The increase in the prices of the nation’s basic commodities particularly the main staple food-rice is a growing concern for many Gambians.  

 Jammeh won the crucial November 24 presidential election with 72%. His main rival Ousainou Darboe emerged second with 17% whilst independent candidate, Hamat Bah, backed by four opposition parties scored 11%.  

Jammeh won the Presidential election with a landslide and is mandated by law to direct the affairs of this country for the next five years. Gambians expect that he will continue to improve the infrastructure, draw policies and programs that will improve their socio-economic status.

Sequel to Jammeh’s inauguration, The Daily News proposed that his government should convene a meeting with members of the business community in consultation with the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in order to arrest whatever is responsible for increase in the price of basic commodities particularly rice.

Such a meeting could help the government solve problems that the consumers are grappling with on a daily basis. Rice costs as follows; A bag of Sadam rice costs D1, 100, a bag of American rice costs D890 and a bag of Pakistani rice costs D880, a bag of Past rice costs D875.

It is our fervent belief that leadership goes with responsibilities and one of those responsibilities bestowed on Jammeh is for him to create an enabling environment for all Gambians to live a dignified life.
No degree of extreme political ostentation and arrogance of power will address the problem of Gambians. Even though Jammeh’s task is a daunting one, he can achieve a dignified life for Gambians through perseverance and the utilisation of state resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture, should work with farmers with a view to enhancing their productive capacity. They should provide farmers with inputs such as fertilizer and quality seeds to produce enough food for the people of this country.

Mechanised farming is the way forward. We believe that government should also increase its agricultural budget to address this problem.

Importation of food items in large quantities is on the increase. This undoubtedly has a negative impact on the economy of little Gambia.
Instead of bringing foreign exchange in the country, people are struggling to manage with the little foreign exchange left in the country.

This has a negative impact on the value of our local currency and the prices of basic commodities. We demand an urgent action of the Jammeh administration with a view to diagnose problems responsible for the soaring of the price of rice.