By Fatou Sillah
The Department of Physical Planning has announced that the second phase of the demolition operation in Salagi Layout will focus on the removal of encroachments on individual plots, as well as the blockage of access roads. The demolition is part of a larger effort to address illegal constructions that have affected the area.
In a press release, the Department explained that the demolition process is being carried out in two phases due to the scale and complexity of the work involved. The first phase, which began recently, targets encroachments within public space reserves. The completion of this phase hinges on the eviction of occupants from buildings still in use.
“The demolition exercise has been scheduled to be in two phases due to the magnitude of the developments and the intensity of the exercise. The first phase, which is the demolition of the encroachments within the Public Space Reserves, has recently commenced, and its completion is pending the eviction of the buildings that are already inhabited,” the statement read.
Once the first phase concludes, the second phase will proceed, focusing on encroachments on individual plots that have already been allocated. Additionally, the blockage of access roads will be implemented as part of this phase.
“Upon successful completion of the first phase, the second phase, which would be the demolition of the encroachments on the individual plots already allocated, and the access road blockage would commence accordingly,” the statement said.
The press release further explained that Salagi Layout, a residential area established by the government for qualified Gambians, has been plagued by illegal encroachments. These include unauthorized construction on designated public spaces such as the primary school, mosque, and police station areas, as well as the obstruction of access roads.
The Ministry of Lands has been working extensively to address these violations through field inspections, public awareness campaigns, and demolition orders. Despite these efforts, many public spaces and allocated plots remain encroached upon, hindering rightful allottees from accessing their properties.
“After numerous complaints lodged to the Ministry of Lands by allottees about the illegal developments of their allocated plots and public space reserves by other individuals coupled with the several interventions made by the Ministry of Lands and its line departments to curb the encroachments, the Ministry has now resorted to the undesirous option to demolish all the encroachments and illegal developments within the layout,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Lands also reminded affected individuals that, as previously announced, they may file complaints with the Department of Lands and Surveys if they are unable to access their allocated plots due to encroachments. A copy of the allocation letter or lease should be attached to the complaint for processing.
“The Ministry of Lands had earlier issued a Press Release informing the general public that anybody who is affected by the encroachments and is unable to access the plots allocated to them to submit a complaint to the Department of Lands and Surveys attaching a copy of the allocation letters or lease,” The statement said.