Residents of Jabang have lashed out at the government for demolishing their houses without any court order, describing the action as a violation of their human rights. 

The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs ordered the demolition of houses built on waterways following last month’s flash flooding which submerged many areas in the Greater Banjul Area. 

Experts linked the flood to climate change and the construction of settlements on waterways blocking the flow of rain waters.

On Monday, the Department of Physical Planning started demolition of houses in Kombo Jabang which sparked anger among residents whose houses are now demolished. 

The residents complained of two days’ notice, adding they should have been given three months notice period to allow them to re-locate. 

Ansumana Darboe, who spoke on behalf of the affected residents and has been living with his family in Jabang since 2014, described the government action as “violation of their fundamental human rights” and vowed to challenge the action with his lawyer in a court of law.

“They started demolishing our homes and fences. They said we built on waterways without permission and they want to demolish our homes and fences. I got this home through Social Security like all my neighbours.

“We didn’t commit any wrong because all of us got our homes through the legal means. And I believe such actions should come through court order. 

“The court should give an order and there should be a time frame of [at least] three months. But you come to me in just two days and demolish my home,” he said. 

He continued: “Where will I live with my family, they want to make me and my family suffer. And some of them have no respect, some of them were even laughing, they have no remorse.

“We didn’t receive any court order and I understand the order came from Physical Planning. I have been living here since 2014 and they haven’t come to me and said this place is a waterway until now. 

“This is craziness, you cannot just jump overnight to demolish people’s homes who have spent millions of dalasis.

“This is forcefully evicting me from my house which I have obtained legally. My next step is I have consulted my lawyer and he is going to take the next step. I want to urge the government to take its responsibility, we all have rights which should not be violated. 

“This is my sister’s home who is living Europe and I cannot understand why they will demolish our homes.”

Fatoumatta Bah, also a Jabang resident whose storey building was demolished described the act as “unfair”, adding they would be left homeless during for rest of the rainy season

“The PIU came with a letter telling us they would only demolish part of the compound but when they came they started demolishing the whole compound. 

“So, now where will I go to live this rainy season? They should have issued us a notice for a month and this is so unfair. We have been living here for five years and Jabang has been flooding for years,” she said.

 Reporting by Adama Makasuba