The manager at the Ndugukebbeh groundnut buying centre ('Secco"), Sambou M. Sonko has informed this reporter that he has paid all farmers who sold their nuts to his secco on credit basis. Mr. Sonko made this statement at the village "Secco" on Tuesday 2nd March, 2010 in an interview with this reporter on the plight of those farmers who complained that they were yet to receive their money after they sold their nuts on credit basis.

According to him, they have paid all farmers whose nuts where sold to them on credit basis and transported to the main GGC depot in Banjul. He said they purchased 590 tonnes and 100 kilo of nuts on credit basis which he said amounted to D5, 015,850. He said they have offset this debt.

He said they still need more money to buy Groundnuts because farmers continue to bring their nuts to the "Secco". He said they are grappling with difficulties since private buyers usually tell farmers that the trade season is over.

This he said should be stopped to allow farmers to take their Groundnuts to the secco as the money they earn from the sale of their groundnuts will help them in their upkeep.

He therefore urged all those farmers who have with them groundnuts to sell to take it for sale to avoid any damages. Ebrima Bah a committee member at this buying centre ("Secco") confirmed that all farmers whose Groundnuts were bought on credit basis have been paid. He however thanked Mr. Sonko for his experience and commitment to the welfare of farmers.

However he said there are still more g/nuts to buy from the farmers but most of whom he said don't want to bring their nuts unless cash is available. Some farmers also confirmed that the money that was owed to them by GGC have been settled but were quick to add they want the GGC to disburse more funds to enable those at the buying centres to purchase more groundnut.