By Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) has urged government to take stance against illegal importation of goods by business community.
Speaking at a press conference, the Union president Omar Ceesay talked about the illegal issues that frequently running in the country which the Gambia Transport Union considered not good for the country.
“As a union we deemed it necessary to inform the public, though some people are seeing it without knowing what would be the outcome at the end,” he said.
“As Gambians and members of the GTU we take this opportunity to call for justice. Illegal importations of goods are going on in the country which is criminal acts and it is affecting country’s economy and the GDP. This act is creating unemployment for the youths,” he added.
According to him, “we all know the port is on transit and 60% of the containers pass transit through Gambia up to the final destination.”
He explained that “transit means buying goods from America and China to The Gambia but not meaning here is the final destination.”
So, “We realize that some of those goods are not taken to their final destination, our concern as GTU is to alert the Government to know that information has reached us about the issue,” he said.
He continued: “we stood up to support the government over this matter because this transit is having key important sector responsible for transit and it is GRA and mandate is giving to GCCI. That’s why any vehicle crossing with blue plaque is on transit from the ports going direct to the border. That’s why from the ports direct to border no police will check the goods if not it may land without paying tax.”
