Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda has told a public inquiry that he intervened in a 2019 council project after discovering that a supplier, LionWorks, had ties to his brother.
Testifying before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, Bensouda said former KMC chief executive Jaja Cham contracted LionWorks for a beautification project without his knowledge. He said he objected after realizing his brother was an investor in the firm, insisting he avoided family-linked businesses.
The mayor recounted asking Cham to return materials already delivered but was told this was impossible. He then sought a donation from the companyโs owner, who instead granted a discount worth 170,000 dalasi. Bensouda presented letters, invoices and payment records to the commission showing the council made a single payment of 188,875 dalasi.
Lead Counsel Gomez noted discrepancies between his account and testimony from Cham and a LionWorks employee. Bensouda maintained he acted on principle, adding that had he intended to favour his brother, the full 1.5-kilometre project stretch would have gone to the company.
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