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Ramou
90 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 20:21:38
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Folks,
I just got back from The Gambia, where everything seems to be extremely expensive. I bought a nice piece of land in Batokunku, which I plan to develop in the near future...please don't ask me how much I paid for it . I bought some cement (Gacem) to fence it at a cost of D285 per bag! The Senegalese one goes for D300 per bag!! At this rate, I'll have to work for a few years in order to save enough money for my dream house. God help us all!
Thanks!
Ramou
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 21:36:22
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Is the price of cement so high because so many people need it before raining season? Is it going to be cheaper around juli-august or later?
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 21:56:29
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quote:
Originally posted by inez
Is the price of cement so high because so many people need it before raining season? Is it going to be cheaper around juli-august or later?
It should be cheaper in the summer as construction activities slow down. Then again, I could be wrong. The current price is certainly due to the shortage, and with no price control in that country, market forces dictate what the Amadou Sambas of this world will ask for their cement. I understand he is the sole importer of cement into the country. Talk about a monopoly !
Thanks!
Ramou |
Edited by - Ramou on 28 Apr 2007 22:00:02 |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 21:58:38
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| Ramou by the time you save money to build your house,Cement will be costing D600.Only time will tell. |
There is no god but Allah |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 22:12:21
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quote:
Originally posted by LEMON TIME
Ramou by the time you save money to build your house,Cement will be costing D600.Only time will tell.
LEMON TIME,
That is quite possible, as scary as it sounds. I remember paying D185 per bag in February 2006...just over a year ago. I hope the government steps in at some point otherwise folks on its payroll will have to forget about owning a house.
Thanks!
Ramou
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2007 : 23:50:05
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Ramou it is alarming, am scared as well. I started my constrcution in 2003 and bought cement around D75 the last i bought was in 2005 D185. Gacem is out to exploit. But am told by a friend who just returned that there is a constrcution boom going on back home. He said that could responsible for the price hikes.
Despite the fact we operate in a free market, rationality should prevail. The law of demand and supply must be re-visited in such trying times by Amadou. He should remember when the poor people sided with him in his battle with Jimpex prior to the establishment of Gacem. Jimpex was in the cement business for years , it may have been expensive but no one doubted the quality. |
madiss |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 15:29:40
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Madiba,
Certainly the construction boom is a factor on the price of cement. But this may have a negative effect by slowing it down, and being the main source of income for a large chunk of our country, the consequencies could be disastrous. I for one will sit it out for a while and see whether prices will drop before I commence any work at my site. But I was told by a friend to start making the blocks now as they would still be good even if I plan on using them in five years time. I'll probably heed his advice and get a few bags before the rainy season.
Thanks!
Ramou
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2007 : 23:38:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Ramou
Folks,
I just got back from The Gambia, where everything seems to be extremely expensive. I bought a nice piece of land in Batokunku, which I plan to develop in the near future...please don't ask me how much I paid for it. I bought some cement (Gacem) to fence it at a cost of D285 per bag! The Senegalese one goes for D300 per bag!! At this rate, I'll have to work for a few years in order to save enough money for my dream house. God help us all!
Thanks!
Ramou
Forgot to mention that everything else is expensive in that country. How our people continue to survive is way beyond me! I can fill up my car over here with roughly D1000 worth of Gas (Petrol)...I would spend at least D1500 back home. But people still drive, have elaborate "hews" (marriage and naming-ceremony festivities), etc. Perhaps a lot of these activities are somehow subsidized by us - Gambians in the diaspora. With all the financial hardship though, people are still always smiling. Seems to me that Gambians have a very high tolerance for pain and suffering. May God continue to guide us all.
Thanks!
Ramou |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2007 : 03:21:35
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Ramou, its a good idea to continue making the blocks. However if your property is not secured(a watchman) they will be stolen attimes even in daylight. Keep smiling that eases the pain in us Gambians, (suffering and smiling). What a therapy! |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2007 : 04:09:26
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Madiba,
Thanks for reminding me of Fela's classic song - "Suffering and Smiling." Thanks also for the heads-up as per making the blocks. I already had 60 bags made, and will buy another 50 bags or so before the rainy season.
I don't have a Watchman yet, but the property is fenced, and one of my neighbours will be looking after it for now. Thieves will have to climb over the fence to get away with the blocks, and I hope they wouldn't go to that extent. Thanks for the advice though.
Thanks!
Ramou |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2007 : 04:47:18
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Ramou,
Its good to have a good neighbour like yours. All the very best. Slowly but surely you will be there.
Have a good day sis. |
madiss |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2007 : 23:30:42
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Cheers to you too Madiba!
Thanks!
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by MADIBA
Ramou,
Its good to have a good neighbour like yours. All the very best. Slowly but surely you will be there.
Have a good day sis.
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Eve
Gambia
344 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2007 : 19:07:48
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quote:
Originally posted by LEMON TIME
Ramou by the time you save money to build your house,Cement will be costing D600.Only time will tell.
Lemon time, don't say that please, i've started already, for the moment is D280 |
gambian |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2007 : 21:43:38
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| Yes I did click on the Pozzocrete Ad.at the bottom of this page! I wonder if the developers of the old landfill near Manji will be using any of this product? as it apparantly comes from India,or perhaps the Ad. just means that you can attend their training courses,very interesting though. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2007 : 12:22:46
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| there is a tremendous amount of building happening along the coastal highway. |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 17:38:50
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Culled from The Point - http://www.thepoint.gm/headlines1975.htm
Government Concerned About Increase in Prices
Monday 21st May 2007
Following the much-talked about sharp increase in the price of commodities such as cement and rice, the government of The Gambia has issued a press release to encourage potential importers of the said commodities to venture into the business, apparently to make for much needed competition in the importation business. The full text of the release is hereunder reproduced:
The government of The Gambia has observed with great concern the recent increase in the prices of basic commodities, including cement, rice and sugar. The Government wishes to make it clear to the general public and the business community in particular that there are no restrictions whatsoever, on the importation of these commodities. As a result, all those interested in the importation of basic commodities including cement are encouraged to do so.
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