By:Nyima Sillah
The National Assembly Select Committee on Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Monday commenced a five-day tour. As part of their itinerary, the Select Committee accompanied by different officials from relevant institutions and member of press will visit different places in North Bank Region, Central River Region, Kanifing Municipal Council and West Coast Region.
On day one of the tour, they visited Fort Bullen, an anti-slave fort, in Barra, Juffureh/Albreda villages, Kunta Kinteh Island (former James Island), Jerreh Camp and Albreda Hotel.
Speaking on the tour, Honorable Alagie Darboe, Chairperson of the Select Committee dilated on the importance of the tour to the National Assembly. He said the tour is part of the functions of the Select Committee, that’s, to conduct an over side tour in order to inspect institutions, premises under the view of the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Tourism and Culture.
He said the first phase of the tour covers places in south bank and the second phase will cover the important sites in North Bank.
Ebrima Mballow, site attendant in Fort Bullen gave comprehensive history of Fort Bullen which was built in 1826 by the British to fight against slave trade. He however informed the Select Committee the challenges facing the Fort.
He disclosed that there are many Forts in West Africa but Fort Bullen is the only Fort built by the British to stop the slave trade. “There are still other Forts in The Gambia these are Fort Louvel in Banjul, Fort James – Kunta Kinteh Island, Juffureh but Fort Bullen is in a strategic location from Banjul,” he explained.
At Jerreh Camp, Fakebba Senghore Director of the Camp gave a brief summary of Jerreh camp which started operation in 1997.
He disclosed that the camp is one of the best spot in river Gambia because it is 9 miles away from Banjul and 40 minutes sail to denton bridge.
Among his challenges, he said the Gambia Tourism Board has never been there or located the camp hence they didn’t know where Jerreh Camp is.
He urged Ministry of Tourism and Culture to help support him “I am a Gambia and I don’t have support,” he said. He added that he only survive on what he work but now increased number of rooms in his camp to twenty-three with two restaurants.
He accused of Gambia Tourism Board of not investing in them saying “the grant for tourism should be given to the Gambians because the grant is to help Gambians they are not doing that, instead they invest in foreign investors.” He claimed that he has never received any support from the Ministry of Tourism despite paying his tax.
Replying to his allegation, Honorable Jawara, Vice Chairperson of Select Committee reiterated their mandate which is to help government bring necessary information in the sector to spotlight for the government so that every Gambian can benefit. He assured of being reconnected with the GTB.
Lamin Trawally, tour guide at Juffureh and Albreda, gave a brief history of James Island and as well highlighted some of the challenges they are facing.
The Chairperson of the Select Committee who was visiting the island for the first time said there urgent needs to give more attention to the sites to preserve the historic side “otherwise in decades to come, the island will not be meaningful,” he said.
He disclosed that the Select Committee, after the tour, will report their finding to the National Assembly and when it is adopted it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, as they will be engaged to see that recommendations are implemented.