Hamat Bah Calls for Land Board’s Return While Defending Allocation Process

Gambia’s Lands Minister, Hamat N.K. Bah, has defended the government’s handling of state land while arguing that an oversight board should be restored to review allocation decisions. Speaking at a press briefing, Bah said the current system leaves too much authority with the minister responsible for lands—a concentration of power he described as undesirable given the value of land as a public asset. Bah said that under the previous arrangement, the Land Allocation Board reviewed proposals and could approve or reject recommendations before decisions were finalised. He said legislative changes now under consideration could bring back that safeguard, arguing that one official should not decide the fate of valuable state land without proper oversight. The minister also responded to concern about the publication of land records. He said the law requires state allocations to appear in the Government Gazette, but a review found that many allocations dating back to 2017 had not been published. Officials are compiling the records for gazetting, he said, adding that incomplete or unofficial information had led to some people being wrongly described as recipients when they had only been proposed. On reports that some companies received more than one parcel, Bah said businesses expanding into different sectors may have a legitimate need for additional land. He said applicants should be able to apply if they meet the legal requirements, contribute to economic growth, create jobs and pay taxes. Bah also rejected claims that President Adama Barrow’s son had received two plots. According to the minister, an earlier allocation linked to Adam Barrow was cancelled, leaving one valid allocation. Bah added that the President had previously turned down a proposal that could have benefited his son and said companies associated with the first family face the same rules as other applicants. The minister said investigations into several disputed layouts, including those involving wetlands, were completed or close to completion, with findings due to go to the Land Commission. He also confirmed that a broader audit of the allocation system was underway and would be made public.