By: Nicholas Bass
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, has disclosed that the proposed Tujereng Youth Multi-Center was designated as a Fishery Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) Center intended to boost the fishing industry.
Speaking at a dialogue held at Tujereng Primary School Hall, Prof. Gomez revealed that when his office contacted Tujereng Alkalo, Karamo S. Bojang, for a plot of land for a fishery TEVET center for The Gambia and its ECOWAS partners, Mr. Bojang expressed the community’s interest in hosting a World Bank-sponsored fishery TEVET center.
Minister Gomez explained that after the Ministry of Education approached the Ministry of Lands for official ownership documentation, it was discovered that the land in question was under the custody of The Gambia Tourism Board (GTB).
He noted that GTB had previously allocated the land to private individuals for tourism-related activities but imposed a condition that the land be developed to 80% within two years, failing which the ownership would be revoked. The previous owners failed to meet this condition, leading GTB to revoke their ownership papers.
The government, in its wisdom and for national interest, decided to reassign the land to the Ministry of Higher Education for educational purposes, according to Minister Gomez.
He emphasized that during consultations with stakeholders, the Ministry learned that the Tujereng youth intended to use the land as a multi-purpose centre, but World Bank funding guidelines require a single, conflict-free use of project sites.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Gomez stated that if the fishery TEVET centre becomes operational, the Ministry will provide a free scholarship package to Tujereng youth to study at the centre. Additionally, five youths will be sponsored by the Ministry along with a youth representative to be co-opted into the Fishery TVET Centre of Tujereng.
Bakary Jatta, Secretary of the Tujereng Youth and Development Sports Committee, explained that youth leaders initially approached the village leadership for land to build a multi-purpose centre. However, challenges arose when the Alkalo later demanded they vacate the site without offering an alternative.
Minister Gomez promised that his office would consult relevant stakeholders to ensure a suitable plot of land is allocated to the Tujereng youth.