By: Momodou Gagigo
A heartrending tragedy struck Wellingaraba, Lower River Region (LRR), on Tuesday afternoon when 8-year-old Nyima Jawo, daughter of Binta Jawo, was fatally struck by a Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) bus traveling from Greater Banjul Area to Basse. The accident, which occurred at a critical junction in the village, has plunged the community into grief and ignited a fierce dispute between residents and authorities over long-standing road safety concerns.
According to eyewitnesses, the GTSC bus driver attempted to brake but was unable to avoid colliding with Nyima, who was crossing the road. The incident has sent shockwaves through Wellingaraba, a village of approximately 5,000 residents, with locals expressing profound sorrow and outrage. “This is a painful loss for our community,” said Village Alkalo Babucarr Baldeh. “We’ve been begging for speed bumps since 2021, but the National Road Authority (NRA) has ignored us.”
The tragedy follows a pattern of deadly accidents involving GTSC buses. On August 12, 2025, a GTSC bus crash in Kalagi claimed two lives, prompting scrutiny of the company’s safety practices. In 2019, another fatal collision in Jarra East between a GTSC bus and a Gele-gele vehicle killed three and injured twenty, highlighting a recurring issue of road safety in the region. The Gambia ranks fourth globally for road traffic accident (RTA) deaths, with a 2018 WHO report noting 4.72% of total deaths attributed to RTAs.
Villagers attribute Nyima’s death to the absence of speed bumps, accusing the NRA of negligence despite repeated requests for traffic-calming measures. “Buses speed through our village like it’s a highway,” said Alagie Njie, a resident. “The NRA keeps saying ‘we will come,’ but nothing happens.”
Yero Baldeh, Chairman of the Village Development Committee (VDC), echoed this frustration, questioning why less populated areas receive priority for infrastructure improvements while Wellingaraba is overlooked.
The accident has sparked tensions between the community and security forces. Residents, furious over perceived inaction, began constructing unauthorized speed bumps to slow traffic, leading to confrontations with security officers who argue the structures lack NRA approval. Captain Adama Saidy of The Gambia Armed Forces and Hamadi Bah, GTSC supervisor for LRR, were present at the scene, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
The VDC and district chief plan to visit the NRA office in Soma tomorrow to demand immediate action, including the installation of speed bumps to prevent future tragedies.
The incident has amplified calls for systemic changes in The Gambia’s road safety framework. The country faces a significant RTA crisis, with a 2016 estimate indicating $134 million in annual losses due to traffic fatalities and injuries. Despite the Ministry of Transport’s National Road Safety Strategy (2020-2030) aiming for zero road fatalities by 2030, progress remains slow, with 3,674 crashes reported from January to March 2025, resulting in 752 deaths.
Residents are demanding stricter driver regulations, regular vehicle maintenance, and accountability from GTSC and the NRA. The 2019 Jarra East accident underscored similar issues, with concerns raised about unqualified drivers and lax licensing processes. The community also questions why children like Nyima are left vulnerable, with some pointing to inadequate supervision of young pedestrians crossing busy roads.
As Wellingaraba mourns Nyima Jawo, the village remains united in its resolve to seek justice and safer roads. The clash over speed bumps reflects deep-seated frustrations and a lack of trust in authorities. With the NRA under fire, the coming days will test whether officials respond with meaningful action or continue to sideline the community’s pleas. For now, Nyima’s loss serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms in The Gambia.
