By: Nyima Sillah
The Gambia Bar, Restaurant and Nightclub Association (GBRNA) Wednesday held a press conferecne to make clarifications of issues surrounding the establishment of the association called Restaurant Bar and Nightclub Association (RBNA).
The objective of the briefing is to inform the media about the initiatives that have been undertaken by the current interim or information GBRNA with the already existence RBNA.
Benjamin A. Roberts, Adviser of the GBRNA who was Speaking at the conference highlighted that on the 7th June, they held a meeting with the executives of RBNA and the purpose of the meeting was to harmonize and bring the two groups together. He noted that the idea was to inform them that the manner they undertook to form RBNA was not inclusive.
“The RBNA membership stand under 40 members and the GBRNA is currently under 120 people who have sign and support the idea that, RBNA should have broad bases association should be in place rather than the one that has just been formed”, he said.
According to Robert, their plans for having all Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants under one umbrella was long time over due this was a promise they all agreed on.
Robert added that, since one has been already created, they should try and meet with them and make them understand that the manner in which it was done was inclusive and if there is willingness in their part to rectify that shortcoming.
Sainey Manneh and Landing Sillah resigned as RBNA Executives the reasons for their resignation from the association came up after realizing that the association does not represent every stakeholder in the industry.
According to Manneh, he resigned because he is a Gambian and owns businesses so to him is fair to have people together because 40 and 120 members cannot be compare noting that, the association is not inclusive and Landing also explained a similar issue.
Alieu Ceesay, Interim Committee also elaborated on the purpose of the meeting and clearly mentioned that, they are not trying to be racist, adding that anyone that want to invest in any business in the country is highly welcome despite the color and where they come from.
He also mentioned that, the conference has nothing to do with the RBNA founding from UNDP.