Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly on Monday passed the second reading of the Urban Markets Bill 2026, paving the way for the proposed legislation to undergo detailed scrutiny by the Assembly Business Committee (ABC).
Introduced by Hon. Musa Cham, the bill seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the establishment, administration, and regulation of urban markets across The Gambia.
Beyond market governance, it aims to promote orderly, safe, and efficient market operations while raising sanitation, hygiene, waste management, and public health standards in public markets nationwide.
Moving the motion for the second reading, Hon. Cham said the legislation would strengthen the role of local government councils in the planning, maintenance, and supervision of urban markets. The bill also seeks to provide essential infrastructure and services, including water supply, lighting, ssecurity,and sanitation facilities, to support the effective functioning of markets.
According to the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the proposed law further promotes participatory governance by involving traders, councils, and other relevant stakeholders in market management while supporting economic activity through the creation of organized trading spaces for vendors and small business owners.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Sulayman Sawo, Member for Central Badibu, described the bill as timely and important but called on his colleagues to ensure the legislation is truly inclusive when it reaches the committee stage.
“I think when we come down to the committee stage, we have to look into the bill so that it will be inclusive; it’s not going to leave any Gambian market behind. Both the local and the rural and the urban areas have the same problem,” Hon. Sawo said.
He stressed that the benefits of the legislation must reach markets across the country, invoking the familiar adage that “what is good for the goose is good for the gander” to underscore the need for equitable treatment of all markets, regardless of location.
Following the brief but pointed debate, lawmakers approved a motion to suspend further deliberations and refer the bill to the appropriate committee for detailed consideration.
Responding before the vote, Hon. Cham acknowledged the concern raised on inclusivity and assured members that the necessary amendments would be taken into account during the committee stage.
“We are ready to do the needful amendment, and we thank all other Members for appreciating the Bill,” he said.
The National Assembly subsequently approved the second reading of the Urban Markets Bill 2026 and referred it to the Assembly Business Committee in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House for further scrutiny before it returns to the floor for the next stage of consideration.
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