On Thursday, Yankuba Darboe, the Chairman of the Brikama Area Council, voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing Operation Clear the Roads in Brikama. He questioned the initiative’s emphasis on demolishing market stalls instead of tackling the wider issues it was meant to address.
Chairman Darboe expressed these concerns at a press conference after meeting with Pateh Jallow, the Police Operation Commander, to discuss the operation’s progress and its impact in Brikama.
He articulated that the operation, although originally aimed at clearing roads, has mainly focused on the destruction of market stalls, which he considers to be an ill-conceived strategy. He mentioned an earlier agreement between the council and the authorities, which he claimed had been breached, resulting in the council’s present position. “This press briefing aims to inform the public about the current challenges faced by the Brikama Area Council regarding the Operation Clear the Roads. Observations indicate that the focus of the operation in Brikama has shifted from clearing roads to demolishing the Brikama market.” Darboe stated, “We have encountered a problem with them previously; we reached an agreement, and then they proceeded to breach their own part of it, prompting the council to respond to the situation.”
Darboe recognised that Brikama has numerous roads that could gain from the operation, yet he conveyed his frustration regarding its limited emphasis on the market. He noted that the council’s decision to allocate stalls along the market’s perimeter adheres to legal requirements, as specified in the Local Government Act.
“The role we play is explicitly defined in the local government act, and I want everyone to understand this clearly.” Some may claim that we enjoy creating discord or that we are concerned with fostering tension, but the truth is this: anyone who comprehends the workings of the council would recognise the significance of our actions and the reasons behind them. He explained the reasons behind our challenges to operations aimed at clearing the roads, particularly concerning the Brikama market and the demolition of our market.
Darboe cited Section 18 of the Local Government Act, which empowers the council to regulate, license and prohibit the sale of goods or the construction of structures on public streets. He also mentioned the National Roads Authority (NRA) Act, which assigns the authority the duty of road administration and maintenance. Darboe emphasised that the Local Government Act, established in 2002, should hold priority over the NRA Act, which was enacted in 2003.
“By adhering to the law, respecting jurisdiction, and recognising our boundaries, we can avoid any issues.” If the NRA encounters a stall on any road, they should enquire about the authority behind its removal. If the individual claims it is the council, the NRA should recognise that the local government act grants the council that power,” he stated.
He stressed that the NRA’s laws do not hold superiority over the Local Government Act and do not take precedence, as all laws share equal authority.
He also emphasised that no stall in Brikama Market should be torn down without the council’s consent.
“The law grants us, the council, the exclusive authority to carry out such actions. If we require assistance with any demolition, we will request the police to enforce the law. However, if their presence is unnecessary, we prefer that the police refrain from entering our market under any operation,” he stated.
He emphasised that his council is committed to protecting its community, especially the vendors and market visitors, even if it means confronting higher authorities.
