Government yesterday called on the Bakers Association of
Zimbabwe to reconsider its position to hike the price of bread and allow
consultations to take place.
Yesterday, a loaf of bread was being sold for RTGS$3,50 up
from RTGS$2. This comes as Government on Monday night injected 20 million
litres of fuel into the market to augment supplies ahead of the Easter and
Independence holidays that begin tomorrow.
Of the 20 million litres whose distribution started on
Tuesday night, diesel constitutes 12 million litres while the remainder is
petrol.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister
Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the
bread price hikes, whether by design or otherwise, could dampen the people’s
mood ahead of the holidays.
She said the move was also against Government’s efforts to
engage with all stakeholders, business included.
“The Minister of Industry and Commerce presented to Cabinet
a letter by the Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, stating their intention to
immediately hike the price of bread without any recourse to consultations with
the Government as is the normal procedure,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
“Of particular concern to Cabinet also is the timing of the
planned price increase, which is coming exactly two days before the national
Independence celebrations. Such a move, whether by design or otherwise,
certainly has the effect of dampening the mood of the nation.
“Furthermore, the unilateral action does not bode well to
ongoing efforts by Government to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders,
business included, with a view to creating a stable environment where
businesses can compete and thrive.
“It can be recalled that on 29 October 2018, His Excellency
President Emmerson Mnangagwa met with business leaders at State House where he
stated that Government has an open door policy and stands ready for any
engagement and consultations in order to ensure that the economy stabilises.
“As such, unilateral price hikes, particularly on basic
commodities that our people cannot do without is not in consonance with the
spirit of mutual engagement that Government is encouraging.”
She went on: “Cabinet, therefore, calls on the Bakers
Association of Zimbabwe to defer the planned hike in the price of bread in
order to allow the normal mutual consultations to take place.
“The consultations are aimed at facilitating a clearer
understanding of the issues of concern and to explore solutions thereto.”
On fuel supply ahead of the holidays, Minister Mutsvangwa
said: “The Minister of Energy and Power Development Minister informed Cabinet
that measures have been taken to ensure that there will be adequate fuel supply
with an injection of 20 million which has been uplifted as from last night
(Tuesday night).
“This means there will be enough fuel in the country as we
go towards Easter and Independence holidays.
“There will be enough fuel for all to attend independence
celebrations and also for those who may want to travel for Easter.”
She said enough fuel was also available for the 2019
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which runs from April 23 to 27 in Bulawayo.
Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo said the
fuel injection was meant to supplement current supplies.
“Our daily consumption of fuel at the moment is about three
million litres of diesel per day and two million litres of petrol per day,” he said.
“The 20 million litres injection which started to be
uplifted as from last night is an addition to the already or normal fuel that
we normally receive in the market.
“As far as we are concerned, people must be able to enjoy
the holidays without any hitches.” Herald
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