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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Oct 2010 : 15:44:09
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Now we are aware of some of the reasons for the shortages and increased prices its not because of greed and hoarding,refreshing for a minister to explain.
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/trade-minister-explains-price-hikes
Trade minister explains price hikes
africa » gambia
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Deputies on Friday asked the minister of Trade to shed light as to the cause of what they called the "unfortunate situation" in the price hike of basic commodities like rice, sugar and onion.
Hon. Pa Jallow, member for Jarra Central constituency, who posed the question to the minister of Trade, noted that "it is common knowledge that the price for some commodities like sugar, rice and onion have risen to an unprecedented level".
Responding to questions posed during the question and answer session, Trade minister Yusupha Kah said that, since late 2007, the price of major commodities imported into the Gambia was highly affected by the world food crisis and, subsequently, recent climate change. The ministry of Trade, he added, monitors the stock and prices of basic commodities, and reports to cabinet on a weekly basis.
"In the case of sugar, after the food crisis, the subsequent price hikes in sugar are mainly due to external factors in the international market," he said, noting that last year, major sugar exporting countries such as India and Brazil experienced drought during the monsoon season, and this resulted in a reduction in the supply of sugar world wide leading to further international price hikes thereafter.
Trade Minister Kah further stated that there were also delays in shipment due to less availability and higher charges for vessels. "This is the reason why the stock of sugar has been low," he said.
According to him, importers in the Gambia faced many challenges in obtaining vessels to ship large quantities of sugar to the Gambia because of the long waiting periods associated with high demurrage costs at the port of Brazil.
He further stated that this compelled most Gambian importers of sugar to import by containers rather than the usual vessel, which he said, only brought less quantities at a go. "The long wait at the Brazilian port and the limited importation in containers caused shortages in many importing countries, including the Gambia," he explained.
He further explained that price changes in sugar are very sensitive compared to other commodities because, according to him, there is a lot of speculation in its trade.
He added that his ministry is constantly monitoring the international price and that there are expectations that the price will fall in the last quarter of this year, as the exporting countries will be starting their harvest.
He said his Ministry held discussions with importers and retailers last August which resulted in the reduction of the price of sugar to D1,250 per 50kg bag wholesale price.
Minister Kah noted that since the aftermath of the world food crisis, the stock of rice has been adequate throughout, while the price has been relatively stable between early 2009 to mid 2010.
The average wholesale price of rice, he added, increased from D640 at the beginning of July 2010 to D690 by the end of August for a 50kg bag. However, he went on, the current depreciations of the dalasi also adds to the cost of imports as importers pay their suppliers in foreign currency.
Commenting on onion and potatoes, Trade Minister Kah revealed that there is a different treatment compared to rice and sugar. He said an extra tax of D5.00 per kilo is levied on all imports of onions and potatoes, during the harvest periods of Kharafi Farms to enable the company to sell their produce against cheaper imports.
"Once the measure was in force, importers stopped importing onions as they cannot compete with Kharafi?s product," he stated.
In July, he said, the measure was temporally lifted for normal importation of the two commodities during the non-harvest period of June-February. He said the imports were late to arrive and Kharafi's stocks were not enough to cover the demand, and resulted into a shortage and price hike in the market.
"The Ministry is now working with Kharafi Farms and other importers of onions for them to develop a strategy for smooth transitions in order to avoid shortages," he concluded.
Author: Alieu O. Jabang
Source: Picture: Yusupha Kah
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2010 : 12:34:02
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Foroyaa Editorial : Power Outages and Price Increases
By Publisher on 06-10-10
The Minister of Trade, in his explanation of the causes of inflation in the Gambia has left out the impact of power outages on rising prices of commodities.
Foroyaa has investigated and has discovered that small generators are now the fashionable source of electricity supply in the Gambia. Many shops situated on mosque road in Serre kunda could be found operating generators as a response to power outages.
It is very clear that the cost of the use of generators will simply be ploughed back to the prices of the commodities sold in the shops.
The Gambians and the Government should realise that the longer the power outages the more businesses are tempted to look for alternative sources of power supply, the more they resort to the purchase of generators and fuel, the more fuel is consumed, the higher the prices of commodities and the more poverty grows.
It is therefore important for the state to take note of the fact that the availability of a reliable source of power that is affordable is indispensable to the eradication of poverty.
We will continue to evaluate the causes and consequences of power outages.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2010 : 14:48:44
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"Foroyaa has investigated and has discovered that small generators are now the fashionable source of electricity supply in the Gambia."
if you have read Momodou's post, you may be interested in this topic,were alternatives can be managed by the administration instead of trying to make Nawec work and make people pay for something that they cannot afford because of lack of money, NAWEC will NEVER be a moneyspinner,Why? because the average Gambian has NO money .
Have a read here:
http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9628 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 07 Oct 2010 15:01:36 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2010 : 15:00:52
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This is also about the shambles that is Nawec,this from the Point:
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/nawec-explains-erratic-power-supply
Sounds familiar,? just like the problems on the ferries,fiddling with the machinery causing breakdowns.
"caused by the "fire incident at the Kotu Power Station (which rendered some of our generators non-operational)", machinery breakdown at the Brikama Power Station, problems usually encountered during the rainy season, and some ongoing planned and unplanned maintenance on some of the generators."
NAWEC explains erratic power supply
africa » gambia
Thursday, October 07, 2010
The National Water and Electricity Utility Company (NAWEC) has given loaded excuses for the erratic power supply it has been dishing out lately to the public.
According to its recent press release, some of the reasons for the setback in power supply the nation has been grappling with in the last three months or so are heavy load shedding in the Greater Banjul Area caused by the "fire incident at the Kotu Power Station (which rendered some of our generators non-operational)", machinery breakdown at the Brikama Power Station, problems usually encountered during the rainy season, and some ongoing planned and unplanned maintenance on some of the generators.
"All these have resulted to electricity supply falling below normal capacity," NAWEC says.
Its release added: "The management of NAWEC is doing everything possible to address this problem. We expect that this problem would be addressed shortly".
"NAWEC therefore appeals to the entire country to bear with us on the current regrettable situation and assures everybody of the company's commitment and determination to providing a reliable and equitable supply of power as soon as the rehabilitation works are completed."
"The company counts on all its customers' usual understanding and cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience caused."
Meanwhile, as the "regrettable situation" persists, the nation, especially the business operators, is seriously affected due to the increased cost of production firms are made to undergo and the uncomfortable circumstances people have to make do with at home.
"The running of generators, almost half of the day on daily basis, to keep our businesses operational is causing us heavy fuel cost, which is unsustainable if this situation is not solved as soon as possible," businessman Amadou Dukureh told The Point.
Another concerned citizen said: "We are begging Nawec to solve this light problem; the persistent power outage these days is affecting us at home. We cannot enjoy the comfort of our homes anymore as there is no light. We can't preserve our foods in the refrigerator and we can't have sound sleep in the heat of the environment nowadays."
NAWEC is expected to expedite its "rehabilitation works" to bring the situation to normality, for the good of the nation and for the economy.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 07 Oct 2010 15:06:19 |
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