During his address at the National Assembly, he responded to a query from Hon. Bakary Badjie, the National Assembly member for Foni Bintang Karanai, regarding whether Hamza Barracks, which was formerly a hotel, has been sold for D1.2 million as recommended by the Janneh Commission.
In response to questions, Minister Jallow stated that “based on my information, sometime in 2019, before I assumed office, the Hamza Barracks was among the properties slated for auction. However, when this was brought to the attention of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, he directed that the sale be aborted.”
He disclosed that the Hamza barracks has not been sold, saying: “Instead, it will continue to be utilised by members of the Gambian Armed Forces, and there are no intentions to sell the property."
In a follow-up question, Hon. Assan Touray, the National Assembly Member for the Bakau constituency, inquired whether the minister had consulted with the president regarding the decision to halt the sale of this property.
In response, the Minister of Justice stated that he was unaware of that information.
Hon. Lamin Ceesay, the representative for Kiang West, questioned the minister about the current ownership of the Hamza Barracks, which was identified as one of the properties recommended for sale to benefit the state.
Justice Minister responded, saying: "Hamza barracks is one of the properties that has been forfeited to the state.”
Hon. Suwaibou Touray, the representative for Wulli East, pointed out that the minister previously mentioned that Hamza barracks was listed for sale, but the president intervened to halt that process, and now the minister is asserting it has been forfeited to the state.
He inquired whether all properties had been forfeited to the state or if some were forfeited while others remained listed for sale.
The minister explained that a commission had recommended certain properties for forfeiture. “When the government issued a white paper, those recommendations were accepted by operation of law, leading to their forfeiture. Among the forfeited properties, a committee was established to review the list and determine which properties should be sold and which ones should be retained for state use. This particular property was initially listed for sale, but the decision was made to retain it for state use, which is why it is still occupied by soldiers,” he emphasised.
The national Assembly member for Sannementary constituency, Hon. Fatou Cham, commented on the Hamza Barracks, currently retained by the government for military use, saying, “What prevents the government from renovating the facility so that the residents can have a more suitable living environment?” The minister responded, “I truly don’t know.”
