By: Mariama Njie
Despite the scrapped of the coronavirus restrictions by the State earlier this month businesses are still in woe as men and women traders lamented of facing challenges.
The Voice was out and about on Tuesday to sound the reactions of the business community within the Greater Banjul Area to know how traders are doing in their businesses since the scrap of the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to Fatou Jabbie, a shop owner at Tipper Garage Mall disclosed that businesses is still slow despite government has relaxed all restrictions. He added that “clients are not coming and KMC has been coming frequently in reminding us to pay tax.”
She urged the government to come to their aid by reducing the income tax so that “we can at least giving opportunity to pay 25% instead of 100% to make things better for everyone.”
Maryam Njie, owner of a fashion boutique at same Mall said she thought businesses will start going normal as soon as government ease restrictions but it is still the same.
She quickly added that the government should reduce tax in all forms as rents and merchandizes are expensive.
“I guess, hopefully in the next three months to come things might get better but as I am speaking it is deadly slow,” she said.
On her own, Awa Jobe, cosmetic seller said, things are getting better compared to the period of the lockdown where one will sat for a whole one month without seeing any client in his or her shop.
“Though business is slow but thank God is far better than before, I hope things will one day come to normal,” she added.
Dam Ceesay, Fabric Dealer, also stated the same thing that business is not working as usual.
“This is my only means of income, sometimes is crazy I will come to the shop all day no sale and go back home empty handed,” he said.
Alieu Njie, a shopkeeper also added that the relaxed of all restrictions on businesses was a surplus to them and they were happy about it, but despite that it is still less clients coming.