Director NEA, Geology suspended for six over Faraba report

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By Pa Modou Cham
The executive director of National Environment Agency (NEA) Momodou Suwareh and the geology department (GD) director Abdoulie M. Cham have been suspended for six months without salary, as a result of the Faraba Banta’s report.

These were revealed by the secretary general and head of civil service, at a press conference held in justice ministry, Banjul.
The Faraba report indicated that there was no proper environmental impact assessment conducted in the area to be mined as required by the law before the granting of the mining license to Julakay Ltd nor were there sufficient safeguards to ensure restoration of the mining area by Julakay ltd after completion of mining activities as required by the law.

It is said that both the NEA GD disregarded the concern of the Village Development Committee (VDC) and the villagers regarding the potential adverse effects of commercial mechanical sand mining might have on the environment and livihood, especially rice cultivation and gardens in the affected areas.

The report further highlighted that NEA and the GD did not clearly demarcate the mining area under the license granted to Julakay Ltd or communicate this demarcated to the VDC or the villagers.       

On 18th june 2018, there was a tense stand-off between the police intervention unit (PIU) and some residents of faraba banta village in the west cost region of the gambia, regarding sand mining activities in the village by Julakay Quarry and Mining Ltd, a private company.
The stand-off led to an eruption of violence between the said residents and PIU resulting in the deaths of three civilians, serious injuries to some civilians and PIU personnel, and the destruction of properties in the village.
In accordance with section 200 of the constitution of the republic of the gambia1997, and the commission of inquiry Act Cap 30:01 Vol 5 of the laws of the gambia, president Adama barrow established a commission of inquiry on 1st july 2018 to bring perpetrators into justice.

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