By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Cement Importers and Traders Association (CITA) has renewed its call on the Gambia government to allow into the country the numerous cement-laden trucks that were stranded at the Gambia-Senegal border since May 16th.
In April this year, the Gambia government astronomically increased the levy on 30-ton truck of Senegal-imported cement by 600%, shooting it up from D30,000 to D180,000.
The government said it’s move was neccessitated by the need to protect local cement “producers”.
However, an investigation conducted by The Voice has revealed that the Gambia government had no cement company to protect because none of the so-called cement factories was producing cement locally as they all depended on imported cement from Morocco, Senegal and other destinations. Contrary to the government’s claim of protectionism, all cement sold in The Gambia were either imported in bags or in powderized form.
The CITA convened a press conference in Farafenni on Wednesday during which, it made an impassioned call on President Adama Barrow’s government to save struggling cement traders from going out of business.
“We believe that the cement levy increase has not followed due process and we’ve not been able to trade since the augmentation. Look at the sheer number of cement-laden vehicles stranded here and are unable to discharge their cargo since May 16th,” CITA treasurer Alhagie Mbye stated in an interview with this reporter.
“This blockade is seriously hampering our businesses as no-one was able to trade for almost one week now. It has also hugely affected construction projects as no single cement entity could satisfy the demand for cement. Customers have started experiencing issues.There is no cement factory here. So why should they ban cement imports?” he added.
Mr. Mbye said he was convinced that the President was ill-informed about the cement issue.
“The reason for the increase may be due to a misunderstanding. He was misinformed. There is no factory here that manufactures cement. Those calling themselves factories have been importing cement from Senegal,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Jah Oil, Momodou Hydara, admitted that Jah Oil brings in its own vessel of cement when this reporter spoke to him as he investigated the matter.
“Jah Oil imports its own cement… full vessel alone. Check with the ports,” said Mr. Hydara.
This reporter also discovered that Gacem has been struggling, financially since its acquisition by Indian investors.
“The company is even struggling to import its own vessel of cement,” it was discovered.