Email Gambia News to a friend
Print version
Comment on This Gambia News

Gambia: Brikama Market Women Dissatisfied with BAC Evictions

Some market women in Brikama have expressed disappointment at the Brikama Area Council’s (BAC) action of evicting them from the market area they have hitherto been occupying. According to the women affected, BAC has been too harsh on them as they had spent a lot of money to upgrade their canteens. “I am frustrated by the way we are treated by BAC. They forced us to leave the canteens. I have placed all my hope in my small business,” said one Amie Bojang. She claimed that BAC sold the place out for D6 million to a couple who want to construct a Bar and Restaurant.

Fatou Jammeh, another alleged victim, said that she has occupied her canteen for 13 years only for the BAC authorities to send her packing, adding: “These canteens have helped us in the past to pay our children’s school fees and to meet our other needs.” She therefore appealed to the government to address the problem. “We went to see the BAC Director but he told us he was too busy to see us,” she added, stressing that BAC should allocate them with some other place to enable them continue their business. She revealed that she spent about D3000 for the development of her canteen only to be forced to vacate it.

When this reporter contacted Mr Modou Joof, Public Relations Officer of BAC, he said  that the women were allowed to occupy the place temporarily. “We sent them a letter to notice them and we also held meetings with the women, because we have a project to establish in the area,” he said, adding that the ddevelopment office is doing its best to allocate them a land within seven days from now.