By Assan Bah
Cement vendors across parts of Kanifing Municipality (KM) and the West Coast Region (WCR) are facing severe shortages, with some businesses going weeks without receiving any supply.
The shortage has left customers waiting in long queues for days, while vendors struggle to keep up with demand.
Many believe that the root cause of the problem lies in a policy introduced by the government in April 2024, which raised the import duty on bagged cement from D30 to D180 per bag. As a result, the importation of cement was effectively halted. The government said the policy was intended to prioritise local manufacturers, including Jah Oil Company, Salaam Cement Company Ltd, and GACEM, claiming these companies could meet the country’s cement needs.
However, local vendors express frustration over the policy.
“I haven’t had cement for a week now,” said Eliman Ceesay. “To get supply, you have to queue for a week or two. Salaam is producing, but not in large quantities like Jah Oil. They are only supplying a few bags.”
Ceesay also criticized the government’s decision, saying, “It’s not wise to ban the importation of cement without having the capacity to produce enough locally. The government should have empowered Jah Oil to increase production for the entire country, so we wouldn’t be dealing with these shortages.”
The situation is no better at Ebou Ceesay’s cement store in Tallinding, where a group of customers was found waiting anxiously for their supplies. “I’m expecting the truck with the cement before the end of the day,” Ebou said, though he seemed uncertain of the delivery. “The driver said he was coming this morning, but there’s still no sign of him.”
He added that he only sells Jah Oil cement and sometimes Salaam, as he considers GACEM too expensive and thinks customers won’t buy it.
Musa, a cement vendor in Wellingara, lamented the drastic decrease in supply.
“My store used to be full of cement, but as you can see, these few bags are for customers who have already paid,” he said.
Another vendor in Ebo Town said their supply ran out over a week ago and while Salaam and GACEM cement are available, accessibility remains a major issue.
Almamo Kijera, a vendor in Wellingara, shared similar concerns. “It’s not just scarcity, it’s the government’s ban on importing bagged cement from Senegal that has hurt our business,” Kijera said. “Some customers don’t buy Salaam cement because of quality concerns, and GACEM is too expensive. In the end, we’re all relying on Jah Oil, but their production is inconsistent.”
Kijera believes the only way to resolve the shortage is by easing the importation of bagged cement.
“This would introduce competition and help stabilise supply,” he argued.
This reporter visited Jah Oil’s cement stores in Churchill’s Town and Wellingara, only to find them closed, suggesting a continued shortage. Attempts to reach Jah Oil Company for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered before going to press.
The cement shortage continues to disrupt the local market, leaving vendors and customers in a state of uncertainty.
