By Lamin Njie
Alcohol consumers in the country have welcomed the reduction of tax imposed on the substance.
Gambian lawmakers on Monday reached an understanding to reduce the tax on alcohol from 75 per cent to 35 per cent.
“It’s a welcome development but it was really absurd to hear the finance minister say the tax increase was designed to curb alcohol consumption in the country. People have a right to live their lives however they want and there are a lot of Gambians who consume alcohol responsibly,” alcohol consumer Sang Mendy told The Fatu Network.
Another alcohol consumer who does not want to be named said: “The reduction of the tax is a good move. If the tax is brought down, the price of alcohol will certainly go down too and that will bode well for the average Gambian.”
The Gambia’s only alcohol producing company Banjul Breweries has been gripped by uncertainty following the Gambia government’s decision last year to impose a 75% tax rise on wine and beer.
The company has always insisted the move could push the it out of operation – and staff of the company last month took to the street to bring in home on the government their growing fears and apprehension over prospects of losing their jobs.
On Monday, the finance minister Mambury Njie ran away from the move asking Gambian lawmakers to reduce the tax on alcohol to 35 per cent.
