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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
 Posted - 31 May 2011 : 22:13:55
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http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6948
Hmmmmm...........interesting Eh? the last paragraph here 
"The drivers of the yellow trucks would be approached to know their owner to end the speculation."
Hiking Price of Sand, The Complains of Truck Drivers and Sand Dealers
By Publisher on 30-05-11
By Bakary Y. Jammeh
The price of sand for the construction industry in the Greater Banjul area is now hiking due to the reported restriction on access to the designated sand quarry.
Truck drivers and dealers in the sand business have told this reporter that the scarcity of sand being experienced nowadays is caused by their lack of access to the sand mining area which in turn is also responsible for the present price hikes. They explained that the limited access to the quarry has affected their ability to satisfy the demand for sand for construction works.
Speaking to this reporter, a sand dealer at tipper garage, who begged for anonymity, said they are facing some difficulties in the sand sale business. He said the problem of the scarcity of sand and the subsequent price increase started when they were banned from mining sand at the previous quarry as they were told that the place was not safe for them to continue mining sand and were ordered to relocate to a new site. He claimed that after they have been ordered to relocate to the new site, they however found out that some trucks were allowed to continue loading sand from the said abandoned quarry. He said at the time they were told that the new site needed some work before the mining of sand could commence there.
The sand dealer explained that when they were later asked to start mining at the new site the same issue of unequal access was observed as some of the trucks were free to load sand whilst others were controlled as to how much they should load unlike before. He said this state of affairs is not favourable to those being restricted, given that they are family heads who depend entirely on the sand business to support and sustain their households and families.
He explained that they used to buy a trip of one ten wheel truck of sand for two thousand eight hundred dalasi (D2,800) which now costs nothing less than four thousand to four thousand five hundred dalasi (D4,500). He added that the profit they realize from one trip of sand has reduced compared to what they used to get before.
Abdou Boye, a sand dealer, said the price of sand can only be reduced when it is regulated at the quarry where the sand comes from. He reiterated that the problem arose when they were stopped from mining at the previous site and asked to wait for relocation to a new site. He said during this time some truck drivers were given access to continue to load sand from the previous site and sell to the customers at a higher price whilst the other local drivers were waiting for the new site to be identified.
Mr. Boye also explained that following their relocation to the new site, some of the trucks were allowed to get up to four trips in a day while the others could not make more than a single trip a day. He said they used to get a trip of ten wheel truck load of sand from the drivers at four thousand dalasi plus and would resell it at the ‘Tipper garage’ to get some profit. He said because of the scarcity and the high price the business is getting very difficult for them to make sales to support their families.
A driver at the Sanyang quarry, who also preferred anonymity, said he would sometimes spend a whole day at the mining site just to load one trip of sand. He added that this situation is seriously affecting the construction industry as the supply of sand cannot satisfy the demand for the commodity.
According to him, the trucks that are favoured with more trips are said to be owned by the ‘big man’ but they would not say who the ‘big man’ is. He added that the trucks in question are yellow in colour.
Musa Njie, a truck driver, said he used to get almost four trips from the quarry but he now spends almost the whole day without getting even a single trip. He said the price of sand can only come down when all the trucks are given equal access at the sand quarry.
Another sand dealer, Mr. Dawda Faal also reiterated the difficulties experienced at the quarry and the problems they pose to their business and called on government to regulate the situation and afford equal treatment to all.
On the impact of the restricted access on the business, one Musa Badjie, a construction worker, said he has been going to the ‘Tippa garage’ for two days now to look for the driver he has already given money to bring sand for him but without any trace of him or the sand. He said he even wanted to collect his money from the guy.
Mr. Badjie lamented the high cost of sand and said it will be difficult for a poor man to construct a house as everything needed for in the construction is getting expensive.
This reporter will also contact those operating the Sanyang quarry to get their views on the claim of lack of access, unequal treatment and the scarcity and the high cost of sand. The drivers of the yellow trucks would be approached to know their owner to end the speculation.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 31 May 2011 22:18:02 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11712 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2011 : 22:31:11
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quote:
"According to him, the trucks that are favoured with more trips are said to be owned by the ‘big man’ but they would not say who the ‘big man’ is. He added that the trucks in question are yellow in colour."
Toubab, the yellow trucks are said to belong to the president. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2011 : 00:45:47
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| Oh! REALLY ? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 01 Jun 2011 00:46:10 |
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