|
Momodou
Denmark
11728 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jan 2008 : 22:45:28
|
Concern Over Economic Hardship, Human Rights Raised
By Musa Barrow and Saikou Ceesay
Ordinary Gambians have expressed concern over the economic hardship endured in the country over the last twelve months. In the same vein, people have also voiced out concern over the state of human rights in The Gambia. These views were gathered in a special interview conducted by these reporters, who went to the streets to seek the views of people.
Speaking to these reporters, one Ebrima Bojang, who described himself as a market vendor, said despite the relative peace in the country, many ordinary Gambians have undergone serious economic hardship. He pointed out that the price of basic commodities such as rice and flour have skyrocketed beyond the reach of many ordinary Gambians. This he pointed out is totally unacceptable in a country where the capacity of earning has not been enhanced. Bojang further noted that he and his fellow vendors are constantly harassed by the police who often drive them from where they stand and sell on the road side. According to him, this regular displacements and obstacles caused by the police have put them in a difficult situation, as they have been denied earning income.
Reflecting on 2007, one man who introduced himself as Seedy, remarked that although the dalasi was reported to have risen, it has not reflected on the prices of commodities concerned. He explained that one would have thought that the strengthening of the dalasi against major currencies would have at least led to the reduction of the prices of basic commodities. He said that despite the claims that the dalasi is strengthening, the prices of commodities remain skyrocketing. Seedy also welcomed the twenty percent increment in salaries and expressed concern over the plight of the unemployed, whom he said are left at the mercy of more hardship. He suggested that something should be done about the plight of the unemployed Gambians.
Sarjo Dibba, a businessman at Albert Market, said that the year 2007 has been a very difficult year, especially for farmers. Mr. Dibba remarked that the lack of market for the groundnut crop has negatively impacted on farmers; that government’s decision to announce the price of groundnuts is not enough. He said government should do everything humanly possible to make sure that there is a lucrative market for groundnuts. He explained that over the last three years groundnut buying has been left in the hands of private dealers who, according to him, have been exploiting the farmers. He also called for an immediate end to what he said is an apparent exploitation of farmers.
Commenting on the state of business in 2007, Dibba noted that business has not flourished. He attributed the poor performance of business to what he called the unpredictable nature of hard currencies in the Gambia over the past year.
Isatou Jobe and Fatou Jallow, who sell vegetables, both lamented the hardships experienced in the last year. They said that, as vegetable vendors, the number of customers had seriously plummeted, resulting in a decrease in their earnings.
Speaking to these reporters, a restaurant manager, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said the increase in the prices of foodstuff, in the past year, had severely stifled his business. The restaurant manager explained that the increase in the prices of basic foodstuffs meant that he had to increase the prices of his products. This, he said, did not often go down well with the customers, who could not understand the dramatic increase; that as a result, he had to incur losses on sales and also of some customers.
Momodou Njie, a young man, told these reporters that the state of human rights in the Gambia leaves a lot to be desired. He pointed out the numerous reports of alleged torture by security forces. Njie’s views were echoed by many other Gambians who added that detention of people without charge is rife in the country. They insisted that detention without trial amounts to gross violation of one’s fundamental human rights. These people cited the cases of councilor Ousman Jatta, alias Rambo, of Bakau and Tamba Fofana, a headmaster. According to them, these two people were unlawfully detained in the past year.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No 004/2007, 9 - 10 January 2008
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
