By EFSCRJ
Today, June 23, we have submitted a position paper to Pres. Adama Barrow called on him to ensure there was accountability for the fire incident that engulfed the head office of the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources in Banjul on December 2, 2019. The fire consumed numerous pieces of office equipment, documents, stationery, materials, fuel coupons, and cash, causing severe damage to the building. Two weeks after the conflagration, the President issued a directive on December 16 for an investigation, leading to the establishment of an investigative panel comprising members from various security agencies led by the Gambia Police Force. Following the completion of the investigation, a legal opinion was issued by the Ministry of Justice, concluding that there was no evidence of arson, as the fire did not meet the criteria for arson under Section 305 of the Criminal Code, which requires proof of a wilful and unlawful setting of fire. Therefore, the legal opinion concluded that no suspicious or malicious intent was identified; hence, no one is held responsible.
Considering this, the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, acting under the Access to Information Act 2021, requested the full report of the investigation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources on October 14, 2024. The Ministry responded to our request on January 25, 2025, i.e., four months after our request was received by them, thereby constituting a violation of the Access to Information Act 2021.
Having reviewed the police investigation report, including the legal opinion, we hold the opinion that there should be accountability for the incident. A review of the investigation report indicates that negligence and a lack of care by officials at the Ministry contributed to the fire outbreak.
Our position paper outlines our analysis of the findings, recommendations, and conclusions. As an accountability organization, EFSCRJ has therefore written to the President, calling on him to hold accountable officials at the Ministry who had leadership, administrative, and operational responsibility for the office premises at the time. Through their acts of omission or commission, the fire outbreak occurred, resulting in financial and economic losses to the country.
We urge the President to act on our position paper, bearing in mind that if no one is held accountable for this fire incident, a dangerous precedent would be set that could only encourage negligence, irresponsibility, and impunity in public institutions. Ensuring accountability serves to remind public officials always to demonstrate responsibility, diligence, and a duty of care for public property.
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