The news that the price of sugar has gone up is indeed a bad development, considering the trend of hikes in the prices of basic commodities the country has been grappling with for the past years.
Information reaching this paper has it that the price of a bag of sugar has now moved up to D1,400, just a few days to go before the holy month of Ramadan.
Granted, the purpose of any business is to make a profit; but this should not be used as an excuse to keep the poor masses in the stranglehold of exploitation for the selfish interest of a few.
In fact, sugar is only one out of a host of other basic commodities whose prices should be urgently looked into with a view to bringing them down, as soon as possible.
Prices of staples like rice, vegetable oil, flour, meat and fish should also be looked into, especially now that the Ramadan is just at the corner.
In the interest of the entire citizenry, the relevant authorities ought to do more than they have done so far, to effect a reduction in the prices of building materials also, such as cement, which continue to rise beyond the means of the poor Gambians.
Perhaps the encouragement of investors to establish more cement factories in the country would do the trick in making the price affordable, and thus contribute to the development of infrastructure, whether domestic, commercial or public.
It is high time that we as a country started cultivating sugar cane considering the high level of sugar consumption in the country, and the discomfort its high cost causes to the general population.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry should critically look into the matter to see if it can help to salvage the suffering of the poor and vulnerable masses.
We also call on those who are well-off to be helpful to those who cannot afford the cost of sugar and other basic commodities.
Let the wealthy consider the poor and needy at all times, especially during difficult moments.
“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
Abraham Lincoln
