By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Modou Njie, Market Manager at Kanifing Municipality Council has reacted to the trending social media videos posted about Serrakunda and Latrikunda Sabiji markets, describing them as unfortunate, and a defamation campaign meant to derail the progress registered in the Municipality under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensuda, his able Councillors, and management team.
The KMC Market Manager’s reaction came on the heels of the two viral videos making rounds on social media platforms since Friday morning. One of the videos portrayed images of heaps of waste gathered at a place said to be at Serrakunda Market, while, in another video, images were captured shortly after last Friday morning rains that inundated some parts of the LatriKunda market.
“The position of KMC on waste management is not a secret to anyone, that’s why when I came across the videos I was really worried. Personally, after coming across the video I rushed to the market to survey the entire Serrakunda Market but unfortunately, I did not come across any abandoned waste at the Serrakunda Market,” ModouNjie, KMC Market Manager explained.
He added: “What we (KMC) want to assure the public is that we will continue to strengthen our efforts in waste collection and management within the entire municipality including the markets. We will not run away from our responsibilities, however, the video they uploaded on social media is nowhere to be found at Serrakunda Market because the management of the market has made a thorough search to locate the place but to no avail.”
Continuing in his reaction to the alleged video of the Latrikunda Sabiji Market, he confirmed that the Council cannot be entirely blamed for the water flood inundation but equally the National Roads Authority should partly be blamed for the scenario.
According to him, throughout last year’s rainy season there was no time that the Latrikunda Sabiji market experience flood, the social media viral video was due to the inability of the NRA to dislodge waters around the market as well as the new Sukuta-Nema highway which is under construction.
“We observed that the flood was as a result of flood waters coming from Sukuta and Nema which all end up settling down at the market eventually causing the inundation.
“If you also look around the market you will realise that the drainages have not been adequately clean and dislodged which is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority,” KMC Market Manager shifted part of the blame to NRA.
To make the markets safe and vibrant, he said the council is taking appropriate steps to avert any such future occurrence and that the council’s effort to have decent markets is visible in sight at Latrikunda Sabiji Market among others.
He disclosed that the council’s doors are wide open for the public of the Municipality, while also reminding the public to be wary of political opportunists whose only motive is to derail the significant milestones registered under the present-day management.