By Landing Colley
A survey conducted by Top Housing Estate and Smart Construction has revealed that 90% Gambians are homeless.
Taken into consideration the survey, both institutions have urged the government to help change the housing policy for better living standard for average Gambians to enjoy.
Speaking to The Voice in an interview, Basamba Drammeh, executive managing partner said their research has shown that 90 percent of Gambian are homeless and those that could afford a house are five percent while the remaining five percent are those that have enough money to build many houses in different areas.
He said “many Gambians cannot afford to buy their own house due to high rate of the price. Chances are only given to those that have the money which includes non-Gambians.”
According to him, the country is having a very bad housing policy because “even foreigners can buy house on their own and what should be done is that foreigners should only have the access to lease a house.”
He explained that “the problem of the housing policy needs to be changed because it does not guarantee housing for every Gambians as people that are earning five thousand dalasi as their salary can’t build a house only those living in the Diaspora can build a house of their own.”
Notwithstanding, he said “If we utilize our Tourism Development Areas and use it to support our housing project every Gambian will own not only house but an apartment of their own because these areas are developed to generate money for Gambians but at the end of the day it isn’t spent on the citizens.”
He argued that the money generated from Tourism Development Areas should be invested in the housing issue in the country as housing is the first fundamental foundation for security in one’s country.
Basamba Drammeh therefore appealed to the government to change the housing policy of the country and also look at the land issue in this country including the land reforms, housing policy and land prices in the country.