By: Fatou Krubally
The Chairman of the Mansakonko Area Council, Landing B. Sanneh, has admitted that his council operated for years without proper internal spending limits or clear oversight rules on loans and daily expenditure, exposing taxpayers’ money to poor controls.
Appearing before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Monday, Mr. Sanneh told Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez that from 2018 to 2023, the council lacked clear internal thresholds on how much the CEO or finance director could approve and spend without referring to the chairman or full council.
Although the Local Government Financial Manual and the Finance and Audit Act provide strict guidelines on how councils should handle public funds, Mr. Sanneh conceded that Mansakonko Area Council often relied on “discretional” decisions rather than clear rules.
He confirmed that the council secured bank loans during the period but could not immediately recall which banks or how many loans were taken. He promised to submit a list to the Commission later. “We must have taken loans from banks, but I do not have the list here with me,” Mr. Sanneh said when pressed by the Lead Counsel.
Mr. Sanneh also acknowledged that sometimes loans and overdrafts were arranged by the CEO and finance director without his knowledge, especially when they were “minimal” or used for salary payments. He admitted this was not proper practice but claimed the council has since begun putting new internal rules in place.
The Chairman told the Commission that an internal audit unit exists and produces monthly reports, but he could not confirm whether all withdrawals and payments were fully checked by his office. He said any lapses were partly due to the lack of tailored financial regulations when his administration came in. “What we found on the ground, we had to gradually work on to put in place,” he said.
When asked why the council failed to fully implement the expenditure thresholds outlined in the financial manual, Mr. Sanneh said some payments were still brought to the full council for approval, but many day-to-day transactions were handled by the CEO under general budget approvals.
He also revealed that the council has four bank accounts with Trust Bank, GT Bank, Reliance Financial Services, and Supersonics but said oversight of these accounts relies heavily on the internal auditor.
The Commission demanded minutes of meetings showing whether audit reports were discussed and actions taken. Mr. Sanneh confirmed that minutes exist and promised to provide them.
The hearings continue this week as the commission pushes councils to explain how they manage taxpayer money and whether they follow the laws meant to protect it.
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