President Adama Barrow on Tuesday visited the Serekunda Sandika following a fire that engulfed the entire marketplace in the early hours of Monday. The fire, which completely destroyed the busy commercial hub, has raised concerns about market congestion and safety.
Speaking at the scene, President Barrow reflected on his personal connection to the area.
“I used to live just a few miles from here and spent about ten years in this neighborhood. I know how congested this place can be, and business operates here year-round,” he said.
Barrow explained that after receiving reports from officers who inspected the site, he decided to visit in person to assess the damage. He also noted that similar incidents had occurred in Latrikunda and Brikama, making it necessary to extend his visit beyond Serekunda.
“The assessment shows that the market is not well organized, access is a major challenge, and congestion is a serious issue,” he stated.
The president emphasized that his government would review policies to address these challenges.
“As a government, when we observe issues like this, we must come together and formulate policies to find solutions. I believe the best way forward is to relocate the Sandikas. However, this is not something we can do alone. We need to collaborate with the councils because they manage the markets on behalf of the government. Through this partnership, we must work together to find the best solutions.”
The government has yet to announce concrete steps regarding the relocation or restructuring of affected markets, but the president’s remarks signal potential reforms in market planning and safety regulations.
