NEWS
GAMBIA/SENEGAL BORDER CRISIS - GPA LOSSES D1.5 MILLION DALASIS IN ONE MONTH,
UNIMPEACHABLE SOURCES UNVEILED
BY STAFF WRITER



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September 5, 2005
The Gambia/Senegalese border impasse had an adverse effect on the fragile
economy of the tiny West African country, as unimpeachable sources at The
Gambia Ports Authority in Banjul unveiled a loss of state revenue amounting
to the tune of D1.5 Million dalasis in a span of one month.

According to authoritative sources, reaching this news medium, the month
long border crisis had almost paralysed the economy of the impoverished
nation, as Senegalese truckers plying the two countries were asked by their
Senegalese transport unionists to stop paying what our sources described as
"exorbitant" ferry tariffs to Gambia's Port workers. Dependable sources
hinted that most of the State revenues collected are from the Barra,
Farafenni and Yillitenda ferry crossing.

"The border closure had indeed really affected us economically. We have
realised a dramatic reduction of revenues collected. Overall, we can safely
say that we have suffered a serious economic loss amounting to over D1.5
million dalasis. This is just for the period of August. Our revenue
collections are mainly derived from the ferries. Most of the Senegalese
truckers have stopped coming to The Gambia. Most of them are plying through
Tambakunda, which is not good for The Gambia economically." said our
sources.

According to our sources, in an attempt to cut down economic cost in
operating the ferries, the government had decided to allow few ferries to
operate during the day. Sources pointed at high fuel cost and lack of
customers.

"Passengers alone cannot sustain the Ports. We realised little money from
passengers. As stated earlier, most of our revenues come from the big
trucks. Without the trucks, means no money for the Ports. This is a worrying
developments." said a highly placed source who spoke with The ALLGAMBIAN.

Gambia's Ports officials had not yet made a public statement on what our
sources called a major economic loss hitting the West African country.
Sources also hinted that Gambia's border village Amdalai had been reduced to
a ghost border crossing point, as little revenue is being collected from the
said border entry point. Reports also speak of fleets of vehicles stranded
on the Gambia/Senegalese border amidst the border mounting tensions.

According to our sources, Senegalese transporters had told Gambia's
authorities in no uncertain terms that they will not back down on their
demand for total reduction of ferry tariffs. In an attempt to dose the
mounting tensions, said our sources Gambia's authorities recently sent a
delegation to Dakar, Senegal to prevail on transport unionists to reconsider
their show down action. However, the request was reportedly turned down, as
Senegalese transporters insisted that they will not settle for anything
other than tariff reduction. "There was a stalemate at the meeting. The
Banjul delegation later decided to leave. If anyone is saying that the
border problem is over is not telling the truth. The Senegalese are still
adamant and there is no sign that they will back down." said our sources.

Meanwhile, sources say the usual weekly business markets widely known as
"Lumos" are also affected by the border impasse, as Senegalese businessmen
are said to be in solidarity with their transport unionists. Reports
reaching us speak of low turn out in Farrafenni and Kaur Lumos. According to
reports, local area councils are also at the receiving end on this border
crisis, as they also realised a serious reduction on their weekly tax
collections.



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