Press conference which seeks to edify Cameroonians on the measures taken by the Government to curb the sharp rice in the prices of basic commodities in Cameroon has taken place. The various Ministers present during the conference assured Cameroonians that they are working to ensure the sharp rise in the prices of basic commodities be countered.
The conference was chaired by the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, who said the sharp rise in the prices of basic commodities is partly due to covid 19 and the crisis in Ukraine that broke the supply chain of basic commodities exported from that country, which pushed the Head of State to take emergency action, as he petroleum production from 120 billion to 180 billion.
The Minister of trade Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana on his part says they have been organizing promotional sales of basic commodities, with tax exoneration on products like rice, fish, palm oil and construction materials which has helped to cut the increase in the cost of living. To him, the sharp rise in the prices of goods is due to the fact that exporters suspended exportation and imposed dissuasive taxes.
To the minister of Agriculture and rural development, farmers have been going through a lot of challenges like climate change, floods and landslides which has hindered his sector. However, he has been working to ensure the sharp rise in prices of basic commodities be countered. A total of 42 billion CFA frs has been made available for the production of fertilizer and high yielding seeds distributed to farmers for free.
The Minister of water and energy Gaston Eloundou Essomba was equally present during the press conference. He said there have been scarcity of some petroleum products which affected drivers, but their ministry has been working to subsidize the petroleum products. This explains why consumers get a liter of petrol for 630frs instead of 1270frs and 12.5kg bottle of gas 6500frs where as it should sold at 14000.