The board members  of the newly established Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) Wednesdays met The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh at State House in Banjul.

Accompanied to State House by the deputy minister of Agriculture, Momodou Seedy Kah, the officials briefed President Jammeh, who is also the minister of Agriculture, on some projected activities based on the functions of the Agency. Speaking at the occasion, the president expressed delight at the establishment of the GLMA. He told the gathering that they have realised that Gambians have lost control of their business, stressing that if they allow foreigners to dominate the market, then the prices of livestock will increase.

He recalled that when they came to power in 1994, they issued a livestock movement decree. He explained that if that decree had been implemented till now, ?no body will steal cattle?.  The decree, according to him was not implemented for many reasons, citing the involvement of some police officers who he said became part of those who were stealing cattle. ?I realised that it is not fair for Gambians to have their cattle and cannot afford to buy meat,? he stated, observing that the problem is not with the livestock owners, but rather with the buyers and the sellers (dealers).  ?In the provinces a cow is sold at D 6,000 maximum and at Abuko they will sell it at D12, 000. This means that the buyer has more profit than even the cattle owner who has been rearing his cattle for seven to 10 years. Is that fair?? he queried.  

The president noted that in order to ensure that the cattle owners also benefit from the proceeds including the consumer, the need to set up an institution that will regulate all these problems cannot be measured. He however went on to blame Gambians for this trend, reiterating that since 1994, he has been telling them to take charge of meaningful ventures and warning that ?if we don?t change our attitudes, we will become big men with empty pockets.?  ?98% of those at Abuko are foreigners.

 What about Gambians? What are they doing? You do not need to go to a university to learn how to become a butcher,? he pointed out, stressing the need for attitudinal change. ?Look at the heavy investment we have done in the fisheries sector but today how many Gambians are there? The few Gambians that are in the fisheries sector are all women. Some women are even butchers and it is because we the men are not carrying out our responsibilities,? he further observed, and thanked the womenfolk in the country for heeding his advice.

He continued: ?The peri-urban project is for all Gambians but it is only the women who are benefiting from it because they are the ones willing to work. We have Social Development Fund, VISACA but all these are handled by women. Where are the men??  The president stated the need to go back to the decree they issued in 1994 and implement it in order to avoid theft cases, noting that the same measures must be taken in the sale of fish, chicken and all other commodities that are meant for consumption in the country.

Speaking earlier, the deputy minister of Agriculture, Momodou Seedy Kah, described the formation of the Agency as another milestone in the country?s drive to ensure a fair and just livestock business, and commended President Jammeh for his concern for the welfare of the masses. Kah observed that the price of meat has been a big challenge for agriculture and the people. He stated that the problem will be addressed with the establishment of the Agency, saying they have selected this team to overcome the menace.

The minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, Yusupha Kah urged the officials to pay great attention to hygiene in the entire process in order to ensure food safety standard. He described hygiene as very paramount in the whole process, hinting that lack of it could be very discouraging.

The minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Kolley, who expressed similar sentiments, described the formation of the Agency as significant. He noted that even though there is no price control mechanism in place, effective monitoring system is important. Both ministers commended President Jammeh for his foresight and concern to the people.  For his part, the chairman of the GLMA board, Dr Denise Carayol told the gathering that the Agency?s topmost functions is to come up with a price determination mechanism based on the use of weighing scales and bands on animals destined for slaughter.

The Agency, he added, will introduce the weighing scales and bands nationwide, at designated livestock markets and buying depots, and equip these centres with facilities like shed, watering and feeding areas, as well as manure disposal pits to meet acceptable zoo-sanitary standards. ?Slaughter slabs, butcher shops, kiosks and eventually abattoirs will be constructed by the Agency at strategic locations within the urban area and other regional growth centres to avoid mass convergence of consumers on the few available butchers,? Carayol revealed, and assured they will work with the relevant institutions to ensure food safety standard.

He also revealed that the Agency will hold sensitisation meetings with businessmen and other potential farmers with a view to encourage Gambians to invest in livestock production both as a source of employment and income. ?Butchers will be trained on all aspects especially flaying, chopping, handling of carcasses, cutting and packaging, and on personal hygiene. This will ensure that meat at all times is wholesome and fit for human consumption,? he further revealed. He went on to commend President Jammeh for what he described as the good intention he has for Gambians, thus the formation of the GLMA.

June Bah, chief of Sandu, Alhaji Buba Gaye, president of the Gambia Butchers Association and Ajie Marie Ceesay, who are all board members of GLMA described the formation of the Agency as timely. The trio also commended President Jammeh for his concern for the welfare of the people. The meeting was moderated by Dr Amadou Sowe, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture.