By Yusupha Jobe
The National Assembly Member for Niamina East has urged Barrow’s administration to reopen the weekly markets ‘lumos’ and strengthen control of the borders.
Omar Ceesay’s urge came a day after the government has announced the ease of the coronavirus restrictions.
“Once again, the government have manifested their insensitivity to the conditions of the people who are most vulnerable by the emergency despite been far from the epicenter. It is not logical allowing the daily markets to open while the weekly ‘Lumos’ continue to be banned. There is no reasonable justification for this move from the government,” he said.
He affirmed that the covid-19 government food package is not accessible to every household in the rural areas of the country while added that continuing closure of ‘Lumos’ will hamper the livelihood of the rural population.
“It is necessary to remind the government that the COVID-19 food package is not accessible and sustainable to all the electorates. So, there is high need for the reopening of the ‘Lumos’ where 85% of the rural Gambia relied on weekly market days for their survivals,” he said.