The ever erratic President in making personnel decisions has fired Aki Bayo as Lands minister with immediate effect. As usual no reason for the firing has been given except the usual invoking of the President’s powers mandated by the constitution. The press release from the President’s office reads:
The President of the republic acting under the provisions in the constitution under section 71 (4) has relieved Minister Momodou Aki Bayo from his cabinet position as Minister of Lands and Local Government with effect on Thursday August 22, 2013.
A release from the office of the President stated that the powers in the same vein under sub section 7 113 has appointed Modou S Colley as the new Minister for Local Government and Lands. He was hastily sworn in along side the new minister of Health Mr. Omar sey. Change of personnel by the President has become so frequent that in the end every Gambian may end up being a minister or director opined a reader.
The lands Ministry has been the hottest position as more and more Gambians get tangled in land disputes including the President. Land has become the hottest commodity in Gambia and even the president is allegedly involved in land grabbing as he expands his hunger for more farms and businesses. One thing Gambians must be mindful of, land disputes are very sensitive and could spell very serious conflicts in a Nation. A great example is the numerous conflicts in Gunjur, and other parts of the country. Peoples’ land heritage must be respected and protected to avoid confiscation of genuine lands that belongs to families.