Former Finance Director Lamin Suso was ‘incompetent.’

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Basse Area Council (BsAC) has told commissioners at the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that the former finance director, Lamin Suso was ‘incompetent.’ Ousman Touray made this disclosure on Tuesday and when asked as to why he made the assertion, he maintained that Mr Suso was actually engaged in shady transactions that proved detrimental to the Council. Touray also stated in his written statement to the Commission that Lamin Suso engaged in dubious activities. He recalled that before Lamin Suso took over as finance director, the Council’s bank accounts were ‘not red’, making reference to an incident that happened in 2021 after Lamin Suso took over. On how Lamin Suso was appointed, the witness said the appointment was made by the Local Government Service Commission upon recommendation by the Establishment Committee of Basse Area Council. He said he challenged the recommendation of the Establishment Committee through a letter sent to the Ministry of Regional Government and Lands querying the decision of the Establishment Committee. However, Touray told the Commission that though the Ministry did not reply to his letter, they went ahead to appoint Lamin Suso. He indicated that it was noble intentions that inspired his interest in working for the Basse Area Council. As a former senior budget officer at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE), Touray said that considering his experience, he sought a job at the Basse Area Council with the aim of elevating the council by changing the status quo. However, he said, he did not succeed. As a matter of fact, auditors held the ex-CEO and the former finance director responsible for the massive unaccounted funds belonging to the Council. Auditors also uncovered and outlined that there was a very weak administration at said Council during the tenure of the witness, an administration that had no regard for rules or procedures established by law.