The Monday holiday declared by the government
authorities on Sunday was actually in place, considering the fact that workers
had very exhaustive sporting events at the Independence Stadium, in observe of the International Workers Day on May 1.
However, the late announcement of the holiday which was broadcast on Sunday night, when all thought there would be no holiday on Monday, is not good for business at all.
Prompt declaration of holiday or making such announcement at the eleventh hour only goes to deter growth of the economy and disorganize transactions of people in the country.
Such a situation disturbs not only corporate business transactions; it also gravely affects schooling and students, as well as puts at bay national growth and development.
It is, therefore, always necessary to plan well as we lead our lives and nations. Otherwise we plan to fail, as we continue to take decisions that would affect our economic growth and well-being.
We should always practise to think ahead of time and, on such occasions like the Workers Day that fell on Sunday, an earlier announcement could be made for the general public to plan themselves well in advance.
Another point of note is the bi-weekly set settal or cleansing exercise, which has been putting the nation almost at a standstill any time it is observed.
Many, including us, have come to the realization that it is very essential and could be observed regularly while business and normal daily transactions are allowed to go on at the same time.
This is also because, when the whole nation is kept at bay from 9 am to 1 pm, business transaction is hampered and the economy suffers.
And all this seems to be done on the altar of minimal cleansing exercise carried out by the people.
Many are now using the time to relax at home, instead of conducting cleansing exercise. A similar observation has been made also by even the private sector umbrella body in the country – the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
So we are actually appealing to the authorities to kindly look into this situation, and put things right.
It is always good to notify people in good time on the declaration of public holidays.
The point
