The Local Government Commission asked Momodou Gajaga many questions on Monday. He works as a plumber and drills holes in the ground for water. They wanted to know why he was paid D1,376,025 for two water holes.
Momodou said he earned D659,025 for the first water hole in Kerr Ndongo village. When asked why it cost much more than normal water holes that cost D150,000 to D200,000, he said the council wanted special materials. He told them they asked for good materials and a big water hole. He also put six water taps around the village.
He did not have a receipt for the materials he bought because it happened long ago. The council's money person, Mr. Khan, paid him cash four times. Momodou remembered signing a paper about the work but he lost it. He said the council called him to start work without asking other people to bid. The council gave him a paper showing what kind of water hole they wanted, but he lost that paper.
For the second water hole in Medina Manneh, Momodou was paid D717,000. This made the total D1,376,025 for both holes. When asked why the second one cost more, he said Medina Manneh is bigger. He used pipes that went 1300 meters and set up seven taps. He even gave an extra tap to the school as a gift.
The Commission wanted to know how much money he kept as profit. Momodou said he based his price on his work skills and the materials needed. He could not remember his profit amount because he lost the paper showing costs. He said he gave a copy to the council. Both water holes still work fine, and people call him to fix any problems.
Momodou banks with Access Bank only. The Commission told him to bring his bank statement next time.
Momodou said he earned D659,025 for the first water hole in Kerr Ndongo village. When asked why it cost much more than normal water holes that cost D150,000 to D200,000, he said the council wanted special materials. He told them they asked for good materials and a big water hole. He also put six water taps around the village.
He did not have a receipt for the materials he bought because it happened long ago. The council's money person, Mr. Khan, paid him cash four times. Momodou remembered signing a paper about the work but he lost it. He said the council called him to start work without asking other people to bid. The council gave him a paper showing what kind of water hole they wanted, but he lost that paper.
For the second water hole in Medina Manneh, Momodou was paid D717,000. This made the total D1,376,025 for both holes. When asked why the second one cost more, he said Medina Manneh is bigger. He used pipes that went 1300 meters and set up seven taps. He even gave an extra tap to the school as a gift.
The Commission wanted to know how much money he kept as profit. Momodou said he based his price on his work skills and the materials needed. He could not remember his profit amount because he lost the paper showing costs. He said he gave a copy to the council. Both water holes still work fine, and people call him to fix any problems.
Momodou banks with Access Bank only. The Commission told him to bring his bank statement next time.
