By: Sulayman Waan
Attempt closure of Banjul Breweries Limited (BBL) has triggered panic among many in the hotel industry as some said the closure of the factory will either lead to the closure of their businesses or affect their progress.
Speaking to The Voice in series of interview on Wednesday several people working in the hotel industry particularly in the Senegambia zone expressed concerns over the attempt to close the multimillion dollar company.
Zizu, proprietor of Zizu’s Bar and Restaurant in Senegambia, said he often purchase products from BBL including bear, vimto, tonic, among others, adding if the factory’s operation ends, he will also close his Bar and Restaurant because he depends on this company to run his business.
“Closing this company is not a good idea because if it’s closed, there will be no effective business in the hotel industry and that will hamper the tourism sector,” he said.
He added: “I’m not a Gambian but I like this country and closing the company is bad since it will cause low tourists turnout in the nation,” Zizu an Ethiopian said.
Omar Fofana procurement manager for Kairaba Beach Hotel, revealed that the current challenges of BBL has affected his service, saying previously the company used to deliver their products such as draft barrel bear to the hotel but now the hotel staff have to travel to the factory to get the products.
He added that whenever the factory is close it will seriously hinder the business at the hotel industry because it’s the only factory that produces soft drinks and alcohol in the country.
“We can’t operate without the drinks and draft barrel bears. I always order about 25 draft barrels bear from the factory. If these products are lacking our guests would complain,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fofana said soda water and vimto are imported but their price in the Gambia is too expensive compare to the local products.
“When the factory close it would also cause low employment rate in the hotels because if the guest are no longer getting the drinks and bears they need, if they go back they may write negative comment on booking point and the social media.”
“This may lead low tourists turnout in the country and that could lead low job opportunities in the hotels because employment in the hotel industry depends on its occupancy.”
Another restaurant owner who prefers anonymity told this medium that as soon as the factory closed it would affect the whole populace since the price of soft and bear will increase in the Gambia.
“The price of bear made in the local factory cost between D60 – D100 while the imported bear cost between D120- D250 depending on the restaurants’ price,” he said.
Patrice Manga, manager of Senegambia Mini Market also said if the BBL is close it would have negative impact on his business because he depends on the factory to run his business.