Cement Trucks At The Border
By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia Cement Importers and Traders Association has issued a press statement expressing their ongoing frustration and disappointment with the government over the 500% tax increase on imported cement from Senegal.
“The Cement Importers and Traders Association, The Gambia, continues to express their frustration and disappointment towards the government regarding their stance on the 500% tax increase on imported cements from Senegal. This has and continues to have devastating effects on all parties concerned as it is not only a total halt of our business activities, but also a continued depreciation of our assets, loss of stock and possible bankruptcy for most of us,” The statement said.
The association pointed out that they currently have 40 loaded trucks of cement stranded at the border.
“It is important to remind ourselves that the association still has more than 40 loaded trucks, 1,000 bags each, stuck at the border since the first week of June, which is about three months now. The cement on board is constantly bathed with heavy rain, and it is most likely to be of no use again anytime soon, as some, from three days ago, are completely blocked. We are talking about millions of dalasis in Gambian citizen’s investment that will be waisted if action is not taken now.
The association also criticized the government’s recent actions regarding Senegalese trucks, which are now required to be monitored with an e-tracking system and pay a tracking fee of D1,600.
The statement added that the Senegalese transport union refused to accept this rule, prompting the Gambian government to send senior officials to Senegal to address the issue.
“They end up exempting the entire fleet of Senegalese trucks that were at the border from this fee, and it has been said that, even, the bridge charges were also exempted.
“We as an association see this as a great disrespect to our persons and feel not considered by our own government compared to non-Gambians. We had the reason to do as our neighbours did when the e-tracking system was first announced, by blocking the road and not letting any of our Gambia vehicles pass into their territory, but instead we acted responsibly and respect for rule of law,” the statement said.
The association urged the government to consider that their stock remains at the factory, leaving them no choice but to collect it to protect their investments.
“We are greatly concerned and urge the government to reconsider this decision and engage in meaningful dialogue with all affected parties, as they accorded our neighbouring counterparts, to ensure that this system is fair, transparent and beneficial for the entire industry,” they said.
The statement emphasized the importance of a free trade market, liberty, and equal opportunity for all, for the benefit of the entire population of their beloved country.
They added that competition is very healthy in every serious economy, and the choice of the customer to decide for themselves should not be suppressed or taken away by any government that has their interest at heart.
“To His Excellency Adama Barrow, we are no other than your citizens, your fellow countrymen like any other, whose only wish is to be given a level playing field to be able to invest, work and contribute to the economic development of this nation. If you could stand for Senegalese truck drivers, how about the many thousand Gambians currently suffering to provide for their families,” the statement said.