It is only if government is serious and concern about the high skyrocketing prices of basic and essential commodities, then we are nowhere near living a decent and dignified life as Gambians.
The Gambians have just gone through what is called presidential elections where Barrow one of the sixth contestant is declared by the Election authorities winner. The said result has not gone without questions. These results are challenged in the Supreme Court of the Gambia and therefore this editorial cannot go into details.
Prices of basic commodities, such as Sugar, oil, rice and flour are skyrocketing at a very alarming rate. As such it is making Gambians suffer as their purchasing powers are limited by their incomes. However if nothing is done about it now then Gambia and Gambians are heading to no man’s land.
The two main categories of rice has now gone up, one of these rice (American Rice) is one thousand five hundred dalasi (D1500) , and the other (Saddam) is two thousand dalasi (D2000). These categories are American rice and Sadam. Rice is a staple food for many Gambians. Five liter of Vegetable oil is now D650, and before this cost D575.
House rent for a two bedrooms is going for nothing less than five thousand and in most cases land lords will ask for an upfront payment of six months or more. Three bed rooms are almost ten thousand dalasi now.
It will only take a very serious government to step in to help citizens meet these basic needs at an affordable cost. There needs to be what is called subsidy. Government needs to subsidies for such commodities if not all but the most three basic commodities such as rice, oil, and flour.
One would be quick to ask where government can get that money from. The answer is simple and it is the government of the Gambia must first and foremost come up with minimum wages.
Above all government need to cut off unnecessary expenditures such as the frequent overseas trips by government officials and in most cases the sizes of the delegations are huge, which sizes needs to be small. The number of government vehicles also needs to be cut to create what is call pools of vehicles, which way monies spend on maintenance and purchase can be minimized.
It is only if government is serious and concern about the high skyrocketing prices of basic and essential commodities, then we are nowhere near living a decent and dignified life.
What needs to be done about High Cost of Living?
