By: Sulayman Waan
People from different works of life in the Kanifing Municipality have expressed concern over the economic disaster that happened as a result of the protest at Serekunda particularly in the business industry.
On Wednesday July 24 large number of youth in Serekunda has protested over the death of a market vendor, Ousman Darboe who was allegedly died as result of allegedly tortured by the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police.
However, protesters had burned document, vandalized and stole relevant materials at the Bakoteh Police Station in the late evening of Wednesday. Early members of the protesters set fire on the home of Anti- Crime Unit’ Commander, Gorigi Mboob in Ebo Town, KMC.
The Voice can authoritatively report that some cars were as well burned alongside Senegambia high way, where the Anti- Crime Unit Police based, leading calamity to many materials worth millions of dalasi which could be disastrous to the state economic.
Speaking to this medium, police source said on yesterday Monday the protesters attacked the Bakoteh Police Station, adding they burnt and stole some materials includes D75, 000, four Itel mobiles that were found and brought to the station, television with its receiver and a simple mobile.
“The exhibit books of the station were also burned by the protesters. After vandalizing and stealing materials in the Station Officers (SO) office they further went to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office and stole some money which amount cannot be confirmed by the police source,” he added.
The source further revealed that the SO was wounded on his right hand after the protesters thrown stones at him (SO)through the windows, the source added that one couple Sanyang’s police beret and shirt were as well taken by the protesters.
Ebrima Jallow, a business man said the demonstration hampered his business because he couldn’t sell effectively as a result of the violence, adding “Anytime I see the protesters coming towards me. I used to close my shop until they passed as I fear of my goods been steal or destroy by the protesters.”
According to him, such protest is not good for a developing country like the Gambia, noting if any problem happens the public should follow the due process by allowing government to operate legally but not to create violence.
“The protest has made negative impact on the businesses sector, especially the zones where the operation is taking place because many were not selling during course of the demonstration,” he said.
Muhammed Juwara, taxi driver told this medium that the demonstration has affected his work. He explained that when the protest commenced he had to go back to his home so as to save his life and car.
However, Mr. Juwara reiterated that the violence had seriously hampered his financial gain as he depends on the traffic to sustain his family’s survival. “The unruly operation of the protesters had denied me from getting my daily earning,” he added.
He called on Gambians to maintain patient, obey the rule of law as well keep away from anything that would undermine peace and stability of country while stating that democracy doesn’t mean the masses have to create violence rather to advocate for their fundamental human rights.
Chukwuemeka Maduforo, business man said: “The demonstration averted people from going to the market to buy goods because they were afraid of being affected in one way or the other which he means affect the flow of business within Serekunda.”
“I closed my store very early due to the protest but my normal closing time is 1:00pm. This hindered my business,” he added.
Feddy Lamp, a woman who sells jewelries at the Serekunda Market explained that on Wednesday morning she left her home to the market with the intention to operate her business but upon her arrival she met the youth protesting while the police are trying to control the crown. “I turn back home in spot,” he noted.
“The protest has affected me severely since i depend on this business to sustain my family. In fact as am speaking to you, today I don’t give out fees money to my family as a result of yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) protest,” she complaint.
