Activists in the sprawling coastal town of Gunjur are livid that the ministry of fisheries has allowed the Chinese owned fish meal factory to resume operations following an order from the health ministry to halt operations a few days ago.
According to reliable sources, Golden Lead will carry on operations from today increasing fears that social distancing measures to help control the spread of the deadly covid-19 virus will be a tall order. Activist accuse James Gomez of the fisheries ministry of recklessness and corruption by allowing Golden Lead to resume operation as the county faces potential covid-19 infection of an estimated 181,000 id social distancing and other mitigation measures are not adhered to by the people. The operation of Golden Lead means that fisher folks will flock the Gunjur beach to sell their daily catch to the Fishmeal processing plant. Social distancing will be almost zero percent thereby increasing the risk of infection in the Gunjur community and beyond. Consequently, concerned youths of the town are now calling on each other to take action to protect the community from the Coronavirus pandemic as a result of the continuous operation of Golden Lead. Youth leader Sulayman Bojang charged: “ It has just come to our attention that ministry of fisheries had earlier today gave the Chinese permission to continue operation starting from tomorrow. How could minister Gomez be so reckless? The Gambia, like the rest of the world, is faced with severe health and economic challenges. Why should the Chinese be given preferential treatment at a time when the lifeblood of our economy, the reexport trade is close?“ Mr Bojang continues by declaring: “ To all the Youth Ambassadors of Gunjur please join us for making a quick response towards this matter as soon as possible. If possible Tomorrow let's all meet up at Gunjur around turntable or whatever best suited position it's fitting for all. Enough is enough! ” The move by the Gambian minister to allow a Chinese owned business to operate in a state of emergency declared to curb the spread of covid-19 in the country will be seen as an insult.
Earlier in the week, images and reports emerged where Chinese business evicting African migrants from their homes and hotels because amid the covid-19 pandemic which originated from the Chinese city of Wuhan.
It could be recalled that Golden Lead was dragged to high court in 2017 by Consortium of environmentalist for damages to the environment. The group is claiming damages of D15 million in a civil suit presided over by justice Amina Saho-Ceesay.
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