The
Gambia is being reeled off rapidly of its economic growth as the political
impasse continues.
This
is because as the political tension and uncertainty over the fate of the
country goes on, with the standoff on whether or not the outgoing-president will
hand over power just yet, many people and businesses are seriously cautious
about their sail in trade and business transactions in the country.
The
people are cautious in their spending pattern and firms and enterprises are
growing wary about what the future holds for this peaceful country.
Presently
there seems to be peace but the fact of the matter is that people are presently
living in fear – fear of conflict and fear of economic downturn - as the
nation’s economic activity steadily degenerates and makes life difficult by the
day, since we are yet to know our fate.
And
even if something of a change of heart is going to take place at the eleventh
hour, by then the nation will have suffered the consequences of the current
political standoff as the outgoing president maintains his position of
rejecting the December 1 Election results and calling for fresh election.
For
instance, the festive season – covering the Christmas holiday, Boxing Day and
the New Year eve and the like – will certainly be unpalatable since all are
living in fear and afraid to spend the resources at hand.
The
condition in the business realm created by the political impasse has sparked
out loud cries from many industries and sectors of development, and as the
current situation persists its effects continue to trickle down to the lay man
on the street.
Institutions,
organisations, unions, industries and sectors, such as the Bar association, the
teachers’ union, the trade union, even the University of The Gambia, the
Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Real Estate Companies (AREC) among
others, have all expressed their concern over the ensuing political
impasse in the country.
It
is therefore essential that the standoff is discontinued and peaceful talks and
means of handing over power commence as the transition period finishes by the
day.
We
would therefore like to reiterate our stance that the outgoing president see
reasons and have a change of heart.
In
reaction to the political situation, AREC states: “We, the Association of Real
Estate Companies, call upon His Excellency President Yahya Jammeh to respect
the will of the Gambian People and hand over power to the newly elected
President His Excellency Adama Barrow.
“Your
pronouncement has affected our business as this time of the year is the peak
period of the tourism sector and most of our customers live abroad and are now
afraid to come home due to the perceived instability of the country.
“On
this note, we wish to add our voice to the statements made by the various
institutions but more especially that of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce
regarding the serious effects of this pronouncement on the economy.”
“People
who consider themselves political, who follow political developments most
rigorously, are often those who view the political process with the greatest
lack of perspective”
The
Point