By Tabora Bojang
The Gambia Tourism Board has strongly condemned what it calls the “illegal selling and clearing of landed properties” within the West Coast region Tourism Development Areas, notably Brufut Heights, Tanji, Batokunku, Sanyang, Medina Salam and Kartong.
Established in 2011 the GTB is the institution mandated by the government to promote the Gambia as a tourism destination.
In a statement issued yesterday, the GTB said it has realised that people are illegally engaged in such activities within these places and thus reminding them that the West Coast Tourism Development Area which comprises the coastal stretch from Kotu to Kartong measuring 800 meters inland, off the water mark is a leased government property under the custody of the Gambia Tourism Board as per the GTB Act 2011.
“West Coast TDA was leased to the central government in 1969 by the Kombo North District Authority for 51 years which was subsequently extended to 99 years by the State Lands Act of 1991 and the general public is hereby advised that any illegal activity contravenes the GT Board Act thus making the acquisition of land in the TDA through such means illegal.
“In the same vein, the Board wishes to inform those clearing the Brufut Heights area and other parts of the TDA that their actions are illegal and should stop with immediate effect or face prosecution,” the statement concluded.
