“DEMOLITION OF THE ODEON CINEMA POSES A THREAT TO THE VICINITY” Says Former Independent Candidate for Banjul Central

By Sailu Bah Haddijatou Forbes, who contested on an Independent ticket and lost to the APRC candidate in Banjul Central Constituency in the last National Assembly elections, has said that the demolition of the walls of the former Odeon Cinema in Lasso Wharf in Banjul may pose as an environmental threat to the residents living within the vicinity and most especially the young children. Madam Forbes raised this concern in an interview with this reporter on Wednesday, 25 June 2014 near the said area. She said the demolition exercise carried out by the Disaster Management Committee of the Banjul City Council which brought down the walls of the Odeon Cinema which is on the fringes of the swamps or ‘Tanbi’ is really exposing the area to floods and can bring along on shore reptiles such as snakes, crocodiles, etc. She said she is not opposing the demolition as the structure was too old, but that consideration should have been given in trying to see how to raise the edge with even a new fence in order to prevent encroachments by wild dogs and reptiles. “I fear for the safety of young children who normally go to the swamps after school in search of gold fish and who may encounter snakes and crocodiles in the area. These reptiles can also enter our compounds as there is no barriers to prevent them from being wash into the city by the flood waters,” she observed. Madam Forbes said she is appealing to the City Council to construct a temporal fence at the back of the cinema to preempt such disastrous eventualities. Similar comments were made by some of the residents who also appeal to the Council to address this concern before the rains start in full force. Foroyaa will contact the municipal authorities to get their response on the concerns raised]]>