This has affected many people and even free flow of cars as move workshops would not only stop at the designated space, but extends beyond occupying streets.
This causes traffic congestion, and free flow of people in communities.
In our Thursday’s edition, the linister for Lands, Regional Governments and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah has vowed that the government will take actions against the proliferation of unregulated mechanic workshops across the country.
It is a fact that in most of these mechanic workshops, there are accidental or deliberate releases or discharges of petrol, diesel, solvents, grease, and lubricants on the land and the atmosphere. And many of these petroleum products are organic chemicals that can be highly toxic and hazardous to soil fauna and man.
We all know that the use of automobiles can also lead to trace elements and heavy metals-contaminated soil, which have grave consequences for soil dwelling organisms. Going through towns, it is apparent that many vacant plots and even compounds have been converted to workshops by auto-mechanics and other specialised individuals who engage in auto repair.
This not only poses health risks, but also environmental hazards.
In fact several studies conducted on auto-mobile mechanic workshops concluded that toxic chemicals such as solvents, chlorinated compounds, glycols as major pollutants of groundwater around these workshops.
Thus, coming up with such a move will not only ensure sanity, but would create a safe environment for communities. We are not against establishing mechanic workshops in urban Gambia, but it should be coordinated in a way that will not affect people's livelihood.
Whatever the case, whether they are paying rents to local councils, they should control or identify spots to be used as garages or workshops.
As a developing country, we can’t afford to have mechanic workshops in every corner or streets and having cars blocking traffic. This practice needs to be looked at from a broad perspective and in view of the fast-developing landscape.
Also, most of these spots are used as hideouts for criminal gangs especially during night.
From the look of things, many would have attested to the fact that most of these spots have become a dumping ground for old cars hiding behind the pretext that they are to be repaired.
However, plot owners that lent out their empty spaces as mechanic workshops should also look at threats this might cause to other residents. There is no law between a man and his property. However, plot owners should also put into consideration activity on their land that would have a consequence on the whole community.
And most of these empty spaces used as workshops are either abandoned compounds or one’s that are yet to be developed.
Let’s join forces to make our community safer for all.