It was twilight, some minutes to Maghrib – a time, the Muslims break their fast --, and the day was Sunday when an inferno emerges from the roof of the shop. People started running helter-skelter screaming for help and calling the name of Allah.
Huge inferno gripped the entire building of the Mauritanian shop. Residents called for help from the Fire and Rescue Service of the Gambia, but it was a bit late before the pseudo-help could come. They arrive with their water cannon, but there was little if any water in it.
This ultimately annoyed residents; they virtually began stoning the direction the vehicle stands. Pebbles and heavy stone flew from every direction. They were veiled with anger for what they described as “unprofessionalism” manifested by the Authorities.
In response to the development, the Authorities threaten with words like “arrest”, “jail”, and the likes. The question ultimately I asked to the Authorities was “What prompted these angry young men to stone your vehicle?” But I had no one answer me!
The angry fire finally devoured the entire shop. Sympathizers stood speechless, others drew buckets of water from nearby taps to assist the rescuers. But all of this to no avail; as the inferno continues battering and shattering every piece of asset, ranging from cloths to money, bags of rice, bags of sugar, gas and other commodities.
This is Dippa Kunda and the country is Gambia. This is neither the first nor the second times I am witnessing scenes like this. But the definitive point is “Why residents always pour their anger on the Authority”?
These are the options to this question: tardy response; brutal use of force to pave way; disregards of residents’ inputs, and the list goes on to feed the reader.
No comments:
Post a Comment