By Makutu Manneh
The Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Hamat N.K. Bah, has announced that his ministry is in the process of drafting new legislation aimed at regulating real estate transactions and the operations of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in The Gambia.
Minister Bah made the disclosure during a ministerial town hall meeting, locally known as Mansa Kunda, where he raised concerns about the growing number of real estate scams and unregulated NGO activities in the country.
According to the minister, fraudulent practices by some real estate agents have reached alarming levels and now pose a serious threat to Gambians and national institutions.
“The drafting of the real estate bill has started, but we need to move quicker and faster because it is becoming a serious threat where institutions have been robbed,” he said.
According to the minister, it is estimated that more than Five Hundred Million Dalasi has been lost by Gambians through these fraudulent activities. He further revealed that the state broadcaster has also suffered financial losses due to such practices.
“So I think it is high time we come up with a control measure that will address these people,” he noted.
While acknowledging the integrity of many reputable real estate professionals, he warned that a significant number of unethical actors are damaging the sector’s reputation. He stressed the government’s commitment to developing the necessary legal framework to regulate the industry effectively.
He noted that the sector has been neglected for far too long, allowing some actors to defraud Gambians with impunity. “While some of them have been robbing Gambians. The evidence is there.”
Minister Bah further remarked, “The study we received is very disturbing, but that’s why this ministry will take the bull by the horns to make sure legislation and regulation are in place to manage them.”
Turning to the NGO sector, Minister Bah noted the influx of numerous NGOs with varied agendas operating in The Gambia without adequate oversight. He emphasized the country’s responsibility to regulate foreign entities to ensure transparency and alignment with national interests.
“Very soon, the bill will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration and for onward presentation to the National Assembly for enactment,” he concluded.