As Lands Minister Calls Opposition ‘Big Mouths’
By: Binta Jaiteh
There was a heated exchange at the National Assembly on Thursday as lawmakers strongly objected to a statement made by Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat Bah, in response to a question on street vending regulations.
During the session, Musa Cham, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serekunda, asked the Minister about the legality of councils collecting daily fees from street vendors while the central government was simultaneously conducting the “Operation Clear the Roads” exercise.
Minister Bah responded that the question should have been directed to the councils themselves but affirmed that his ministry, as the supervisory body, would take responsibility. He emphasized that the Local Government Finance and Audit Act of 2024 guarantees the financial independence of councils, and the 2004 Local Government Act empowers them to levy market fees.
“Therefore, the government’s operation to clear the roads should not stop councils from collecting daily fees from vendors and hawkers,” Minister Bah stated.
Dissatisfied with the response, Cham pressed further to know as to whether councils supported the government’s road-clearing initiative but Bah responded that Cham’s question had shifted from the original query.
The debate escalated when Wuli East NAM Suwaibou Touray raised a point of order under Standing Order 39, which gives the Speaker the authority to administer questions. He accused the Minister of acting as a judge rather than answering the question posed. Deputy Speaker Seedy Njie upheld the point of order and reminded the Minister to stay within the bounds of his role.
Tensions peaked when Minister Bah, in a fiery response, accused the opposition of criticizing the government’s efforts.
“When the government embarked on Operation Clear the Roads, you the opposition were the “big mouths” abusing the government, claiming we were destroying people’s livelihoods,” Minister Bah retorted.
His remarks sparked outrage among lawmakers, who viewed the statement as an insult. Some members immediately challenged him, demanding a retraction.
Latrikunda Sabiji NAM Yaya Sanyang defiantly responded, “We are the opposition, and we will speak!”
JanJanbureh NAM Omar Jammeh, visibly angry, left his seat to confront the Speaker directly.
“You are laughing, but this is a serious matter! The Minister insulted the nation,” he protested.
In an attempt to restore order, Deputy Speaker Njie rebuked lawmakers for disrupting the session.
“If the floor of Parliament becomes a marketplace with everyone shouting, it will be difficult for the Speaker to maintain order,” he said.
Central Badibou NAM Sulayman Saho invoked Standing Order 29, arguing that it was out of order to use offensive language in Parliament, insisting that calling the opposition “big mouths” was disrespectful.
Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers demanding a withdrawal of his remarks, Minister Bah refused to retract his statement, further intensifying tension in the Assembly.
