Fellows from the rural Gambia have expressed their dissatisfaction over the cost of the National Identity Cards, citing that the cost for the national document is exorbitant and unaffordable to many rural dwellers.
They accuse the government of not engaging the rural populace before costing the new Identity Cards that is pegged at four hundred and fifty dalasi.
Gambia government have recently lifted a two years embargo on the issuance of the national identity card citing difficulties on contractual agreement with Semlex, a Belgian Company allegedly involve in legal battles in some countries across the world.
However, in September the government of The Gambia came into agreement with Semlex at the detriment of some local companies whom many Gambians belief could do the same job Semlex does.
Hassoum Ceesay is the Alkali of Panchang Wharftown in the Upper Saloum District said the cost of ID Card is expensive for the rural population, noting that many rural dwellers are without ID Cards because they cannot afford it due to the high cost attached to it.
“The cost of the identity card is expensive and many people cannot pay D450 to secure one when you are thinking of putting food on the table,” Hassoum Ceesay disclosed.
He said poor farmers who are living below $1 a day cannot afford to pay for this cost especially if one is to provide for more than five members of his/family.
“I have a big family like many others here, if I am to pay for ten members of my family it will cost me D4500. This is expensive poor farmers cannot afford it,” the Alkali Disclosed.
He argues that government should have engage and sound the opinion of Gambians especially the rural people, adding that many poor farmers cannot afford the cost of the old one and what of this one? He rhetorically asked.
The Alkali foresees a challenging time for poor farmers who cannot afford to pay for the ID card, noting that these people may land in the hands of the immigration officers who may not entertain any excuse.
He called on Gambia government to reconsider the price of the ID card for the interest of the poor farmers who cannot afford to buy such an important national documents.
“The new ID Card is very expensive for rural people, four hundred and fifty dalasis is not affordable to the poor people and I think government should do something about it,” said Bakary Sowe, Councilor of Karantaba ward, Sami District, Central River Region.
Sowe said 75% of the people living in his ward are complaining about the high cost of the new national documents, adding that even the old identity card that cost D250 was not affordable.
He called on the government to revisit its price for the new identity card so that rural farmers and poor dwellers will have the opportunity to grab one.
“I think the government should revisit its price decision for the new ID Card and if the price can be reduce it will be good for the poor farmers,” Councilor Sowe noted.
Foday Ceesay, a native of Karantaba Dutokoto defers in opinion, stating that the fact that the card will serve five years commensurate with the price.
Ceesay disclosed that many Gambians undervalue this very important national document, adding that if one pays such an amount for your document one will take care of it.
“For me that is important is not about the price its about not issuing ID Cards to non Gambians. To me issuing identity cards to non Gambians is the crime not the price of this document because it will serve for five years not one year,” Ceesay a former Gambian Diaspora who lives in Angola for a decade but now back in the country to contribute his quota to national development.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh