By; Fatoumatta J Camara
Alagie Mbaye, Treasurer of the Cement Importers and Traders Association(CITA), has accused the Government of trying to kill their business by increasing the tax on imported cement by 500%.
“The Government wants to kill our business because a 500% increment never happened anywhere. We employed more than 3000 people ranging from drivers, apprentices, and laborers among others,” he highlighted.
He made these comments during the Cement Importers and Traders Association’s press conference held at the Gambian border village of Kaur Ayub on Wednesday, 22nd May 2024, where many trucks loaded with cement were stranded.
He said the increase of tax on imported cement would cause a huge economic loss if the Government did not rescind its decision.
He disclosed that they pay nearly six million every day in tax to the government, adding that each truck buys fuel of 400 liters.
“We pay nearly six million every day in tax to the government not only that each vehicle truck buys fuel of 400 liters of which, the government has at least D21 per litre. Also, any truck crossing the Senegambia Bridge pays an amount of D2000 to and fro which costs each truck D4000 but we also urge the government to rescind their decision,’’ he said.
Alagie Touray, a cement importer said the tax increment would make many youths unemployed, noting that if the government did not rescind its decision, the people they employ would suffer.
Ousman Jawo, an importer from URR also urged the government to rescind its decision, noting that the increase would cause a huge economic loss.
CITA revealed that over 3000 jobs have been affected by the levy increase.
The importers alleged that Jah Oil, Gacem and Salam were behind this move, noting that the three companies could not supply The Gambia with adequate cement.
This was the second time the association held a press conference with media from Gambia and Senegal to reveal the challenges they are facing since the Government increased the tax from D30 to D180 per bag of cement imported from Senegal.