Banjul Mayor Lowe: Mandated D1.1m Repayment After Audit

• The Gambia National Assembly's FPAC has ordered Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe to repay D1,108,500.
• This amount was spent from EU-funded Banjul-Ostende project funds on media and other expenses for her 2022 town-hall meetings.
• The expenditure was deemed outside the approved project budget by a National Audit Office special audit.
• Mayor Lowe has 45 days to repay the sum to the Banjul City Council and provide evidence to the committee.
• The Ministry of Finance has notified the police to investigate individuals who fail to meet the repayment deadline.

The potential for a police investigation if the repayment deadline is not met further emphasizes the serious legal repercussions that can arise from non-compliance with audit findings and parliamentary directives.

The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the Gambia National Assembly has mandated that Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe reimburse a sum exceeding D1.1 million. This directive follows a special audit conducted by the National Audit Office, which scrutinized the Banjul-Ostende EU project's financial activities between January 2020 and April 2024. The specific amount in question, D1,108,500, was reportedly allocated from project funds for media coverage and other associated costs related to the Mayor's town-hall meetings held in 2022.

The parliamentary committee's findings explicitly state that these expenditures were not part of the approved budget for the Banjul-Ostende EU project. Consequently, the FPAC's report, which received full approval from the National Assembly, recommends that Mayor Lowe return the entire sum to the Banjul City Council within 45 days of the report's tabling. Furthermore, she is required to provide verifiable evidence of this repayment directly to the committee. This particular finding concerning the Mayor's town hall spending is part of a broader examination into the management of funds within the Banjul-Ostende project, a collaborative initiative between Banjul and the Belgian city of Ostend.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has taken steps to ensure compliance with these audit recommendations and parliamentary decisions. The Ministry has formally communicated the FPAC's findings and the National Audit Office Gambia findings to both the Banjul City Council and the Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force (GPF). Crucially, the Ministry has also instructed the Inspector General to initiate an investigation into any individuals who fail to adhere to the stipulated repayment deadline, highlighting the stringent oversight mechanisms in place for public funds in The Gambia.

The Gambia National Assembly FPAC audit plays a critical role in scrutinizing public expenditures, especially those involving donor-funded initiatives like the Banjul-Ostende EU project funds. Their report not only focuses on Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe's specific case but also details a series of other findings involving senior officials, project staff, contractors, and suppliers. The central tenet of the committee's inquiry revolves around ensuring that project funds are exclusively utilized for approved and properly documented activities, underscoring the importance of robust financial oversight and accountability within the Banjul City Council.

This case underscores the significant implications of parliamentary and audit oversight for public officials managing donor-funded projects in The Gambia. The requirement for Banjul Mayor Lowe D1.1m repayment for unapproved expenditures sets a clear precedent regarding accountability for the use of public funds. The potential for a police investigation if the repayment deadline is not met further emphasizes the serious legal repercussions that can arise from non-compliance with audit findings and parliamentary directives.

The Banjul-Ostende project itself, part of the wider City Link programme, aims to foster development in areas such as local government capacity, waste management, health, environmental work, and sustainable development. The FPAC's comprehensive audit, therefore, extends beyond a single expenditure, raising broader questions about the overall financial management of these critical development initiatives and potential Gambia public funds mismanagement. It highlights the imperative for meticulous adherence to approved budgets and transparent documentation to safeguard the integrity of such partnerships and ensure that funds are used as intended for the benefit of the Gambian populace.

Lawyers advising public officials or entities managing donor-funded projects in The Gambia should note the stringent parliamentary oversight and audit processes, which can lead to personal repayment orders for unapproved expenditures and potential police investigations if deadlines are not met. This case highlights the critical importance of strict adherence to approved project budgets and transparent financial documentation to avoid personal liability and legal repercussions.

Source: Original reporting via Foroyaa and AllAfrica