Develop The Gambia

07/12/2024

06/07/2024

Breaking News;

1. CAS positions suspended

2. Offices of the First Lady, that of the spouse of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary removed.

3. No more Harambees for Gov't officers

4. Gov't advisers to be reduced by 50%

5. Purchase of Gov't vehicles suspended

6. Confidential budget removed

7. The renovation budget for the presidency and other Gov't offices was reduced by 50%

8. Parastatal offices with overlapping roles collapsed and will be transferred to the respective ministries.

9. Public Debt to be Audited

10. Gov't reorganization and Cabinet reshuffle to be done shortly by the President.

11. The public servants who've attained 60 years to immediately proceed on retirement.

20/05/2024

Statement from the Cement Importers and Traders Association (Anda Takhawu Sunu Reew)

We are writing to our fellow Gambians to voice serious concerns regarding the Finance and Trade Ministries recent directive to raise the import duties of cement via road networks to D180, a 500% increase, in effect blocking any cement import via road from African countries, while continuing to subsidize the importation of powder cement via vessel from distant European markets, contradicting The Gambia’s commitment to foster intra-Africa trade. This poorly planned policy and will lead to:

- Increased prices and reduced supply
- Broader industry and economic impact
- Trade conflict with Senegal

We employ directly over 3,000 young Gambian men and women while the so-called cement producers import workers from foreign countries to run their operations. The three of them, Jah Oil, Gacem, and Salam, employ less than 800 people directly.

The Gambian Government's commitment to local employment, small businesses, and a fair market is under fire. Trade Minister Baboucarr Joof's recent policy prioritizing Jah Oil as the sole cement importer contradicts these goals, sacrificing the economic well-being of Gambians for a single individual. This move not only benefits Hamidou Jah's business interests but also raises concerns about exploitation. Gacem, for instance, reportedly buys cement from Jah Oil, exploiting Jah Oil’s Special Investment Certificate to avert import duties. Gacem turns around and charges D30 more for the same cement.

Oddly, Finance Minister Seedy Keita previously opposed such policies citing concerns about free market principles and insufficient domestic capacity to meet demand. This lack of capacity will inevitably lead to price hikes like those already seen in Soma and Farafenni just last week. These rural communities, with limited access to established supply chains, will be the hardest hit by these monopolistic practices. The lack of sufficient supply is further exemplified by the fact that Jah Oil is scrambling to secure new supply routes from Nigeria, yet again proving he is also merely importing cement and is only after his profit and those of his family of businesses.

The dominance of companies like Jah Oil stifles innovation, raises consumer prices, and weakens worker bargaining power to maximize profits. This is evident in Jah's struggle to retain drivers who found better pay and stronger unions in the competitive logistics industry. A competitive market empowers both the country and its workforce, allowing them to earn a fair wage.

24/03/2024

The Senegalese people came out massively to vote this March 24, 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye L'officiel won in round one. He becomes the fifth president of Senegal. We warmly congratulate him and Ousmane SONKO
May Allah guide them for the well being of the Senegalese.

01/10/2023

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/61551203582818/posts/122115505832040119/?mibextid=2Ep60M

Gambian scholars you will be seeing appearing on screen live and direct here on QStv. Interesting programs on your way.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Link below 👇👇👇👇
https://youtube.com/-pq5vj3fn4z?si=x8iMovE1Q63rwAtK

13/09/2023

BREAKING: The suspect who shot two police officers dead last night and left one in critical condition has been arrested in Jululung, Cassamance, Senegal.

According to our sources, he is one Bojang who is a resident of Brufut.

_fatu network 

10/09/2023

Good luck scorpions 🇬🇲🇬🇲🙏🏾

17/08/2023

Darboe and Sallah 🤝🇬🇲

04/06/2023

Justice for Sonko.

02/06/2023

Peace🇸🇳

01/06/2023

May Allah bring back peace in Senegal 🤲🏾

01/06/2023

It’s the game day. Gambia vs Uruguay at 5:30 pm.

Good luck young scorpions 🇬🇲🤲🏾

01/06/2023

Gambian citizens require to pay an additional fee in order to enter or leave their own country.

29/05/2023

25/05/2023

OOOOOOAL

France 0-1 Gambia

Adama Bojang capitalizes from a defensive mistake and had his shot deflected off the French defender into the net.

23/05/2023

Congratulations to our young scorpions for beating Honduras 2 - 1 .

21/05/2023

Congratulations Mahamadou Ceesay.

20/05/2023

Congratulations Landing B. Sanneh