Cement shortage: Hamidou Jah says the root cause is the shallow draft of the access channel and the delays in dredging.

Jah Oil has blamed Gambia’s deepening cement shortage on long-standing infrastructure constraints at the Port of Banjul and severe weather disruptions that have stalled offloading operations for weeks.

Speaking at a press conference, General Manager Momodou Hydara said the company is being unfairly accused of creating an artificial shortage or raising prices, insisting the factory price remains fixed at D390 per bag.

“The root problem is the shallow draft of the access channel and the delays in dredging,” Hydara said.

“This crisis is not caused by Jah Oil. It is the result of limitations at the country’s main gateway.”

He said the port’s channel depth has remained at 9.5 metres for decades, making it impossible for modern cement vessels, which require up to 15 metres, to berth.