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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Oct 2007 : 23:34:41
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Hi Tom and Toubab1020 just out of curiosity what type of research did you both undertake to make sure that your investment would be safe. Tom as for the catamran was that the right type of boat to invest in for the Gambia? It seems that you were targetting the very rich? Without proper consultation amongst the local community with gate keepers who transcend hustlers then your project would stand a better chance in working. For example if the boat you invested could be used for public transport I'm quite sure it would be put into operation by now. Business is risky it is especially risky when you haven't done your homework properly or are dealing with people you can't trust. Remember the saying act in haste repent at leisure. Some many of us have had to learn the hard way but what doesn't kill us makes us all stronger.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 08 Oct 2007 23:38:50 |
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Dr Thomas
Gambia
95 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2007 : 10:56:26
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Sis
Please read again my posting. At no point did I say I was involved in any venture, but know the people who were.
They were trying to do what you suggest in your posting of the 1st oct.
It was a public service between Banjul and Dakar, it ran twice (Full)
then Dakar pulled the licence. Also the passengers complaind about the treatment they recieved in Dakar. They then tried to open a service down the river. But this got bogged down in beaurocracy and
" Whats good for the boys" The Catamaran was the mosy Eco friendly vessel on the river.Little wash on the banks, quiet engines, fuel efficient. The other boat went through the very same problems.
Both companies invested over $2million each to bring these vessels to Gambia. The directors a mix of Gambian and Europeiens employed more than 90 Gambians between the two companies all lost their jobs.
The two vessels are rotting in Banjul.These business men are not fools they run very successful businesses around the world, they were just trying to invest in the country.In business comunities word soon travels about where to invest.Gambia will not fair well.
Tom |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2007 : 13:04:21
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Dr Thomas my suggestion is of a Gambian river service along the river Gambia not crossing its estuary, and travelling up to Dakar, Senegal. Therefore it should not encounter the same type of complications which your friends venture encountered dealing with two different souvreign powers. Did this venture take off during the border closure episode in 05?
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2007 : 13:34:16
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Sister, I like your enthusiam but I have to agree totally with Dr Thomas,its a non starter due to the reasons he has outlined.
a great shame,a wasted resource.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Dr Thomas
Gambia
95 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2007 : 17:19:14
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Sister
Read the posting again. Thats twice you have not got the message. Maybe you don't want to read the truth. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 00:55:04
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I share the view of dr and thoubab. Especially for a country that has lacking capital, it is scandal that doing business is gambia torture. Government must provide
- legislation, regulation etc...
- incentive
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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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Dr Thomas
Gambia
95 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 17:49:25
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Turk
To be fair there is legislation on the books, there is also supposed to be initatives. Regulation seems to be a problem. Also time taken in setting things up. Business men dont have time to sit in offices for hours and keep coming back tomorrow. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2007 : 18:56:17
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| Well, there we are then,Sister you are outvoted,what is needed is the political will and change of attitude of the Gambian population,enjoy seeing a private company being successful and making good of their investment in the country,dont be jelous and scheme as to how to take over a good running buisness or plan ways to close it down.let it grow and employ more people,less red tape, more help,less hinderence,welcome competition and good management. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 00:23:35
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Good advice Toubab1020 hopefully now Dr Thomas I'm on the same page as you Guys. Yes it's very important that government creates a framework for businesses to thrive. However it is the generally petty jealousy of others which probably leads to the businesses being folded. There is too often too much sabotage, badmindedness and deceit going on instead of proactive teamwork of nationbuilding. It is important for attitudes to change for Gambia to reach its full potential instead of Gambians pulling each other down they should be helping each other up.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 01:11:18
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Sister Omega,is that really you  I respect your arguements on past subjects,but this posting is a real eyeopener,you agree with Dr Thomas and myself. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 09:17:54
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I agree with sister Omega, it is the petty jealous that can cause Gambia to stop, from the taxi drivers hassle and double charging to bush taxis at serrunkunda double triping.
also what every is on the books is never practiced, it can change daily.  |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 11:06:39
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| JAMBO I have sympathy for the bush taxi drivers,the route fares are REGULATED,the regulated fares for the journey are unrealistic as they cannot pay for fuel and driver and apprentice wages (assuming that the apprentice gets paid!) therefore this system of double tripping has grown up which in effect puts their buisness on a sound footing,BUT although the drivers are OK those going to work have a big problem in that their travel costs have doubled and wages have not.I have no idea what the answer is to cure this particular problem as usual its all about money.Any ideas anybody.? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 12:57:20
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| more taxis, better control, time management, how many works have to trvel to banjul and face a fight daily, that is the problem, IF THE SYSTEM was organised, such as putting the destinaion on the bus would help. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2007 : 13:33:04
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| There is plenty of transport,I think what is happening is that in order to run full and get passengers to accept double tripping,the percieved shortage of morning transport is artificial,I suggest that the drivers perhaps only run on days agreed between themselves thereby giving every bush taxi a chance to make a weekly living,if I am wrong I would love to hear from a minibus owner or driver who could tell us a different story perhaps. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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