Traffic congestion in the Kanifing Municipal Council has reached an alarming level, yet meaningful intervention from the Gambia Traffic Police remains limited.
Across Kanifing, major roads are increasingly obstructed by indiscriminately parked vehicles, with tricycle operators contributing significantly to the chaos. In areas such as Jaiteh in Dippa Kunda, it appears that traffic authorities have lost control of the situation altogether.
The mandate of the Gambia Traffic Police is clear: to ensure road safety, enforce traffic laws, and maintain order on the nation’s roadways. Their responsibilities include preventing accidents, investigating crashes, enforcing vehicle standards, and carrying out public education initiatives that promote responsible driving. They are also expected to address offences such as illegal parking and reckless driving through consistent enforcement.
However, it often seems as though traffic officers operate on the same schedule as civil servants. After 5 p.m., major junctions in Serekunda are left without a single traffic officer in sight. At Westfield—particularly the area known as “Under the Mango”—drivers endure lengthy delays due to the absence of traffic management. Despite the launch of the much-publicized “Clean the Road” operation, residents across KMC are still waiting to feel its impact; congestion has only grown worse.
We therefore call on the Commissioner of Traffic to implement regular morning and evening patrols throughout the Kanifing area. Effective enforcement must be consistent, not occasional, if the growing gridlock in KMC is to be brought under control.