Sainey Jawara, the National Assembly member for Lower Saloum, has called for enactment of a law that would ban import of used vehicles and other materials into the country.

Mr Jawara made the call during the second reading of the waste management bill that aims to enhance the existing environmental framework by addressing enforcement gaps to waste management, and ensuring compliance with international standards.

In his deliberation in parliament, Mr Jawara asserted that the country is being used as a “dumping ground”for importers of these materials. He said a law should be enacted to prohibit import of used materials, arguing it is not in line with what the current bill is seeking.

“People are exporting bad tires and used clothes and shoes from Europe into our country, which should be stopped.”

He argued that these materials exported into Africa from the West are “expired”.

 “The Gambia is especially a dumping area. Even the import of old vehicles should be banned, because they are scraps,” he told parliament.

Between 2023 and 2024, The Gambia saw massive imports of vehicles worth approximately 3.91 billion dalasis. At least 114 shipments of clothes from the United States, India, and Turkey. On footwear, approximately $3 million was spent in 2024.

Waste pollution remains a major challenge in The Gambia, which poses major environmental, health, economics, and social challenges to the 2.5 million inhabitants in the country.

However, there is high expectation that once this bill is passed it will play a significant role in addressing waste pollution.

By Adama Makasuba