By Mustapha Jarju
Both regular and irregular customers are lamenting on the high prices leveling on basic needs including food and clothing in the markets especially in the Greater Banjul Area where many come from far away to buy items for personal use and resale them at the approach of Eid-il-Fitr popular called ‘Koriteh’ across Senegambia.
This year upcoming feast is marred with high cost of living as prices on basic commodities continue to skyrocket despite the government announcement to address the problem.
Amadou, a vendor at the Serekunda market called on the government officials to see the Gambia first before individual interests, saying the positions they hold are instituted for the people.
“Even if you are appointed by the president the president himself is appointed by the people, therefore government officials should help in rescuing this country from the wrong direction it’s heading towards. Let them change their attitudes and Gambians, too, should change their attitudes so that the country can go forward,” he appealed.
“We are going through hardship and frustration this is unbearable for the mind and heart to accept. The merchandise are expensive, inflation in the country these are major challenge, “if we buy from outside country you come and sell here you don’t have anything,” Lamin Touray, a vendor at the Serrekunda market told The Voice.
Meanwhile, Mr Touray called on Gambians to be one, and advised everyone to have one intention for one another without seeking for personal interest in national issues.
“If we don’t look at personal interests except the Gambia`s interest, what we want we will have that in this country, but we will face only difficulties we consider personal interests,” he added.
Vendors who sell on the highways in the market and those that are using wheelbarrows also complained lack of proper selling points saying the police used to disturb them most especially during this time of which Gambians are face to face to Koriteh. Adding that, they are facing a lot of challenges to earn their daily living.
Wuri Barry selling with wheelbarrow expressed that in The Gambia those who are rich continue to be richer while the poor continue poorer and suffering. Source of earning in this country is on one side that those working under the government have somewhere to lean on while the skilled and the business persons has no other option other than their personal works.
“Those working under the government are benefitting while those who are not under the government have nothing to benefit, this is a national cake we should all benefit from it, we are sidelined, this is how the country is moving,” he said.
