When private competition with NAWEC for electricity generation was introduced with the establishment of the Brikama Power Plant, many people expected the supply of electricity to cost less and be more regular. The fact remains that it is becoming more expensive and more irregular. The same goes for Fuel. Gambians were assured that a fuel depot was being established in Mandinaring to ensure the availability of fuel and prevent shortages.

This was supposed to stabilise the prices of fuel since it is said to be coming from one source. The fact remains that there has been fuel scarcity at given times which culminated in the rise of fuel prices. This is why Foroyaa did not clap for the Government when it inaugurated a flour mill. We are waiting for the prices of bread to fall and the size and weight to increase without additional cost before we could give applause to a value added initiative.

We have decided to start monitoring the flour and bread market and found the following developments so far after the flour mill started operation. It is observed that wholesale price for imported flour was D1,115 per bag before the flour mill started operation and the retailers used to selling a bag for D1,135 or D1,140. Now the whole sale price has gone up to D1,150 per bag and retailers are selling a bag for D1,200. If this trend continues, the bakeries may either reduce the size and weight of bread or increase the price The early warning signals are evident.

Foroyaa will conduct a special interview with the managers of the new factory to find out the price at which they are selling flour and how its quality ranks against the imported ones. We will examine whether the bakeries are buying the flour or still prefer imported varieties. There is need for the government to do the same studies and come to a decision on how to prevent bread prices to rise even further because of increase in the price of flour.

It is not sufficient to launch projects. It is also important to monitor whether such projects are contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizenry.