‘‘Fake’’ Surveyor In Hot Waters 

A growing land dispute in Murray Town, involving Madam Dankay Conteh and Dr. Alusine Jalloh, has raised questions about the role of a staff member of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, identified as Akim, and the circumstances surrounding a survey of the disputed property.

According to information provided by parties familiar with the matter, Akim is a Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer at the Ministry and is allegedly not a licensed land surveyor. Concerns have therefore been raised about the capacity in which he conducted or participated in surveying the disputed property.

The land in question is located at M.T.5 Quarters, Murray Town, where Madam Dankay Conteh and Dr. Alusine Jalloh both claim ownership and reportedly possess documents supporting their respective claims.

Disputed Survey and Documents

According to the information available, Akim surveyed the disputed property in 2019 and stated that he did not find any structure on the land at the time of the survey.

However, Madam Dankay Conteh reportedly has a site plan that was signed in 2012, while Dr. Jalloh’s survey document is dated 2019.

Madam Conteh maintains that she had already fenced the property and that construction work had commenced before her husband was posted to The Gambia in 2018. She further alleges that a structure on the property was subsequently demolished by Dr. Jalloh, after which construction resumed on the site.

These competing accounts have created questions that require examination of the original survey plans, land records, dates of occupation, construction evidence and other relevant documentation.

Questions Over Possible Conflict of Interest

The circumstances surrounding Akim’s involvement have also attracted attention.

It is alleged that Akim disclosed during a meeting attended by representatives of the Ministry, representatives of Dr. Jalloh and Madam Dankay that he had previously met Dr. Jalloh at Kingharman Road Hospital while Akim’s child was receiving medical attention.

The disclosure has prompted concerns from some parties about a possible conflict of interest, particularly given Akim’s subsequent involvement in the survey of the disputed property.

The allegation of a conflict of interest, however, would need to be established through an appropriate investigation and should not be treated as proven merely because the two individuals had previously met.

Calls for Ministry’s Investigation

The controversy has reportedly caused concern among some officials and members of the public, with calls for the Ministry of Lands to establish exactly what role Akim played in the 2019 survey and whether he was acting within the scope of his official responsibilities.

Questions have also been raised about whether the Ministry’s records could have resulted in two competing parties receiving documentation relating to the same parcel of land.

There are also claims that the demolition of the structure occurred without a court order. Whether the demolition was lawful, and whether any court order, administrative authority or other legal basis existed, would need to be established from the relevant records and the parties involved.

Need for Transparency

Given the competing ownership claims, the matter would benefit from an independent examination of the original Ministry records, survey plans, land allocation documents, dates of registration, site inspections and any court or administrative orders relating to the property.

The Ministry should also clarify Akim’s official designation, qualifications and authority to conduct or participate in land surveys, as well as whether any potential conflict of interest was declared and addressed.

Until the relevant authorities or a competent court determine the competing claims, allegations that Akim “faked” being a surveyor, created the dispute, or acted improperly should remain allegations rather than established facts.

The central issue now is whether the land records and surveys were properly conducted and whether all parties’ claims can be independently verified.