By: Kemo Kanyi
The Sanyang Ward Development Committee is requesting a payment of D2.3 million pending geology fund from the Brikama Area Council (BAC), citing an option of taking legal action if the authority fails to settle it.
This demand was made at a retreat organised by the ward on the Sanyang beach on Sunday. The convergence has witnessed the attendance of all Village Development Committee chairpersons within the ward.
Boto Bojang, the councillor for the ward, said all villages that are affected by mining should benefit from the geology fund. He added that this particular fund that the ward VDC chairpersons are requesting was paid to the council during the reign of Sheriffo Sonko and Modou Jonga as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, but the funds were never paid to Sanyang Ward Development Committee due to requirements outlined by the authorities then.
Councillor Bojang added that he made several attempts to get the funds for his ward, but to no avail after meeting the CEO on several occasions.
“When I was elected into office, I made follow-ups with the CEO Modou Jonga for payment of the funds after fulfilling all requirements as they stated, but nothing was materialised. When Yankuba Darboe was elected, I wrote to his office, but we are yet to receive any response from his office. Now, we wrote another letter and gave ultimatum that if the funds are not paid by June 23, 2025, we would have no option but to take legal action against the council, not against Sheriffo Sonko or Modou Jonga. They received the funds in BAC’s capacity, not in their individual capacity,” he emphasized.
He mentioned that all necessary information about the transactions is already provided to the legal representative of the Sanyang Ward to take up the matter if their ultimatum is neglected by BAC.
Other speakers, including Kissama Bittaye, chairperson of social committee, Almamo Touray, secretary to the project management committee, and Nyimasata Touray, on behalf of chairlady of project management committee all raised similar concerns about the development of the Sanyang Ward.
