Residents of Tranquil, a burgeoning residential community in The Gambia, are sounding the alarm and urging immediate government action to suspend the construction of a new Drug Rehabilitation and Correctional Center. The project, launched on March 11, 2025, by the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and funded by the ECOWAS Commission, has sparked widespread concern over safety risks, economic fallout, and a lack of community input.
The facility, billed as the nation’s first Correction, Rehabilitation, and Treatment Center, aims to house first-time drug offenders for treatment and rehabilitation. However, Tranquil residents argue that its location in their neighborhood poses serious threats to security and property values, exacerbated by what they describe as a secretive and rushed construction process.
Mounting Safety Concerns in a Crime-Plagued Area
The decision to build the center in Tranquil has ignited fears of heightened crime in an area already grappling with insecurity. Recent incidents, including the murder of a retired banker in nearby Brufut, armed robberies, and break-ins, have left residents on edge. Many worry that housing offenders in the facility could lead to breakouts, overdoses, or an uptick in drug-related activity near their homes.
“Our neighborhood is already vulnerable,” said one resident. “Adding a correctional facility here feels like inviting more trouble. Who will protect us if something goes wrong?” Parents are especially alarmed, noting that children often play in an open space directly adjacent to the construction site, raising questions about their safety once the center opens.
Rapid Construction, Zero Consultation
The breakneck pace of construction—continuing even on weekends—has only deepened residents’ unease. Many claim they were blindsided by the project, with no prior notice or opportunity to voice their concerns. “It’s like they’re racing to finish before we can stop it,” another resident remarked. “We deserve to be part of this conversation.”
Economic and Environmental Fallout
Beyond security, the facility threatens Tranquil’s economic prospects. Homeowners fear plummeting property values as proximity to a correctional center deters buyers and renters. Developers, too, are reconsidering plans for new homes, apartments, and townhouses, with one resident lamenting that a townhouse project sharing a boundary with the site may now be unviable. “We were building a future here,” they said. “Now, it’s all at risk.”
Noise and dust from construction and anticipated pollution from the operational facility—ranging from sewage to medical waste—further fuel concerns about quality of life, particularly for children and older people.
Community Mobilizes for Action
Determined to protect their neighborhood, Tranquil residents have taken their fight to the authorities. They’ve secured over 60 signatures for a petition and reached out to key stakeholders, including the Alkalo and Chief of Sukuta—who confirmed they, too, were left in the dark—the Ministry of Interior, DLEAG, the National Environment Agency, and ECOWAS. The latter has acknowledged the complaints and pledged to investigate.
The community now demands an immediate halt to construction, a comprehensive security risk assessment, and a formal consultation with all involved parties. They’ve also called for the facility to be relocated to a non-residential area better suited to its purpose.
“We’re not against rehabilitation or the fight against drugs,” a community leader told TAT.
“We just want it done in a way that doesn’t harm our families or investments.”
A Broader Call to Action
As the petition remains open for signatures, residents rally support across the community, urging urban planners, human rights advocates, and the public to join their push for accountability and sensible planning. With a formal submission to government bodies looming, Tranquil’s fight could set a precedent for how development projects balance community needs with national goals.
For now, the neighborhood waits anxiously, hoping their voices will prompt a rethink before the concrete sets.
