BAC Defies Government Order, Resumes Work on Brikama Kora Monument

Written by: Alieu Jallow

The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has resumed work on a planned Kora monument in Brikama despite a halt notice issued by the Department of Physical Planning, deepening a growing dispute between the council and national authorities over development activities in the town.

The development comes days after BAC Chairman Yankuba Darboe publicly accused President Adama Barrow of “abuse of power” when the council was ordered to stop ongoing beautification works in Brikama. In that earlier dispute, authorities said the works were being carried out without the required development permit under the Development Regulations of 1995 and ordered BAC to halt construction immediately. The council, however, rejected the directive and declared it would continue the project.

The latest halt notice concerns the construction of a Kora monument, a project BAC says is intended to celebrate Brikama’s musical heritage and honour some of the country’s most celebrated Kora artists.

A notice issued by the regional office of the Department of Physical Planning states that the ongoing work constitutes unauthorised development. “That being satisfied that the work you are doing at Brikama is unapproved/unauthorised and constitutes a contravention of the provisions of the Development Regulations 1995… you are therefore ordered to cease work forthwith and report to the Principal Development Control Officer within 24 hours of the date hereof,” the notice states.

The document also warns that work on the project must not continue until proper authorisation is obtained and that failure to comply could result in court action or demolition of the structure.

However, in a telephone interview with The Fatu Network, BAC Public Relations Officer Lamin Singhateh confirmed that work on the monument has resumed. According to Singhateh, the council views the project as part of broader efforts to preserve and promote Brikama’s cultural identity.

Brikama is widely known as a centre of Kora music and the home of several renowned artists including Jaliba Kuyateh, the late Tata Dinding Jobarteh, Pa Bobo Jobarteh, Sona Jobarteh and Jali Batch.

“So we want to revive the significance of this traditional instrument in the community and its deep-rooted connection with the people. If we put up a monument recognising that heritage, it will boost a sense of pride and ownership among the people who rely on this instrument as a source of livelihood,” Singhateh said.

Singhateh also raised concerns about what he described as tensions between the council and the West Coast Region Governor’s Office over control of parts of the Brikama market. He alleged that BAC has been unable to collect revenue from more than 88 market stalls for the past two years because the properties remain under the management of the Governor’s Office, a claim that has not been independently verified.

“The market is still under the management of the Governor’s office and we are losing a lot of revenue from these 88 stalls. We have not collected a dime from those properties for two years,” he said.

Singhateh also appealed to West Coast Region Governor Ousman Bojang to treat the council as a partner rather than a rival. “I want to appeal to the Governor to see the council as partners in development, not competitors. Brikama is his hometown, and the infrastructural work we are undertaking is meant to give the town a facelift,” he added.

For now, the dispute leaves an unusual situation in Brikama, a development project officially ordered to stop by planning authorities, while the council behind it says the work will continue.