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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 15:36:15
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http://dailynews.gm/africa/gambia/article/bicycle-license-rule-hinders-students-mobility
I know Gambia is a poor country but please, this tax is surely a step too far, not only for the children, but for those who live in rural locations where transport is scarce and money even scarcer.
I can see police taking advantage of the new rules,which I can see will be relaxed shortly and an unoffical toll be imposed on bicycle riders.
There must surely be an end to the constant new tax ideas that are being used recently.
Bicycle License Rule Hinders Students’ Mobility
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Students in Kombo South who use bicycles as means of transportation to school have been coming to school late in recent times as the police started impounding unlicensed bicycles.
The police have commenced the implementation of the bicycle license rule, which requires bicycles plying the road to be licensed at a fee of D100. They are equally strict on the rule of ‘no riding without light, reflectors and brakes’.
However students traveling from the villages of Darsilami, Marakissa, Nyonfelleh, and Berending among others to Sifoe Junior and Senior Schools can no longer be punctual as they trek kilometers.
At the beginning of this academic year, Jolly Riders, an NGO based in Gunjur had donated another 100 bicycles to Sifoe Junior and Senior School to ease the traveling burden on students, particularly those who live far from their schools. These donated bicycles really benefited those poor children whose parents cannot afford to buy them one or pay fares for them to school every day.
Mr. Sheriffo Sanneh the vice principal said he appealed to the police to consider the plight of their student but to no avail.
He said he forwarded the matter to the licensing office in Banjul and other relevant authorities but he was told that the rule comes from the top authorities, thus they don’t have the power to bend it.
Talking to this reporter, Mr. Sanneh said the student leadership of his school had informed National Patriotic Students’ Association (NAPSA) about the matter and that they are also doing their best to address the issue.
Sanneh said that the school has eighty-nine bicycles and to license these will cost the school D8, 900.
He further went on to inform this reporter that some of the bicycles do not have light and reflectors and suggested that the total cost involved can exceed D10, 000, which is difficult for them at this moment.
Other students who use their own bicycles to Kitty, Sifoe and Gunjur faced similar constraints. The head boy of the school, Sankung Sonko and his assistant both expressed their concern about the new development.
The student heads reliably informed this reporter that they also informed their national student union (NAPSA).
Students and their parents appealed to the relevant authorities to consider their conditions and allow their children to use their bicycles only to go to school.
Author: Janneh Darboe
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 03 Feb 2011 15:37:54 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 22:24:04
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| taxation at another level...what are they going to tax next...pedestrians for using their God giving limbs...? |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 23:10:55
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Waaaaaau, bicycle licence?
Has the Bank of ALLAH been empty of Dalasi?
The thieves are at it again.If you don't have 100 dalasis and can give 20 dalasis, maybe they would let you go.
Who knows maybe you might beaten to death once you don't have anything not to talk of daily bread and you cycling without licence.
Gambia has turned into a nightmare for people. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 01:19:38
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You read between my lines 
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 02:15:24
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Is the bicycle license suppose to be renewed annually??? This regressive tax is a huge slap in the face of the poor and downtrodden.
With fuel prices skyrocketing, and taxi fares increasing.... this is worst way the government could kick the poor in the nuts.
These folks are taking the war on poverty to a whole new level.
I am kind of divided between paying for the students' bike fee and the thought of putting money in the government's coffers... |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2011 : 02:25:34
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
You read between my lines
quote:
Originally posted by Janyanfara
Waaaaaau, bicycle licence?
Has the Bank of ALLAH been empty of Dalasi?
The thieves are at it again.If you don't have 100 dalasis and can give 20 dalasis, maybe they would let you go.
Who knows maybe you might beaten to death once you don't have anything not to talk of daily bread and you cycling without licence.
Gambia has turned into a nightmare for people.
Hard facts T1020 |
Karamba |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2011 : 00:50:39
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Some Cyclists cause some serious hazards and unlike other vehicles that have to be insured and taxed Cyclist don't have to be. However when you consider that if a cyclist has an accident they are more likely to be seriously injured or worse die. To make sure that their cycles are in good order and the levy paid for tax actually goes back into the construction of the national road network. After all how else do Governments raise revenue other than through taxes. Like all governments Gambia has to balance the books after all it does have a deficit to pay. Unfortunately the world over the poor still have to pay disportionately to the rich. It seems that the only free form of travel nowdays is walking and its a blessing if you can do so. Unfortunately any alternative form of transportation costs money even in Gambia.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2011 : 01:33:54
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| Maybe, they should still tax but students would be exempted from. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2011 : 02:19:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Some Cyclists cause some serious hazards and unlike other vehicles that have to be insured and taxed Cyclist don't have to be. However when you consider that if a cyclist has an accident they are more likely to be seriously injured or worse die. To make sure that their cycles are in good order and the levy paid for tax actually goes back into the construction of the national road network. After all how else do Governments raise revenue other than through taxes. Like all governments Gambia has to balance the books after all it does have a deficit to pay. Unfortunately the world over the poor still have to pay disportionately to the rich. It seems that the only free form of travel nowdays is walking and its a blessing if you can do so. Unfortunately any alternative form of transportation costs money even in Gambia.
