(Thursday September 1st, 2016 Issue)
The
Tobaski feast is just around the corner, as it is about two weeks from now.
All
of us and stakeholders like ram dealers and the authorities should work hand in
glove to ensure the availability and affordability of rams and other livestock
in the market, so that the majority of our Muslim people who would want to buy
ram or other animals for sacrifice are not priced out.
To
attain such an appreciable condition or situation, certain bones in the fish
should be plucked out.
It
is advisable that the authorities waive some taxes on ram and other livestock
sale.
Livestock
dealers with their animals who have met the necessary charges at border
crossing and checkpoints should be given easy access into the country, to ensure
there is enough livestock in the market for people to buy at reasonable prices.
Waiving
some taxes for them will certainly influence the pricing down of their rams and
other livestock.
It
should be noted that in the sub-region, The Gambia has the highest prices for
livestock compared to neighbouring countries.
Currently
in Abuko, the prices of rams and other animals are very high. They range from
D7,500 to D15,000, which most Gambians cannot afford.
Some
dealers have said the value of the CFA has shot up against the Dalasi as they
are currently traded for 5000CFA to D400. This again will have some negative
effect on the pricing of livestock from neighbouring Senegal and Mali, for
instance.
The
ferry crossing and checkpoints should also be hassle-free for livestock
dealers, to ensure they arrive with their livestock much easier and with less
overhead cost, to restrain dealers from unduly increasing prices of their
animals.
Ferry
services should be conducted in such a way as to ensure smooth passage of dealers
and their livestock during the period leading to the feast.
Our
security apparatus should also do all they could to ensure safe and secure
business environment.
Meanwhile,
Kanilai Farm is selling rams at prices between D4,000 and D5,000, which is
considered reasonable and appreciated.
We
would, therefore, like to commend the Minister of Trade for his foresight in
the sale of livestock in The Gambia, by inviting livestock dealers and other
stakeholders to a meeting to thrash out issues which can hamper the smooth flow
of livestock business, as well as affect the general public.
Furthermore,
it is good that it has been decided that this year livestock would not be sold
around Westfield, but in Abuko, around the Independence Stadium and GTMI.
We
would also like to mention that those who cannot afford to buy ram or livestock
should not take the trouble of indebting themselves just to get rams or other
animals for sacrifice.
We
should all be mindful that schools will start reopening the following week
after Tobaski, hence there will be lots of expenses to make to send our
children back to school.
Furthermore,
the well-to-do in the society should consider helping the needy in our midst,
for that is what Islam teaches us as Muslims.
“Let’s
remain our brother’s keeper ”
The
Point
