The Gambia – Police & KMC Demolishes Stalls & Chase Street Vendors

Officials of the Gambia Police force and the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) have over the week demolished stalls and chased street vendors in and around the Serrekunda.

 Stalls around the vicinity of Serrekunda Health Center, sandika going towards Babun Fatty were all razed to the ground by the Police. As the Police chased vendors away including grocers, some were seen carrying their goods on their heads as they leave the area while some stood meters away watching their stalls being razed on the ground.

Most of the vendors told VOD that the demolition came as a surprise to them because they were not notified. They cried that it is from their stall that they earn their living.

According to them, there is no enough space in the Market to accommodate all of them and that they have not done anything unlawful. They called on the Government and local Council (KMC) to provide them space in the market. They also called on the Council to engage them in a dialogue rather than come and chase them from their place of work.

According to Foroyaa reports, two senior police officers said they have been ordered to clear the way for ease of movement of ambulances to the Serrekunda Clinic around the Sandinka. In the early hours of every morning, vendors come in their large numbers to sell their foodstuffs on the street. According to the police, the ambulances struggle to get in and out of  Serrekunda Clinic.