|
Momodou
Denmark
11713 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Oct 2007 : 22:52:45
|
Dalasi Rising
People Lament Over Rising Prices
By Amie Sanneh
Despite the depreciation of the foreign currencies against the Dalasi, things are getting more expensive in the market each day. People are wondering why this is so? “Now that the Dalasi is gaining strength, it is expected that prices of commodities would reduce, but they are still getting higher” lamented a customer who was buying a kilo of potatoes for D25.00 at the Serekunda Market.
She said she did not know the reason why vendors are still increasing the prices of their commodities instead of decreasing them. This, she said, needs to be looked into by the authorities. Mariama Colley, a customer said, “I am surprised by the way vendors are selling their goods despite the depreciation of the dollar”.
She remarked that each day she goes to the market or shop, the prices of goods are either stagnant or increased, but never reduced. I think something is wrong somewhere. Government needs to take action on this,” she remarked. I also caught up with a lady, Fatou Camara, who was passing by the Serekunda Market; she told me in an interview that she could not understand the fact that the Dalasi is appreciating over all international currencies. “Last week my husband sent me dollars which I changed into dalasis, but you won’t believe how much I went away with, I nearly cried because I used to receive far more than that,” the woman noted.
She stated that things would be difficult if the businesswomen/men do not reduce their prices. She added that life would be difficult for people whose livelihood depends on remittances coming from abroad. In her view, the money such people would receive from their family members would not be enough to solve their problems. “The authorities concerned should look into the matter,” she remarked.
I also had an interview with vendors at the Serekunda Market and asked them the reason why prices of basic commodities are not reducing as expected.
Abdourahman Jallow who sells commodities such as rice, sugar, oil, potato etc. said as at now, he cannot increase or decrease the price of any commodity. Jallow pointed out that his stock is old; that he has not purchased goods since the Dalasi started gaining strength.
“Before I can decrease the price of any commodity, I must enquire about the prices. If they are reduced I will reduce mine. I will sell according to the way I can get profit to feed my family,” he said. Another interviewee, Alieu Wuri Jallow who is also a businessman told me that he still buys goods at the same wholesale prices. “I am not increasing or decreasing prices, I am selling according to the way I buy my stock,” he stressed.
Alieu Wuri noted that he will be very happy if the prices of goods are reduced. “It is not only the customers who are suffering; we (the vendors) are also affected, so if prices are reduced, it will be of immense benefit to all of us,” he concluded.
Some bakers also expressed their disappointment; that despite the depreciation of the US Dollar, Euro and all other foreign currencies in the country, the price of flour is rising. They said when a bag of flour was D490, they were producing 270 loaves of bread per bag, but since the price has gone up to D690, they are now producing 315 loaves of bread per bag at the same price because they want to realise profit. They said this is why the size of bread is getting smaller by the day. Some pancake bakers who spoke to this reporter said the price of flour per kilo shoots up from D15 to D20, making it difficult for them to continue with their business.
In another development, a consumer in the Pipeline area phoned Foroyaa and complained that carrot, tomato and Cabbage were all sold at D50 per kilo in the local market but by this week, they are sold at D60 per kilo. “Why,” she asked. The caller stated that the US Dollar was exchanged for D19 last week and it has further reduced to D17.50. She asked why then the prices of foodstuffs are going up. She said a gardener who resides near her compound sells one avocado at D3, but the same commodity is sold at D50 per kilo at the market.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 115/2007, 1 - 2 October, 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
