Gambia, have expressed concern about the shortage of local cement and called on the Gambian government to reconsider lifting the ban on Senegalese cement.
Several dealers recently said they had been importing cement from Senegal for sale in and around Farafenni. They noted that the government ban had severely disrupted their business and warned that the problem could worsen as the rainy season ends and demand typically rises during the dry season.
Farafenni's cement importer, Sheikh Ahmed Tiyan Cham, said all his trucks were idle because he could not import cement from Senegal. He expressed his displeasure with the government's ban, arguing that it posed a major threat to the sustainability of his business. "With an import duty of 180 Dalasi per bag of cement, we cannot make a profit at all," he said. We call on the Ministry of Trade and the President of the Republic to reconsider this decision. In the past, when cement was imported from Senegal, the cost per bag was only 350 Dalasi. Today, all cement dealers in Farafenni are under a huge burden, and the situation is much better when importing cement from Senegal.
Another importer, Alhaji Kalilou Jawo, said he had paid for 6,000 bags of cement in full before the ban was imposed, but the cement was still stuck in Senegal's Sahel region for two years. "My 6,000 bags of cement have been trapped in the Sahel region of Senegal for two years. It has affected me a lot. I don't know what to do," he said helplessly.
Farafenni's dealer, Gibby Jawo, also said that he used to have nine trucks, but now four of them are out of operation because he can't afford to repair them. He also mentioned that some drivers and apprentices who relied on him to pay their wages also had to lose their jobs.
Tricycle operator Momodu Seka, who transports cement, described life as very difficult for himself and his colleagues. He said his tricycle was provided by friends in installments, but he could hardly repay it on time because of the decline in business.
Unloading worker Musa Chobe said he was struggling to earn enough money to meet basic living needs and called on the government to urgently review the cement issue.
Farafenni dealers agreed that the ban on Senegalese cement should be lifted to stabilize the market, reduce costs and restore cement-related businesses that support livelihoods in the North Shore.
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