 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
toubab1020
12312 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Mar 2011 : 16:07:46
|
This is quite a problem as world commodity prices raise,this will have an impact on the food availability of the average Gambian.Even recognised by the government as a problem,and appears to be trying to do something.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-traders-must-be-reasonable-as-the-escalation-of-prices-of-basic-commodities-comes-u
President Jammeh: traders must be reasonable As the escalation of prices of basic commodities comes under his watch
Africa » Gambia
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
The president of the Republic has decried the artificial shortage and rising prices of basic commodities in the country, saying that the situation is not acceptable. He also called on members of The Gambia’s business community to be reasonable in their trading.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh Nasiru Deen was speaking Monday afternoon at State House in Banjul during a meeting he held with members of the business community, notably major commodity importers. The presidential move came amidst escalating prices of basic food commodities in the country. The inter-face summoned by the Gambian leader as a way of addressing the issue provided an opportunity for both government officials and the major importers to iron out the problem and map the way forward.
The Gambian leader in his remarks said he has watched with alarm, not only the artificial shortage of basic commodities, but also the escalation of prices. He stressed that there is no way he is going to allow the trend to continue. The president also made his government’s position clear, saying that they are not advocating for their [traders] loss, but that the traders must be reasonable and make normal rather than abnormal profit. While reiterating that they are not saying that nobody should make profit, the Gambian leader equally stated that he will not allow people or anybody to rip others off.
“If you have goods that people cannot afford to buy, what is the essence of your business? We have options; during the last food crisis I held a meeting with some of you in Kanilai and we came to a gentleman’s agreement that we will ease certain things in exchange for you to make sure that we come to a fixed price of commodities that will not go beyond that. After the government had honored our side of the bargain, some of you decided to violate it,” he reminded the importers. To this end, the Gambian leader went on to stress that his earlier prediction in 2010 that the year 2011 was going to be a difficult year for basic commodities is not in any way a licence to any trader to raise prices unnecessarily to the detriment of the people.
“Today with the internet, you can have prices on a daily basis of basic commodities. I don’t want to intervene with regards to basic commodities but if you force me to intervene, I will not go out,” he said. The president harped on the need for traders, whether Muslim or Christian, to fear God and be compassionate, reminding them that nobody will go to God with the money. While describing the gathering as a family meeting meant to address things before they get out of hand, the Gambian leader warned against the situation worsening to the extent of warranting government’s intervention.
He continued: “Let me make it very clear too that the government also reserves the right to import basic commodities; form an agency like the NTC [National Trading Corporation] and import basic commodities. But we had a gentleman’s agreement that we need the private sector to be a partner and that is why even in Vision 2020, it is clearly spelt out what your role is. But we cannot allow any side to capsize the boat because we are in the same boat – the government and the business community.
“If you make the mistake of forcing me to into the basic commodity, I will enter the same way I entered for bread and I will not back out. That will not prevent you from importing.” President Jammeh also pointed out that both the government and the private sector have a stake in the issue at hand, reiterating the need for traders to be reasonable.
Adding her voice to the concerns raised by the Gambian leader, the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy averred that it has always been the government’s position to dialogue, noting that this is not the first time such a meeting is being convened. She also drew attention to the fact that government has always been in dialogue with the private sector since 1994, given the latter’s position as the engine of growth and development as stipulated in the Vision 2020. VP Njie-Saidy, while underscoring the importance of affordability of basic commodities at the household level, described the trend as in fact a security issue.
She said: “I see the affordability of basic commodities as a security issue – I don’t just see it as a commodity. This is part of security – food security; household security, national security, global security and so on. A hungry man as we always say is an angry man. So we have to address it.” She concluded by stressing that the government is not here to discourage anyone operating in the private sector, but is rather concerned about national interest and that of the average Gambian.
The minister of Trade, Integration and Employment, Abdou Kolley, hailed the president for convening the meeting, something he said is meant among other things to prevent shortage of commodities and ensure that prices being charged are not excessive. He admitted that businesses are meant to make profit, but as stressed by the president, the traders must look for profits that are reasonable and within the reach of the people. He then told the traders that in as much as they want to make profit, they should be considerate to the people. Minister Kolley underscored the need for the private sector operators to consider ways of intervening in the agriculture sector with a view of pushing local production as one of the solutions in the long-term.
The Finance and Economic Affairs minister, Mambury Njie, reminded the members of the business community that in the past government was trading through the creation of the NTC, recalling that it was actions like this that prompted it to intervene then. “We hope you are not going to try us to the possibilities of revisiting the policies,” he said, while also hinting that government will look at the possibilities of discouraging the cartels in the country. The Finance minister said The Gambia’s liberal market policy must not be abused, while expressing hope that the consultations will be continued on how the commodities can be stabilised.
Speaking earlier, the secretary general and head of the Civil Service, Dr Njogu Bah lauded the presidential move, saying it shows President Jammeh believes in dialogue. He further commended the president for his concern for the citizenry. Bah observed that the prices of basic commodities are skyrocketing, and said the Gambian leader could not afford to see his people struggling. He further decried the current situation as a concern that needs to be addressed.
For his part, the chief executive officer of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Abdou Salam, assured the Gambian leader that they are equally concerned and care about the welfare of the citizens especially when it comes to the adequate supply of basic needs. He concurred with VP Njie-Saidy that the issue is one of security. Some of the major importers took turns to speak on the issue, with a few announcing their intention to open new outlets to sell to consumers.
Hassan Tajeddine of Tajco Company Limited announced that his company is expecting a consignment of vegetable oil next week, and indicated their desire to open a retail outlet to sell a 20-litre gallon of oil to the people at a reduced price of D900 dalasis. George Madi Junior of Shyben A. Madi & Sons Company described the Gambian leader’s concern as their concern, while assuring that they are trying to do their best to maintain their prices. He said the trend equally scared them, and that they are working on a very low margin. Madi also announced that he intends to open a retail shop immediately to sell to the individual citizens in the country.
Tony Banna of George Banna Company said they understand the concern of the Gambian leader and the people at large about the fact that there is a problem and that they need to be reasonable.
Author: By Hatab Fadera
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 01 Mar 2011 16:09:17 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
 |
|
|
Topic Locked
