, who had a contract to supply BCC with coconut seedlings and organic fertilizer.
Dem told investigators a BCC staff member called asking for his email before sending tender documents. When questioned, he couldn't recall her name. Gomez asked how the council obtained his contact information, but Dem suggested they might keep records of registered Banjul businesses.
The Lead Counsel expressed doubt about this explanation. He suggested Dem likely knew someone at the council, noting BCC doesn't typically maintain business registers, especially for vendors without experience supplying seedlings or fertilizer. Dem maintained he received a call from BCC.
When asked about previous similar contracts, Dem couldn't remember any. Gomez pointed to this lack of experience as evidence supporting his connection theory. He stated that personal relationships drive the contracting process across the country.
Dem told investigators a BCC staff member called asking for his email before sending tender documents. When questioned, he couldn't recall her name. Gomez asked how the council obtained his contact information, but Dem suggested they might keep records of registered Banjul businesses.
The Lead Counsel expressed doubt about this explanation. He suggested Dem likely knew someone at the council, noting BCC doesn't typically maintain business registers, especially for vendors without experience supplying seedlings or fertilizer. Dem maintained he received a call from BCC.
When asked about previous similar contracts, Dem couldn't remember any. Gomez pointed to this lack of experience as evidence supporting his connection theory. He stated that personal relationships drive the contracting process across the country.
