By: Nyima Sillah
Non-essential traders in Greater Banjul Area over the weekend expressed dissatisfaction on the extension of the new declared twenty-one days State of Public Emergency with introduction of curfew.
Some of these non-essential traders complained of their not inclusive in the new SoPE. Baba Fofana among the non-essential traders in Serrekunda market ranted that “We went to
KMC to confirm if we are part of the operational hours but they strictly said ‘no’ that only food traders are allowed to operate from 6am to 2pm. It is unfair because we are all traders and we all have the same aim, which is to feed our families. So why would they choose the food traders over us? We also have the right to operate and close on the exact given time.”
He said it is very challenging for him as a family man to stay at home without engaging in anything that can bring money because it will add more issues to his responsibilities.
Baba’s business includes selling of school bags, shoes and other items and it is his only sources of income.
Meanwhile, he called on government to take the start of the curfew time to 12am as 10pm is too early for people like him to complete their personal business in town taking into consideration the night shift workers, too.
He therefore appealed to government to reconsider the time declared for curfew and also consider non-essential traders in the operational hours so that they can have something to feed their families during this trying time.
Amat Njie, a jewelry trader disclosed that if someone close for three days, as a businessman/woman such business will be affected talk less of twenty-one days, especially that they are not even parts of the exempted traders.
“Our trading cannot be classified as non-essential because that’s where we earn our living, and the food traders also earn their living in the same way, too.
