By Kemo Kanyi
More than 20,000 residents of Mandinary village, Kombo North District, have been issued eviction notices by the Sheriff Division, according to the villagers.
Ebrima Sallah, the spokesperson of the village taskforce, was established to explore and reach out to authorities responsible for the said land, saying villagers are dismayed and concerned over the eviction notice issued by the Sheriff Division of the High Court.
The media was informed about this reality in a press conference held at the Mandinary village on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The leased land in question measured 93.78 hectares.
“If the eviction is implemented as planned, it is expected to displace more than 1,000 households with a population of over 20,000 occupants, including youth, children, and women,” Mr Sallah disclosed at the press conference.
Mr. Sallah, in his reaction, indicated that “the eviction notice issued by the Sheriff Division dated August 13, 2024, relating to a leased property located in Kombo Kerewan in the name of Mr Serigne B. Jobe. By this notice, we are warned to vacate the said property on or before Friday, September 13, 2024. Accordingly, failure to do forceful eviction will ensue.”
“However, the notice indicates that the said leased property is situated in Kombo Kerewan. Why does the eviction affect residents in Mandinary and its surroundings that are not part of Kombo Kerewan?” he queried.
He raised concerns to the authorities about the demarcation of the village boundaries of Kerewan, Lamin, Mandinary, and Makumbaya conducted sometime in 2013 by a task force established by the government.
The spokesperson urged the government to take up its responsibility to protect the welfare, well-being, and territorial integrity of the communities.
Mr Sallah described the eviction notice as “disheartening” and will no doubt impact the socio-economic and political lives of the people living in those communities.
Signifying the important role the affected residents play in the economic development of the country, Mr Sallah assured that “each compound owner has a land transfer document, pays annual rates and taxes, and is in the process of acquiring occupancy and title deeds
“However, the land encroachments caused by Mr. Serigne Jobe’s leased property located in Kombo Kerewan have hindered our documentation process to acquire title deeds,” he stated.
Ebrima Sallah alluded “It would be illogical to deprive people and families of their life investments for the sake of unscrupulous individuals.”
He stated that the government must consider the interest of the community to promote the common good, social cohesion and harmony, efficient allocation of resources, balance competing interests, and long-term sustainability.
