Dembo Jah, the Human Resources of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has admitted before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that some of the appointments of the KMC did follow due process. He cited the appointments of Isatou Faal (former public affairs manager) and Nourideen Adams (Protocol Officer) as examples of appointments that failed to follow due process.
Dembo is a resident of Lamin Kerewan and joined the KMC in 2018. His offer of appointment dated 11 May 2018 was tendered and admitted in evidence. His written statement dated 11 July 2023 and an additional statement he made dated 1 August 2024 were tendered and admitted in evidence.
After detailing his responsibilities, the HR Manager said some of the job opportunities or vacancies in the KMC were advertised while some others were not advertised.
“Why?” Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez asked.
“I don’t have an answer to that,” the witness said.
“Why? You were the HR Manager,” Counsel Gomez asked.
“I think the CEO and the senior management should have to answer that,” the witness said.
He testified that in terms of appointment, his advice was not considered.
“I was told that I was not there to advise,” he said.
He informed the Commission that the KMC does not have a system to follow in terms of appointment.
“There is no system in place for appointments,” he said.
He said KMC sometimes does “head-hunting” for certain jobs, which is not desirable. He stated that in most instances, due process was not followed. He reiterated that whenever he gives his opinion regarding appointment, it would be disregarded. He was most of the time evasive as he repeatedly said the management of the KMC is better placed to explain why due process was not followed.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez referred the witness to the terms of reference of his job, which stated unequivocally that he was responsible for recruitment and the witness agreed.
The witness was handed the files of Isatou Faal (Director of Public Affairs) and Nourideen Adams (Protocol Officer).
Counsel Patrick Gomez asked the witness his understanding of conflict of interest in recruitment or employment. The witness said the person doing so is required to follow the process, and when the person has a conflict, he or she should not participate in that process.
“When it comes to recruitment [at the KMC], I only facilitated it, but I do not have a say” the witness said.
The witness said in 2018 there was no structure in place at the KMC for recruitment.
“There was no structure in place – there was no proper scheme as of 2018, and there was no scheme of service at the council,” he said.
He testified that where there is a proper system, the minimum qualification for appointment is considered first before you talk about experience. This means one needs to get the academic qualification as required.
While reading from the employment file of Isatou Faal (ex-director of public affairs), the HR Manager said she was offered employment on the same she applied – 7 June 2018. The witness was asked the minimum requirement for the position of PR Manager, and he stated that a bachelor’s degree should be the minimum requirement. Earlier, the witness stated that the minimum requirement is a high school certificate, which was regarded as “professional dishonesty” by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez.
“The application is having the same day with the employment letter,” the witness said.
“The applicant [Isatou Faal] applied on the same day, and she was appointed on the same day, and you signed the letter employment the same,” Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez said.
“The process was not followed,” the witness said.
The witness said he signed on behalf of the CEO, who instructed him to sign the appointment letter.
“Under normal circumstances, that should not happen. Probably, it is an oversight,” the witness said.
“Probably, it is an arranged appointment,” the witness said.
“It is possible,” the witness said.
“Did her appointment follow due process?” Gomez asked.
“It did not follow due process,” he replied.
The witness was referred to the audit report regarding the direct entry (appointment) of people in the KMC without following due process and without having the necessary qualification. One of the mentioned people was Isatou Faal, the former PR Manager.
Isatou Faal resigned on 7 December 2022, but the witness said he did not know why she resigned. The witness said he could not say much about Isatou because she used to report to the director of administration.
The witness wrote to Isatou Faal at least 3 letters for her frequent absenteeism from work. He testified that her absenteeism she had been absent for so many days.
For Nourideen Adams (Protocol Officer), the witness said the same problems with Isatou’s appointment apply to his, too.
By Lgci Gambia
