As part of the exercise, officials from both institutions on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, conducted a comprehensive mapping and inventory of identified encroachments across key tourism clusters, including Senegambia, Palma Rima, and the BB area in Kololi.
The assessment followed a productive meeting between the two institutions to discuss the implementation framework for a planned enforcement exercise to reclaim road corridors and public spaces occupied by unauthorized structures.
Speaking after the exercise, Alagie Laye, Senior Investment Manager and Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Product Development and Investment at the GTBoard, said the initiative is intended to sanitize the Tourism Development Area (TDA) by tackling illegal developments that have encroached on road reserves.
He noted that many businesses have extended their structures into designated road corridors, resulting in narrowed roads, traffic congestion, and increased safety risks for motorists and pedestrians.
"Some of the roads leading to major tourism clusters have become extremely narrow due to encroachments. This poses serious safety concerns and also affects the provision and maintenance of public utilities such as water pipelines and electricity infrastructure," Laye said.
He revealed that in one instance, a business structure had been built around an electricity pole, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
According to him, the ultimate goal of the exercise is not only to remove illegal structures but also to beautify the Tourism Development Area through landscaping and urban enhancement projects. He disclosed that stakeholders would be consulted on proposed landscaping designs to transform reclaimed spaces into attractive and functional public areas.
The GTBoard official emphasized that the Board has maintained a long-standing partnership with the NRA, given their overlapping responsibilities within the TDA. While the GTBoard regulates development activities within the tourism zone, the NRA is responsible for managing the country's road network and road reserves.
Also speaking during the exercise, Bakary K. Manneh, Head of the Road Safety and Corridor Department at the NRA, described the findings as concerning but manageable.
"We have seen people settling within road corridors in ways that endanger lives and property. The objective of this exercise is to save lives and ensure that road reserves are used for their intended purposes," he said.
Manneh explained that road corridors extend beyond the paved roadway and include pedestrian walkways, drainage systems, utility infrastructure, and road shoulders. However, many property owners mistakenly believe that only the tarred section constitutes the road.
He cited several locations along the Senegambia Strip where encroachments have reduced road widths to the extent that two vehicles cannot pass simultaneously.
The NRA official commended the GTBoard for its continued cooperation and reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to supporting efforts for restoring order within the Tourism Development Area.
He further disclosed plans to redesign some of the reclaimed corridors to include recreational facilities, landscaping features, and designated parking areas to improve traffic management and generate revenue.
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