BANJUL GUNFIRE AFFECTS BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN GREATER BANJUL AREA

By Saikou Suwareh Jabai in Kanifing Municipality – 2pm, 30 Dec. 2014 The news of gunfire in Banjul by military officers in the early hours of Tuesday morning sparked panic and uncertainty among civilians, prompting businesses to close and restricting people’s movements. Women were seen rushing to do their shopping as they are uncertain as to how the situation may unfold.“We are rushing to buy the things we need for our meals and then go home as we were informed that the market will be closing in the afternoon,” said a housewife in the company of five women from Nemakunku who were heading towards the Latrikunda market. Nearly all the shops in the market were closed amid fear of reported gunshots in Banjul. Few fish and vegetable sellers could be seen in the market and this triggered a price hike in some basic food commodities. Ya Fatou Bojang, a vegetable seller, told this reporter she had to force herself to come and sell her perishable stuff otherwise it will be a big loss for her. “My husband insisted that it is not safe for me to go to the market but I had no other option than to come and sell the vegetables before they get rotten,” she said. The effects of the Banjul gunfire did not also spare the banking sector as the banks along the Brikama highway from Tabokoto to Westfield were all closed during the day. Other shops, small and big, on the highway were also closed. As for the movement of people, it was restricted as the vehicles on the road were minimal. One had to stand in the streets waiting for commercial vehicles for longer periods than usual as many taxi drivers limited their movements.]]>