The Gambia Association of Cement Importers has halted business amid a fresh row over hike tariff on import duties on cement from Senegal through land.

Last month, the Importers Association had accused the Gambia government of introducing a staggering 500% increase in import duties on cement imported via road networks from Senegal, which accounts for a significant share of the cement in The Gambia.

One of the importers told Gambiana: “we were stopped by the government on Thursday and Friday from importing cement. They allowed Jah oil to import cement from Senegal because his imported cement finished, and want us to pay 180,000 dalasis which we refused and now Jah oil is now importing cement from Senegal.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba