By Mustapha Jallow
When this reporter visited the area at Kartong where sand mining activities are taking place again on Saturday, 28 November, 
he counted about 200 trucks on a long queue waiting for their turn to collect sand.
Also on the site were four personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), two of whom were armed.
Talking to Foroyaa, one of the truck drivers, who prefers anonymity, said he pays D1000 per truck load of sand which he takes to the Turn Table near the Tranquil-Brusubi area to sell to customers. “I earn my living by selling sand to those who are engaged in building construction,” he said.
Another truck driver said he pays D1700 per trip of sand. “I pay D950 to the Geology officer and another D850 for the sand,” he added.
However, when the official who said he sells tickets on behalf of the Area Council was approached, he declined to make any comments and directed the reporter to talk to the Ward Councillor.
A controversy surrounding mining activities in the Kartong area was earlier reported in the Foroyaa and a group of 33 young people, including a woman, from the village were arraigned before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit misdemeanor, prohibition of conduct conducive to the breach of peace, riot, malicious injuries and riotously interfering with vehicle/vessel.
