By: Alieu Jallow

The Government of Gambia’s decision to implement a new excise tax on imported cement has led to a significant halt in cement imports. The decision raises concerns about the potential impact on ongoing and planned construction projects across the country, sending shockwaves among importers.

In the early months of April and May, the Cement Importers Association of The Gambia decried the new tariff, prompting many of their trucks to be stranded at the Gambia-Senegal border following the government’s decision to enforce the payment of D180 per bag, up from D30 per bag. According to the Cement Importers Association, this policy has disproportionately impacted smaller importers and appears to be designed to benefit a single company, Jah Oil, which, according to them, continues to leverage its close ties with the government for its self-interest at the expense of Gambian consumers.

However, during a technical advisory meeting organized by ActionAid The Gambia in Kerewan, customs officer Ousainou Charreh, head of operations at the Farafenni customs post, emphasized that the duty on cement had not increased.

“The duty for cement has not increased. Nevertheless, a new excise tax of D3 per kilo was introduced, significantly raising the total tax from D30 to D180 per bag. This policy has effectively halted cement imports,” he outlined.

Additionally, many perceive this policy as a way to ban the importation of cement into the country. In light of this, Charreh stressed that cement is not banned; rather, he noted the hesitancy among cement importers to continue importing cement due to the new excise tax.

“Though cement is not banned, the introduction of a D3 per kilo excise tax has significantly impacted the importation of cement,” Charreh stated.

Charreh took the opportunity to encourage any importer capable of paying the required duty to continue importing cement.

By Mama A. Touray

The Chinese government, represented by the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Liu Jin, presented degree scholarship letters to ten students from the University of Applied Science and Technology (USET).

These scholarships will allow the students to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at USET in The Gambia.

This presentation was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) at the USET Campus in Kanifing on Wednesday.

The Chinese Ambassador’s scholarship opportunity will give the students the opportunity to further their higher education degrees in the area of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM in The Gambia.

USET Deputy Vice Councillor, Prof Ado Yusuf Abdulfatah, in his remarks highlighted that the awarding of the scholarship continues to foster international educational support to outstanding students in their home countries.

He added that the Ambassador Scholarship also serves as an international exchange through which selected international students travel to China to further their studies.

For his part, Ambassador Liu Jin said, “Through decades of relentless efforts, China has established the largest national TVET system in the world and that currently, over 3,000 TVET colleges are in operation and over 30 million students are receiving TVET education, covering 1300 disciplines and sectors”.

The ambassador added: “Annually, over 10 million TVET college graduates enter labour markets with a total amount of skilled workers in China to have reached 200 million, 60 million of whom are highly skilled”, adding that this year “President Xi Jinping presented the medal of national honour to the most excellent craftsman in China who is a 74-year-old port technician with 50 years of working experience of handling containers, pursuing efficiency and excellence during the whole career. He and his team set a world record of unloading 3400 standard containers from a ship and loading them on trucks in just 6 hours.”

Ambassador Liu Jin revealed that this year, the USET and Crab Island TVET Center have joined the China-Africa TVET Cooperation Consortium and formed partnerships with Chinese vocational colleges.

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof Pierre Gomez, highlighted the steadfast support, generosity and commitment of China to advancing education and fostering innovation in The Gambia.

Gomez, however, requested the support of the People’s Republic of China through its embassy in The Gambia in establishing a Luban Workshop at USET in The Gambia.

“The establishment of a Luban Workshop is an urgent necessity, as it would provide the youth of The Gambia with cutting-edge technical and vocational training aligned with global standards, enabling them to contribute more effectively to national development,” he said.

On behalf of the student beneficiaries, Abbisatou Cham, a BSC Civil Engineering student applauded the Ministry of High Education Research Science and Technology and Ambassador Liu Jin and his government for their tireless support.

By Alieu Jallow

Sainabou Martin Sonko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kerewan Area Council, has expressed concern over road safety in the North Bank region due to trucks and lorries travelling on the North Bank road without reflectors and parking lights.

She raised this issue during a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday in the North Bank.

She observes that the number of trucks on the highway lacking reflectors and proper lighting systems poses dangers and increases the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime or in conditions of poor visibility.

“This is a serious concern for me and my colleagues in this region. As local government authorities, we have observed that normally when we are using the main highway from Barra to Palodi, we find a lot of these vehicles almost every other day.

“The trucks we encounter often have breakdowns along the highway, and they typically do not pull far off the road. Instead, they park just slightly to the side without using reflectors. Sometimes, they even use green leaves as a signal for a breakdown. Unfortunately, before one realizes that this is a signal, they can be dangerously close to the vehicle, making it unsafe.”

