By: Nyima Sillah
Residents of Nemakunku and Ebo Town who have continued to experience suffering amid rainy season have called and begged for government support to salvage them from their present predicaments.
Their present situation as they complained includes floods, house damages and evacuations of so many settlements.
Speaking to The Voice, Sainabou Njie, a resident of Nema said: “it is very disheartening that every year we raise our voices for assistance but no improvement or solution to our problem ever take place and the government always hears our complaints but always gives them a deaf ear.”
Sainabou Njie has been living in Nema for decades but she said this community is suffering especially during raining season. She was furious saying “if government cannot provide us a place to live, then they should try to find a way out to assist us because we are all citizens so we should have equal rights.”
Meanwhile, Mariama Barry another resident of Nema said: she is always a victim of flood and when it rains, they stay inside the compound for hours before stepping out because they found it hard to get to their destination.
“We never have a peace when it starts to rain, my house flood to its capacity and the bad odour from all surrounding because people dump their trashes anywhere that pleases them. We don’t even have garbage truck to collect our dustbins,” she lamented.
Sirra Mbaye a student of Gambia High School also shared her view saying, “Schools have closed but we the grade twelve still go to school because our exams are just at the corner but whenever it rains, I find it so hard to get to school. Sometimes I wear two outfits and keep my uniform inside my bag.”
However, Ebou Mbaye a residence of Ebo Town said it is so embarrassing that a small village like Ebo Town cannot still be rehabilitated by the government. Adding that, every year dozens of households evacuate their families just to have a better place.
“Most people living in this community are vulnerable and cannot afford to pay rent yearly plus living cost. Therefore, government should definitely step in and support us. We need proper hygienic environment both in our homes and market places,” she appealed to authority.