Hamat Bah, minister of Lands, has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in illegal land dealings, declaring that unauthorised sales and exploitation will no longer be tolerated.

Speaking at a recent meeting during President Adama Barrow’s nationwide tour, the outspoken minister condemned the persistent issue of land grabbing, which has plagued the country for years.

He vowed to enforce strict measures to put an end to dubious land transactions.

“Anyone who comes to sell a piece of land without proper authorisation—President Adama Barrow has made it clear that this will not be allowed,” he declared.

 “If someone wants to use your land, they must go through GIEPA to lease it properly.”

He highlighted directives issued by President Barrow two years ago, emphasising that the sale of large parcels of land must be approved by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Local Government.

He warned that anyone bypassing these official channels to engage in unauthorised transactions with community heads would see their land deals nullified.

“Land is a critical resource, and we cannot allow a few individuals to exploit it at the expense of the country’s development,” he added.

Illegal land dealings have become a recurring challenge in The Gambia, often leading to disputes and destabilizing communities. With reports of unauthorised land sales on the rise, many Gambians have called for stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent exploitation.

His statement comes as part of the government’s broader efforts to restore order in the land administration system.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba