The manager of Niumi National Park has issued a serious warning about a growing environmental threat in Barra, warning that improper transfer of a large igneous rock could lead to flooding and erosion that may submerge parts of the area if no action is taken.
Sarjo Manneh, the park’s manager, said recent downpours have already caused erosion between the Jinak river crossing and the Black-Cow area, where the rock was moved. He raised the alarm during an interview on Niumi FM’s Current Affairs program, stressing that both the National Environment Agency (NEA) and local communities must act urgently to prevent a larger disaster.
“The transfer of this rock from the Fort Bullen to Black-Cow may cause a disaster if proper care is not taken,” Manneh said. “It is already causing serious erosion between Black-Cow and the Jinak crossing point.”
According to Manneh, the rock in question had originally been placed near a buoy close to Fort Bullen and served as a buffer for water flow. It was moved during excavation works carried out by NEGMAR, a Turkish company that in 2021 applied to operate ferries between Banjul and Barra.
He said the rock’s new location lacks natural bolongs (creeks) to support water movement, and now the river is eroding parts of the nearby Sajuka area in Barra. Manneh fears the situation could worsen if nothing is done: “If proper care is not observed, the ocean will start submerging the Black-Cow area,” he warned.
NEGMAR’s excavation near Fort Bullen has sparked concerns in the past, with critics saying the activity may violate mining laws and heritage protections. Fort Bullen is a historic site and part of the UNESCO-designated heritage zone tied to the transatlantic slave trade.
Manneh called on the NEA, government officials, and local residents to investigate and respond quickly. “This is not something to ignore,” he said. “The safety of the park and the surrounding communities is at risk.”
