By Yunus S Saliu
To improve resilience, confidence building and support for reopening of the tourism session in destination Gambia, the Ministry Tourism and Culture led by Honorable Hamat NK Bah Wednesday disbursed sum of D100 million (One Hundred Million Dalasi) known as Covid-19 support for resilience and recovery to the tourism, culture and hospitality institutions under its tutelage.
The disbursed sum is part of the recovery work plan and budget for the licensed institutions, stakeholders and tourism establishment in the sector across the country.
According to the breakdown announced by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Honorable Hamat NK Bah, the beneficiaries include tourists taxi drivers (413), fruit sellers (145), Juice pressers (81), hairdressers (76), Senegambia market vendors (96), Kotu market vendors (90), Cape Point craft market vendors (78), Palma Rima craft market vendors (34), Fajara craft market vendors (74), Bakau craft market vendors (50), Banjul craft market vendors (40), Brikama craft market vendors (55), tourist guides/bird watchers (158), miscellaneous business (120), hotels over 100 rooms (15), hotels (50 to 100) rooms (13), hotels less than 50 rooms (23), guest houses/motels (118), upcountry lodges/camps (68), ground operators Class A (6), ground operators Class B (15), equipment hirers/car rentals (25), tourist boats/vessels/pirogues (125), bars, restaurants and clubs (108), beach Bars (55).
According to him the list as well included travel agencies (15), casinos and gaming houses (16), Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute, Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia, Fajara Skill Development Centre, Takulegaye Skills Training Centre, YMCA, Vickey’s Hairdressing Saloon, National Centre for Arts and Culture, artistic groups (59), artistic individuals (45) Writers’ Association of the Gambia, Music Union Association, Film Producers Association, Theatre Association, Book Publishers Association and Fashion Designers Association.
Minister Bah made it clear before the stakeholders that the Covid-19 support for resilience and recovery package is made possible by the government and meant for businesses registered and licensed institutions, stakeholders and tourism establishment in the sector.
The Minister expounded in his remarks that during the period of assessment and collation of the names of the registered businesses in the industry the Ministry and the institutions tasked for the assignment “make sure that there is no registered businesses in the sector left behind” in this Covid-19 recovery support.
He went on that the assessment was done in detail as it is not limited to the Greater Banjul Area but “across the country – from here (GRA) to Basse.”
As it is important to support them for recovery hence the country is in hard situation, he said they took some measures that we lessen their burdens.
Highlighted on the measures in brief which include but not limited to secured D100 million to be distributed among all the players, the MoTC having an agreement with banks with the help of “Ministry of Finance through the Central Bank of The Gambia to stop deducting interest and loan repayment for those who owe the bank that are in the industry.”
He said same was done with all the Municipalities in regards to the hotels, and “for operational license, government also paid that money for the hotels some have paid but next year those who already paid will not pay.”
He therefore advised that “the money is not meant for rent arrears because covid-19 still stays but the money is to help you start your businesses again.”
While expressing trust in all institutions under his ministry, he as well warned and advised them to do justice to the money as expected without fight or partial so that everyone should get what belongs to them.
