Land disputes in Kombo South are reaching a crisis point with the Kombo South District Tribunal ordering the eviction of entire villages.
Residents of two villages affected by such orders have been to Foroyaa’s offices to report the matter.
The residents of these villages are very worried to say the least because they do not know what the future holds for them.
They say that they have been living in these places where they have been schooled and brought up for many decades. They also say they were surprised when the sheriff served them with a notice for the entire village to vacate the only land they have known since they were born.
“We would like the authorities concerned to carefully consider our situation,” they remarked
The said communities involved in these land crisis were mentioned as follows;
1) Deya – the entire village have been asked to vacate land larger than Banjul which is claimed by a family in Samyang. The occupants of Deya say that they have never had the opportunity to defend themselves in court and simply received a vacation order from the sheriff.
2) Madina Bafuloto – the entire village have been asked to vacate the land they are now occupying which is claimed by some families. The occupants say that they have never had the opportunity to defend themselves in court and simply received a vacation order from the sheriff. But they went further to say that they are not part of the district of Kombo South but Kombo Central where they pay their rates,
3) An individual affected by another order to vacate from the Kombo South District Tribunal.
EDITOR’S NOTE
The authorities have to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. This is not a matter to be left entirely to the judicial system which can possibly deprive entire communities. Needless to say a government cannot claim to be at the service of the people if it supports policies and decisions that will deprive farmers of land for residential and farming purposes.
