Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang has disclosed that the government is finalizing plans to sell the Mile 2 Central Prison to the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) for $4 million, or just over D300 million, as part of a broader effort to overhaul the country’s correctional system.
The minister made the revelation on Tuesday during a session of the National Assembly, where he stated that the proceeds from the sale will serve as the first committed funding for the construction of a new, modern correctional facility.
Funding the New Facility
Responding to a question from Banjul North National Assembly Member Momodou Lamin Bah about how much the government has raised for the replacement of Mile 2, Minister Sanyang said the GPA purchase agreement has been concluded, with documentation at an advanced stage.
“An amount of $4 million is expected from the sale of Mile 2 Central Prison to the Gambia Ports Authority. This has been agreed, and the process of documentation is at an advanced stage. So far, this is the only fund committed to the project,” he told lawmakers.
He added that the government is engaging development partners to mobilize additional resources.
Modern Correctional Approach
When the NAM for Latrikunda Sabiji suggested that the $4 million should suffice to build a new prison, Minister Sanyang clarified that the government’s objective goes far beyond erecting structures.
“What is earmarked is between $20 to $25 or even $30 million. So it is not a small amount; it’s not a project of building prisons. We are building a modern correctional facility,” he said.
The new establishment is expected to incorporate rehabilitation programmes and improved inmate services, reflecting the administration’s pledge to reform incarceration standards and align them with international norms.
A Step Away From Mile 2’s Troubled Legacy
The project marks a significant step toward dismantling Mile 2’s long-criticized legacy. The facility has for decades been associated with overcrowding, poor living conditions, and severe human rights violations, particularly during the rule of former president Yahya Jammeh.
In September, the government announced its intention to build a new prison as part of comprehensive correctional reforms.
Minister Sanyang also confirmed that Brikama Nyabikalla has been selected as the site for the new facility.
The modern correctional centre, once completed, is expected to provide humane conditions for detainees and strengthen The Gambia’s transitional justice commitments.
