WE WANT OUR FAIR SHARE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FORT SAID THE RESIDENTS OF BARRA.

By Ousman A. Marong

Fort Bullen is a historical side in Barra situated along the estuary of the river side.
It was built by the British in (1826) to thwart the efforts of some European slaves trade.
In early (1970s) it was declared a National Monument and in 2003, along with the six-Gun Battery in Banjul, was inscribed as a World Heritage site (UNESCO).

However the people of Barra have renewed their call to the Adama Barrow led government to quickly look into their affairs regarding the fort before it is too late.

Speaking to our Newsbite Gambia the Alkalo of Barra Alhagie Baboucarr Faye disclosed that the fort is not yielding or fetching them nothing fruithful since it's establishment up to date."
The reason I said this is because; since the fort has started operating there is no youth from Barra who is working there.
He said the former head of state has put in place someone from Banjul who is still overseeing the affairs of the fort.
"Infact at some point the fort was nearly to be turned into an Army Camp by the former president", he said.

"To his seeing since the fort is centered in Barra then the youths of Barra should also have their fair share with the way the fort is operating", or there should be symbiosis between the youths of Barra and the National Center For Arts and Culture together with the government as well in term of youth and employment"

"It is so unfair on both the National Center For Arts and Culture and the former head of state to handpicked someone from no where to come and stairs the affairs of the fort while the youths of Barra are here and can do it, Mr. Faye retorted.

He asserted that when it comes to the best explanation of the fort it is only the people of Barra who can best explain it, so why is it that outsiders are benefiting from the fort and not the people of Barra?

Asked why the late query since the people of Barra knew about all this hiccups to wait till the last minute and decided to lunch their complains to relevant authorities?

He answered in the affirmative saying the people of Barra are a kind people and love welcoming stranger's.
He emphasized that if you go to all the historical places in the country it is their youths who are at the helm of affairs, so why cant the people of Barra too do the same? he question.

Faye lamented out that Barra is a sea port and so close to the capital, and therefore in the whole country you cannot have such a town  so close to the capital like that so why are we neglected?

"Barra could have been well organized and developed than Banjul,  because Banjul is just a passerby town and Barra is a sea  crossing point next to capital thus connect us to  Senegal."

"There is no town or sector in this whole country which is putting that much money into the coffers of the state than Barra, even Farafenni is not doing that much as Barra is doing."

The VDC Chairman for Barra Mr. Alfusainey Joof said "The fort was a reserve land for the people of Barra through the King and not to the National Center For Arts and Culture."
Mr. Hassum Ceesay coordinator for National Center For Arts and Culture said "The fort is not the property of Barra, but the state.

He said the fort is universal value belonging to the state and not the people of Barra.
"The National Center For Arts and Culture is part of government, whose aims and objective are to promote national heritage sites in the country"

He said both  fort bullen, James Island, Stone Circle etc are both under the supervision of the National Center For Arts and Culture through the government of The Gambia."

   He concluded that the National Center For Arts and Culture have good cordial relationship with the people of Barra and they normally work together for the management and the well being of the site.