The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh Wednesday received fourteen board members of The Gambia Livestock Agency at his office in Banjul.

They were at the State House to discuss with the President the way forward in establishing the newly livestock marketing board and agency under the chairmanship of Dr. Danis Carayol.

Speaking at the occasion, His Excellency the President expressed his delight at the move, noting that the price of livestock at the time of transition, started to rise when Gambians allowed non-Gambians to dominate the livestock market. As a result of that, he went on, they brought in a decree to stabilize the situation. The decree, he noted entailed that, to move with the livestock from one place to another, one had to declare where the livestock is from and whether is having Alkalo's stamp and as well as the identity of the owner. But after the transition in 1996, the Gambian leader noted the law was not implemented.

He observed that the problem did not lie on the livestock owners but the consumers who bought the livestock in the provinces at D6000 and sold it in Abuko at D12000, earning twice the owner who probably reared their livestock for ten years.

President Jammeh urged the board and the agency to set up an authority that will look into not only the livestock market but also that of the fish among others. He suggested to the agency to organize livestock cooperatives so that they can license dealers and set up rules on how to buy and sell a particular animal at a reduced price. He finally assured of his support to the agency at all times.

For his part, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honourable Abdou Kolley, urged the livestock agency to prioritize their work so that it will have impact. He advised the board and the management to cooperate and work in the interest of the country.

The chairman of The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency, Dr. Danis Carayol, mentioned some of their projected activities based on the function of the agency. He said they will conduct a nation-wide sensitization tour of the business community and other potential farmers in a bid to encourage Gambians to invest in livestock production both as a source of employment and income. The agency, he added is also ready to eliminate some players in the marketing chain in which producers will be encouraged to become butchers, dealers to be producers or butchers and butchers to be dealers.

He also did mention that slaughter slab, butcher shops, kiosks and eventually ablations will be constructed in all strategic locations in The Gambia to avoid mass convergence of consumers on the few available shops. Dr Carayol further said the agency will collect and manage the cattle tax annually collected from farmers.

Another important point that he said was that the agency will plan ahead for the fourth coming Ramadan and Tobaski to avoid restricted but recurrent problems consumers encounter in the purchase of meat and Tobaski rams.

He thanked the President for the good wishes that he has for the Gambian people and for supporting the agency's ideas and initiatives.

Other speakers included the Agriculture and Trade Ministers, Chief June Bah of Sando and Aji Mai Ceesay, president of Female Butchers Association.

By Alhagi Ceesay and Aji Fatou Jammeh