By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Permanent Secretary on the Ministry of Trade, Mod A.Okay Secka, stated he anticipated the cement shortage that hit components of the Greater Banjul Area to return to an finish quickly.
However, there seemed to be no finish in sight to the scarcity that has now entered its second week.
The Voice contacted PS Secka on Monday to inquire as as to if the scarcity was precipitated by the federal government’s tariff on a bag of imported cement, which successfully despatched some cement sellers out of enterprise.
PS Secka stated he couldn’t touch upon the brand new tariff and its implications on companies in addition to shoppers as a result of he was new within the job. He, nonetheless, informed this medium that the cement shortage within the GBA may come to an finish quickly.
He said that the scarcity was precipitated by delays in discharge of supplies on the port.
“It has to do with delays in discharge at the port. So, some of the materials are already here. I think they will be discharging very soon,” he defined.
The Gambia authorities elevated tariff on a bag of imported cement from D30 to D180, ostensibly to guard native cement producers. This improvement engendered scarcities and job losses alongside the cement provide chain as native producers comparable to Gacem and Salaam struggled to satisfy the nation’s rising demand for cement whereas Jah Oil’s re-bagging of imported pulverized cement couldn’t as properly plug the hole.
Many cement sellers, who spoke to this reporter, have known as on authorities to revisit its tariff coverage to salvage livelihoods and guarantee availability of cement always.
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