In Busumbala, a growing chorus of voices is rising in concern over the skyrocketing cost of living, particularly high rental fees. Ebrima Darboe, a tenant renting a two-room apartment and parlour, highlighted his struggles, stating, “I pay 5,500 dalasis a month, which adds up to 66,000 dalasis a year. My monthly take-home salary is only 7,000 dalasis.” With the price of basic necessities like rice—currently around 2,200 dalasis—and the increasing costs of electricity and water, many families find themselves in dire financial straits.
Darboe’s sentiment reflects a broader sentiment among residents who feel abandoned by the government amidst escalating economic challenges. “We are calling on the government to help us,” he said, emphasizing the growing divide between the wealthy and the impoverished. As he pointed out, “The richer are getting richer, and the poorer are getting poorer every day.”
Mamadou Salieu Jallow, a local shopkeeper, echoed similar frustrations regarding the prices of commodities. He explained that the rising costs stem from wholesale prices and the burdens of taxes and transport fees that retailers must absorb. “We have no choice but to increase our prices to stay afloat,” he lamented.
Both Darboe and Jallow’s testimonies underline a pressing need for government intervention in a community grappling with economic hardship. As basic living costs continue to rise, residents are left feeling increasingly vulnerable and unheard, urging authorities to take decisive action to alleviate their struggles.
