By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Gambia government’s decision to increase by 500% the levy on bagged cement from Senegal has destroyed livelihoods in Farafenni and caused a huge increase in the retail price of cement in the provincial town.
The destructive impact of this government decision was there for everyone to see as stores that used to be beehives of cement selling and buying activities have been virtually reduced to graveyard silence.
While some cement store owners have repurposed their stores for selling other construction stuff, others have put theirs behind keys and padlocks.
Some store owners were thinking of diversifying their business portfolios but the fear of going into an unchartered territory has been holding them back.
“For three months now, we couldn’t get cement here and the situation is ruining us, financially. I sometimes think of venturing into another business but this could be very risky,” prominent cement dealer in Farafenni Alhagie Touray told The Voice in a chat at his cement-devoid store in Farafenni on Saturday.
Just opposite Alhagie’s shop is located at Tahir Bah’s building material shop. Like Alhagie, Tahir did not replenish his cement store for the past three months and the impact on him and those who worked indirectly with him has been destructive.
“All other masonry works depend on cement. For example, plumbers and electricians cannot work efficiently without cement. Cement is integral in all construction and installation works,” explained Tahir.
He lamented that the effect of the government’s cement tariff increase on construction material business has been far-reaching.
“It has caused a huge building material sector-wide problem here in Farafenni. The traffic in building materials is very slow because cement is complementary in almost all building works,” he added.
Tahir now uses his cement store for the safekeeping of other wares.
Meanwhile, according to cement trader Alhagie Touray, though the government’s levy increase has been exerting a financial toll on many dealers, the masses would bear the brunt of this move.
“A bag of cement is now sold here in Farafenni at D400. It used to be quite cheap at around D375. The masses will indeed suffer more from this decision,” he pointed out.
Alhagie suggested that the government should think about how to support indigenous businesses to create more jobs and pay more taxes.
“We are not waiting for anyone to create jobs for us. Instead, we created jobs for ourselves and others and must, therefore, be supported in any way that can help our businesses to thrive and be viable,” he stated.
Many cement stores that this medium visited in Farafenni on Saturday were behind keys and padlocks, deserted by their owners, cement carriers, and labourers.
Horse cart owner Babucarr Ceesay was found sitting at one of the empty cement stores in the provincial town.
“I used to transport cement from the store to various destinations for money. However, I’ve not transported a single bag of cement for the past three months because of the lack of cement here. The situation is seriously affecting me, financially,” he added.
Labourer Omar Bah expressed a similar sentiment.
Meanwhile, Alhagie Touray said the government should upscale its efforts to stem irregular migration by supporting youths who have become professional panel-beaters, masons, plumbers, and carpenters among others.
“These are youths, who have established businesses. Let the government support them to discourage irregular migration. This government decision is making a lot of youths redundant. They were given contracts and the contracts were executed. How can you abruptly end those contract just by increasing the cost of cement?” he stated.
The government meantime insists that the increase of levy on a bag of cement from D30 to D180 will remain. It said its decision was informed by the need to protect “local cement producers” from imported bagged cement. However, the irony is that the country produces no raw material for cement manufacture.
