By Mustapha Jallow
Businessmen and women at the Serrekunda West Park along Kairaba Avenue have expressed concerns over the ongoing mass demolitions along highways by a taskforce established by the Gambia Government.
These vendors have been asked to vacate because most of them were illegally occupying the area.
However, the vendors believe their businesses do not pose any obstructions to the flow of traffic. They want the Gambia Government to allow them to continue with their businesses.
The taskforce was instituted on 19 October 2023 by the Government. It is referred to as “special security operation on illegal encroachment’’. It targets permanent and temporary structures, and installations that are in breach of the laws governing road safety and public order.
The taskforce, which comprises the Gambia Police Force and the National Roads Authority among others, has been demolishing structures along highways including canteens and kiosk owned by street vendors. The street vendors and other petty traders offer easy access to wide range of goods including foods while others offer services such as mobile repairs and sale of accessories.
The vendors said the location is strategic. They said the businesses they do are the main source of their livelihood.
The vendors said evicting them is not the solution to the problems the government seeks to address.
Tijan Baldeh, whose shop is yet to be demolished, was found sitting. When asked what his problem was, he said he was thinking about where to relocate his shop. He was asked to vacate by the advanced team before the roads clearing team comes there. Baldeh said the notice was short because it should have been longer to enable him to find a new place to relocate his business. The 34-year-old sells clothes, caps and shoes at his shop.
“I know this place belongs to the State, but if they are not using or doing anything in these spaces – they should allow us to sell,” he said.
He said they are tax abiding vendors because they pay revenue to both KMC and GRA. He also talked about how they are keeping the streets clean and safe for their customers.
Baldeh claimed that he had spent close to Ninety Thousand Dalasi (D90,000) in erecting his shop. He pleaded with the government to reverse their decision and let them be in their selling points. He said his shop is 7-meter away from the main Kairaba Avenue Highway. He expressed concern that the demolition team won’t spare it.
22-year-old Alfusainey Barry, a watermelon seller in the same area, said he strives daily to have something to take home for his family. Barry said he was terrified on hearing the news of the planned demolition exercise along Kairaba Avenue. He stated that he is ready to comply with the vacation order, but lamented the economic losses he is likely to suffer. Like his colleagues, he said he pays Five Thousand Dalasi (D5, 000) to KMC annually. Barry asked why the authorities were collecting taxes from them when they knew it was an illegal occupation.
“They {roads-clearing-officials} are yet to visit this area. We are also waiting to see whether they will allow us to stay here, but I doubt it. And I am going to lose my customers and everything. The income I earned here is what I use to pay school fees, rent and fish money,’’ said Barry.
Fatou Badjie, a restaurant owner, said they have been selling in the area for over a decade. However, she added that when she heard of the planned demolition exercise, she began losing weight due to overthinking and sleepless nights as she is contemplating where to get a good location for her business.
“To get a place is a big problem in this country. Property owners are increasing their rent fees making it so hard for low income earners,’’ she lamented.
She stated that some of the property owners are charging Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dalasi for annual rent. She like other vendors said the exercise is going to impact them badly. She added that the impact will extend to their families because they depend on their businesses for survival.
Alhajie Saidy Bah is a graduate. He works as a meat-pie seller, which attracts school going children and other workers within the area. He said he has been selling meat-pie and lunch at the mini-restaurant at the West Park road for almost 20 years.
He said he employed over 22 young Gambian men and women as part of his contribution to reducing the unemployment rate in the country. Bah is fearful that his attractive restaurant will be ruined as a result of the demolition and thus resulting in the retrenchment of his employees.
“I opened this business not just to make money, but to create job opportunities for young Gambians. All these 22 Gambians are benefiting from the business. So, if the authorities are not recognising my effort- it is up to them because I can survive without this business,’’ he remarked.
Bah, whose place is yet to be demolished, said their businesses are not posing any obstruction to traffic. He stated that businesses that do not obstruct traffic flow should be allowed to continue.
He said most of the businesses create jobs and they also pay taxes to the Government and the local councils.
The vendors said the government should review the decision of removing all businesses along the road sides because it would create losses for the owners, staff and even the government.
Meanwhile, Foroyaa will speak to the roads clearing officials when they arrive in the area.