Peace
Sister Omega
So a poor student or a ten year old kid's hundred Dalasis should be used to "build roads and pay towards government deficits..." come on, you are waaay smarter than trying to justify that.
I was eight or nine when i rode bikes on the Gambian streets, i could not possibly imagine the police stopping me to ask for license and registration.
The argument that the tax burden is harsher on the poor around the world is lame justification for a "revolutionary govt of the people" to do the same. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2011 : 02:27:24
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Sister O I read what you have written and note what you write," the world over the poor still have to pay disportionately to the rich." true but I think that such a tax is beyond many cyclists who really cannot afford to pay D100 at one go,if the administration insists that this tax is paid give the cyclist a bit of slack and let them pay by the month and upon the first monthly fee paid issued with a card and a postage stamp type of reciept that they can stick into the card,that would be a much fairer way of implementing this tax and a good way for the police to be shown that the tax has been paid,the cyclist would be happy with that and know that he has nothing to fear from the officer who wants to see that he has paid his tax.
I think that Prince has a very valid point when he writes:
"So a poor student or a ten year old kid's hundred Dalasis should be used to "build roads and pay towards government deficits..." come on, you are waaay smarter than trying to justify that.
I was eight or nine when i rode bikes on the Gambian streets, i could not possibly imagine the police stopping me to ask for license and registration."
On reflection I feel that the administration should have a rethink and decide that to implement it would cost much more than would be deposited into the tresury of the Gambia,therefore not proceed with its implemintation,"until sometime in the future when everything is in place for its collection"
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 Feb 2011 02:36:39 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 01:22:33
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No one likes to pay for anything that they used to get free. D100 Dalsis is expensive so is building road networks. I'd like to know what the money will be used for and maybe the Authorities could limit the licences to one per household of minors who are under 18. They could also adopt a post office stamp scheme so that people can pay over a longer period of time or a pay as you go scheme for bike hire etc. Maybe the Authorities could have some consultation to see how they will implement this scheme if they haven't done so already, and while they are considering Licencing Bicycles. They might also consider brining in MOT and taking off some delapidated death trap vehicles of the roads. You know the ones that you can see through the floor, or have a bottle for a gear stick or the imfamous broken glass. Also regulate drivers for overload as when these guys are stopped at check points a few km up the road they're still taking passengers playing cat and mouse with the police. So it would be far better for the Police to be issued with walkie talkies, so they can pass on info to each other than just stopping each vehicle at every check points as a matter of routine. When the same buses have been stopped so may times.
There must be a better way of regulating traffic maybe the Police should jump on bikes instead of sitting on their asses waiting for easy pickings.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 07 Feb 2011 01:24:55 |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 16:16:45
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"There must be a better way of regulating traffic maybe the Police should jump on bikes instead of sitting on their asses waiting for easy pickings."
Oh.... you are Sooo naughty......... Have you got the kerry and gunpowder,Ebrima ? I have got the sugar, who has the match ?.... !!!
Seriously though,I agree totally with what you have written,give people a little slack and the administration may become more popular with the "average gambian" who understands very well that the country has NO MONEY,but sees expendature of loaned money being wasted on non essential projects,I know that Bantaba in cyberspace is read by influential people and I hope that they read this topic and consider their options seriously.
quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
No one likes to pay for anything that they used to get free. D100 Dalsis is expensive so is building road networks. I'd like to know what the money will be used for and maybe the Authorities could limit the licences to one per household of minors who are under 18. They could also adopt a post office stamp scheme so that people can pay over a longer period of time or a pay as you go scheme for bike hire etc. Maybe the Authorities could have some consultation to see how they will implement this scheme if they haven't done so already, and while they are considering Licencing Bicycles. They might also consider brining in MOT and taking off some delapidated death trap vehicles of the roads. You know the ones that you can see through the floor, or have a bottle for a gear stick or the imfamous broken glass. Also regulate drivers for overload as when these guys are stopped at check points a few km up the road they're still taking passengers playing cat and mouse with the police. So it would be far better for the Police to be issued with walkie talkies, so they can pass on info to each other than just stopping each vehicle at every check points as a matter of routine. When the same buses have been stopped so may times.
There must be a better way of regulating traffic maybe the Police should jump on bikes instead of sitting on their asses waiting for easy pickings.
Peace
Sister Omega
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 07 Feb 2011 16:17:57 |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 16:23:21
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| Seriously Sister O...? All I can see is the corrupt police officers having a feast over this issue. Can you imagine how much poor Gambians will pay in bribes to not have their bikes impounded...just imagine wildly and you wont be far off...? |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 17:00:34
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| Better policy should be to encourage using bike. Why? It is good for health. Good for environment. There must not be charge for plate if the rider is under 18. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 18:05:41
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
Better policy should be to encourage using bike. Why? It is good for health. Good for environment. There must not be charge for plate if the rider is under 18.
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. |
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toubab1020
12311 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2011 : 18:31:38
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quote:
Originally posted by mansasulu
Seriously Sister O...? All I can see is the corrupt police officers having a feast over this issue. Can you imagine how much poor Gambians will pay in bribes to not have their bikes impounded...just imagine wildly and you wont be far off...?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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