Press release
The Gambia Government categorically refutes as utterly false and malicious political propaganda, allegations trending across social media platforms, that it had allocated some ‘250 hectares of land to an Indian company.’
This morning [yesterday], an online platform, alluding to a local television advertisement, falsely posted without verification, scurrilous and malicious allegations that the Barrow Government allocated vast hectares of land to an unnamed Indian company.
Evidently, the report, a laughable piece of ‘yellow journalism’, failed to provide evidence to support the authenticity or veracity of the allegations.
Instead, the rambling piece of political propaganda degenerated into insults and innuendoes, maligning the character of innocent citizens.
The Government of The Gambia wishes to clarify that the land in question was totally a private transaction between Mr. Nandu Rajwani, a naturalized Gambian-Indian businessman who has lived in the country for four decades. Rajwani is the CEO of EMK Stores Limited with over one thousand employees.
Specifically, in July 2021, Nandu Rajwani entered into a private land transaction with the village community of Bissari-Madi, Foni Bondali District to the tune of 5.5 million dalasis. The land has since been put to use and currently employs 7 Indian agronomists and over 100 Gambian agricultural workers.
Therefore, The Gambia Government wants to make it abundantly clear that contrary to the false report of complicity in the land deal, it was neither a party to the transaction nor involved in the negotiations, sale and transfer of the land to Mr Rajwani.
While The Gambia Government encourages public scrutiny as evident in the newly-enacted Access to Information Law, it equally urges journalists and citizens who take to social media to verify stories to avoid constant misinformation.
Ebrima G Sankareh
The Gambia Government Spokesperson
