 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jul 2011 : 18:56:23
|
This from The Daily News.
http://dailynews.gm/africa/gambia/article/managing-under-the-unmanageable-economic-hardship
All very well to say:
"Employers should increase wages to pay salaries that commensurate with the rate of inflation and price increment of commodities in the country,” Mr Lowe said.
But there are very many other reasons why prices are increasing in EVERY country for the locals,I am not an economist but fuel increases from OPEC suppliers are a big factor,because OIL is listed and sold in $US and the US is going through a tough time itself due to bank greed and overspending,this is having a knock on effect for those who sell OIL to the world they would be suffering,BUT they are able to compensate and buy goods with no change, how ? put up the price of OIL, win WIN situation save your oil and don't pump so much create a buying need just for other countries to stand still get more $US for selling less OIL,thereby maintaining the value of your capital (OIL)
That's my simple view of one of the main caused of worldwide price increases,many other things apply but sort this one out and things will stabilise again.
=====================================================================
Managing Under the Unmanageable Economic Hardship
Friday, July 15, 2011
In the face of increase in transport fares, electricity tariff, basic food commodities and almost everything, Gambians are in a painful struggle to keep their heads above water.
This not-abating dire situation also plunges the country into a seemingly unending blame game. Consumers are divided in opinion with some pointing accusing fingers at government and others at traders.
As expected, traders are on the defensive. In myriad of their excuses, two stands constant; that the prices reflect changes in the international market and high government taxation.
The government, on the other hand, is both defensive and offensive. As a tax based economy, the government of The Gambia claims that taxes cannot be compromised. It also accuses traders of being greedy. Besides, government says, it has a free market policy, thus cannot control prices. President Jammeh, though, on a number of occasions intervened.
In this survey, people from varied professional backgrounds talk to Lamin Jahateh about how they are managing with their insufficient income under a condition of economic hardship that seem unmanageable.
To no one in particular, Mr Ousman Manneh, a breadwinner of a family asked: “If the cost of a bag of rice, fish money, and house rent are higher than your salary, how can you survive?
Mr Manneh was not expecting an answer. He didn’t get any, either. Yet he went on to ask another question: “How about daily needs, such as soap, sugar and bread and tea or coffee for breakfast and other life’s essentials?”
In a not-so-fitting response to his own question, he snapped: “You don’t have to be an economic pundit to know that Gambians are suffering.”
For the past several years, The Gambia has been witnessing an odd twist in the fate of her economy, which is said to be performing well even when the people are wallowing in poverty.
The dalasi has drastically depreciated, depreciating, debt stock rose, rising and prices of commodity skyrocketed, skyrocketing. Yet the income levels remain unreasonably low.
With the majority of the population reported to be living below poverty line, it is clear that many people are seriously affected even when an unsubstantial price rise occurs.
Many Gambian workers earn no more than D30, 000.00 annually, which is D2, 500.00 per month. Unemployment is high.
A bag of rice costs at least D700, daily fish money for the poor stands at, atleast D50. Speaking from experience, an unnamed Gambian says in a family of eleven, a bag of rice lasts a little over a week. So, mathematically speaking, such a family needs at least two bags of rice. House rent and utility bills cannot be discounted.
“Making matters worse was the recent increase of transport fares when public transport system is caput,” lamented Ndey Fatou Jobe, a trader at Serrekunda market.
And recently, NAWEC, that is enjoying a monopoly over the supply of water and electricity supply has gone against the wishes of Gambians to increase the tariff for those services.
Sidia Jatta, National Assembly Member for Wuli West, has once said rather than alleviating poverty, the increment of water and electricity worsen the economic difficulty Gambians are in, already.
“Most ordinary Gambians are undergoing serious economic hardship,” said Modou Kujabi, a hawker at the Serrekunda market.
Momodou said the prices of basic commodities such as rice and flour have gone beyond affordability of ordinary Gambians.
“This is totally unacceptable in a country where earning capacities have not been improved,” he pointed out. “My fellow vendors and I are constantly harassed by the police who often drive us away from where we stand to sell on the roadside.”
The regular harassment meted out to us by the police has placed us in a difficult situation, as we have been denied earning our daily income, he said.
Mamadou Edrissa Njie of the Gambia News and Report magazine said Gambians are living in abject poverty as they are only surviving from hand-to-mouth.
“The income of many Gambians in the country is very low,” he said. “As prices of basic commodities are rising every day, the poor are getting poorer by day.”
A roadside restaurant owner, Omar Saidykhan, said the increase in the prices of foodstuffs has a severe knock on his business, as he has to increase the prices to a reasonable level, but which scares away his customers.
“My brother, we are suffering, you don’t need to ask people to know that,” said Fatou Jallow, a housewife.
“The cost of living is getting more and more expensive beyond the spending powers of the average Gambians. Prices of goods and services are skyrocketing like no man’s business,” she said.
Modou Joof, news editor of The Voice, a local newspaper, said the realities of a free rise in prices of basic commodities, high cost of electricity, mass unemployment and other aspects of economic hardship are prevalent in The Gambia.
Mamudou Sillah of Global Electric Group says the hike in electricity tariff, transport fare increment and the rapid increase in the prices of basic human needs, especially rice, which is Gambia’s staple food, pushed many Gambians to the brink of severe economic hardship.
“To make matters worse, all these things have been increased without any salary increment. People are really managing in hardship now,” he said, adding that very few people in the country are now using their salaries only for meeting the daily food of their households.
According to Ebrima Lowe, an employee of Toplink Consulting, employers in the country have made themselves “oblivious of the difficulties on the ground as they have so far failed” to increase salaries.
