By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Honourable Hamat N.K Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture of the Gambia has disclosed that his Ministry is aware of the mining activities taking place in Tintinto, Kombo South District, adding that a ministerial taskforce has been set-up already visited the site.
The Minister of Tourism and Culture was responding to questions directed to him during a recently held press conference at his office in Banjul, where he said steps have already been taken to address the mining activities along the Tourism Development Area (TDA).
This development comes on the heels of growing concerns from scores of residents at Tintinto, as they continue condemning the mining activities taking place at the TDA.
At least four residents who contacted this medium have raised the alarm bell regarding the ongoing mining activities at the coastal village. They disclosed that a local mining company called Zinco has been engaging in the sand mining without the approval of the villagers.
They alleged that the ongoing mining activity at Tintinto is conducted by a close ally of the President, adducing that they have made all efforts to stop the mining activities to no avail.
However, during the press conference, Honorable Hamat N.K Bah, Minister for Tourism and Culture informed the press corps that a ministerial taskforce has been setup to look into the mining activity. “I got the information that there is a mining taking place at Tintinto and last Monday there was a government taskforce that visited the area including the Office of the President and all the ministries concern.
“We are waiting for their report and government wills decides what sort of action will be taken to protect the environment,” Minister Bah disclosed.
The position of Minister Hamat N.K Bah has been corroborated by the Director General of Gambia Tourism Board, Abubacarr Camara, who made similar statement to The Voice Newspaper last week.
“Indeed, we are aware and a high level inter-ministerial visit of the sites was conducted to re-assess the situation and to find an immediate response or solution to the problem,” said GTBoard Director General, Abubacarr Camara.
He added: “I do not want to pre-empt the response for now as the report is been written currently and the recommendations and response will be communicated when the report is ready.”
DG Camara, unremorsefully emphasised that GTBoard and other stakeholders will both allow the status quo to persist in Tintinto, noting that all efforts are ongoing to address the issue once and for all.
“I know for sure that we cannot afford to allow the current situation to continue like that,” GTBoard Director General Abubacarr Camara stated.