By Lamin Sanyang
Mariama Jallow, a widow and a mother of three children broke down after her canteen was demolished by officials of Brikama Area Council.
Ms. Jallow has six children with her late husband out of which three died remaining three small ones to provide livelihood for.
Since the demise of her late husband last year, she has been trying to make ends meet. Her late husband had a small canteen in Brikama. She travels every day from her village to Brikama for business.
The canteen which was situated beside a church later received support to erect a better shop to support her family. The nearby police mosque raised funds to support her project. She was assisted with labour to erect the shop.
The widow and single mother’s hopes were shattered when the officials of the Area Council came out of the blue without any prior notice to demolished everything she has built. She fell down on her knees crying openly. She cried out for help.
According to one of the volunteers helping her to erect the shop, the place was not even in the market to warrant the demolition. He said they have taken the matter to the Brikama Area Council asking for redress. They were told the demolition was wrong without any prior notice. He said there should be compensation to rebuild the shop.
Meanwhile, the council could not tell whether it will compensate the damage.
