Lands Minister Defends Allocation to Barrow’s Company, Says President Received Only One Plot

By Makutu Manneh

Hamat N.K. Bah, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, has defended the allocation of state land to a company associated with President Adama Barrow, insisting that the company is entitled to land under the same conditions as other businesses operating in The Gambia.

Speaking at a press conference organized by his ministry on Tuesday, Mr. Bah dismissed concerns surrounding the allocation, maintaining that the company followed the required procedures and obtained the land legally.

He explained that the allocation was intended to enable the company to construct its headquarters, reduce rental expenses, expand its operations, and create employment opportunities while contributing to the national economy.

“So what is wrong with that? They went through the due process; they got allocated to build. What is your problem with that? And like many other companies in this country, in hundreds, you don’t talk about those people,” Mr. Bah said.

The minister questioned why the allocation had attracted public scrutiny when, according to him, numerous other companies had benefited from similar arrangements.

He maintained that a company’s association with the president should not automatically disqualify it from accessing state land, provided the allocation complies with established legal procedures.

Addressing reports that President Barrow had received two plots of state land, Mr. Bah disputed the claims, explaining that an earlier allocation had been cancelled.

According to the minister, only one allocation remains valid, contrary to reports suggesting that the president had been granted multiple plots.

Mr. Bah emphasized that the allocation of state land is a lawful administrative process and that beneficiaries are entitled to receive land when they meet the applicable requirements.

“Let Gambians know this: you being allocated land is legal, justified, and in accordance with the law,” he said.

The minister’s remarks come amid public questions about the distribution of state land and allocations involving senior government officials and companies associated with them.

While Mr. Bah maintained that the allocation followed due process, his explanation did not provide details about the cancelled allocation, including when it was revoked or the circumstances surrounding the decision.