President Barrow visiting the site of the blaze
By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow visited Albert Market on Monday, two days after a fire tore through part of the sprawling commercial hub, destroying dozens of stalls and goods and leaving many traders facing heavy losses.
The blaze broke out Saturday in the Sandika area near the beach, a section largely occupied by carpentry workshops, according to officials. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the fire caused extensive material damage.
During his visit, Mr. Barrow said the disaster underscored the need to modernize the market and enforce basic safety standards. Preventing future incidents, he said, would require a coordinated effort by government agencies, the Banjul City Council, and market vendors themselves.
Before normal trading resumes, he added, stakeholders would meet to form a task force to oversee safety measures and recovery efforts.
“The government, together with the Banjul City Council, will take our responsibilities and look at how to support the affected persons,” Mr. Barrow said.
He praised the Gambia Fire Service for containing the blaze under difficult conditions, noting longstanding constraints on equipment and resources. Emergency services, he said, were making the most of what was available.
“The resources we have are what we are managing,” he said, adding that a task force chaired by the vice president would be established to help mobilize additional support.
Aziz Dabakh Gaye, the deputy mayor of Banjul, described the losses as substantial but said it was a relief that no lives were lost. Preliminary estimates suggest that about 57 traders were affected, he said, though assessments were still ongoing.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Samba Jarju said poor access roads significantly slowed the fire service’s response. He urged market authorities to keep roads leading into the market clear to allow emergency vehicles to move freely.
“We should avoid sitting on roads leading to the market because this poses challenges to us in terms of access,” he said.
Mr. Barrow toured the burned-out sections of the market and told traders that the government would support reconstruction and recovery efforts, as officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage.