Kaddy Jawo

Claim: Saddam rice is cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue.

Source: Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay

Verdict: False

Appearing on the State of the Nation radio programme aired on GRTS Radio on September 5th, 2024, the Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, suggested that the price of a bag of ‘Sadam’ rice is cheaper in the provincial town of Basse than in the Kairaba Avenue area, which is located within the Kanifing Municipality.

Credit: From Africa Press Net site

Ceesay, alongside Trade and Employment Minister Baboucarr Joof, were discussing various issues affecting the cost of living in The Gambia amid public outcry over the surge in prices of basic commodities such as rice, onion, and cooking oil. The discussion also touched on other controversial subjects such as irregular migration.

Ceesay’s claim in verbatim

Speaking in the Wolof language, Dr. Ceesay made the following remarks that caught the attention of Malagen Media Monitoring. “If I go to Kairaba Avenue, the price of Sadam rice will be different from what I will buy in Basse. It is cheaper in Basse.” He cited the high cost of rent as well as the standard of living in the Kairaba Avenue area to justify his claim. See the full broadcast and the part relevant to this article can be found between the minutes 12:15 and 13 mark of the program.

Fact-check

In attempts to verify this claim, Malagen Media Monitoring conducted visits and phone calls to shop owners in both Kairaba Avenue and Basse as the areas mentioned by the Minister in his ‘Sadam rice’ price comparison. Each of these areas was visited or contacted twice at two different times to ensure that the correct information is obtained.  A shop along Kairaba Avenue near Emporium was first visited last week. The shopkeeper gave the following prices for the Sadam rice variety:

• 50kg costs 3000
• 25kg costs D1,700.

The prices were consistent with two other shops in Pipeline and Bakau New Town.

However, a follow-up call was made on Monday and the same shop near the Emporium in Fajara confirmed that the price of a 50kg bag of Sadam rice was now increased to D3,050 while D100 was increased on the price of the 25kg making it D1,800.

Meanwhile, Malagen also contacted at least 2 different shops in Basse. The first shop that was contacted in Basse indicated that the price of a 50kg bag of Sadam rice was D3,400, while the 25kg bag cost D1,700. There is a difference of D400 for the prices of the 50kg bag of Sadam rice. Another shop in Basse was contacted yesterday (Tuesday – Sept, 17) revealing the following prices:

• 50kg bags of Sadam rice stand at D3300
• 25kg costs D1,650.

Based on the above information, Dr. Ceesay’s claim that rice is cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue is not accurate.

Verdict: False.