Government Announces Measures To Facilitate Accessibility, Affordability Of Livestock

The Gambia government has announced 6 measures meant to facilitate the accessibility and affordability of livestock for the Tobaski festivity.

The 6 measures due for implementation in the country effective 10th July 2021 expected to facilitate the sales of livestock are:

“The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) will waive all import duties and domestic taxes on livestock during the period;

“The GPA Ferry Services will reduce the fees for ferry crossing by 50%. All livestock dealers with more than five (5) animals are required to transport their animals in a vehicle during the ferry crossing;

“The Banjul City Council and the Brikama Area Council will waive all fees and taxes for livestock dealers during the period;

“The Kanifing Municipal Council will also waive fees and taxes for the livestock dealers except for the cleaning fees;

“The Gambia Police Force will reinforce security during the period especially at the designated sales points, and;

“The Gambia Immigration Department will facilitate entry of the dealers into the country and where necessary will issue laissez passé free of charge to anyone from the ECOWAS Region,” the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment said in a statement.

The development came after a consultative meeting by relevant stakeholders in the livestock sector on 6^th July. The objective of the meeting was to facilitate the importation and sales of livestock in preparation for the Tobaski feast, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.

The ministry reminds all livestock dealers that the Government laid down the measures to facilitate the accessibility and affordability of livestock; therefore, they must ensure that the measures reflect in their prices of the sacrificial animals.

The Muslim feast ‘Eid Al Adha’ also called the Feast of Sacrifice is annually commemorated on the 10th of Dhul- Hijjah, the last month of the Lunar [Islamic] calendar. This year’s celebration is slated for the 20^th of July 2021 of the Gregorian calendar.