Re: Economists fault trade minister on port of Dakar comment
Dear Editor,
What a dumb idea. Instead of lowering taxes and improving the port facilities, they just fold and surrender all the economic benefits to Dakar. Well done. Mr Minister, you deserve the Nobel prize.
Taxes are the lifeline of every government. So it’s better to have reduced taxes than have no taxes at all. This minister only considers the lower taxes in Senegal, and not factor in the cost of transportation in terms of time, fuel, vehicle maintenance, parts and labour. He doesn’t know that every metre one drives, every minute one drives, it incurs wear and tear of the vehicle parts, which must be replaced sooner, adding to the cost of operating a vehicle. Added together, these costs can cancel out the tax benefits of using Dakar. Landlocked countries lament lack of access to the ocean, and we have it and throw it in the gutter. Only in The Gambia. Jesus Christ!
Jallow Mathew
USA
Dear Editor,
The Gambia is blessed with the largest estuary (meeting point of a river and ocean) in West Africa but we have a government with the smallest brains unfortunately.
Ismaila Badjie
Dear Editor,
I really feel sorry for this country. The nation is sinking and nobody can save us. How can Senegal use simple intelligence over us and succeed? Soon we will abandon our airport for their new airport. I am also disappointed by our parliamentarians for not rising up and refusing such nonsense. I pray for Allah’s intervention.
Lamin Ceesay
Dinding Bantaba
Dear Editor,
This is a big insult to the Gambian people. Didn’t the minister consider the cost of transportation to The Gambia including fuel and other logistical requirements. Ii is true that Senegal is colonising The Gambia and The Gambia government is surrendering The Gambia to Senegal. Let us lower taxes and be independent and use our own port. It is a sad situation.
Sulayman Jarju
Brikama
Dear Editor,
This is the stupidest and most unpatriotic statement I have ever heard.
The Gambia had opportunities to expand the port of Banjul before Dubai World started work on the Dakar port. Our officials are myopic and unpatriotic. Going at this rate, The Gambia will soon become a province of Senegal. I don’t know why we cannot foresee the catastrophic consequences of this economic surrender.
We have now completely handed over our sovereignty – national security in the guise of Ecomig to Senegal. Now our economic freedom, our port,our main gateway to the world will be killed off to help make the port of Dakar the great trading hub at the expense of Banjul.
Well done, well done indeed!
Mawdo Cherno
Brikama
Dear Editor,
This is bad for The Gambia and Gambians. We should stop depending on Senegal for everything – security, energy, fish, bread. If we continue to use their mouths in the end they will use our eyes and blind us for ever.
Senegambia as a country could become a reality and one day The Gambia and Casamance will both be under Senegal.
Strong Cure
Cologne, Germany
Dear Editor,
At this stage, I think God is punishing us because the entire nation knew the incompetence of Mr Barrow yet chose to re-elect him in power due to tribal bigotry and hatred towards each other. I heard some people who voted for Barrow saying so. Let’s swallow our own medicine as a lesson for better tomorrow.
Masta Barrow
Naples, Italy
Dear Editor,
Economic theory often refers to ports as important economic development factors, particularly from a historical standpoint where they acted as promoters of commerce and the welfare of nations. It is not surprising to realise that we have some of the most incompetent ministers throughout the sub-region.
Mustapha Dampha
Serekunda
