By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a significant development, the Gambia Government has yielded to the demands of the Sanyang community, agreeing to relocate the proposed Deep Sea Port (DSP) from its initially planned sites in Sanyang to the Hawaba area, according to an impeccable source with knowledge of the matter.
The decision follows months of growing discontent among Sanyang residents, who feared the original project sites would devastate longstanding businesses, fish landing sites, and thousands of residential homes.
The proposed DSP, spearheaded by the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), had sparked widespread concern in Sanyang, a coastal community heavily reliant on fishing and small-scale commerce. Backed by the Sanyang Village Development Committee (SVDC), Sanyang Development Funds, and the Sanyang Diaspora, residents firmly opposed the GPA’s chosen locations, citing the potential destruction of their economic and cultural livelihoods. The community collectively advocated relocating the port to Hawaba, a less densely populated area, to mitigate the socio-economic impact.
A source familiar with the DSP project confirmed that an agreement had been reached between the government and the Sanyang community to shift the port’s development to Hawaba. The Department of Physical Planning has already submitted a sketch plan for the new site, which the community and the GPA have unanimously approved. “The plan for Hawaba has been well-received, and both parties are aligned on moving forward,” the source revealed. Additionally, an office and conference hall have been designated for the project’s Taskforce and Steering Committee, with plans to hire a Sanyang native to oversee the day-to-day operations of the project office, ensuring local involvement in the port’s development.
Abdoulie Botto Gaye, Chairman of the Sanyang Village Development Committee, confirmed the relocation in an exclusive interview with the Alkamba Times. “The misunderstanding between our community and the Gambia Ports Authority has been resolved professionally,” Gaye stated. “Both parties have chosen Hawaba, and this decision was confirmed by the Minister of Works, Mr. Ebrima Sillah, who played a vital role in accepting the community’s position.
A project office has been identified in Sanyang, and work will commence soon.
Gaye expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the resolution, including Minister Sillah, the Deep Sea Port Steering Committee, the Sanyang VDC, the Sanyang Deep Sea Port Taskforce, the Sanyang Ward Councillor, the Alkalo of Sanyang, the Bulunda, the Council of Elders, and the Sanyang Diaspora. He also commended the youth of Sanyang for their cooperation and law-abiding conduct throughout the negotiation process. “Their patience and commitment to dialogue have been instrumental in achieving this outcome,” he added.
The Deep Sea Port project is a flagship infrastructure initiative to boost The Gambia’s maritime trade and economic growth. Initially proposed by the GPA, the port was intended to enhance the country’s capacity to handle large-scale cargo and improve its position as a regional trade hub. However, the selection of sites within Sanyang sparked immediate resistance from residents, who feared the loss of critical fish landing sites, which are central to the local economy, and the displacement of thousands of families. Sanyang’s vibrant fishing industry supports local livelihoods and supplies markets across the region, making the community’s concerns particularly significant.
The push for relocation to Hawaba emerged as a compromise to balance the government’s development goals with the community’s need to preserve its economic and cultural heritage. Hawaba, located outside Sanyang’s core residential and commercial zones, offers a viable alternative that minimizes disruption while supporting the port’s strategic objectives. The agreement marks a rare instance of successful community-government collaboration in The Gambia, highlighting the power of collective advocacy and dialogue.
As preparations for the Hawaba site move forward, stakeholders are optimistic that the project will proceed smoothly. Local involvement will ensure that the Deep Sea Port benefits both Sanyang and the broader Gambian economy.
