Africa-Press – Gambia. The Sanyang Development Fund (SDF) and the Sanyang UK Association (SUKA) have formally petitioned the Brikama Area Council, urging the immediate dissolution of the Sanyang Village Development Committee (SVDC) chaired by Abdoulie Botto Gaye, citing alleged abuse of power, mismanagement, and lack of community consultation.
The petition, submitted on behalf of the global Sanyang community, accuses the SVDC of operating without transparency, failing to uphold its statutory duties, and making unilateral decisions that significantly affect the village’s development. Among the grievances listed are the alleged unauthorized sale of community land and the abrupt dissolution of key village committees.
“I write in my capacity as Secretary General of the Sanyang Development Fund (SDF) Diaspora with Gambian Charitable Organisation and Sanyang UK Association (SUKA) with UK Charity and on behalf of the entire Sanyang Community, both home and abroad, to formally submit this petition,” the letter states. “We respectfully request the immediate dissolution of the current Sanyang Village Development Committee (SVDC), chaired by Mr. Abdoulie Botto Gaye.”
The appeal invokes Section 96 of the Local Government Act 2002, which empowers the Brikama Area Council to intervene and dissolve a Village Development Committee deemed ineffective or acting contrary to the welfare of its community.
“Mr. Chairman, this appeal is not made lightly. It is the culmination of profound and sustained abuse of power, coupled with a deliberate and persistent failure to comply with the statutory obligations outlined in the 2002 Local Government Act. The Sanyang VDC has, in effect, been operating and presiding over a vacuum of self-governance, shrouded in secrecy and characterized by self-perpetuation, with no accountability, transparency, or consultation with the Sanyang Community in its decisions and undertakings,” they said.
The community alleges that the Sanyang Village Development Committee (VDC) has made major decisions—such as the sale or lease of village land and deliberations concerning the proposed Sanyang Deep Seaport project—without any consultation with the residents of Sanyang.
“Since their inauguration into office in November 2023, the Sanyang VDC has consistently failed to act in the best interests of the people of Sanyang and has neglected to consult the community on decisions and activities they have undertaken,” the petition concludes.
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