Gambiaj.com – (BRIKAMA, The Gambia) – The Brikama Area Council has issued a strong directive urging vendors and customers to reject any demands or requests to voluntarily demolish council-approved structures within the Brikama market and car park area. This announcement, released on Tuesday, aims to protect the integrity of the market and its vendors from unauthorized demolition activities under ‘Operation Clear The Road’.

In a public notice, the Council emphasized, “The Brikama Area Council wishes to notify all its vendors and customers within the Brikama market and car park area to refuse any orders, requests or demands from any authority to voluntarily demolish any of their structures approved by the council in the Brikama markets and car parks area!”

The local administration led by Yankuba Darboe clarified that only the vendors themselves should handle any necessary demolition of council-approved structures. The Council urged vendors to avoid participating in or supporting unlawful demolition activities.

“Anyone requiring them to demolish any structure approved by the council in the market or car park, should be asked or left to demolish it themselves. But our vendors and customers should eschew themselves from aiding and abetting anyone willing to engage in the wanton and unlawful demolition of their structures,” the notice continued.

This strong stance follows the controversial “Operation Clear the Roads” initiative that entered Brikama on November 8, 2023. The operation, led by the National Road Authority, resulted in the demolition of market stalls around Brikama Central Market. This move sparked a significant conflict between the Brikama Area Council and the central government. The Council condemned these actions, citing the Constitution of the Gambia 1997 and the Local Governments Act 2002, asserting that only they have the legal authority to sanction such demolitions.

In response to the demolitions, the Brikama Area Council has taken legal action. Tuesday’s notice revealed, “The demolition of stalls around the Brikama market area and car park area by Operation Clear the Roads led by Manneh is the subject of litigation by the Council against the parties engaged in such operations. A pre-action letter warning them to cease and desist was served on them by our lawyers on November 20, 2023.”

As the legal battle continues, the Council advises all vendors and customers to stand firm and refuse to volunteer for any demolitions not authorized by the Brikama Area Council. This firm directive is aimed at safeguarding the market’s stability and ensuring that all demolitions follow legal protocols and respect the Council’s authority.