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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 18 Jul 2017 : 10:42:23
COMMUNITIES OF MANJAI / BAKOTEH DISSATISFIED, DISSAPPOINTED
By Madiba Singhateh
Foroyaa: July 17, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/16556
 The communities of Bakoteh / Manjai express their dissatisfaction and disappointment over the recent opening of the dumpsite at the heart of their community.
A committee member at a briefing with journalists recently, Mr. Abubacaar Jeng, who also acts as the spokesperson of the two communities, said after their peaceful protest demanding environmental justice, there was no response or meaningful dialogue with the authorities until 8th July 2017.
Mr. Jeng said the residents of the two communities, Bakoteh and Manjai, wish to convey their dissatisfaction and disappointment to the government of the Gambia for not considering their environment and health concerns for many years.
He said it is evident that the dumpsite has harmed the people for far too long and it is long overdue for action to be taken by the authorities to protect the people from its catastrophic impact.
“It is worth reminding everyone that the site has not only the air and immediate environment that surrounds us, but our ground water, to the extent that the water coming from the well is not fit for anything,’’ he said.
Mr. Jeng said they have for a long time suffered from bad odour due to air pollution for many years, but also road accidents due to visibility problems emanating from dense smoke from burning waste on the site.
“Our children have suffered all kinds of skin infections and chest complications due to this dumpsite. The SOS clinic, school and children’s village has suffered the worst pollution for decades. We have tried from all levels, for our problems to be addressed but it seems, the authorities do not care about our welfare and wellbeing,’’ Mr. Jeng said. He said following the unfortunate incidents that happened between them and the Municipal authorities, they have opened a fresh page of dialogue with government; that they seek to represent themselves as stakeholders in the waste management committee of the dumpsite.
He added that they demand a bulldozer to be regular at the dumpsite to prevent the continuous accumulation of waste, leading to burning etc.
“We kindly seek audience in order for the president of the republic to hear from us, the challenges we the people of Bakoteh have been subjected to for too long,” he said.
He added they will extend their highest appreciation to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources for their concern.
He finally said they will seek for more proactive and quick actions to address the waste problem in their community.
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| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 26 Jul 2017 : 18:24:46
Foroyaa making enquires as to progress:
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WHAT HAS THE DIALOGUE ON BAKOTEH DUMPSITE AMOUNTED TO?
EditorJuly 25, 2017
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Foroyaa has been informed that a dialogue has taken place between the community leaders and the authorities responsible for the management of the waste at the Bakoteh Dumpsite from going back to its former state characterized by emission of smoke and foul odour in the environment thus causing health hazards to the residents.
Foroyaa will talk to the stakeholders to find out how far they have gone to deal with the challenges of the dumpsite.
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/16729#more-16729 |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 25 Jul 2017 : 13:00:57
This problem MUST be resolved amicably between BOTH PARTIES and in this case "talk talk" is VITAL this does mean Administration promises must be kept otherwise there cannot be any resolution.
I suggest that finding a NEW sponsor for the management of the site is important.MY OPINION ONLY !
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FROM FOROYAA:
By Madiba Singhateh
The dialogue between the Kanifing Municipality Council (KMC) and the communities of Manjai and Bakoteh which enticed hope of resolving the problems of the Bakoteh Dumpsite has stalled.
The first meeting was held within closed doors at the KMC on Monday 17 July 2017 and although details of discussion was not made public, Foroyaa was reliably informed that all parties were to converge at the dumpsite on Thursday 20 July 2017 to conduct a topographical survey.
However when this reporter visited the dumpsite on 20 July 2017 and on subsequent days he saw nothing. He also saw that waste was still being dumped randomly at the dumpsite which is vehemently opposed by the communities. High heaps of waste are vividly visible there while the bulldozer there remains idle.
Abubacarr Jeng a representative of both communities told Foroyaa that the scheduled convergence at the site has not taken place and is yet to take place. “It was supposed to have taken place on Thursday, but it turned out to be ‘something’ forgotten,” he said. He added that he did not receive any message from the KMC.
The mayor couldn’t be reached for comment but efforts will be made to get his comment on the matter.
At a press briefing held before the resumption of dialogue, representatives of the communities informed the media that the site had been re-opened without mutual consent between them and KMC.
The communities still say they will not relent unless the municipality and the Government consider the plight of the community.
During the press briefing referred to above representatives of the communities stated that the opinion of the Community should be taken into consideration; they should not ignore them; they have to involve them because they are the ones directly affected by this dumpsite. They argue that their involvement is very important in such a case, because this is a problem where lives are at stake; so they have to consider them at least to sit with them and dialogue.
www.foroyaa.gm/archives/16696 |
| Momodou |
Posted - 19 Jul 2017 : 14:10:47
BAKOTEH / MANJAI COMMUNITIES AND THE KMC HOLD TALKS
By Madiba Singhateh
Foroyaa: July 18, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/16587
The communities of Bakoteh and Manjai had a closed door meeting yesterday 17 July 2017 with officials of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) at the KMC chambers.
The KMC delegation included Mayor Yankuba Colley who received the delegation from the communities who were represented by Abubakarr Jeng, Rohey Njie and another.
According to reliable sources the talks have been successful and on Thursday they will converge at the dumpsite to do a topographical survey.
At a press briefing concerning the re-opening of the Bakoteh dumpsite held on Friday 14th July 2017, some days before talks were held; Mr Jeng called on stakeholders to focus on the problems of the dumpsite and it solutions.
He said they are fighting for the communities of Bakoteh/Manjai, because they are the ones at the centre of things. He added that they are concerned citizens living within a community that has a social problem affecting them.
Mr Jeng emphasised that their plight should be considered. He said their communities should not be neglected. He remarked, “They should involve us because we are the ones who are directly affected by this dumpsite. Therefore our involvement is very important in this case”.
All the members of the two communities present at the Friday meeting said they will not relent until a definitive solution is taken on the issue of the dumpsite.
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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 18 Jul 2017 : 15:16:26
"He finally said they will seek for more proactive and quick actions to address the waste problem in their community."
I wish him the best of luck,there are many other postings in relation to this ongoing lack of perceivable action by anyone with the power to solve the problem,suggestions have been made resulting only in the usual "talk talk" as always,it is about money and apparently there is no sponsor available willing to fund such a project. |
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