According to Hamat N.K. Bah, Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, his ministry is currently working on new laws to control real estate deals and the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in The Gambia.
At a ministerial town hall gathering, known locally as Mansa Kunda, Minister Bah made the revelation while voicing concerns about the rising number of unlicensed NGO operations and real estate scams in the nation.
The minister claims that some real estate brokers’ dishonest tactics have escalated to worrying proportions and are currently a major danger to Gambians and national institutions.
“We need to move faster and faster because it is becoming a serious threat where institutions have been robbed,” he said, adding that the drafting of the real estate bill has already begun.
The minister claims that it is believed that Gambians have lost about 500 million Dalasi as a result of these fraudulent activities. He also disclosed that these actions have resulted in financial losses for the state broadcaster.
Therefore, he said, “I believe it is imperative that we develop a control measure that will address these individuals.”
He cautioned that a sizable portion of dishonest actors are harming the industry’s reputation, even as he acknowledged the honesty of many respectable real estate agents. He emphasized the government’s dedication to creating the legal framework required for efficient industry regulation.
He pointed out that the industry has been ignored for far too long, which has given certain people the freedom to cheat Gambians. However, a few of them have been stealing from Gambians. There is proof.
Minister Bah went on to say, “This ministry will take the bull by the horns to ensure that laws and regulations are in place to manage them, even though the study we received is very disturbing.”
Speaking on the NGO sector, Minister Bah pointed out that there are a lot of NGOs working in The Gambia with different goals and no oversight. He underlined that in order to maintain transparency and consistency with national interests, the government must regulate foreign corporations.
“The bill will be sent to the cabinet for review and then presented to the National Assembly for enactment very soon,” he said.
