By Sulayman Waan
A top official of Citizen Alliance has urged the government to provide financial support to small scale businesses to help their businesses survive amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Ismaila Ceesay who walked in to the office of The Voice, said in an exclusive interview stressed that the government failed to come with corresponding stimulus package for small scale businesses since the emergence of the virus in March.
“When the coronavirus reaches the country government came with certain regulations especially the closure of some businesses but it failed to come up with corresponding stimulus package measures to support small businesses in the country.
“The government came with relief packages that are they are going to give rice, sugar and cooking oil to citizens. This is to help the citizens but small businesses are key element in the country. But there was not corresponding package for small businesses.
“The government is responsibility to support these small businesses, especially Gambians businesses in the country,” he said.
He said small businesses are fundamental in the country’s economy, adding “If the small business did not work the economy collapses.”
According to him, the government should have engage landlords to exempt small business holders for at least six months and that the government should have also exempt the small scale businesses from paying tax for some months or provide funds to help them pay their staff during Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Ceesay added: “Is not fair for government to tell you to close your business and you sent your staff home without being pay, this means you pushed those staff into poverty.”
He also said government should have put mechanisms in place to help business owners like betting companies and Gym centers as he urged government to reconsider the plight of Gambian business especially small medium enterprises.