(JollofNews) – A Gambian based Chinese owned fishing factory at the centre of severe online criticisms has rejected allegations that it is dumping waste into the country’s sea and damaging the environment.
Golden Leaf Factory in the coastal fishing village of Gunjur, Kombo South, is accused of releasing intense bad odour which is making people sick as well as destroying the country’s fish reserves and polluting the waters.
Activists said the factory is threatening the lives and livelihoods of the people of Gunjur and the Gambia.
But speaking to journalists during a field inspection of the factory, Basiru Ndong, an employee of the factory, described the allegations as untrue.
“We do not dump infantile fish at the sea, nor do we destroy the marine resources of the country,” he said.
Mr Ndong pointed out that the factory is engaged in fish meal production which has a popular local and international market.
“We have a noticeboard where we stipulated clearly that we buy only fresh fish and infantile ones,” he added.
“There are some occasions where people bring bad fish and dump it along the seaside and people end up blaming us.”
Mr Ndong accused those calling for the closure of the factory of having a hidden agenda.
He argued that the establishment of the factory has brought immense benefits to not only people in Gunjur but the surrounding villages.
It would appear to suggest the suppliers {the itinerant fishermen from as far away as Senegal} lack proper freezing methods to keep caught fish fresh and saleable.
You would not expect any fish processor to buy or accept other than the freshest fish.
The danger to all life would then be presented as criminally culpable.
The dumping on mass of anything rotting into the sea or on land, should be accompanied by a significant fine or worse. As presented, The Factory appear to be innocent. No doubt inspections will follow and concerns fully interrogated accompanied by solutions.
What is the trailer full of rotten fish about and who owns it and where was the picture taken???
I am innocent: I was not their. You cannot pin this on me; I am certain the fish were innocent too/ Ask an African.
To the best of my recollection Gunjur made me an honorary citizen perhaps because I did something unselfish? You must ask a Gunjurian on that.
I know nothing about witches and witch hunts. It’s never been my bag. I much prefer conflict resolution. How about you ?
I only avoid walking under ladders. {smile}
I think Gambian witch hunting must be a family sport ?
“Mr Ndong accused those calling for the closure of the factory of having a hidden agenda” my friend should have elaborated, he can’t just leave everyone in suspense?
Silence.
Is fix:
1. all fishing vessels inspected prior to offloading to insure the fish are stored in ice
2. trucks transporting fish MUST be refrigerated!
Can they then explain what the foul stench regularly reaching my compound is? …it was not there before the factory started operating. I do not believe it is just the smell of naturally rotting fish and it has been happening for a long time even
before the recent “excess fish dumping”. I hope that proper testing of the sea water and the water in the local bolong will be carried out by the authorities to find out what the problem is. Also that someone takes responsibility for managing the suppliers so that we do not see precious fish stock being wasted. The fact remains that these problems are caused either directly or indirectly because the factory is operating.
Come on new Gambia this is a chance for the new Goverment authorities to make an honest fair assessment based on scientific evidence and the facts of the situation and decide what to do.
BJJ and Ruth: The picture appears incriminating at first glance; But then it tells every thing>>>>There’s No ice.
Congratulations to my friend and fellow honorary citizen of Gunjur
Mr Arsene Wenger on winning the FA Cup for a record 7th time.