(JollofNews) – Brikama, one of Gambia’s most populated towns is expanding in business with several investors adding on the already existing ones and the erection of new stalls on road sides and corners.
The town’s location and it’s proximity to some of Senegal’s Cassamance region commercial towns like Zigenzour has earned it the opportunity and suitability for business and other related activities.
Brikama lies some 35 km south of Gambia’s capital Banjul, serving the entire West Coast Region, apparently the biggest region in the country with a population of 699, 704 inhabitants and a population density of 397, according to a 2013 national census.
Since the end of Gambia’s former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime last year, both local and foreign investors begin to focus attention on the town. Business in the commercial town used to be dominated by Senegalese, Guinean and Nigerians with just few Gambians but the trend is now changing with more Gambians going into business.
Brikama Area Council has also begin more investment with the construction of over 7 million dalasi market expansion project last year.
“Business is truly expanding in Brikama but the area council need to do more,” one of the businessmen at the Brikama market who want to remain anonymous said.
He said the council need to make more expansion of the market and stop some peoples’ attachment of shops on road sides that is causing congestion.
Brikama is also home to numerous educational institutions including The Gambia College, which trains the nation’s teachers, and the Regional Education Office for the West Coast Region of the country.
The town is known for wood carving and for its musicians. Local attractions include the
Makasutu Culture Forest in Kembujeh, a small community connected to Brikama where former president Yahya Jammeh’s first wife Tuti Faal hailed from.
“We are paying tax everyday and we need good service delivery from the cpuncil,” a Guinean business man said.
He admit that business is going fine in the town but the increase in the erections of some “illegal” canteens on road sides in making movement impossible.
Brikama’s comfortability remain during dry season but in the rainy season, the town turns into water logg, making movement difficult and business stagnant. “Well, if the market space is not enough, why can’t they relocate it at a bigger space. God forbid,if there is fire outbreak in he market, it will be disastrous.”
The Brikama Area Council public relations officer, Ebrima Sawaneh said they as a council are and will always stand for the interest of the people they serve. “I know the expansion of business in Brikama include some number of Governmment policies, including reduction on fuel prices and fares and that has led to the reduction on basic commodities.”
It is good for area council to listen to the people their serving and their complaints, it will help them to make a reasonable adjustment in order to deliver a good service.