Bambo Sanya, secretary-general of the Guinea-Bissau Consumer Protection Association, this Thursday urged the government to “wield a tough hand” on traders who do not comply with the decision to lower rice prices.
On Tuesday, the government announced that the price of 100% broken rice will rise from 22,500 CFA francs (34 euros) for every 50 kg bag to 17,500 CFA francs (about 26 euros). Known domestically as “nhelen”, imported mainly from India, China and Vietnam, it is the most consumed variety in Guinea-Bissau.
The general secretary of the Association for the Protection of Consumers of Goods and Services (Akobes) called on the government to “show a strong hand and assert the power of the state” against any trader who refuses to apply the new rice prices and confiscate rice to the trader who refuses to apply the new price, revoke the license or close the business.
Bambo Sanya accused the traders of price speculation and said the outgoing chief had reached an agreement that they did not honor.
“What was found was that nelen rice could not be sold in Bissau for more than 21,000 CFA francs. [32 euros] and 23 thousand [35 euros] in the interior of the country,” said Sanya, who also asked the government to lower prices for other essentials.
The consumer representative also referred to the position taken on Wednesday by the president of the Guinea-Bissau Market Retailers Association, Aliou Seydi, who said some members were opposed to the way the measure had been taken.
Sadie wondered how this measure would be implemented given the fact that some traders had previously purchased the product from wholesalers at a price of 20,000 CFA francs (30.5 euros) per bag.
The president of the retailers wants to know how they’re going to deal with the rice they already have in stock, if they’re going to keep selling it at the old prices, or if they’ll be reimbursed by the government, or for losses. if they sold it at the new price.
Bambo Sanya doubted the position of the leader of Guinean retailers and recalled that Aliou Seydi had signed an agreement with the government on a new price for rice, which would be valid on the market.
“We do not understand how an organization, being a partner of the government, signs an agreement and in less than 24 hours comes to denounce this agreement. This is serious,” said Bambo Sanya.
According to leader Akobes, the decline in rice prices “should be freed from any political struggle” because, according to him, it is “in the interest of the population” of Guinea.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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