Some people are claiming ownership of land in Salagi while the Physical Planning Department maintains that the land is reserved land which has been given to NAWEC for a project.

Foroyaa had requested for an interview with the ministry of regional government and lands to clarify matters more than a fortnight ago but that interview is yet to be granted. Foroyaa wanted to know the requirements of the law for declaring a reserved land, whether those procedures were adhered to, the right of the owners to compensation for the loss of their property and so on.

Now, all that is done is the serving of notices for a demolition exercise and defiance by people in the community.

Civil servants need to be transparent in the performance of their duties. They should always be pleased whenever they have the opportunity to speak to the media in order to sell their agenda rather than running away from the media.

We hope the ministry will grant an interview to Foroyaa as soon as possible and even other media so that the public in general and the stakeholders of the Salagi land dispute will be properly informed.