By Awa DK Conteh
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endors at the Brikama main market in the West Coast Region of The Gambia have cried out the difficulties they have been facing these past years especially with flooding and water stagnation.
They thus called on the government to help them overcome some of these difficulties that are posing health hazard to the people.
The Gambia Daily sat with Foday Manjang, Chairman of Brikama Market Committee (BMC) who said the fish market management are the ones who pay for disposal of the waste and this he added, has forced them into bankruptcy, considering the huge sum of money they pay for waste disposal. “Every three days we pay a sum of D3,500” he revealed.
He added that they have called the Ministry of Fisheries several times to solicit help in the form of a tank but to no avial.
Chairman Manjang confirmed that the members of Food Safety Authority on Tuesday, 31st May 2022 visited them due to the flooding and the situation of the market and they were told to close the market. “We appealed to them to keep the market open but to no avail” he explained.
Fatoumatta Saidy, another vendor at the Brikama market lamented similar challenges. “This is where we earn money to feed our families; so we bear the consequences”. She called on Brikama Area Council to help take care of the situation
The Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has ordered the closure of Brikama Fish Market (BFM) with immediate effect. The market was stopped from doing business following an assessment of the sanitary and hygienic conditions.
Muctarr Sonko, Principal of Food Safety and Culture at FSQA said they are on a nationwide inspection of markets, and have raised concern over the lack of a proper drainage system in Brikama market.
“Based on our preliminary observations, the main problem is the drainage system. We’ve been there several times”.
He observed that the market has become unhygienic and unhealthy for people to be in.
Regarding the challenges market users will face due to the closure, Mr Sonko said the move is for the betterment of the people of Brikama. He urged them to bear with them; that it will be re-opened once the drainage and sanitary situations is improved.