By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Residents of Laminkoto are up in arms over claims that a long-standing government-owned facility, the Kollikunda Secco, has been clandestinely sold to a private businessman, with construction already underway on the disputed land.
Multiple community sources have alleged that Momodou Leigh, a resident of Laminkoto, sold the Kollikunda Secco—a storage and processing site historically used by the now-defunct Gambia Cooperative Union (GCU) for groundnut-related activities—to businessman Momodou Jallow for D40,000. The transaction reportedly occurred without any official approval from local or national authorities.
The Kollikunda Secco has served farmers in Laminkoto and surrounding communities for decades as a vital secco (groundnut storage and buying point), supporting agricultural livelihoods in the groundnut-producing region. Community members describe the alleged sale as a “dubious” deal, claiming it was facilitated by some local elders who acted as paid witnesses.
One anonymous source told The Alkamba Times that the buyer, Momodou Jallow, has begun development on the plot despite lacking the necessary permits. “The community, including the Village Development Committee (VDC), has summoned a meeting with the Chief and the Ward Councillor to address this urgently,” the source said. “We were shocked to see construction activities already starting. This is government land that has benefited the people for years—any encroachment harms not just the state but the entire region.”
Banni Ward Councillor Sorrie Darboe confirmed the allegations, stating that local authorities, including Niani Chief Pierre Bah, confronted Momodou Leigh about the sale. According to the councillor, Leigh admitted to the transaction but justified it partly on the basis that his late father had farmed portions of the land for many years. Leigh reportedly told the buyer that, while the land belonged to the government, the purchaser insisted on proceeding with the deal.
Preliminary investigations by local officials, including checks with relevant state agencies, have indicated that the land remains government property and cannot be alienated by private individuals without formal processes. Efforts are ongoing to verify the exact boundaries and ownership status.
The controversy is heightened by separate ongoing discussions to allocate part of the Kollikunda Secco to Younna Financial Services.
Councillor Darboe explained that the proposal aims to partner with Younna to establish a business center on the site. In return, Younna would act as a guarantor, helping local groundnut farmers access loans and other financial support to boost productivity and empowerment in the area. Negotiations with relevant state authorities are continuing, but no final allocation has been approved.
Both Momodou Leigh and Momodou Jallow acknowledged the transaction when contacted but declined to provide further details. Attempts to obtain comments from the Ministry of Agriculture, which oversees properties formerly managed by the Gambia Cooperative Union, were unsuccessful.
Community leaders and residents are calling for swift intervention by higher authorities to halt any further development and reclaim the land for public use. The incident has raised broader concerns about the protection of public assets in rural Gambia amid pressures on agricultural land.
This publication will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information emerges.
