The prices for commodities like cooking oil and onions needed for daily consumption have been reduced but the prices for other basic commodities continue to skyrocket with customers and vendors interviewed by our reporter expressing different or mixed views on the effects of the escalating prices.
A 20 litter cooking oil drum, which used to cost D1,900 has been reduced to D1,475 while a bag of onion has been reduced from D1,400 to D1,000.
Musa Touray, a vendor at the coastal road market expressed delight with the price reduction. However, he clarified that they do not determine the price of goods but those they purchase from.
He appealed to the government to also consider reducing the prices of other basic commodities to lessen the escalating cost of living and make food affordable for the masses of people in the country.
Sheikh Gaye, another vendor, expressed dissatisfaction with the price reduction of the two basic commodities, saying it makes no difference reducing the prices of only two basic commodities.
According to him, the amount reduced on the cooking oil and onion is even next to nothing.
He appealed to the government to reduce the tax rate on basic commodities, saying once the tax rate is reduced, the price of basic commodities will also reduce.
Bintou Jatta, a customer at the same market, bemoaned the high cost of basic commodities in the market.
She pointed out that the cost of living is becoming unaffordable to ordinary Gambians, hence called on government to find ways to make living affordable for all Gambians.
“Everything is expensive in the market. We really need help from the government. Prices of basic commodities are becoming unaffordable,” she lamented.
