By VOS Writer
The Business Community in Sierra Leone have vented out their frustration over the slow pace of business under the Bio’s Government which has crippled their business growth and development.
Sampling the opinions of some business people in Freetown and its environs, they cried over the unfavorable business climate in the country which has hampered their business growth. “Our businesses are dying as a result of it slow pace coupled with high taxes imposed on our goods”, disgruntled businessmen revealed to Voice of Salone Newspaper on Tuesday, adding that if things continue like this, they would have no option, but to fold up their businesses in SierraLeone.
The business people continued by stating that “To be honest with you, the sales in our businesses are not forthcoming and that the business environment is not friendly at all”.
Abubakarr Kamara, a cement seller in Portee stated that the sales in cement is slow at the moment compared to what obtained in the past, revealing how this is as a result of the bad Economic situation in the country.
According to him, majority of his customers have abandoned their building projects because their earnings power cannot meet their financial expenses at home.
“Majority of my customers have abandoned their building projects at their various sites due to insufficient income which cannot even address their family needs”, said the cement seller.
Hamidu Koroma, a dealer in all categories of building materials in Rokupar stated that when he started this business some years back, his business is booming with more sales, but presently the sales have dropped due to the bad economic situation in the country. “I am only getting sales on a weekly basis which did even not happen all the time”, he told Voice of Salone Newspaper on Tuesday, while expressing his frustration to fold up his business inorder to travel abroad for greener pasture.
Hassan Coker, a dealer in alcoholic beverages stated how his sales has dropped at the moment. “The business is really tough for me as there are minute customers that are coming to my bar to drink. At first, I was getting more sales, but now things have changed because of the bad shape of the Economy”, says the alcoholic dealer.
Meanwhile, suppliers who have been doing business with Government entities have also expressed their frustration in doing business with MDAs. “Government institutions most times delay to pay us after supplied had been made… This is really affecting the growth of our businesses”, says a Government suppliers who begged for anonymity.
