The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) – The Gambia has come under criticism after handed aid worth over D400,000 to 200 Senegalese fishermen who fled Sanyang for their lives after one of their colleagues was allegedly accused of killing Gibril Ceesay on Monday, 15th March 2021 in Sanyang village.
The agency’s support has been described as ‘hypocritical and bias’ as scores of Gambians through the social media condemn the support.
Among those critising the agancy included the National Assembly member for Sandu, Honorable Muhammed Mahanera who wrote on his facebook page that “NDMA we are watching, Senegalese who fled to Batokunku from Sanyang are given D480,000 worth materials (despite) rural Gambians were hit with disaster for two years for nothing.”
Meanwhile, the Gambia Red Cross Society Secretary-General, Alhassan Senghor, said: “It is really a collaborative effort; we are playing our role and NDMA is also playing their role, and we really coming together. The police too and the immigration department are also doing a great job. And I think this is the obligation issue relating to people who are migrating from one country to another. It is reciprocal because there are Senegalese in The Gambia so also we have a lot of Gambians in Senegal. Therefore, whatever we do here is important the right thing otherwise will have a problem.”
“When we were alerted by the immigration department, we quickly provided them with blankets and other things so that they can sleep and have a peaceful night. And then some of them who needed medical assistance were taken to hospitals and given care. Now what we are trying to arrange is accommodation for them because the rooms they are in are very tight. Now how we will see how we can make it comfortable for them ,” he added.