The Cement Importers and Agents Association of The Gambia said on Tuesday that the volatility in the Gambia’s cement market such as shortages and price hikes were brought under control following the lifting in December of last year of the Gambia government’s 180% cement levy.
The association said the cement prices were reigned in after the restoration of the cement duty to D30 per bag.
A member of the Banjul Muslim Elders Association last Thursday told President Adama Barrow during a meeting with association’s members at the State House that he has not been hearing any public outcry about cement in the past few months. He then highlighted the importance of maintaining and nurturing the cement market’s “new-found” stability.
But President Adama Barrow said in response that his administration has made the deliberate decision to reintroduce the D180 levy on a bag of imported cement with a view to shoring up local production.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised in many quarters about the potential ramifications of the reintroduction of the old tariffs.
Several cement stores have reportedly gone out of business as a result of the previous tariff hike. Cement scarcity and price instability were also commonplace.
The Cement Importers and Agents Association is worried that the reversal to the old tariff can create a perfect ground for triggering yet another upheaval in the cement market.
“The government’s decision to reintroduce the D180 levy on a bag of imported cement does not only have the potential of ruining our businesses again, but it can prompt another availability, accessibility and affordability issues,” the association fears.
It also expressed fears over the possibility of a return to those turbulent times when customers were willing to pay D700, but could not lay their hands on the scarce commodity.
