By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) has warned the public, prospective investors and developers against purchasing or acquiring land within the Tourism Development Area (TDA) through unauthorized persons, including Alkalolu (Village heads) and Village Development Committees (VDCs).
In a public warning, the Board said the TDA comprises government land entrusted to GTBoard for management and administration. The area extends along the coastal belt from Kotu to Kartong, covering half a mile inland from the high-water mark.
Under the Gambia Tourism Board Act, 2011, GTBoard is responsible for administering, managing and allocating land within the TDA for approved tourism and tourism-related activities.
The Board urged the public to desist from buying, selling or acquiring land within the designated area through unauthorized arrangements, stressing that documents, receipts or agreements issued by persons without the legal authority to sell such land do not, in themselves, confer a valid legal interest in the property.
GTBoard cautions that anyone who purchases or develops land within the TDA without first verifying its status and obtaining the necessary authorization does so at their own risk.
Such transactions, it warned, could result in substantial financial losses, land disputes and difficulties in securing legal title to the purported interest in the property.
The Board therefore advised prospective investors and developers to verify the status of any land directly with GTBoard and comply with the prescribed legal procedures before making payments or commencing construction.
It also called on Alkalolu, VDCs, community leaders, real estate agents and other stakeholders to refrain from facilitating unauthorized land transactions and instead direct prospective investors to the Board for proper guidance.
GTBoard reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the TDA and ensuring that land within the designated area is allocated lawfully for approved tourism development.