After moments of calm in the markets, some unscrupulous butchers have deliberately decided to infringe the authorities' decision to contain any inflationist trends in the price of meat.

In recent times, President Yahya Jammeh has strongly warned the butchers to desist from any attempt to sell a kilo of meat and bone beyond D60 (sixty dalasis) per kilo and steak for D80 (eighty dalasis) per kilo. After receiving a tip-off, the Daily Observer sounded the reaction of people on an issue that continues to draw the attention of the public opinion.

Reacting to this new development, Buba Yero Bah, a butcher at Juboo butcher shop at Abuko abattoir, confirmed that there are some elements involved in the practice. ''Personally, I'll not involve into any malpractices. We will fully comply with the law of the country,''he added".

Mr Bah further expressed his concerns over the constrains they are currently facing with the price of cattle in neighbouring Senegal. According to him, the price of a cattle is more and more going crescendo as the demand is increasingly going high. He went further to explain that they lost profits on many occasions, adding that it is sometime difficult to estimate the weight of cattle, the lack of weighing scale is also a contributing factor to our losses in profit.  He also used the opportunity to appeal to the authorities to take into consideration their situation and allow them to adjust the price of meat.

On a different tone, Anna Jatta from Latrikunda Sabiji confirmed that she bought a kilo of meat and bone at D70 yesterday.  She said that the law  should take drastic actions against the recalcitrants.  Ndey Amie Joof, of Kanifing Estate corroborated this and added that she recently bought a kilo of steak at D90.

Ebrima Saine and Muhammed Jamanka both butchers didn't denied that they are selling meat and bone for D70 per kilo and D90 for steak.  When asked whether they were authorized to increase the price, they nonchalantly replied: "We did it on our own.". They however went on to say that due to difficulties in the market, they were obliged to do so.  ''We are appealing to the authorities to look into our constrains and adjust the price of meat,'' they implored.

Buba Sarr, the community assistant group chairman, revealed that the association is out to complement government's efforts, "We are doing everything possible to stop the practice. We alone cannot do the job. We need collaborative efforts from all the sectors to curb this situation.  He urged Gambians to support President Yahya Jammeh on his strive to make meat affordable to the mass.  

He finally commended police commissioner Kebbeh at the Serrekunda police station for his tireless efforts in fighting all form of malpractices.