“Employers should increase wages to pay salaries that commensurate with the rate of inflation and price increment of commodities in the country,” Mr Lowe said.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 17 Jul 2011 23:33:00 |
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2011 : 01:26:54
|
WE HAVE REVIEWED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP IS A REALITY. HOWEVER SUPPORTERS OF JAMMEH/APRC ALWAYS DENY THESE FACTS  |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jul 2011 : 12:41:58
|
| Understandable Kobo, any administration in power anywhere is reluctant to accept that under their control things have got worse,dispite the fact that the problems affect every country and not just theirs,politics again. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 22:00:08
|
MORE NEWS ON THIS.
http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7477
Snippet:
The cost price of cooking oil per cup at the market is D10.00, palm oil per cup at D15, onion per kilo at D20.00, pepper per kilo at D60.00, bitter tomato per kilo at D30.00, garden egg per kilo at D15.00 and okra per kilo at D40.00.
They bemoaned that fish dealers in the market use scales to sell other species of fish to people; adding that some of them do not have the means to buy a kilo of fish.
According to them, a kilo of fish costs D30.00 and ½ kilo costs D15.00.
The fish dealers in the market said apart from bonga, they use scales to sell other species of fish. They however pointed out that in some instances; they don’t sell per kilo, instead they sell per fish to their customers.
Shopkeepers in the area informed this reporter that a bag of rice costs D850.00,
20 litre gallon of cooking oil costs D875.00, while a gallon of five litre cooking oil is sold at D270.00. A bag of sugar costs D1500.00 while a bag of onions cost D300.00 and two kilos of tomato paste cost D100.00. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2011 : 23:26:45
|
These are tough times Toubab. Prices increase, over-dependence increase, poverty increase...
Given that you are a simple and wise man, what do you think the solution is Toubab? |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 02:26:58
|
| Food prices are expensive the world over. That's why its imperative for Gambians to it what they grow, and that's why more and more people are cultivating their land. It is futile for everyone to aspire to work in an office and they can't afford to buy imported lunch. So that's why people are going to the fields culivating tracks of landin their compounds. To supplement their dietary needs the world over. Don't you guys realise all the environmental disasters have impacts on food production. Just take the floods in Pakistan last year and the countless other countries suffering from environmental hazards, which have seriously affected staple food exports. Not to mention rain scarcity. All of which have impacts on food prices. Gambia needs to grow more food and also looking at diversifying its food production. Flexibilty and adaptability is the name of the Game. Jammeh has definitely been using his initiative in this area. Sweat and toil is what is needed to produce food and the more food grown the better.He isn't too proud to get his hands dirty and pitches in on his farms and also other peoples farms. All the criticism over the years of Jammeh's Kanilai farm. What you Guys failed to inform readers were that the cattle and sheep sold from the farm are at a subsidy to poorer farmers and some are also donate to get fledgling businesses off the ground. What you also failed to inform Readers about butchery training schemes to set young people up in the trade. What other distortions have you made? CountlessS. This is not surprising when you rely on a fox to tell the news after all foxes aren't known for their honesty. They are cunning nasty filthy rabid creatures. How much of you Commentators even get their own hands dirty in their gardens and eat what they grow. I for one enjoy growing my own fruit and veg. How about you? |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 29 Jul 2011 02:39:11 |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 10:49:01
|
Sister Omega, People in Uk are returning to growing their own. It is increasing in popularity year on year.
I have raised beds and grow lots of vegetables. I find it relaxing and enjoyable. It is very satisfying to eat your own produce and know that it is very fresh and unspoilt. |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 14:24:26
|
| Gambiabev,I totally agree with you. I get a lot of personal satisfaction from my vegetable garden. Nothing beats freshly tasty homegrown produce.It's benefits both personal health and the planet.It's amazing the satisfaction one gets from gardening as you mention its therapeutic, enjoyable and satisfying to nurture and harvest the fruits of mother nature. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 14:39:45
|
In Canada, government provides spots for those who are interested in growing vegetables in the city. You get small spots if you do not have a house with garden and you are responsible for growing/watering for yourself.
|
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. |
|
|
|
Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 15:29:27
|
| Cuba also specializes in growing food in their urban centres. Plants can be grown almost any container. You don't need to have a garden to grow food in a garden at the moment I'm growing culinary herbs on my window seal. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
|
|
|
turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 15:36:50
|
| So why then Gambia does not do that? I mean some do but not general population. Lack of knowledge, know-how? |
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. |
|
|
|
Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 18:19:00
|
I have tried to persuade a family I know who has a small plot in front of their house (within their fence) to grow potatoes, corn, aubergines, tomatoes , carrots (anything really) but they won't. They do grow some cassava in the rainy season but nothing else. The plot is used for rubbish most of the year and their reason for not growing other stuff? They prefer to eat rice - and then they end up struggling to buy enough! I just can't persuade them to think about eating differently, eating what they grow and eating much more cheaply!
I don't want to sound patronising towards them .. but I really do think that growing their own stuff would help them financially. So - any suggestions to help "persuade" them - greatly received!
|
|
|
|
turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 18:49:23
|
Lily - Pay for what they grow. That will motivate them.
p.s. :) |
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. |
Edited by - turk on 29 Jul 2011 18:50:19 |
|
|
|
Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 20:30:37
|
| Not a bad idea at all. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2011 : 20:39:05
|
Any small plots in Turkey provided by the gavernment for the people to grow their own produce turk ? and yes, before you respond,small plots are available from the councils at small rents in the UK, if you do not maintain your plot you are out.
quote:
Originally posted by turk
In Canada, government provides spots for those who are interested in growing vegetables in the city. You get small spots if you do not have a house with garden and you are responsible for growing/watering for yourself.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 29 Jul 2011 20:46:26 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
