By Assan Bah
Hamat N.K. Bah, the Minister for Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs has defended the government’s allocation of state-forfeited lands at Brufut Layout to several government officials, telling lawmakers that the process was conducted in accordance with the State Land Act Regulation and a Cabinet decision. The statement was made during a question-and-answer session with lawmakers on Tuesday, as parliamentarians demanded transparency and documents regarding the allocations.
The matter was raised by Honourable Yaya Menteng Sanyang, the National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, who asked the Minister to clarify the eligibility and suitability of individuals who were allocated lands within the Brufut Forfeiture Layout.
Responding to the question, the Minister told the Assembly that the land in question was forfeited to the state and handed over to the Land Sales Committee.
“Following a Cabinet decision, it was returned to the Ministry of Lands for allocation to Gambians,” he said.
Citing legal authority for the allocations, he referenced the provisions of the State Land Act.
“In accordance with Part 4, Section 16 of the State Land Act 191, which states, in every grant under this Act, there shall, by virtue of this Act, be implied convenience by the Minister that he or she has full power to make the grant. Additionally, Part 1, Section 8, Subsection 2 of the State Land Act Regulation provides that the Minister’s approval shall be conveyed to each successful applicant in Form 3 of the first set.”
He then listed the beneficiaries of the land allocations under the said authority.
“The Minister has granted the land to the following Gambians: Honourable Dr. Ahmad Samateh, Honourable Fatou Kinteh, Safiatou Sambou Tangara, Honourable Bakary Y. Badgie, Honourable Ebrima Sillah, Alkali F. Konteh, Sheriff Tambedou, Honourable Dawda Jallow, His Excellency Vice-President Isatou Touray, Honourable Amie Fabureh, and Honourable Claudiana Cole.”
Honourable Sanyang then questioned the process followed in the allocations.
“Allocating state land is goes with application, approval and allocation,” he said and asked the Minister to provide the relevant documents to Parliament.
The Minister responded:
“I can provide them but the lands are in the custody of the Department of Lands and Survey.”
Honourable Sanyang pressed further, asking:
“Honourable Minister, why are you allocating national lands to ministers?”
To this, the Minister replied:
“I believe ministers are Gambian. Those who are eligible have a right to be allocated based on that right. I have executed my responsibility as the Chief Lands Officer of this country.”
In addition to the Brufut land allocations, the Minister also addressed questions relating to urban congestion caused by informal car parks, street markets, mechanical garages, and hawkers. He said the Ministry is currently working with relevant stakeholders to regulate these activities to ease traffic and improve order in urban areas.
This matter was raised by Honourable Musa Cham, Member for Serekunda, who asked for an update on the government’s plan to regulate unfettered street activity, considering the Ministry’s oversight role over city, municipal, and area councils.
In response, the Minister stated:
“The ministry has started the said exercise by removing all car parks in the main highway and are also removing mechanical garages from the highway.”
He added that they are in the process of finding an alternative site.
“The ministry is currently working on identifying a suitable place where car parks and car dealers can assemble and operate. In regards to obstacles of the road corridor, the Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and its technical department, in particular the Department of Physical Planning and Housing, have already embarked on that exercise of removing all obstacles along our roads corridor, which includes markets and car parks.”
He revealed that plans to convene a stakeholders’ meeting were delayed.
“Nonetheless, a key stakeholders meeting was settled but had to be put off due to the absence of in Mecca whilst others were in China.”
He said the meeting will be rescheduled.
“Plans are on the way to hold meetings during the fourth week of July as it was earlier rescheduled due to the absence of key councils’ officials.”
“Stakeholders will discuss on the mobilisation of essential logistics to enhance the operation are readily in place.”
Honourable Cham asked whether the Ministry had conducted any formal assessment of how these unregulated activities affect traffic, emergency services, and public health.
“There is no formal assessment, but we are human. We are seeing it and feeling it. That’s one of the reasons why government is motivated to address this menace,” the Minister answered.
He was also asked if the Ministry had coordinated with municipal councils such as Banjul, Kanifing, and Brikama to enforce or develop new laws.
“Our stakeholders meeting will guide the way forward in dealing with this matter and it will not be limited to Banjul, KMC and Brikama. It will be the entire councils in the country. You’ll find it almost in every part of the Gambia. So we want to deal with it across the board,” he said.
Honourable Sheriff Sarr of Jeshwang asked whether the government or the councils were responsible for providing garages and market spaces. The Minister responded:
“The land belongs to the state and the state allocates the land. But land that is allocated is based on guidelines. The councils need to manage this land, these areas that are destined for markets and garages must be properly managed. We have realised is that there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed together with the councils.”
He further noted:
“Sometimes garages are changed into markets, which is wrong, we believe, but we need to engage them so that we can discuss it and find a solution to resolve the matter.”
Honourable Suwaibou Touray of Wuli East asked how the government would deal with garages that rent inside compounds but operate in the streets.
“Honourable Speaker. What is illegal is illegal. And we reinforce the law,” the Minister declared.
The session saw sustained calls for transparency and enforcement of laws regulating land use, as well as insistence on a more formalised and equitable land allocation system for all Gambians.
