By: Isatou Sarr
The Gambia Car Dealers’ Association (GCDA) said it’s still in limbo as regards Government’s promise to allocate the association a piece of land in Old Yundum to serve as a one-stop space for selling cars.
The association lamented that the government’s failure in making good on its promise has been threatening the livelihoods of members and undermining their contribution to the economy.
The Gambia Car Dealers’ Association hosted a press conference at the YMCA hall in Kanifing on Saturday with a view to drawing the attention of the relevant authorities to their predicament which, they said, has been triggered by the government’s recent decision to relocate them.
The proposed site, dubbed Car City, was originally designated for vehicle sales to boost customer accessibility, but its future remains in limbo, sparking frustration and threats of protests.
The Public Relations Officer of the GCDA, Talibeh Cham, revealed that the association invested nearly D1M in developing Car City, a commitment, he said, that was acknowledged by the authorities. The land, he went on, was allocated through the Ministry of Lands to serve as a centralized hub for car sales, capitalizing on its strategic location.
However, the Government recently proposed to move Car City to a site in Kotu, casting doubt on the dealers’ ability to continue operations there, prompting calls for urgent dialogue.
GCDA member Momodou Mustapha Drammeh told reporters that the potential loss of Car City represents more than a business setback as “it directly threatens their families’ survival”.
“We call on the government to uphold the principles of fairness, accountability, and the rule of law in its dealings with private associations,” Cham underlined, warning that arbitrary decisions risk undermining investor confidence and stifling economic growth in The Gambia, where the car dealing industry has become vital.
“Transparency is critical, we need clarity on our land situation, and we will not be intimidated into silence,” he stated, adding that many people risk losing their livelihoods if the government removes them from the proposed Car City.
“We have families to support, we are asking for assistance to keep Car City operational, where we can sell our cars and sustain our livelihoods,” Drammeh emphasized, highlighting the broader socio-economic impact of the government’s indecision, which dealers fear could cascade across the industry.
He stated that the GCDA has long sought to foster a collaborative relationship with the government, working to strengthen partnerships since its inception, yet the recent push to relocate dealers from Car City has left them feeling sidelined.
The Ministry of Lands proposed an alternative site in Kotu, but this proposal was immediately rejected by the dealers on the premise that the site lacks visibility, given the distance from the highway.
Karafa Darboe, a vocal association member, stated that “everywhere in the world, car dealers are given prime locations.”
“We need visibility to attract customers, relocating us to Kotu is not a viable option,” he pointed out. Darboe’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment among dealers, who have been grappling with the land allocation issue for over three years now.
Many car dealers signalled that they are prepared to escalate their response, as could be gleaned from Momodou S. Jallow’s stark warning at the press conference.
“This will be our last press conference. Next time, we will be going for a protest,” he warned.
The statement underscores the growing impatience among dealers, who feel their contributions to The Gambia’s economy through taxes and job creation are being overlooked.
As the standoff continues, the Gambia Car Dealers Association remains steadfast in its demand for a “fair and transparent” resolution. The outcome of this dispute will determine the fate of Car City. However, dealers are holding their ground, determined to protect their livelihoods and secure the future of their industry.
