We are asking the authorities to clarify whether the recent ban on the importation of chicken legs means that the remaining stock in the market should also be banned.
We are asking this question because since this announcement was made last week we have been receiving complaints from people that they find it difficult to sell or buy imported chicken legs in the market.
Our concern is that when people have spent huge sum of money on importing chicken legs, only to be told that they cannot sell it in the market after spending their hard-earned money on it, they find it very difficult to resist the temptation.
While we are not opposed to government’s decision on the issue, we are also not in favour of putting a complete stop to the remnants of stocks in the market if it is found to be good, in order to avoid any action that could discourage investors from investing in the country.
Many families in the country, particularly in the Greater Banjul Area, cannot afford to buy meat regularly and instead buy the chicken legs.
It is important to note that if this situation goes unchecked it would be difficult to meet the demand of the population in the supply and consumption of chicken at an affordable price.
The banning on the importation of the chicken legs should not lead to further rise in the price of the product; otherwise it would result in perpetuation of further hardship on Gambians and non-Gambians resident in the country.
