Gambians
and people resident in the country are experiencing one ofthe most trying
moments in our lifetime. The high cost of living in the country is making
living extremely difficult for average Gambians, especially those living below
the poverty line.
Prices
in The Gambia are skyrocketing and citizens are suffering.
Whatever
the case may be and whoever is responsible for the increase, our message is
that Gambians are feeling the pinch of the problem.
For
many businessmen, they are of the view that high tariffs and taxes are
responsible for the recent hike in prices of essential commodities in the
country.
It
is a widespread belief that several businesses have not been functioning well
and that some major shop owners have started relocating to other countries
where duties are cheaper than The Gambia. Commodity prices have spiraled
upwards recently meaning the average family’s monthly spending on essential
goods has doubled in some cases.
It
is something of an irony that today, although the official inflation rate is
low, the monthly spending of most Gambians has risen rapidly.
Prices
of daily necessities such as food, water and electricity, are rising and many
families are struggling under the unfortunate pressure of this increased cost
of living.
A
household spending D2,500 a month on food in 2010 will now have to find at
least an extra D2,000.
The
increase in electricity and water bills has threatened to shoot household
budgets over the roof.
The
income of the pensioner population is next to nothing. They are much more
affected by what is happening now.
However,
huge increases are being pushed on the price of rice and oil, because they are
used widely.
The
Ministry of Finance should review tariffs and taxes so that we regain the edge
and competitiveness that The Gambia has been known for.
They
should act now before it is too late.
In
today’s Gambia the average salary is D3,000 whilst a bag of rice costs an
exorbitant price of between D1,100 and D1,550. While many blame the increase in
the prices of goods on the newly introduced Value Added Tax (VAT), the revenue
agency is saying no.
A
family of five needs D35 daily to buy bread, D3 per loaf to butter the bread
amounting to D15; D2 per person to have a tea bag adding up to D10; and D9 for
a cup of sugar. Hence, if the family does not have D69 daily, the members will
not have a normal poor person’s breakfast.
D50
cash power a day which amounts to D1, 500 a month cannot be afforded by many
middle-income families whose bread winners earn less than D3,000 monthly.
People
living in their own built houses are lucky that they not part of the
skyrocketing house rental market. The cheapest two bedroom apartment one can
get is D1,700.
People
who have mobile phones are now sending “bips” so that the receiver will call
back because of poverty.
Internet
tariffs are sky rocketing as daily users spend D100 on
Megabytes
and normal calls, D3,000 monthly.
This
is on top of the aforementioned average salary (D3,000) and monthly expenditure
(D9,690 in total). This shows that the average Gambia can’t save on a monthly
basis.
Note:
Some other daily expenditures are not even mentiond here.
EFFECTS
There
is real hardship as many families cook one meal a day. Even that single meal is
put in a big bowl for all to gather around and take whatever share the quantity
of food permits. The poverty in the country is why many peoplehave been
transformed into secret beggars.
They
will tell you that a wife needs an operation; a father has suddenly died in the
provinces and they do not have the fare to go to the burial, those few Dalasi
are to purchase medicine. In reality, they have not cooked for a weekend and appreciate
any help to feed a family on the verge of starvation.
Youths
are out of jobs and many who have jobs can’t sustain themselves and their
families financially. The cost of the living has left many with no choice but
to traverse the deathly Mediterranean Sea. So many Gambians have lost their lives and many are feared to be in
Libyan jails.
NOTE
Governments
should exist for the people. The people are not supposed to exist for those who
govern to live in comfort, while they who elect them live in poverty. The duty
of every government is to listen to the complaints of the people and address
them and not to suppress thevoice of the people and oppress them.
Any
government that is not concerned with the suffering of the people and is not
willing to listen to complaints of their hardship should vacate political
office. That is the verdict of truth justice and democracy.”
POWER
OF FREEDOM
Kanifing
South, the Gambia
Tel:
(+221) 771364135 - Senegal
(+220)
3777080 - The Gambia
Email:
poweroffreedom220@gmail.com