Concerns over decrepit building in Serrekunda market

Residents and business people in Serrekunda market have expressed their concern over a decrepit storey building located in the market; the property of one Alhagie Jannah.

The Daily Observer visited the place, yesterday morning, to sound the opinion of the people concerned.

Sarjo Fatty, a businessman selling within the said building, told the Daily Observer that he has occupied the place for over 9 years, and that the landlord [Alhagie Jannah] had already issued notice to all the tenants, indicating his intention to rehabilitate the building, by January 2009. He argued that even though the building was dilapidated, the pillars were still strong and can effectively hold the building together.

Bakary Jaiteh, another businessman, concurred with Fatty, arguing that the building, regardless of its present condition, can still be useful for a while, stressing, however that it would need rehabilitation in the near future.

Aminta Mbye, a busineswoman in the same area, said she had been living in the storey building for a number of years until recently, when they were issued a notice that they should vacate. According to her, she spent 16 years selling in the vicinity; and called on the owner of the building to rehabilitate it before it collapses.

However, the Daily Observer also made efforts to reach the director of Physical Planning, in Banjul, Mr Kebba Ceesay, to seek his department’s opinion on the issue. But Mr Ceesay told this reporter that civil servants are not allowed to talk to the press. The Daily Observer also tried to reach the permanent secretary at the Department of State for Local Government, Lands, and Religious Affairs but to no avail.