By Yerro S, Bah
The Latrikunda Sabiji Tailors Association on Saturday 18 January, held its maiden formal graduation of four apprentices after undergoing years of tailoring training under the tutelage of an experienced tailor, Alhajie Barra Jobe of Latrikunda Sabiji Market- the initiator of the graduation.
It’s been disclosed that Jobe has 18 apprentices at his workshop in Latrikunda, of whom 16 are males and two are females. He intimated that people with tailoring skills can survive anywhere they might find themselves. The tailor trainer underscored the importance of the trade, noting it helps in the creation of employment thus, contributing to the reduction of unemployment in a country.
Pointing to the effect that tailors help in making people dress well, Jobe believed “without us {tailors}people cannot look admirable in society”.
He, however, called on government to look into the heavy taxes levied on the tailors, claiming that it hampers their productivity as a trade in the country. Tailor Jobe argued: “The taxes are too expensive for us. We are not calling for tax-free, but both central and local governments need to urgently help us by reducing the heavy burden on us through the imposition of higher taxations. We are also Gambians trying to make ends meet.”
The Chairman of the Latrikunda Market Committee, Mr. Badou Faal, is of the view that lack of skills and knowledge in such areas had raised the poverty levels so high in the Gambia because young people do not learn the skills in this country.
“It has hugely retarded our country’s economy,” the Chairman Faal regretfully noted, as he used the occasion to call on young people to embrace skills training opportunities across the board that would help them to be independent in their lives.
Describing the graduation as timely, the Market Committee boss expressed gratitude to the organizers, while also encouraging them to be steadfast in their noble profession of tailoring.
Faal reiterated the need for the reduction of the heavy taxes levied on tailors by government through the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Kanifing Municipality, and to critically look into the plights of tailors at the Latrikunda Sabiji Market.
For the Secretary of the Latrikunda Tailors Association, Mr. Ahmad Cham, the Association was created for all tailors and as at now, it has 150 members. The association is also into cleansing exercises as they have cleaned several important public places such as health centers, mosques and graveyards, as Cham informed the gathering.
“We have cleaned the Fajikunda Health Center, the Bundung Mosque and other important public places- all meant to serve our nation,” he added.
The Association Secretary went on to note that renting of shops is one of the major challenges that tailors are faced with in this country. He urged government to do something regarding such problems, saying they are young Gambians trying to contribute their quota to national development.
“The government of the Gambia should help us reduce taxes and facilitate renting of shops for us,” Cham appealed.
The tailors at the Latrikunda market claimed they pay heavy taxes ranging from 1500 to 2500 dalasis to either Gambia Revenue Authority or Kanifing Municipality.
“This is very high for us. Government should look into it as soon as possible,” the tailors lamented.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Member (NAM) for Latrikunda Sabiji Constituency, Honourable
Saikou Marong, expressed gratitude to the association, pointing out that it’s such initiatives that the youth of this country should take up to build the Gambia into a better country that all would be proud of.
The lawmaker alluded to the possibility of creating a skills center in Latrikunda where youth of the area could learn new skills to benefit themselves and the constituency in the future.
Hon. Marong used the occasion to advise the LK Sabiji Tailors Association to be united at all times, as he promised them of his utmost support. He recalled it was the Latrikunda Tailors Association that visited him first, to introduce him to the association following his election victory three years ago. And since then, there has been that mutual trust and coordination between him and the association, according to him.
The NAM further enjoined members of the said Association to nurture the peace that prevails in the country, for it’s only through peace that the much-needed advancement can be achieved.
Hon. Marong again: “Not everyone can be a public official, and that means others have to engage themselves into something else that is equally important; such as tailoring and other skills to move the Gambia forward.”
As the Constituency’s representative at the legislative House, Marong vowed to put the plights of his people before the National Assembly for possible solutions; reminding them that he’s in parliament because of his people. “I will always represent your interest in parliament,” NAM Marong told his people.
Ms. Nyima Ceesay, a female tailor called on her fellow women to join the tailoring trade, encouraging that it has helped her to overcome some of her financial challenges.
For Mr. Ebrima Ngai, a new tailoring graduate, learning tailoring skills was not easy but it was worthwhile. He enumerated his next moves, one of which is the opening of a tailoring shop to emulate his masters in the profession.
Certificates of completion were awarded to four tailors after their several years of hard work, and dedication in learning the profession.
