By: Mariama Njie
Hundreds of businessmen and women at Banjul Albert market have started touting their products locally known as ‘wanteer’ amid coronavirus pandemic.
Cherno Jallow, a businessman said he has scanty materials to sell this year compare to other years. He said “clients are not coming much like before. Because, in the past when Eid is approaching in a day I use to sell everything and go back to the port to get another set of items. But this year is really different.”
Last year, he added, “we have good sales with lot of profits but this year’s ‘Wanteer’ we are not having much profit.”
Essa Sowe, shoe vendor, expressed concern over this year ongoing wanteer. He described it not favourable selling at very high discount despite that they bought the goods from Senegal at a high price.
He said COVID-19 has affected all the vendors, especially in this approaching Eid.
Muhammed Keita, a fabric dealer, said Covid-19has slowed their business since the outbreak because there is scarcity of fabric due to the pandemic.
He said: “To be honest the way we were hoping for this ‘wanteer’ and how it turns to be is really disappointing. Before when the market is on half sale, the market is always overcrowded but this year as you can see the market is very empty, less people around and poor sale due to the fear of contracting the virus.”
“We have less commodities this year, despite that we are not having enough sales. We are praying to God to help us to eradicate this virus because every human aspect is affected,” he added.
Momodou Jagne, a vendor rated this year’s wanterr poor. He said he has spent his money on buying huge amount of African Fabric but since on Monday less people are buying.