Mr. Mbai,

The Gambia does produce neither rice nor oil on its own...as such the prices of these goods are determined by foreign markets way beyond the reach of Jammeh or any other future president of Gambia.  Naturally these endemic economic problems usually give the opposition latitude to make empty promises whilst exploiting the plight of the citizens.  Economies are the consequence of human actions but not human design.  It is not some sought of machine one can tinker with in order to make your constituency happy.  No one on this planet can control an economy.  The best that government can do is make pro-business regulations, and make very minimal interventions at peculiar circumstances.

Ebou

panderry mbai <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
NEWSAS ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES GRIPPED GAMBIANS -RICE PRICE HAD RISEN TO D700 DALASIS
BY STAFF WRITER

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September 8, 2005
Gambia - As Gambians continue to be gripped by economic and political uncertainties, the price of rice, the country's main stable food had risen to D700 dalasis, the ALLGAMBIAN online newspaper can reveal.

The local business Community in the tiny West African country, says the hikes on the price of rice was due to the high cost of foreign exchange. They informed the ALLGAMBIAN about the difficulties, they usually encountered in importing rice into the country. They cite among other things, the acute foreign exchange and high Port charges to import rice into impoverished nation.

Meanwhile, the unprecedented rice price increment had been greeted with mixed reaction across the country. While some communities blamed the business sector for imposing what they called such "exorbitant price" others accused the Jammeh government of being insensitive to their plight. They told the ALLGAMBIAN that despite numerous promises ! by President Jammeh to make rice affordable in the country, prices are going up on a daily bases.

They warned that if the current trend continues, many families will die of hunger, as what's happening in some African countries. They told this news medium that Jammeh's so called "Operation No Compromise" which was designed to tackle inflation and corruption is "buried", as prices of basic commodities are hiking these days.

While the local populace complaint about the exorbitant rice price, many families up country says they have stopped eating rice. Many told the ALLGAMBIAN that thanks to the coos and corn they harvested they are able to survive.

The business Community who spoke to our reporter says they have little control on the current hikes on rice prices. They warned that prices are likely go up in months to come, as one of them pointed out that "the current economic trend is not changing for the better. "They told the ALLGAMBIAN that if the trend c! ontinues they will be unable to import rice into the country in the long run, pointing out that they cannot bring rice into The Gambia, when the local populace cannot afford its cost.

An economic expert, who spoke to the ALLGAMBIAN says, there had been a dramatic decline in Gambia's import cover in recent times. The economist attributed this to what he called the depreciating dalasis against major international currencies. The economic expert also hinted that due to lack of investors and serious economic activities the country is unable to meet its basic import cover. Our source went further to explain that the country's economy is not moving and the government is spending more money on projects, which bring little or no money for the country.

An insider at the Central Bank of The Gambia told the ALLGAMBIAN that, in an attempt to tackle the cash shortage hitting the country, they have embarked on a "vigorous" fund raising program by organising treasury bills tenders.! This said the insider, will help the regime in meeting certain monetary projects, which the source said are currently at stand still.

In a separate development, gas prices have also gone up. Sources say there is growing discontent among citizens on the current state of affairs.


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