Madam Martin Sonko is advocating for more stringent vehicle safety standards among truck operators. She pointed out that many trucks travel the roads without adequate lighting systems, in contrast to Senegalese trucks, which are often equipped with numerous lighting systems that are visible from a distance.

“Sometimes, they come upon you in the night, and before you know it, they’ve gone by without adequate lighting. When you see a Senegalese truck in the country, you can tell from afar that it’s a truck approaching because it’s adorned with lights at the front, sides, and rear, signalling its presence.”

She also urged the police to initiate compulsory inspections for trucks travelling the roads, stressing the importance of drivers adhering to traffic regulations.

“I urge drivers to abide by the traffic laws, which I trust are established for a reason. These laws need to be respected, and I also implore the authorities to enforce them. It’s crucial that they not overlook any violations, regardless of who is responsible, and ensure that offenders are held accountable. This will contribute to protecting our lives,” she appealed.

The CEO of KAC has committed to involving her council members in developing strategies to enhance road safety and has urged Inspector General of Police Seedy Mukhtar Touray to persist in advancing the skills of his officers, particularly those serving in the region.

By Dawda Baldeh

During a joint meeting held in Sinchu Alhagie on Tuesday, residents of the Old Yundum Constituency urged President Adama Barrow’s administration to address urgent issues such as water supply, road infrastructure, and healthcare.

Throughout this year’s ongoing “Meet The People” tour, Gambians have consistently called for improvements in roads, water supply, healthcare, and education.

Jack Ceesay, the Lady Councilor for Old Yundum, spoke on behalf of local women and emphasized the urgent need for action.

She called for the development of a hospital on the 100 by 100 land plot located behind Old Yundum Market, emphasizing the challenges residents face in accessing healthcare.

Additionally, she advocated for the empowerment of women gardeners in Wellingara by proposing the establishment of a cold storage facility to support their agricultural activities.

Honourable Abdoulie Ceesay, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Old Yundum, expressed gratitude to President Barrow for improvements like the OIC road that passes through the constituency.

However, he called for the construction of the Nema Kunku Road and Old Yundum Coastal Road to further ease mobility in the area.

On the issue of water scarcity, Hon. Ceesay urged the government and NAWEC (National Water and Electricity Company) to provide adequate water facilities for Wellingara and Nema Kunku.

“I am calling on the President and NAWEC to help us with water facilities in those communities,” he said.

Furthermore, he highlighted the need for sports infrastructure to provide opportunities for young people in the constituency.

He noted that many youths in Old Yundum are engaged in sports rather than farming and improving sporting facilities would positively impact the community.

Despite these challenges, Hon. Ceesay expressed optimism that the concerns would be addressed in due time.

In response, President Barrow assured the community that several road projects are underway in Old Yundum.

He revealed that measurements have been taken for the construction of roads linking various communities.

“Contracts have been awarded for the construction of the coastal road, Nema Kunku and the road that leads to Tawto [and] very soon you will see workers,” he said.

However, President Barrow cautioned that road construction requires substantial investment and that development would be phased over time, with each project being addressed sequentially.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a significant move toward enhancing transparency and accountability, Governor Lamin Saidyhan of the North Bank Region has announced the implementation of an electronic clocking system in all government institutions within the region. This initiative is expected to streamline attendance tracking and promote greater responsibility among public servants.

The introduction of the electronic clocking system is part of a broader strategy to modernize government operations and ensure that public resources are utilized efficiently. Governor Saidyhan emphasized that accurate timekeeping will not only improve employee productivity but also foster a culture of integrity within the government workforce.

“It is deemed necessary for people to come on time, as time management and punctuality are important. All individuals under my office will have to clock in and clock out. We hope this will extend to all the institutions within my region, so that the heads of institutions will be able to monitor the punctuality of staff, as well as the service delivery that we offer to the community of North Bank,” he said.

The electronic clocking system, which involves biometric verification and digital record-keeping, is aimed at facilitating easy monitoring of attendance and work hours. However, Governor Saidyhan noted that the introduction of the clocking system in his office faced backlash, with many perceiving the system as a witch-hunt.

“When we were about to introduce the clocking system, there were many speculations that we were making life difficult for some of the staff. But people are paid to work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you don’t come to work on time, you are cheating yourself, as you are the government. Introducing this will instill discipline in people, and we want discipline in every institution. This system will add value,” he explained.

Governor Saidyhan outlined that before the introduction of the electronic clocking system, his office had experienced unprecedented lateness and absenteeism, with some staff members receiving two warning letters.

“Before the introduction, I had a lot of absenteeism, and many people came to work late. I even warned some of them, and some received two written warning letters because of absenteeism and late reporting. But since we introduced this, even before I come to my office by 7:00 a.m., people arrive before me. So, I can see the effectiveness of the system. It’s a good approach, and I think it will bring discipline,” he stated.

