In an apparent move to protect consumers from further exploitation, the Alkalo of Bakau, Alhagie Luntang Jaiteh, has warned butchers within his jurisdiction to desist from the dubious act of selling meat using fraudulent scales, warning that anyone caught would be dealt with accordingly.

The Bakau Alkalo conveyed this warning in an exclusive interview with this reporter. He noted that even though butchers in the town had already agreed to reduce the cost of meat in response to an earlier warning by the president, some of them still harbour intentions of looking for alternative means of exploiting consumers.

"Since they have agreed to reduce the cost of meat, we don't expect them to venture into such crooked business practices.  Let the butchers use the proper scales.  In fact, all proper scales have been issued by Weight and Measures at the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, the Bakau Alkalo stated, warning that such dishonest business practices would not be tolerated in his town.

On mechanisms put in place by him to weed out such dishonest activities, Alkalo Jaiteh revealed that he intends to invite officials from Weight and Measures to inspect all the available butcher scales in use at the market, something he said would go a long way in protecting the consumers.

It can be recalled that the Gambian leader recently issued an ultimatum for all butchers in the country to reduce the prize of their meat to D80 for steak, and D60 for meat and bone.