FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Isatou Bittaye
7 April 2008
The National Assembly, on Tuesday, debated on the statement made by the president at the National Assembly. In the debate they dealt with the issue of high prices of goods.
Contributing during the debate, the Minority Leader, Hon. Momodou Sanneh, said price control does not exist in the country as goods are getting costlier everyday. Hon. Sanneh noted that the Ministry of Trade and Finance should organise a conference with the businessmen to discuss issues of higher prices of goods.
He added the new trade policy should take care of prices in the country and be able to attract investors as this is the only way they can help solve the problem of unemployment. Hon. Sanneh said that the policy document is well written and the content is good but what remains is the implementation. He added that all what is said in the policy document should be implemented accordingly. He said the reform from the Department of State for Agriculture to National Agricultural Development Agency (NADA) is good but something has to be achieved. He said but nothing has been achieved yet. Hon. Sanneh said NaNA should look into issues of seeds for farmers. He added that extension workers should also be around all over the country to sensitise people on what is on the ground. He said NaNA should do something in order to realise progress in agriculture. On the issue of petroleum, Hon. Sanneh said Gambian experts should monitor the drilling of petroleum in order for proper mechanisms to be put in place.
The member for Foni Jarrol, Hon Borry Colley said there is need for price control as prices of commodities are escalating every day. Hon. Colley added that the price of scanning of individuals at the hospital is expensive as many people cannot afford it. He called for it to be look into. He added that proper regional integration is needed to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services for prices to be reduced. Hon. Colley noted that there is need to levy charges on big trucks transporting fuel as they contribute to the easy damage of roads. He also said that the personnel management office should conduct live statistic survey in order to avoid ghost workers as many people who not working, are either out of the country or moved to another department are still receiving salaries. He also called for speedy trial of cases at the courts in order to maintain peace in the country.
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