By: Fatou Krubally
A prominent rights group has called on President Adama Barrow to take concrete steps towards ensuring accountability over the December 2019 fire incident that devastated the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources in Banjul.
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), in a public statement issued on Monday, said it had submitted a detailed position paper to the president, urging him to act against negligence by public officials which, according to the group, led to the fire outbreak.
The fire, which occurred on 2nd December 2019, destroyed official documents, equipment, fuel coupons, and cash, causing extensive damage to the ministry’s building. Although the president ordered an investigation two weeks later, the Ministry of Justice concluded that there was no arson under the law and that no one could be held criminally responsible.
However, EFSCRJ said a review of the police investigation and legal opinion clearly showed “negligence and lack of care” by officials responsible for the ministry premises at the time. The group said these lapses should not go without consequence.
“In any functioning democracy, failure to uphold basic safety and responsibility standards should trigger accountability,” the group said.
Citing the Access to Information Act 2021, EFSCRJ submitted a request for the full investigation report in October 2024 but said the Ministry of Fisheries only responded four months later violating the timeframes set by law.
The centre’s statement warned that failure to hold officials accountable would set “a dangerous precedent that encourages negligence, irresponsibility and impunity.”
“This incident caused financial and economic loss to the country,” the group added, calling on President Barrow to take decisive action in line with good governance and transparency.
EFSCRJ also emphasized that 2025 must be “a year of transparency and accountability,” urging public officials to uphold their duty of care in managing public resources.
The fire incident remains unresolved nearly six years later, raising questions over the government’s commitment to institutional responsibility and rule of law.
