President Adama Barrow has been urged to resolve the prolonged trouble in the cement import sector.

The Gambia Association of Cement Importers has halted business amid unresolved row over government’s 500% increase in import duties on cement from Senegal. 

The importers association accused the Barrow government of trying to favour heavyweight import companies like Jah Oil and Salam.

Dozens of trucks loaded with cement belonging to members of importers association are known to be parked at the Gambia-Senegal border after they were reportedly asked to pay a sum of 180,000 dalasis as import duties per truck.

“We urge Barrow to invite his businessmen and engage them on this matter in order to pave a way to resolving this issue amicably at hand. Yes, it’s right that he has a minister but the minister might not know something deep.

“Let him also find out if something is happening between the two countries to help solve it urgently, because if the situation persists like this unaddressed it will cause more problems. It’s wrong to allow a few people like Jah Oil to monopolise a business [sector] because these importers are also Gambians with families and contributing to the development of the country,” a man believed to be one of the association’s members said in Kerewan.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba