By Adama Makasuba
More than forty homeowners in Sotokoi village, Kombo East, are demanding for their pieces of lands as one Omar Bojang, resident of Brufut, is alleged to have sold lands to a Gambia based Sudanese Real Estate Company, Unity Property.
At least 250 metres of the land have been pulled down by a bulldozer. Many of the group’s members bought their piece of lands 20 years ago from one Lamin Gaye, an ex-military man.
Speaking at a news conference held in Sotokoi village, Abdoulie Manneh, one of the victims, said: “we feel we are victims of this land grapping and victims to a system that’s failing us, we are victims of this real estate basically coming in doing all kinds of land sales.”
“We are still appealing to the government and all parties involved in this to take action about this thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Haddijatou Njie, also a victim, called on the authorities to intervene so that they can get back their lands and urged the public to be cautious of the activities of some of the soc called real estate agents and individuals dealing in land issues.
Ms Njie who occasionally visits The Gambia on holidays, explained that when she came for a ten days holiday that she found her home was destroyed and sold.
“When I came, I found this whole place is changed and I asked what happened and they told me the place has been demolished by a bulldozer. And they said one Brufut resident claimed that he owns this place we are having our homes. I asked who that man is: they said he is Omar Bojang, MaaBulli,” she said.
She added that the man claimed his ancestors (parents) are rightful owners of the land and that he insisted to have owned the lands.
Meanwhile, Omar Joof, another victim said his D2 million homes was pulled down after erecting it, but said “I am ready to die. I spent £42,000 on this house and now I don’t fear to do anything. If anyone comes and meet me here, I will either kill you or you kill me,” he said.
He explained further that he flew in to the country in 2016 from Germany in order to transfer his family to the million-dalasi house but that he met his home was demolished.
He said he had reported the matter to both the Physical Planning and the police but that no justice is serve.
“I see that there is no justice in this country and now I fear nothing. I am ready to die that’s why I left my family in Germany to come here,” he said.
Dawda Sowe, Alkalo of Sotokoi village and council of elders of Ba Dodou Bojang, Ebrima Bah and Lamin Jaiteh all spoke against the action of Omar Bojang as they gave detail history of the land.
Omar Bojang, man alleged of selling the lands to Unity Property is to respond to the allegations.
