The Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Ahmed Talib Bensouda, has raised concerns over contradictions in the council’s financial manual, during his first public appearance before the municipal probe commission on Monday. Mayor Bensouda said the manual, intended as a guideline, conflicts with the Local Government Act and the Financial Audit Act, which clearly define the roles and responsibilities of council officials.“The manual is a guideline, but the law is the Financial Audit Act. I strongly believe the manual contradicts the Local Government Act. It states that the CEO is responsible for all finances of the council, while the council should exercise oversight. I cannot be both part of the administration and part of the council. That would be a contradiction,” he told the commission.He highlighted that the council has set thresholds for financial approvals, with payments above 500,000 dalasis requiring council approval, while smaller amounts fall under the CEO’s authority. He also stressed that the council’s contracts and finance committees, composed of subject-matter specialists, are capable of managing financial oversight.“It would be contradictory for me, as mayor, to execute payments and simultaneously hold the CEO accountable. My role is to ensure accountability through council membership, not to manage financial transactions directly,” he said.Since joining the council in 2018, Bensouda said he has observed multiple financial processes and believes clear boundaries between administration and oversight are essential.Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez told the commission that the law is explicit: “The manual should align with statutory regulations, and all council resolutions must conform to these rules. There is no discretion outside the law.”
