What does the TDA mean in Gambia?
In
short it is the area of land along from the coastline which
has a depth of 800 metres. It is set aside by the Gambia Government for
present and future tourist developments.
Historical Development:
The current
use of land is specifically
based on the planned coastal zone which is the Tourism Development
Area. In 1970, the TDA was legally designated under Ministry of Local
Government and Kombo North / South District Authority Act as a mile zone
along the Atlantic coast reaching from Kotu river down Tanji River
initially and subsequently extending it down to the Atlantic River.
Thus, the TDA covers almost the entire Southern coast of the Gambia.
This legal designation of TDA has facilitated the Tourism Liaison
Board (TLB) now the Tourism Area Development Board all developments so
far and it is emphasized that designation TDA as a planning Area in
future should enable the authorities not only to control land use but
also to protect the wildlife and nature of the TDA.
The Bafuloto plan of 1973 is still the Basic of all Physical Planning
within the TDA. The plan aim to promote the development of Atlantic
coast of the Gambia for the dual purpose of Tourism and urban
development. The area along the coastline with an average depth of 800
meters is reserved for resort and related development whilst the area
in land from the coast and separated from it by a Highway (Badala
Parkway) is planned for urban improvement and expansion.
The main idea behind the general plan for TDA is to distinguish two
different types of tourists zones along the coast. The northern zones,
where the main tourist development shall take place within clearly
defined areas such as Kotu and Bijilo and later the Brufut Area, and
the southern zone, where there would be only small “Tourist sport” for
excursions and short time visits.
No further Physical development of tourist area is envisaged in the
Southern zone. Based on the latest forecasts as well as the actual
growth of tourist and also on the assumption that tourism will grow
faster in the future, a study made by GTZ short team expert on the TDA
in 1989 has concluded that the Northern Zone alone can adequately meet
the demands for hotel beds in the future. This affords the opportunity
to preserve the Southern Zone as a nature park of unique beauty
untouched by the adverse affects of tourists developments. The
proposed nature park “South Coast” will provide a far greater
attraction for the Tourism in The Gambia than a multitude of half
furnisher hotel-sites dotted along the whole coaster strip.
Tourism Development with specific reference to the Tourism Development
Area by Mr Alkali E CONTEH
When tourism started in the Gambia in 1965, only 300 tourists hailing
from Scandinavia spent their holiday on our beaches. The following
year, the number rose to 528. The industry which was introduced by
foreign business interest, was encouraged by the following factors:
1) a stable democratic government government
2) a policy design to attract foreign capital through tax incentives
and duty waivers on imports;
3) high rates of return on investments;
4) a favourable climate and beautiful beaches;
5) accessibility.
The industry became so successful that by 1970, existing facilities
became overstretched, creating the need for more basic infrastructure.
Consequently in 1972 the area stretching from Cape Point to Kololi
(and later extended to Brufut/Kartong as well as Barra Point) was
designated a Tourism Development Area.
This TDA is formed by coastal stripped of some 750 to 800 m in width.
In 1972 the above area was designated a TDA a Tourism Liaison Board
was set up comprising of:
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry for Local Government and Lands;
Physical Planning Officer; Land Officer;
Development Secretary; * Deputy Secretary General;
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Agriculture;
Tourism Adviser.
The TLB was charged with the responsibility of advising the Minister
of State responsible for tourism on such matters as tourism
legislation, tourism security and land use policy in tourism.
In respect of the latter, the Board was charged with the task of
preparing draft for tourism related projects.
Therefore between 1975 and 1981, this Board among others accomplished
the following:
the preparation and implementation of the planning and building
regulations for TDA;
the development access roads;
the provision of water and electricity;
the identification and construction of beaches facilities.
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In November 1987, Cabinet agreed to a proposal to change the
name of the Tourism Liaison Board to the present Tourism Area
Development Board (TADB) with a reconstituted membership
consisting of the following:
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Information & Tourism (Chairman);
Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government & Lands
(Deputy Chairman);
Chief Executive Investment Board;
Director of Tourism;
President, Gambia Chamber of Commerce &
Industry;
Permanent Secretary, Minister of Trade Industry & Employment;
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government &
Lands;
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Tourism
(as Secretary).
The terms of reference of this Board are: 1. To advise the
Minister of Information & Tourism on the management and
development for TDA generally; 2. To consider detailed plans for
development of areas designated as TDA; 3. To receive, consider
and advise the Minister of Information & Tourism on applications
from companies and individuals wishing to be allocated space
within the TDA.
The Board is assisted by a Technical Committee in the processing
of applications for land within the TDA. This Committee (which
has since been disbanded to reduce bureaucratic red-tape and
delay in the processing of applications for land) comprised of
the following:
Director of Physical Planning & Housing;
Director of Tourism;
Director of Lands and Surveys;
Director of forestry;
Managing Director - GUC;
Chief Executive NIB.
With regards to the consideration and allocation of land within
the TDA, the Board has set the following requirements and
procedures:
1. all applications must provide a business registration
certificate;
2. for groups of persons and companies, the must provide an
article of association and a memorandum of incorporation;
3. the presentation of a feasibility study document;
4. a minimum deposit in local bank of 10% of the total financial
cost of the proposed project.
Upon the fulfilment of these requirements, the Board processes
the application and recommends it for approval. by Minister of
Information & Tourism. With this assent to the Board’s
recommendation, this Minister sends the application to the
Minister for Local Government & Lands for his concurrence.
Thereafter the Director of Lands & Surveys is instructed to
convey approval to the applicant with conditions amongst which
is a conservative clause stipulating the maximum heights of
structures and the conservation of existing floral life as much
as possible.
Leasing processes could start immediately after allocation of
land is made but an understanding has been reached between the
two Ministries (i.e. Ministry of Information & Tourism and
Ministry for Local Government & Lands) that lease should not be
granted until after completion of a significant level of
development in respect of civil works by the applicant. This
condition together with the 10% cash deposit requirement is
deter land speculators from acquiring land within the TDA and
converting it as collaterals in their commercial business
transactions or freezing the desired speed of development in the
TDA.
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