Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Lamin Village, a bustling community on the outskirts of the Gambian capital, is embroiled in a dispute over the allocation of land for a sports development project. The controversy surrounds a government initiative to construct sports and recreational facilities, including a national stadium, on land previously identified and designated by the Lamin Village Development Committee (VDC).

The confusion and frustration of the Lamin VDC were articulated by Yusufa Gomez, the secretary of the committee and executive director of the Gambia Food and Nutrition Association (Gafna), during a recent interview on West Coast Radio’s “Coffee Time” program. Speaking not in his official capacity but on behalf of the VDC, Gomez expressed concerns over the transparency of the project and the integrity of the land allocation process.

The Lamin VDC had long sought to develop a sports stadium for community use and had identified a specific area, referred to as “Site Three,” for this purpose. This land, Gomez explained, was previously leased to the Department of Agricultural Research and later returned to the community after the lease expired. The VDC even went as far as creating a comprehensive development plan for the site, including facilities for sports, health, and emergency services.

However, the community was taken aback when they discovered, via social media, that a significant portion of this land was allegedly allocated to a private business individual without their knowledge. According to Gomez, a letter from the former Minister of Lands, Aba Sanyang, indicated that the land had been handed over as compensation to a businessman named Suku Singhateh. The reason given was that some of Singhateh’s land had been appropriated by the previous administration under former President Yahya Jammeh.

Outraged by the lack of consultation and transparency, the VDC organized a press conference to voice their opposition and mobilized the community to physically prevent any further development on the disputed site. “We threatened the guy; they decided to move there,” Gomez recounted, adding that they had to remove construction materials brought in by the private developer.

In response to the VDC’s protests, a presidential task force was formed to assess the situation. The task force included senior officials such as the then-Minister of Lands, the Minister of Environment, and the Secretary to the Cabinet. After a comprehensive site visit, the task force assured the community that they would investigate the matter further and provide feedback. Yet, months later, no formal response has been received, leaving the community in limbo.

During a “Meet the People” tour, Gomez personally appealed to President Adama Barrow, reiterating the community’s desire to use the land for the originally intended sports facilities. Although the President reportedly gave verbal assurances, no concrete actions have been taken since, further frustrating the VDC.

Recently, a press release from the government appeared to affirm that the land would not be de-reserved, offering some relief to the community. However, Gomez stressed that this assurance needs to be followed by formal communication and concrete steps. “We will continue the advocacy together with other environmentalists,” Gomez stated, emphasizing the need to preserve the land for public use rather than private commercial development.

Gomez also disclosed that the VDC has begun mobilizing resources to develop the sports facility independently, including drilling a borehole and initiating perimeter fencing. The community, supported by its diaspora, has raised approximately one million dalasis to kickstart the project.

The situation in Lamin is reminiscent of other land disputes in The Gambia, such as the controversial attempt to develop the Abuko Nature Reserve. Public outcry and environmental advocacy have previously forced the government to reconsider such decisions, and the Lamin VDC hopes for a similar outcome.

In fine, Gomez urged the government to respect its own declarations and refrain from any actions that would jeopardize the community’s plans for the site. He noted the vital role the proposed sports facility would play not just for Lamin, but also for neighboring villages, by providing much-needed recreational space and fostering youth development.