Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Regious Affairs has explained before Members of the National Assembly on what is delaying the operations of Lass Wharf market.

SoS Sambou made this clarifications on Tuesday while responding to a parliamentary question from Hon. Abdoulie Saine, NAM for Banjul Central, who raised concern on the delay in the opening of the market and the problem the structure is presently facing due to the fact that the present structure serves as a covering to the rest of the space and people are not attracted to the stores at the back due to security concerns and some are using the place as a dumpsite or hideout.

According to him, Lass Wharf market was opened to the public by the Banjul City Council (BCC) in June 2006 and canteens have been allocated to interested vendors.

However, he added, there are still some unallocated canteens which are still open to the general public.

He stated that the market like all other structures at that part of Lasso Wharf street has front facing the main Lasso Wharf street and the back facing the swamps. “I have also been reliably informed by the council that, security officers have been appointed at the market on  24 hours guard and negotiation are advanced with NAWEC for the extension of utilities services to all the parts of the market,” he explained.