The National Assembly member for Old Yundum, Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay has broken his silence on the sale of the Wellingara Cinema Hall to Jah Oil. 

In a brief chat with What's On-Gambia, the UDP-turned- NPP politician said: "I came to know about it when some people renting the shops at the cinema hall came to me with a notice to vacate given to them by Jah Oil." 

He added: "I tried to reach Hamidou Jah on the phone several times but to no avail. I also tried to locate him, but this was difficult because he was busy visiting his businesses across the country. 

"For the sale of the cinema hall, all I know is that he bought it from Raid Aziz for about D32million, can't remember the exact price. After that Jah Oil started dismantling the place to construction a new petrol station." 

When asked why the government or Brikama Area Council did not step in to buy the cinema for young people to continue using it as a recreational centre, Hon. Ceesay responded: "No idea!" 

The Wellingara Cinema Hall, which was a hub for entertainment, arts and cultural shows for decades, was widely used by schools, community-based organizations, religious groups, among other local actors. 

Meanwhile, The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) last week disclosed that the construction of the petrol station was illegal and ordered Jah Oil to halt operations. 

The company was also fined D200,000.