By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a sharp rebuttal that has intensified local tensions, community leaders and concerned natives of Sanyang Village have firmly rejected claims by Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh that the community has allocated land for the proposed Deep Sea Port project.
The leaders described Jobarteh’s recent statements on the popular radio programme Coffee Time as “totally false, misleading, and misguided,” accusing them of sowing seeds of distrust and division within the tight-knit coastal community. They insisted that, while a site around Hawaba has been identified for the project, no formal land allocation has ever been made to the Government or the GPA.
The controversy has deepened existing rifts in Sanyang, where many residents insist that fair compensation must be paid before any agreement or development proceeds. Community members are warning traditional leaders and elders to fully consult the entire village before committing any land to the ambitious national infrastructure project.
Botto Bojang, Councilor for Sanyang Ward, was among the first local leaders to publicly address the issue in an interview with The Alkamba Times (TAT). He recalled the lengthy negotiations between the Government and the community, noting that an initial proposed site was rejected before the Hawaba area was unanimously selected as the preferred location.
“This area was identified to the government, which then instructed the physical planning department to draw up a sketch plan,” Councilor Bojang explained. “But from the beginning, we made our position very clear: before any allocation, a Letter of Agreement prepared by the community must be signed with the government.”
He continued: “Officially, Sanyang has never allocated any land to the GPA. We only identified a piece of land for the construction of the port, and its allocation is anchored on the signing of the Letter of Agreement between the community and the GPA.”
Councilor Bojang expressed surprise at Jobarteh’s radio comments. “We were shocked to hear the Ports Director claiming that the community of Sanyang has finally allocated land for the deep-sea port. This is not true. We have never allocated any piece of land to the GPA for this project. We only identified the land, and if they are interested, we can sign the agreement and move forward.”
In a bid to verify the MD’s assertions, Bojang’s office reached out to the Sanyang Bulunda elders. According to him, none of the elders could confirm any land allocation. “We engaged the Bulunda Elders, and none of them can confirm the allocation of any land to GPA. So it is totally false to claim that the people of Sanyang have allocated land for the Deep Sea Port,” he stated.
On the sensitive issue of compensation, the councilor was categorical: “With regards to compensation, the community of Sanyang has not received a single dime from the GPA. No authority in Sanyang has received any compensation from either the Government or the GPA. Nothing has been paid to the community.”
Councilor Bojang also dismissed rumors that some Bulunda members may have secretly allocated land without broader consent. “Such claims are entirely false and misleading speculations aimed at bringing disunity among community members,” he said.
A prominent youth leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, called on Jobarteh to “come forward and clear the air” about who allegedly allocated the land and when. “Allocating community land to the government without adequate compensation to the people of Sanyang would be the biggest joke of the century,” the youth leader declared.
He further challenged key community institutions — the Sanyang Village Development Committee (VDC), Sanyang Development Fund (SDF), Bulunda Elders, and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) — to launch a thorough investigation. “Anyone involved in the alleged allocation should be brought to book and legal action taken against him or her,” he demanded.
Another concerned native, also speaking anonymously, went further, accusing certain Bulunda members of collaborating with the Minister of Works and the GPA Managing Director. “Such actions should not be left unpunished,” the source said. “Similar clandestine dealings were condoned in the past, but this time it should not be allowed.”
The source urged all patriotic natives of Sanyang, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite and demand fair compensation. “For far too long, resources of Sanyang have been exploited without any noticeable benefit to the community,” the native lamented.
Many other residents have joined the chorus, calling on MD Ousman Jobarteh to immediately retract his statements and issue a public apology to the people of Sanyang. They reiterated that no land has been formally allocated for the Deep Sea Port project.
The Deep Sea Port initiative is seen as a flagship project aimed at boosting Gambia’s maritime economy, improving trade, and creating jobs. However, the current dispute highlights the delicate balance between national development goals and community rights, particularly regarding land ownership and compensation in rural coastal areas.
As the controversy continues, observers say the Government and GPA must engage transparently with the community to prevent further erosion of trust. For now, Sanyang remains united in its demand for due process, proper consultation, and fair compensation before any land is handed over for the strategic national project.
