By Makutu Manneh
A local councillor and residents of Wullinkama and the Brusubi Layout have condemned what they describe as the government’s reallocation of land previously designated for public use to senior officials, calling the move unjust and contrary to community interests.
At a press conference, Abdoulie Jammeh, councillor for Brufut Ward at the Brikama Area Council, said residents had learned that parcels of land initially set aside for a market and transport garage in Brusubi had been demarcated for governors, ministers, and chief executive officers.
“We understand that this land was allocated for a market and garage, yet it is now being shared among officials,” Mr. Jammeh said. “This is not the right thing to do.”
Mr. Jammeh added that construction had already begun on one of the plots reportedly linked to the governor of the Lower River Region. He said residents who had previously occupied the area were removed on the grounds that the land was reserved for public amenities.
“The government is showing us that we are not important and that there is no need for us to have a market, a garage, or other social amenities,” he said.
He argued that public officials are entrusted to serve citizens, not to benefit from land earmarked for community development. “The government belongs to the people,” he said. “We are saying that this injustice must not continue.”
Residents echoed those concerns, emphasizing the practical need for the planned facilities. Alhagie Ebrima Jassey, a driver from Brufut New Town, said the proposed garage would ease transportation challenges for both drivers and commuters.
“This land was allocated for a purpose,” Mr. Jassey said. “We are surprised to hear that it is now being given to individuals. We urge the government to return it for a garage and market.”
Ibrahim Fadera, second spokesperson for the Wullinkama Village Development Committee, questioned the rationale behind displacing residents for a public project only to reassign the land to private use.
“It cannot be that people are removed because the land is for public amenities, and then it is given to individuals,” Mr. Fadera said. “These officials are working for us; they cannot be more important than the citizens.”
The residents called on the government to reverse the allocations and proceed with the development of the market and garage as originally planned.
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