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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Dec 2007 : 21:25:57
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REDUCE PRICES SAYS THE COMMON PERSON
By Amie Sanneh and Gibairu Janneh
Every single person from the informal sector, that Foroyaa interviewed in a round up survey, would not fail to say that prices of goods are very high and appeal for price reduction.
Read on to know more in this series of interviews with people engaged in the informal sector regarding the performance of their businesses. Some employees and a house-wife were also interviewed. This can serve as a valuable material for the SoS for Finance.
SULAYMAN SECKA, TAILOR IN SERREKUNDA
We are coping and trying our best in the tailoring business, as citizens, though its not easy.
We are happy with our customers, especially during feasts, as we are here because of them.
At this time, when a feast like Tobaski is approaching, we make money but that when it passes, difficulties arise. The main difficulty we encounter in our work is the high cost of materials. This is the reason why our prices are high and the customers keep complaining that our goods are expensive. We, however, don’t
wish to charge our customers high prices.
Another problem is the currency.
Despite the fact that people are saying that the dalasi is rising, it is not having any impact on us, because goods are still expensive. The CFA too is rising, which is also making our work more difficult. Things will be better if the CFA and Dalasi are steady at one place.
I am satisfied with what I have, because with the little money I earn, I can pay my house rent and to give to my wife.
ABDOULIE JACK
MECHANIC
We are managing and everything is going on well. We do not have problems, except that sometimes we find some of the goods expensive. We are not earning much, but thank god, we are being able to solve one or two problems.
AMADOU BARRY
SHOPKEEPER
The business is going on well but just that things are expensive to our customers. It is expensive because wholesale prices are equally high and we sell according to the prices we get the goods at in order to make profit and sustain our livelihood.
I am satisfied with the business because, even though goods are expensive, people are coming over to buy what they need.
The way forward is for prices to come down as far as the dalasi is rising up.
MARIAMA MBYE
VEGETABLE SELLER
Business is not that good because customers are infrequent.
When customers don’t come we incur losses, because when our vegetables stay long they get rotten and we end up dumping them.
The only problem is that we buy them expensively and have to pay transport for them, which is also expensive. Drivers charge us D15.00 to transport each pan load of vegetables. We also have to pay a wheelbarrow man to take our goods to our stalls for us.
I use the little profit I earn to pay my children’s school fees and sometimes save some in case of emergency.
The only way we can be in terms with our customers is for prices to go down so that we sell at affordable prices.
DEMBA JAWNEH
NURSE
Our business, in recent years, has not been profitable. We hardly have customers. Even though one may claim that it is because of the fact that the health conditions of the people have improved, many people complain of the high cost of medicine. We do import drugs and this is what has made the cost very high.
I will say that our working condition as nurses is indeed improving and we are expecting it to be even better come 2008. But I will, however, plead to the authorities to increase salaries so as to enable us excel in our duties.
WASSA CAMARA
MASON
LATRIKUNDA SABIJI
We are indeed encountering great difficulties in our business these days. The cost of a bag of cement is very high and with the reduction in the rate of foreign exchange, the rate of our employment has drastically dropped. People now hardly invest in construction because they say it is expensive and this has greatly affected our living condition, as we do not earn much and the prices of basic commodities are very high. I will appeal to the government to help reduce the prices of goods so that the poor can, at least, better their lot.
What we earn is very small compared to the high cost of living and we really want better living standard.
PA COLLEY
WELDER
FAJIKUNDA
Our business has been fluctuating in recent years. Our job is heavily dependent on those who are constructing their houses and now with the reduction of the foreign currency rates and the high cost of our welding materials we are not receiving enough contracts, we are stranded.
With the Tobaski fast approaching this is particularly difficult for us.
Initially, we do face the problem of electricity and that has been solved, but now our greatest problem is the high cost of the materials because when people bring contracts you charge them high prices that they are not willing to pay.
This has greatly affected our business. We also pay D3000 to KMC every year as tax and I think the conditions now are hard. The reduction of taxes, I think, will enable us realise the benefits of our business and better our working conditions.
JANKEY SAIDY
HOUSE WIFE
TALLINDING
Things are not easy with us. If we go to the market the prices of basic commodities are high and we are not working to earn enough income while we have to feed our families. The government should seriously look into our plight. We want the prices of goods to came down so that we the ordinary women can also improve their standard of living.
TEACHER
NAME WITHELD
The working condition of teacher’s is not satisfactory at all. There is little motivation in our job.
Just look at this budget. Despite the budget surplus, I have not seen any salary increment for us. We need to be given incentives and allowances so that we can deliver quality products in the education system.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 148, 17 – 18 December 2007
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