A battle over alleged illegal sand mining in Kartong has reignited deep divisions within the coastal village identified each for its thriving fishing community and growing attraction as a tourism destination.
On Wednesday, 30th July 2025, Foroyaa reporters visited the plight to investigate mounting claims that a team of local truck operators–namely Lamin Jamba Jammeh, Lamin Bojang, and Mansour Tabally–are behind an unsanctioned sand mining operation threatening each the atmosphere and community brotherly love.
What they came across changed into a village at odds with itself: the Village Trend Committee (VDC), the Alkalo and his Council of Elders, and a team of truck owners–incessantly most often known because the miners–locked in a dispute that cuts across legality, environmental protection, and community welfare.
Kartong, nestled alongside the Atlantic bound and bordered on three aspects by water, is extremely at pains of environmental degradation, in particular coastal erosion. The VDC argues that unregulated sand mining is without notice accelerating the destruction of the natural panorama, including key flowers and fauna.
Speaking to Foroyaa, VDC Public Relatives Officer Hatab Jaiteh expressed alarm:
“Our village is surrounded by water, and if we don’t act, one day Kartong might submerge. We tried to negotiate with the miners to find an environmentally responsible solution–but they refused. They told us outright they won’t answer to anyone. So we reported the matter to the police.”
According to Jaiteh, the VDC initially alerted the Police Commissioner of the West Fade Space, Kalilu Njie. His response, they relate, changed into swift–resulting in the arrest of two miners and a neighborhood fine of D21,000 each, issued by the Division of Geology. However that single enforcement action, they lament, changed into never followed up.
“The day he acted, no one dared go to the quarry. But it only lasted one day,” Jaiteh acknowledged. “Since then, whenever we confront the miners, we’re the ones reported to the police. I’m even in court now for simply photographing the trucks.”
Mustapha Bojang, Assistant Organizer and a member of the VDC’s Environment Subcommittee, echoed same frustrations.
“We invited the truck drivers to sit with us and create an agreement to make the process orderly and sustainable,” he acknowledged. “But they refused. We have reported them multiple times to both Gunjur Police and the Department of Geology.”
Three of the miners were as soon as prosecuted by the VDC thru inner most lawful action, however their case changed into brushed off on procedural grounds. “That won’t stop us,” Bojang acknowledged. “We are taking them back to court with legal representation.”
In a counter-memoir, Lamin Bojang, one in every of the accused truck owners, insisted that the mining is just not finest non-business however sanctioned by village elders.
“We don’t have licenses, but the elders gave us written authority. We only supply Kartong. All the sand stays within the village.”
He argued that whereas the operation can also lack formal authorities authorization, it fulfills an principal community need. According to him, sand mined is frail for local building, and proceeds attend fund wanted companies like the village water project and electricity funds.
“The VDC says we are destroying the land, but the site is far from the ocean and separated by dunes,” Bojang explained. “The truth is, even they took sand from the same site to build their houses.”
Bojang claimed that the core voice lies in cash:
“They demanded D200 per trip. We told them we can’t agree to that without a village consensus. That’s when the conflict began.”
He acknowledged the vehicles–finest three in number–are minute and community-centered. “We charge D3,000 per load, and sometimes give sand on credit. In the market, a full truck costs over D10,000. How many can afford that?”
Lamin Jamba Jammeh, but one more miner, distanced himself from the ongoing controversy:
“I handed over the vehicle to my driver and left everything to Lamin Bojang. I have no current involvement.”
He added that whereas he had as soon as served the community in many capacities, he believes the VDC is exaggerating the voice and attempting to monopolize control over the sand supply.
“The VDC isn’t even supported by the whole village. And most of the people complaining today were the first to mine sand themselves.”
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Speaking on behalf of Alkalo Omar Jabang, his spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the matter however highlighted the complexity.
“Yes, I worked with Geology before. Any mining without their approval is illegal,” he acknowledged. “But the truth is, this practice has existed since the big companies left. I tried to control it, but how can one person monitor over a thousand people?”
He confirmed that the Council of Elders did voice a letter approving sand mining strictly for local exercise, however clarified that this kind of letter has no lawful weight in the eyes of the law.
“That letter was a community understanding, not a mining license.”
He expressed disappointment that the VDC took unilateral action–including seizing vehicles and involving the police–without informing his plight of job.
“They made it seem like I wasn’t doing my job. They didn’t even consult me before going to court.”
He also acknowledged that many villagers, including these now speaking out, had as soon as mined sand informally for inner most exercise.
“The truth is, almost the entire village has participated in sand mining. The issue is now about control, not just legality.”
