By Alieu Ceesay
The community of Kafuta in the Kombo East constituency is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic accident that claimed the lives of four individuals over the weekend. As residents mourn this devastating loss, they call on state authorities and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to address pressing road safety concerns.
The incident occurred during a celebratory gathering for a football match when a truck collided with the jubilant crowd. According to police reports, a total of 44 individuals were involved in the accident. While four lives were lost, many others sustained injuries and have been referred to Ndemban Clinic for further medical treatment.
In response to the incident, residents expressed their alarm over road safety in a letter addressed to the office of the President. The letter was also shared with the National Road Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Brikama Area Council Chairman, the West Coast Region Governor, the Inspector General of Police, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and various other stakeholders. Lamin Jammeh, Board Chairperson of the Kombo East Youth and Children Alliance (KEYCDA), drafted and signed the letter.
The community is now seeking answers and solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future, emphasizing the need for enhanced road safety measures to protect residents during public celebrations and everyday activities.
In a recent open letter addressed to various government offices, community stakeholders from the Kombo East District have highlighted the urgent need to address the escalating road safety crisis in the area. The letter comes in the wake of a tragic road accident in Kafuta that resulted in the loss of four children and left many others hospitalized at Ndemban Clinic.
The letter emphasizes that the incident is not an isolated occurrence but a reflection of the district’s ongoing road safety challenges. They express deep concern over the loss of life, particularly among youth and children, and stress the importance of taking swift and decisive action to prevent future tragedies.
Recognizing the need for collaboration, the Kombo East Youth and Children Alliance (KEYCDA) has called for a unified approach among community stakeholders. The letter serves as a collective appeal to authorities, urging them to prioritize and support key interventions to improve road safety in the district.
The Kombo East Youth and Children Alliance (KEYCDA) has outlined a series of requests directed at authorities to address road safety concerns in the district. They have called for assessments to identify high-risk areas that require urgent infrastructural improvements and enhanced safety measures. Specifically, the group has recommended the installation of speed bumps, zebra crossings, and appropriate road signage, as well as deploying police traffic officers at strategic locations and improved lighting in critical areas. They also emphasized the need for consistent enforcement of traffic regulations.
Additionally, the KEYCDA advocates for the launch of comprehensive public education campaigns designed to promote safe road practices among drivers, pedestrians, and community members. They firmly believe that these collaborative efforts will save lives and foster a safer environment for all road users in the Kombo East District.
In response to the recent tragic incident, the Mobile Traffic High Patrol Unit has indicated that it is actively investigating the accident’s circumstances. The Gambian Police Force (GPF) has stated its commitment to ensuring accountability as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance road safety in the community.
