By Tabora Bojang
Residents of Banjul led Mayor Rohey Lowe are set to stage a protest against Sino-Majilac-JalBak sand mining company over alleged non-payment of royalties and other benefits to the community.
According to the mayor, the company has not paid royalties to the people of the capital and the city council since the commencement of the sand mining over four years ago. She alleged that the company earned more than D400 million from its activities extracting sand via sea dredging and selling over a hundred truckfuls each day. Mayor Lowe lamented that Banjulians could no longer endure this status quo.
“Our infrastructure is suffering, Banjulians are crying and they demand answers. For almost two years, the council has done constant follow-ups through our ministry (Lands and Local Government) and the Accountant General’s Department. But up to now, nothing has been done, only promises upon promises,” Lowe lamented.
She said the council formed a 10-member committee to conduct follow-ups with all stakeholders including the owner of Majilac, Mr Jagne, a son of Banjul but no results were achieved.
“Because of the lack of action, I have planned a peaceful protest on 27th August at Denton Bridge. A letter has been written and delivered to the IGP requesting a permit for a peaceful demonstration,” the exasperated Mayor Lowe lamented.
Finance, energy ministers’ explain
The Standard contacted Finance Minister Seedy Keita and Mines Minister Nani Juwara whose ministry is responsible for mining issues to clarify whether the sand mining company owes BCC royalties. Minister Keita explained that his ministry’s role is to serve as custodian of government revenue and that any disbursement of funds has to be requested by a relevant ministry or sectors. In this context, he added, any disbursement request or directive has to come from the ministry responsible for mining.
For his part, Minister Juwara explained that “all royalties are paid to the Consolidated Fund but how those funds are distributed is not determined by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines.” He said he was not aware of any planned protest by the council on the vexed matter.
