By Nelson Manneh
The Department of Physical Planning has issued a directive seeking the demolition of a building and a fence erected without the necessary development permit in Lamin Village.
The structure, which has been declared unsafe, was constructed in violation of the Development Control Regulations of 1995.
The notice, issued by the Planning Authority, states that the building and fence were erected without prior approval from the Authority. According to the regulations, the Planning Authority is empowered to order the removal or demolition of such unauthorised structures. The notice set a deadline for removal by April 3, 2025, and warned that failure to comply would result in the Planning Authority taking action to remove or demolish the structure at the owner’s expense.
The land on which the structure was built is currently under litigation in the Banjul High Court. The property is part of a larger land dispute involving Momodou Lamin Jarju, also known as Rongo, who is claiming ownership of a significant part of land in the Jola Kunda Misranding area of Banjulunding in the West Coast Region. Jarju is seeking a court declaration that he is the rightful owner of the land, and he has also requested an injunction to prevent further interference with the property.
In his suit, Jarju is demanding compensation for trespassing, claiming damages amounting to D17,000,000 (Seventeen Million Dalasi) against those involved. He is also calling for the cancellation of any documents about the disputed land that may have been unlawfully acquired by other parties.
Before the notice from the Department of Physical Planning, Jarju had raised concerns with the Ministry of Local Governments and Lands about the unapproved construction by the Lamin Village Development Committee on land he asserts belongs to his family. He emphasized that the land was originally reserved for the future development of a national stadium and other sports facilities to benefit young people in the country.
Jarju, in a letter addressed to the Ministry, criticised the Lamin Village Development Committee for proceeding with infrastructural projects on the land without his family’s consent. He stressed that the land was under legal dispute and should not be tampered with during the ongoing court proceedings.
“For the interest of peace and justice, I urge all individuals involved in constructing on the said land to cease immediately,” Jarju stated, highlighting the sensitive nature of the dispute and the need for resolution through legal channels.