Speaking from experience, Governor Saidyhan envisions The Gambia adopting a model similar to China’s, with respect and discipline for time management, which he believes will be a catalyst for the country’s development by enhancing effectiveness and productivity in the government workspace. He stressed that his office will closely monitor all staff and print out records of work hours, which will be communicated to the Personnel Management Office for further action against time defaulters.

“We are monitoring, and at the end of the month, we will print out the records and communicate them to the PMO. If you are late three times, as enshrined in the General Orders (GO), your salary will be deducted for one day. That’s what we want to introduce. Once you start deducting from people’s salaries, you will see them come to work early and they will not be absent,” he said.

Saidyhan noted that in no time, the electronic clocking system will be installed in all public offices once the mapping of government offices under his jurisdiction is completed. This initiative aims to put an end to excuses from public servants.

He emphasized that the system is designed to create a more accountable and transparent government.

By Dawda Baldeh

Residents of Ebo Town in the Kanifing Municipality have voiced their frustration over the long-standing issue of poor road conditions, particularly concerning the Ebo Town-New Jeshwang road, urging President Adama Barrow’s government to take immediate action.

Ahead of Barrow’s visit as part of his ongoing “Meet The People” tour, locals expressed that the road problem has persisted for decades, spanning the presidencies of Jawara, Jammeh, and now Barrow, yet no tangible solutions have been implemented.

Musa Jaguraga, a former aspiring councillor for the Ebo Town ward, said: “Everyone knows Ebo Town has only one major problem, and that is the road.”

He expressed dismay over repeated promises made by past and current leaders, stating: “It’s time for us to be serious about this and raise our voices. Barrow promises to construct our road, but we have been sidelined.”

Jaguraga highlighted the contract related to the 50-kilometre OIC road project, which benefitted several communities but excluded Ebo Town. He emphasised that he would continue to raise the issue of the road with their local councillors, National Assembly Members (NAMs), and the Alkalo, and that they would persist in advocating for action.

While residents acknowledge the availability of essential services like water and electricity, their greatest concern remains the lack of proper road infrastructure.

Mariam Sarj, a local businesswoman, voiced her frustration, saying, “Ebo Town is a business centre, but access to roads is our main concern. You can’t do business here because the roads are inaccessible.”

Taxi drivers in the area also echoed similar sentiments.

Mustapha, a long-time taxi driver, described the state of the roads as a “nightmare,” noting that it damages vehicles and makes it difficult to transport sick individuals to the hospital.

Another taxi driver, Lamin Fatajo, questioned why local government representatives and prominent figures haven’t done more to address the issue.

Residents believe that improving the road infrastructure would significantly ease mobility and stimulate local economic growth, as many people are deterred from setting up businesses in the area due to poor road conditions.

By Dawda Baldeh

Residents of Lamin, Mandinary, Babylon, and Makumbaya have expressed their appreciation for the construction of a 10-kilometer road, which they say will significantly improve business and mobility in their areas.

The construction project was inspected by President Barrow, who received praise from the community for the ongoing work.

The road, once completed, is expected to be a “game changer” for residents, especially vendors who previously struggled due to poor road conditions.

Fatou Njie, a resident of Lamin Babylon, emphasized the positive impact the road would have on their business activities.

“Before it was difficult for us to do business here due to the poor road. Now we don’t talk about the road, but we need the government to help develop our garage,” she said.

The garage in question, which serves Lamin and surrounding villages including Mandinary, Makumbaya, and Babylon, is in dire need of improvement as lamented by several residents.

Many vendors expressed concern over the poor conditions of the facility, which they say is becoming a hotspot for pickpockets, especially after dark.

“We can’t stay here until after 7 p.m. because pickpockets will come after us.

“If the garage is developed and equipped with lights, it will minimize the impact of thieves,” said Njie.

The lack of lighting and proper infrastructure at the garage has made it unsafe for both vendors and drivers, with some vendors refusing to operate past sunset for fear of theft.

Nenneh Jallow, another resident, echoed the sentiment, highlighting that the road construction has already connected them to other parts of the country and made their daily activities more efficient.

However, she too voiced concerns about the garage’s state. “When it rains, we cannot do business in the garage because it becomes flooded,” she said, stressing the urgent need for development.

Construction officials have assured that the road project will be completed by July 2026, with an expected 28-month timeline.

Babacarr Cham, the Construction Manager from Bologel Construction, said, “We are accelerating work to ensure the timely completion of the road. We recognize the importance of this road to the communities.”

While the road construction is welcomed by the residents, the state of the garage remains a critical issue that needs addressing.

As one garage officer put it, “This garage is our main problem now, and we are urging President Barrow and his government to help us develop it. It’s affecting both drivers and passengers.”

President Barrow has also expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the road.