SG PDOIS
By Landing Ceesay
The People Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) alleged that the Barrow government’s best, isn’t enough to eradicate poverty, ignorance and injustice in The Gambia.
“Barrow government did its best. Our position is that its best is not enough to eradicate poverty, ignorance and injustice that has been paraded in the past and will continue to exist irrespective of goodness,” Honourable Halifa Sallah, the PDOIS leader said.
Sallah who doubles as the National Assembly Member for Serekunda said the country’s economy is dependent on tax and grants for development, which is one reason the Barrow led government cannot eradicate the poverty of the people.
“Economically we have a GDP of about D108 billion. It is anticipated that it will rise to D115 billion in 2022. But if you calculate that in economic terms, this is heathens and cannot really sustain the demands of our population for better lives. The services that are being rendered are inadequate and you have a revenue base of about D25 billion for 2021. It is anticipated to rise to D29 billion by 2022.
“But re-examine the revenue base; it comprises domestic revenue and grants. So combining the grants and revenue is what gives rise to the D25 billion. So the actual revenue base excluding the grants is about D13 billion and the grants are D12 billion. So they are almost equivalent, showing a real dependence on the economy. The grant base, we project grants for about D8.8 billion and budget support of D3 billion,” he said.
The PDOIS leader said any development that is taking place in the country, part of it is tax, and the other part is grants; thus, the (PDOIS) is calling for system change.
“So if you see development taking place, you will see that part of it is from your tax money, and part of it is from grants. So, essentially there is no sovereign national law that can facilitate the development of the country. The country is entirely dependent on taxation and grants. So this grant, tax and depth based economy is not sustainable and cannot eradicate the poverty of our people. This is why PDOIS is calling for system change,” He said.
The PDOIS leader made these remarks at a press conference on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters in Churchill’s Town.