Gambiaj.com – (BRIKAMA, The Gambia) – The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has vowed to continue ongoing beautification works in Brikama despite receiving an official stop-work notice from the Department of Physical Planning in the West Coast Region.
According to the notice, dated 5 March, 2026 and referenced by the planning authorities, the works being undertaken in Brikama were deemed “unapproved” and “unauthorized” and were said to constitute a contravention of the Development Regulations 1995.
The notice, issued by the planning authority, specifically ordered the council to immediately cease the works, which it described as “beautification without a development notice.” It instructed those responsible to report within 24 hours to the principal development control officer at the Banjul/Kanifing municipal development office or the West Coast Region Planning Authority.
“You are therefore ordered to cease work forthwith,” the notice stated, adding that no further work should proceed until authorization is granted after arrangements are made to comply with the planning regulations.
Authorities warned that failure to comply could lead to court action or the demolition of the structures involved. The notice also stated that continuing work without a permit constitutes an offense punishable by a fine of D2,000 per day or two years’ imprisonment.
Records on the document indicate it was received by an individual identified as Malick Gai, while the nature of the development work was listed as gutter construction and related beautification activities.
However, Yankuba Darboe, the chairman of BAC, reacted strongly to the directive in a statement posted on his Facebook page, accusing the authorities of political persecution.
Darboe said the council had been singled out unfairly, arguing that similar actions have not been taken against other area councils.
“The Brikama Area Council, which is the planning authority of the West Coast Region, has today been issued with a notice by the Department of Physical Planning to stop what they describe as the beautification works of Brikama,” he wrote.
He further claimed that the move forms part of a broader political campaign against the council since he assumed office.
“It has to be noted that no other area council has been subjected to this nonsense except us, because of the political witch-hunt we have been subjected to since being elected,” Darboe stated.
The BAC chairman insisted that the council would not comply with the directive and would instead continue with the project.
“We will not stop work and will continue work until whatever consequences are destined for us,” he said. “We are ready to die doing what we have sworn to do to develop our region.”
Darboe also accused Adama Barrow of abusing presidential powers against the council, declaring that BAC would stand its ground and would not retreat.
The dispute highlights escalating tensions between the Brikama Area Council and central authorities over governance and development initiatives in the West Coast Region.
