The Minister of Lands, Regional Administration & Religious Affairs, Musa S. Drammeh, had a meeting on Monday with the Manjago community to resolve the land dispute in the Kombo South.

Minister Drammeh praised the Manjago community for their respect for law and order and the restraint they have exercised during a recent land dispute in the Kombos.   

He said that government has been closely monitoring the unfortunate dispute among neighbours in the village and was determined to resolve it amicably.

“You are bona fide Gambians and have rights like all citizens and you should never allow anybody to diminish your importance or make you break the laws of The Gambia.”  

Addressing the emotive graveyard issue at Tananeh village that started the dispute, Drammeh said his ministry had struck a deal with the other party to the conflict, Seedy Barrow and compensated him with a plot of land at the Brusibi Layout.

He said this was done to preserve the sanctity and respect befitting the dead and to consolidate on the gains made among neighbours lasting decades.

“I expect no further problems with Seedy Barrow and that should bring a closure to that land dispute.”  

On the ongoing dispute in Daya village and other Manjago settlements, Minister Drammeh assured the community that he had consulted the chiefs, the Governor of West Coast region and the Ministry of Justice as well as the Office of the Chief Justice to ensure that this land dispute was resolved peacefully “using our traditional mechanism and the law where necessary.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, James Gomez, a respected Manjago community leader, echoed similar sentiments and reaffirmed government’s position in treating all citizens as equals.

Gomez assured his tribesmen of government’s unflinching resolve to promote peace at all times and its recognition of the Manjagos respect for the rule of law and their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.   

In his contribution, the veteran broadcaster and manager of West Coast Radio, Peter Gomez, himself a Manjago, thanked Ministers Drammeh and Gomez for their timely intervention and the seriousness they have attached to a very emotional matter confronting the Manjago ethnic group.

Gomez also admonished his people to continue to nurture their spirit of tolerance, hard work and respect for authority that they were known for.