Police demolish more authorized stalls, arrest dozen individuals

By Amadou Manneh

The Gambia Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with sister police units have continue to demolish stalls and shops that are illegal building along the country’s highways.

During the second week of the Nationwide road cleaning exercise, the police have today arrested over a dozen individuals for non-compliance.

“The public is reminded that anyone found in or returning to areas already cleared will be arrested and prosecuted,” the police said.

The nationwide road cleaning exercise has so far demolished hundreds of stalls and corners in the Greater Banjul Area.

The demolition have cause  great economic hardship to people who are earning their living from the stalls.

The victims lamented that their only source of income has been cut short and they have no means to earn money.

“This is the only place I use to work and earn my living but now it is gone and I am left with nothing,” Penda Sarr said.

Penda’s stalls was demolished because it is erected on the curbs of the highway.

“I erected my stalls here because I couldn’t find any other place to erect it. The markets are congested already so where do they expect us to go,” she said.

Penda is among hundreds of petty-traders and business owners whose stall have been demolished. Alagie Mbood said that the demolition is a bad idea, adding that it is depriving citizens from their source of income.

“For this means that I am unemployed at the moment. The government never employ me. I was self-employ so the government has taken my job,” he added.

He called on the government to reconsider its decision because they are hurting many Gambians.

“They have to find solutions to our problem rather than just demolishing our shops and leaving with no options,” he concluded.