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Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, National Tourist Board on Tuesday 30th May 2024 engaged Lumley Beach Bar owners ahead of the third phase of the beach bars demolition process.
In her statement, the General Manager of National Tourist Board, Fatmata Hamid Carew informed all beach bar owners that the first and second phase demolition exercise which they embarked on was not a decision the Tourist Board took upon itself but a Cabinet decision that they are under instructions to implement.
She disclosed that after Phase one and two of the demolition exercises have been completed, letters for phase three demolition have already been sent to beach bar owners whose facilities would be demolished if they failed to comply within the deadline.
It was also disclosed that the National Tourist Board is under instructions to withdraw all lands of those demolished beach bars, as they are now owned by the government until further notice, adding that letters regarding the above mentioned situation have been sent to all concerned individuals.
A representative from the beach bar owners stated some of their challenges to comply with the new regulation as some of them are constrain in getting contractors to reconstruct their bars and also no sample of how the beach bars should look was given to them.
The deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Khadijatu Kamara responded to beach bar owners who were making excuses and claims that there were no sample of structure to look from as finding a way to make up for failing to meet the stipulated deadline of April 30th 2024. She commended those that are already sending in pictures to show that they have started the reconstruction process to show commitment and expressed disappointment at those who have done nothing yet giving excuses.
It was made clear that, those that have done significant work in reconstructing would possibly be given another chance to continue with their reconstruction process and those who have failed to comply will have themselves to blame.
Phase three of the demolition exercise would commence soon after several engagements with beach bar owners reminding them to reconstruct or face demolition.
The Chairman of the Beach Bar Association, Sandy pleaded for a notice of demolition before the start of the demolition which the General Manager of National Tourist Boatd Fatmata Hamid Carew agreed upon.
