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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Mar 2019 : 23:10:41
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By Omar Bah March 29, 2019
The Cape Point Environment Association and residents of Cape Point, Bakau, have raised serious concern over the encroachment and constructions being carried out in Cape Point area of the Tanbi Wetland eco-reserve.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice shared with The Standard, a lawyer for the association, expressed dismay that apart from the wanton destruction of the fauna and flora, the encroachers are developing a land subjected to a freeze order by the Janneh Commission.
According to the residents, they are concerned that the “illegal” intrusion into the wetlands will destroy the environment which is a habitat and breeding ground for wildlife including birds and that it will lead to erosion.
“We want to bring to the attention of the attorney general that the land is also a gazetted reserved area and under the management of the NEA,” the residents pointed out in the letter written by lawyer Edrisa M Sissoho.
The Cape Point residents further alleged that notwithstanding the legal impediments to developing the said reserve area, the trespassers are acting with the active participation and connivance of the director of the Department of Parks & Wildlife.
Contacted, the director of Parks & Wildlife Management, Momodou L Kassama, said the land in question was never a subject of the Janneh Commission as it was not part of the Former President Jammeh’s listed properties.
He clarified that it is only part of the Tanbi Wetland near the Sting Corner area that is subjected to the Janneh Commission.
“We were never informed that the place in question is a subject of the Janneh Commission. This is why we allocated it to Lamin Bojang and Gibbi Ceesay for free and we have warned them that anything they may have to do there has to be ecologically friendly and that whenever the government needs the place, whatever they may construct there, will be removed,” he asserted.
He said the area is part of the Tanbi Wetland Complex reserved for eco-tourism purposes and that before it was given to the Bojang and Ceesay, “all necessary appraisals and certified requirements were met”.
The director further stated the area is under the jurisdiction of the Parks & Wildlife and that its development is facilitated by Parks & Wildlife and the NEA purely for eco-tourism development, adding that they did not collect “a single butut” from the developers. He also added that they are not allowed to allocate the area to any state developers.
“There was an environmental impact assessment before the land was allocated as required of all developments within ecological areas and there is no timeline given and any attempt to remove or stop construction in the area by the community should be based on tangible reasons and channeled through the Department of Parks & Wildlife,” he said.
However, one of the aggrieved Cape Point residents disputed Director Kassama’s assertions.
“Is there any evidence of the environment impact assessment? No resident of Cape Point was questioned on this matter. And I believe matters of ecotourism are under the Ministry of
https://standard.gm/cape-point-residents-denounce-construction-in-tanbi-wetland/
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This is a copy and past of the Article as published, A bit missing at the end ?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2019 : 10:07:49
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I have copied and pasted the TEXT in this article to save bandwith there are some excellent pictures that can be seen by clicking the source link at the bottom of the page,if you are interested,it has been said that, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
It really is time that positive action was taken by Adama Barrow's administration regarding this Chinese factory that is managed or owned by people who only have interest in "business" and nothing else.
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By Madiba Singhateh June 3, 2019
Bolong Fenyo Wetland in Gunjur is in a sorry state, with greenish oily substance polluting the marine ecosystem.
It was evident to this reporter when he conducted a tour of the area that a pipe linked a nearby factory empties waste products that flow to nearby lagoons.
The lagoons are not the only casualties of the pollution caused by the factory in Gunjur. The nearby beach is also in a sorry state. A pipe is seen lying on the surface of the beach. One of the pipes is buried underground around the fence of the factory and empties waste into the sea.
The Ecosystem of Bolonyo Fenyo where the waste is emptied is managed by Gunjur Environmental Protection Association and Development (GEPAD )in collaboration with the department of Parks and wild life. The area, a wildlife reserved land, is protected as it serves as a breeding and nesting ground for turtle and waterfowls.
The wetland ecosystem is not utilized by wildlife species only but women folks also engage in vegetable gardening in the nearby lagoon.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Witnessing the environmental degradation that is taking place this reporter considered it necessary to weigh the concerns of the environmentalists against the views of the only industry in the area which had been cited as a possible source of the environmental problem.
Two attempts to get the views of the management of the factory were unsuccessful but Foroyaa will continue to persist until clear information comes from the company on the views being expressed by environmentalists which this reporter wanted to convey to the management for a response.
In order to draw the attention of the agency and the ministry to the unwholesome situation at the wetland and beach in Gunjur to get an opinion, this reporter contacted the permanent secretary who claimed that he was not aware but promised to investigate. This reporter has taken note of the concerns of the people and the environmentalists that will be put before the agency, the permanent secretary and the company in the area to get an objective opinion from them on these concerns. Public opinion should not be ignored. Public interest should not be disregarded. The issue of environmental degradation in Gunjur is a matter of public concern. The opinions of the people should be considered in any policy formulation.
http://foroyaa.gm/bolong-fenyo-wetland-in-a-sorry-state/ |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Land,Now it s about ecological areas
