Bakary Manneh, who is heads the government road demolition project, has vowed to continue freeing the streets of squatting and illegal structures after his team clashed with vendors in Brikama.

Dozens of people are reported to be hospitalised after police used teargas on angry protesters in Brikama.

Speaking to reporters after a closed door meeting between the Gambia government and Brikama Area Council, Mr Manneh said: “we’ve been doing this [operation] since last October and we will continue doing what we are doing. We are tasked to carry an exercise that’s clearing the roads and we will continue clearing the roads.

“Of course we have people who are climbing here and there, but our advice is still going back to them to let them avoid designated areas. The roads are meant for only commuting, they aren’t meant for selling. They aren’t meant for any form of business.

“The council, we came here, they have their own constraints and they are trying to dialogue with us to see what’s feasible which we welcome. We are not here to intimidate or to discourage any kind of peace talks.”

“Our responsibility is only to exercise our duties in accordance with the laws of the land which we are here to exercise. We will continue to clear the roads, but what brought all this chaos is lack of communication,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba