By Adama Makasuba
Honorable Saikou Marong, National Assembly member for Latrikunda Sabiji constituency, has challenged the Barrow-led administration to step up efforts to address rising food prices.
MP Marong whose call comes amid looming food prices in the country that sparks growing concerns among the public urged the State to come up with an alternative method in addressing the plights of the people.
“Let me quickly talk about the prices of commodities in our markets. Madam Speaker what doubts me most is that, if you go to the market today to buy something at the cost of D10, tomorrow if you go back to the same place for same product the price will never be the same again, as it might have increased to D12 or D13 if not more,” he told National Assembly members and top government officials in Banjul.
He also proffered for the government to come up with alternatives in addressing the problem since the country doesn’t have a price control law.
“The government is not talking about this very serious issue. Madam Speaker, what we are experiencing in our market is terrible, we have a system, that’s, we cannot impose prices on people as regarding a particular price to sell their products. What do we do, we have to change this system of no price control. It cannot be the same business because Ramadan is fast approaching and it is just not fair,” he added.
However, he as well urged the Gambia Ports Authority to redouble its efforts and ensure that imported containers are released early from the ports for easy business, while called on lawmakers and government officials to also redouble their efforts in addressing public problems at hands.
The lawmaker also called for attitudinal change, adding with collective efforts the country will develop, adding “and not only that Madam Speaker, the plights of our Gambians that are in Germany. We want the government to be clear and tell us what is happening.”
