Sanynag Youth Development Task Force Committee is demanding the release of the arrested youths remanded at Mile II prison in Banjul after last month’s protest in Sanyang village over the killing of Gibril Ceesay.
At least 50 youths were confirmed to be arrested, but a Brikama Magistrate Court later discharged them. However, their families said the youth are still not released by the police despite the discharged order as pronounced by the Magistrate Court.
Speaking at a news conference in Sanyang, Yusupha Jobe, chairman of the task force said: “the inaction of the government on their plight has degenerated to the current situation in the community. You do not need to be behind a trigger for the world to know you are killing us”
“This leaves us with no option than to seek restoration through the shutdown of the fishmeal factories in the interest of our nation and people,” he said and added that “we have suffered enough from the activities of the factory and we kindly seek immediate international intervention.”
In his words, Momodou Jannah, a senior member of the committee said “the Chinese Ambassador has done a great mistake to the people of Sanyang by saying it is a Chinese company that is prevented from opening.”
He continued, “They are telling us that fraud was committed by Gambian government by registering the company in the name of Chinese.The death could be prevented (just like) when Faraba incident and Gunjur incidents were controlled. We are trying to take legal action against the factory because the odor is disturbing and is not welcome by the law.”
“The gas that causing this smell is hydrogen sulphide it is a highly toxic gas. Ones it enters in a premise are difficult to get rid of. It has been tested in animal lab and it killed almost all of the animals,” he stated.
Botto Bojang explained in his words that they (Sanynag Youth Development Task Force Committee)are to clear the rumors about Sanyang (because) “we have a factory in Sanyang where different people are (working) but when this people come stealing and robbery rate increased. We made several reports to the authorities and nothing is said which led to the death of Gibril. This factory has disturbed us a lot due to the bad odor and if the factory starts operating schools will close.”
If you look at tourism sector, it plays an important role in our economy and Sanyang village is among the places of attraction for tourist in the country, he said.