Complaints abound that demolition of structures are taking place before compensation of victims. According to section 22 of the Constitution,
“(1) No property of any description shall be taken possession of compulsorily, and. no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of The Gambia, except where the following conditions are satisfied –
(c) provision is made by law applicable to that taking of possession or acquisition –
i) for the prompt payment of adequate compensation …….”
Hence the cost to compensate victims should have been determined and a contingency fund established, and the amount determined for compensation appropriated and put in a contingency fund that would be utilized.
Section 154 of the Constitution makes provision for the establishment of such contingency fund. Hence looking forward, such a contingency fund should be created and all resources required in the implementation of such demolition exercise mobilised. This is the only way to prevent suffering that many people are going through today because of the lack of foresight.
