By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, between the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), the National Tourist Board (NTB), and Lumley Beach bar owners, crucial decisions were made ahead of an impending third phase of the demolition process.
Fatmata Hamid Carew, the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, conveyed to all beach bar owners that the demolition underway was not solely the decision of the Tourist Board but a mandate from the Government, which she is obligated to execute.
The first two phases of the demolition have been completed, with letters set to be dispatched to beach bar owners for phase three. Those failing to comply within the specified deadline risk having their facilities demolished.
Furthermore, the NTB is mandated to reclaim the lands on which the demolished beach bars stood, as they are now Government property until further notice, a fact communicated to all relevant parties via official correspondence.
Amid concerns raised by beach bar owners regarding difficulties in securing contractors for reconstruction and the absence of structural samples for guidance, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Khadijatu Kamara, responded sternly. She urged owners not to make excuses but to strive to meet the April 30th deadline, commending those who have already initiated reconstruction efforts and expressing disappointment in those who have not.
Notably, it was clarified that beach bars demonstrating significant progress in reconstruction, meeting 70% of MTCA/NTB criteria, will be spared during the third phase of demolitions. Conversely, those failing to comply will bear the consequences.
The third phase of demolition was scheduled to commence on May 2nd, 2024, following extensive engagements with beach bar owners as a final reminder to either reconstruct or face demolition.
In response to pleas from the Chairman of the Beach Bar Association, John Sandy, and the Chairman of the Hotel Association, Johnny Shallop, for advance notice before demolition begins, Fatmata Hamid Carew and Mohamed Jalloh assured they would bring those requests to the Ministry’s leadership for consideration.
As the deadline was looming and tensions rising, beach bar owners found themselves at a critical juncture, balancing the demands of reconstruction against the specter of demolition, with the Government’s resolve, firm, in its quest for transformation.
