By Assan Bah
Pa Saidou Jallow, the Alkalo of Sinchu Sorrie Village in Kombo North, West Coast Region (WCR), has confirmed that Sinchu Sorrie Lower Basic School (SS LBS) has resumed operations following a recent land dispute that led to the temporary closure of the school.
The land dispute, which allegedly involves the family of Sulayman Sillah from Banjul, Pa Saidou Jallow, Mr. Saidou Jallow, and the Village Development Committee (VDC), had caused an abrupt end to summer classes at the school. According to sources, the land in question was designated as a reserve by the Sinchu Sorrie community in the 1980s for the ‘Youth Front Against Drug and Alcohol.’
On August 28th, personnel from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) reportedly accompanied officials from the Sheriff Division to execute an eviction order at the school. This led to clashes between security forces and community members, who questioned the validity of the court order, resulting in the temporary closure of the school.
In a statement to this medium, the Alkalo of Sinchu Sorrie said, “We obtained a court order restraining the claimants from interfering with the land. We have confirmed that all furniture has been returned to the classrooms, and the school will continue its operations as usual.”
He added, “The Ministry of Justice has filed a case on behalf of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands to overturn the district chief’s ruling.”
In a prior interview, the Alkalo expressed doubts about the judgment’s legitimacy, stating that the school had never been served with a court order to vacate. He maintained that the ruling did not come from a court but was based on a decision made by the chief in 2019, which they had not contested in court.
