The Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Hamat M.K. Bah, has warned Gambians against transferring land to foreigners for what he described as “petty cash.”
Speaking about land ownership and development in the North Bank Region, Minister Bah said such practices could affect the availability of land for future development projects. He also claimed that land in parts of the West Coast Region had already been acquired through agents acting on behalf of foreigners.
“There is something which is going on in this country, and I have informed the governor and chiefs about it,” he said. “The rich have exhausted the remaining lands in Foni and Kombo. Now, they have crossed to Niumi, and President Adama Barrow has advised you not to sell your plot of land.”
Bah said the government’s new land policy would provide landowners with ownership titles and allow them to use their land as collateral to access loans instead of selling it.
He further warned residents in the North Bank Region against transferring their land to foreigners, alleging that some Gambians were acting as agents for foreigners seeking to acquire land.
“Do not sell your land over petty cash. What I have seen is that foreigners will hire Gambians as agents to acquire lands. I have caught some of them and refused to sign or accept it because, if that is done, eventually the lands will be handed over to the foreigner,” Bah said.
He added that such transfers could affect future generations by reducing the availability of land for Gambians who may want to invest in the future.
Bah also referred to President Barrow’s position on making land available for investment through the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA).
“Adama Barrow said, in five years, anyone with a piece of land who wants to use it should let it be given to GIEPA to secure the land. It can be leased, and if the investor is about to go back, the land will remain yours,” he said.
Bah said he had cautioned people involved in such transactions, describing the practice as harmful to landowners and future generations.
