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Lands Minister Hamat Bah said that under the government’s lease conditions, Jah Oil CEO Hamidou Jah will be given the right to use the Bayaba rice fields for at least 25 years, but 15 percent of the developed land will be donated to the community.
The Lands Minister said that in line with the directives of President Adama Barrow, any leasehold or land developed when allocated to any investor or member of the private sector for commercial purposes will be approved for a minimum of 25 years, but 15% of the developed land will be used for the community to improve their livelihoods and eradicate poverty.
Mr. Ba made the remarks recently during the official opening of a 7-kilometre road built at the expense of Jah Oil Company in the Sami district of the Central River Region.
According to the Minister of Lands, the condition that the land be used for at least 25 years and 15% of it be used for the community has been approved by the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, who the minister said he would follow and enforce.
“Fixed for 25 years, fixed for 15%”, confirmed Minister Bach, adding: “These are the conditions that are implemented in the Ndjanidja region of the CRR, and similarly, the same conditions will apply to the Sami region of the CRR.”
He also reminded the people of Bayaba that the Jah Oil CEO had spent $52 million on the preparation of the Bayaba rice fields.
“This is a big investment,” he said, adding that he would grant the Jah Oil CEO permission to use the Bayaba rice fields to grow rice for at least 25 years.
He also asked the people of Bayaba village to redouble their efforts to effectively utilize the 15 percent of land allocated for development.
He advised the Gambian people to show more determination and work hard for the development of The Gambia.
“Laziness is not the answer. We have to work hard to eliminate poverty in this country,” he advised.
Mr. Bach further praised CEO Hamidou Jha for his patriotism, hard work and love for the country.
“He has a great heart for this country and we must support him and encourage him to achieve his vision,” the minister stressed.
He also described Jia as an “action-oriented businessman who doesn’t wait for paperwork; he believes in action”.
He noted that “Hamidu Jha invested millions of dollars to prepare the almost neglected Bayaba rice fields” and praised CEO Jha for his “selflessness and patriotism”.
The Minister of Lands said that considering Mr. Jia’s great contribution to the Sami region, “his personal stance towards promoting the country’s production development is worthy of emulation and praise.”
Also, the Lands Minister commended President Adama Barrow for creating an enabling environment for the private sector to operate smoothly in The Gambia.
Therefore, he said, the Sami people should make every effort to work with CEO Jia to help him achieve his goals for rice production.
Finally, Mr. Bah said that Gambia needs more CEOs like Jah and Jah Oil Company “who are willing to increase rice production, create jobs and reduce rice imports into the country.”
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