By: Fatoumatta Gassama & Sariba Manneh
Consumers who spoke to The Voice have expressed concerns over high price of basic commodities in the markets within Kanifing Municipality.
As the market has an unstable fixed price, according to vendors and consumers, the Serrekunda market is a well-known placed for many people to buy their goods in Ramadan during the feasting month.
Shering Cham, a consumer noted that in other countries when it comes to Ramadan they reduced price of commodities for everyone to afford also Allah’s reward.
He further said in The Gambia price of commodities increased day by day which is worrying.
Fatoumatta Jarju, a consumer lamented that during Ramadan the market is more difficult because commodities such as sugar, onion, cucumber, potatoes becomes more expensive.
According to her, as mother of five children it is difficult during Ramadan to go with normal fish money because goods are extra expensive’
“I have to cook Iftar and dinner, which is a big worry for me as it cost me lot of money,” Jarju said.
Mbassy Bojang, a vegetable seller said the price of vegetable is unstable at this point in time, vegetable such as cabbage, tomato, green Pepe, bitter tomato are too expensive.
She explained that sometime they bought these vegetable from Senegal which is the main factors of price increment.
She added that: “It is not us who makes the price high, it’s because from where we buy goods and the transport is too difficult and expensive’’
Abubacarr Fofana, a vendor also expressed his feeling on the high price increment of commodities in the market, adding that he was hoping that the price of sugar, potatoes, will reduced but the price still remain.
He said in a country were majoring of population live below poverty lined effort should be made to reduce the high price basic commodities during Ramadan.
He added that youths of this country should stand up and work but only women are in agriculture production.
