Rohey John Manjang, The Minister Of Environment.
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Rohey John Manjang, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, addressed concerns regarding the allocation of a portion of the Sukuta Salagi Forest to businessman Abubacarr Jawara. The decision raised significant concerns among the community of Sukuta, particularly among indigenous settlers.
Hon. Fatou Cham, the National Assembly member for Sannehmentereng Constituency, requested clarification from the Minister on the grounds for allocating land in the Sukuta Salagi Forest to Jawara, prompting public concern.
In her response, Minister Manjang explained that the Permanent Secretary had received a request from Gach Group, which sought to use a section of the Salagi Forest Park as a depot for basalt. This request was forwarded to the Director of the Department of Forestry for evaluation and for consideration of issuing a temporary allocation in compliance with the Forest Act of 2018.“The request was forwarded to the director, department of forestry for review and to issue a temporary allocation if it is in line with the Forest Act 2018.” she stated.
She stated that after reviewing the request from Gach Group, the Director of Forestry approved a temporary allocation of 2.5 hectares to Gach Group for the storage of basalt. This decision is in accordance with Section 82 of the Forest Act 2018, which outlines the following requirements:
“Where farming, industrial projects or other similar activities in forest areas are not assessed for the environmental impact as provided in the national environment management Act the developer of such activity shall be required to submit a project brief to the director stating (A) The nature of the project, (b) the activities that shall be undertaken (C) they aren’t of forest land that may be affected, (D)the use of the standing trees and shrubs, (E)the possible products and by-products of the activities anticipated and any other matters that may affect the shrub and tree cover,” she explained.
She highlighted that after reviewing the project brief, the director believes the proposed project will not negatively impact the concerned project or the minimum forest percentage specified in Section 5 of this Act. Therefore, approval may be granted.
He noted that Salagi Forest spans 262 hectares, with the area temporarily allocated to Gach Group comprising less than 1% of the total park.“On 4th November 2024, at their request, I received a delegation from Sukuta village development committee, KomboYirriwa Kafo and the Gambia environmental alliance at the ministry, on the temporary allocation of 2.5Ha to Gach Group, at Salagi forest park,” she said.
She stated that her team had an open and productive discussion with the delegation. She emphasized that despite Section 82 of the Forestry Act 2018, the National Environment Agency granted Gach Group a provisional environmental approval in December 2024 for the temporary storage of basalt at Salagi Forest Park.
“I, together with my senior management, received the representatives of Sukuta, the Gambia environmental Alliance and Kombo Yiriwa at the Ministry for a second time, on 8th January 2025 it was explained to them that Salaji forest Park is a state forest under the sole management of the department of forestry and not a community forest for the avoidance of doubt under the sole responsibility of the department of Forestry inline with the forest act, 2018 the process of the temporary allocation was explained to them which they appeared to understand the meeting ended in an agreeable manner,” she stated.