The Independent
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(Banjul)
EDITORIAL
October 27, 2000
Alhagie Mbye
Banjul
Reports reaching The Independent during the past few weeks have claimed that the
Auditor General Fatoumatta Jallow-Gaye, who reportedly traveled to the United
Kingdom, is yet to return home, prompting rumours that she has absconded.
Sources at the Auditor General's office explained that Fatoumatta Jallow-Gaye
who was expected back earlier was given a deadline by the government since
October 5, 2000 to return. Unconfirmed reports monitored on Tuesday suggested
that the Auditor General has sought political asylum in the UK following
information alleging that her department was in crisis.
An official at the Auditor General Office confirmed to The Independent that the
Auditor General is currently not in The Gambia but he assured that Mrs. Gaye
would be back 'in due course'.
'Why are people still concerned about her whereabouts?' he inquired.
Sources at the Auditor General's Department claimed that a problem had erupted
between her and the government after she reportedly wrote to the Secretary
General and head of the civil service, demanding that a secretary whom she
accused of involvement in the 'stealing of government fuel coupons' should be
sacked. The sources noted that the secretary in question had denied any
involvement in the alleged theft of fuel coupons in the department. That was
said to be the fourth reported case.
'Fuel coupon problems have been a long-standing issue in the department', added
the insiders who also disclosed that the secretary who was accused of the coupon
theft had handed over Mrs. Gaye's letter to the Public Service Commission, who
reportedly instructed her to continue work. They noted that the secretary also
made a written counter claim, accusing the Auditor General of abusing her office
'by inviting friends and other relatives to make free international calls in her
office, and misused fuel coupons among other things'.
Reports also claimed that the NIA had interrogated some members of the Auditor
General's family whilst she was still away but it is not clear whether the
questioning is in connection with her alleged 'disappearance'. Inside sources
also claimed that Mrs. Gaye was also accused of leaking to the opposition the
Auditor General's report before it was submitted to the National Assembly for
which the government felt 'offended'.
Since 1994, the Auditor General's office has been confronted with 'petty
problems' and that about 12 of its employees have left the department in
disillusioned sources intimated.

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