OPINION
Reaction to Border Impasse Story
By Lamin Sayang



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October 6, 2005
Dear Editor,

Pa Nderry M'bai is a person whose professionalism and integrity I have
come to admire. But recently his comments about the border impasse seem to
be misleadinding and unpatriotic. I think when such a crises occur
(Senegal and Gambia), we should rise above political partisanship, and
work towards achieving peace and stability goals that are common to all
shades of political opinion. You seemed to be involved in spine,
misinformation and economical with the truth. You portraying a situation
where the Gambia is the main looser. I think you should conduct a thorough
situational analysis of the two countries supported by economic figures to
convince people that Senegal have nothing to loose. General facts are the
Gambia lost a lot of revenue at both crossing points, less foreign
currency, obstruction of the re-export trade which contributes a lot to
our GDP and the construction industry will suffer tremendously (road
construction).

On the other hand, Senegalese trucks have to travel via Tamba Kunda which
means increased prices for the poor, Senegal has a good manufacturing
based economy, which means textiles, plastics, horticultural /agricultural
products have to loose their market in the Gambia. Gravel and Gas made for
the Gambia will suffer. Most Senegalese do their shopping in the Gambia
and have to pay revenue to the Senegalese custom department. Go to Karang
and Amdalaye, custom officers sitting down doing absolutely nothing. These
are a major revenues earner for Senegal. Economic activities in these
villages died.

Because of the political sensitivity of the issues, even NADD analysed the
problem cautiously. Look at the Senegalese News paper, how patriotic are
they (supporting there governments and unions).

In the Gambia both the Business Market and consumer market are affected,
less buying means the re-export trading is sinking to a bottom less pit.

Retailers from Senegal, crying because they cannot buy cheap goods for
Mali and the two Guineas, even internally retailers cannot replenish their
shops with cheap goods from the Gambia.

Contraband activities are on going, who is loosing?-both governments.

Please remove Nadd on your web site if you want to be involved in
irresponsible Activities.

These borders crisis start a long time ago. At one time went Jawara was
talking about the Singapore of West Africa, the Senegal Government Closed
their border causing economic hardship for both countries.

A like the way Nadd co-ordinator (Halifa Sallah) handled the issue and the
way OJ talked about it. The BBC also mentioned that the border closure
have cause economic hardship for both countries.



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