Governor Jawara made this remarks recently at his office in Mansakonko during an interview with the Daily Observer. He explained that the sale of fuel without authority or proper documents and the possession of fuel without legitimate means is an offence, and warned people to desist from such acts as they are forbidden by the laws of the land. He called on the people of his region to cooperate with the security agencies by reporting anyone found stealing or selling fuel without authority. He pointed out that the practice carried out by some workers of Ballast Nedam and others could affect the smooth completion of the Trans-Gambia Highway.

He went on to emphasise the significance of the Soma road, noting that some unpatriotic Gambians engaged in the fuel theft at the Ballast Nedam Company shouldn't be allowed to hinder the progress of the country. For his part, Andrian Corish, the chief security officer  at Ballast Nedam said the issue of fuel theft in their company is becoming rampant, and appealed to people in the community to help curb the menace.