By Adama Makasuba
Amid of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, a disease ravaging the whole world which The Gambia is not an exceptional, the Manding Network Association has called President Adama Barrow to help and sign a three months tax exemption for Gambian businesses to reduce the burden of the businessmen and women in the country.
Manding Network Association is a local group that galvanises and promotes culture in the country and beyond.
According to the members, the three-month tax exemption will help to save money for businesses community and as well as generate additional incentives.
Sereing Bojang and Lamin Anta Jajur senior officials of the group said: “giving the apparent frustration of our men and women at different markets around the country, we appeal to the President to issue an executive order which will exempt businesses from paying tax for three months.”
Meanwhile, the group warned political parties against holding household meetings amid of Covid-19 pandemic.
“We feel that the State of Public Emergency is been politicize. We believe that failure to follow health guidelines is responsible for the surge in Covid-19 cases. A law should be respected by everyone or else it will be useless.”
“No political party should be exempted from these regulations…no one is above the Law. Covid-19 is deadly and must be treated as such without any reservations. We condemn all political parties that are bend on holding political meetings during these trying times because it will be meaningless and useless for the rest of the population to follow government orders whiles political parties that are expected to lead by example are doing otherwise,” the group said.
The group emphasised that “all political parties should stop gathering people for whatever reason taking into consideration that hundreds of Gambians are under quarantines. Therefore, politicians should also start leading by example.”
The member of the group however advised everyone to abide with the laid down guidelines by wearing a face mask, stay at home than rather than contacting the virus and go stay in an intensive care unit “Covid-19 should not be using for any political gains.”