By Juldeh Njie
The National Assembly select committee on Regional Government and Lands, Ombudsman and IEC on Monday reprimanded Basse Area Council for failing to submit their financial report for 2015 and 2016.
Appearing before members at the National Assembly yesterday, Momodou L Jaiteh, CEO Basse Area Council, claimed that they could not prepare the report because the finance director at the time was not conversant with the system and therefore, did not understand the job.
He said he took over BAC as CEO in October 2016 when there was a change of leadership from the outgoing Tapha Jobe.
He continued: “The current finance director was also sent on leave but unfortunately the one who took from him was not very conversant with the system. I think that also led to some of my difficulties to prepare the statement”.
He appealed to the NAMs to give them time to go back and prepare the reports.
Asked if there was no proper handing over, he replied in the positive.
Babucarr MJ Kanteh, acting director of finance, said since he took over in May last year, it was very difficult for him to compile the reports because the man who was there did not complete his work.
Hon Musa Amul Nyass, chairperson of the committee took a firm stand over the mater in his response to the council.
“We are not interested in history. What we are interested in is that you are the current management, it becomes mandatory on you to provide those documents,” he added.
He accordingly deferred the council to reappear at a date to be communicated in due course.
He concluded: “We cannot accommodate you to come back here and give another excuse. There is no room for it. We have other councils pending”.
