The Economic Crime trial against the former Director-General of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, Maimuna Taal, resumed yesterday before Justice Monageng of the Banjul court.

In his response during cross-examination by the defense counsel, Lawyer Antouman Gaye, the state witness, Hassan Jallow, Director of Finance at the GCAA, said that the process of awarding contracts starts with documentation from the engineering department, adding that the department would raise a request to the Director-General specifying the work that needs to be done. He explained that the Director- General would go through the report before approving it based on the submission of the Civil Engineer. The matter, he adduced, would then be minuted to the Contracts Committee which would send bids.

As to who was responsible for receiving the bidders Mr Jallow stated that the Civil Engineering unit would receive the bids through the Tender Box, adding that the Civil Engineer would choose the bidder and make recommendation to the Director- General who would approve or disapprove.

He said that if the Director-General approves, instruction is given to the Contract Committee to announce the winner.

On who was responsible for signing contracts, the witness stated that the winner would sign an agreement with GCCA and the work would start based on the agreed contract. He said the Civil Engineering unit would report based on the progress of the work, adding that that stage involves teamwork from various departments.

Further responding, Mr. Jallow stated that the accused, during her tenure in office, did very well, adding that she did her work in a professional manner.

Replying to a question on the performance of GCAA during the accuser’s term in office, Mr. Jallow said in 2003, 2004 and 2005, GCAA made profit, adding that the Authority’s profit accrued to the Gambia government. He added that the Director-General is the head of the Authority and the Authority is made up of departments. One of these, he said, is the Directorate of Finance, which he headed. He said he was directly responsible for all financial matters at GCAA and that part of his responsibility is to see that the Authority is run in accordance with sound financial principles. He said from the time the accused took office until her departure, the financial situation of was well, adding that it became a profitable enterprise and had always been making profit. He said the financial performance of the GCAA was positive. Hearing continues.