Malawi Govt warns against defying call for price reduction
Malawi government has warned companies that continued to defy its call to reduce goods and services prices following the increase in the buying power of the Kwacha currency that they will be taken to task.
Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu, who is government spokesman said authorities will pursue companies who defy the call and that proper penalties would be unleashed to them.
Government has deemed the charging of “exorbitant” prices as ruthless robbery on the unsuspecting Malawians of their hard-earned money, more especially now that every Malawian should start reaping the economic fruits brought about by President Joyce Banda’s Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).
“Malawi has undergone positive economic reforms which have brought about the reduction in fuel pump prices. This should have automatically translated to the immediate reduction in goods and services prices that largely depend on fuel,” said the government spokesman.
He disclosed that government through the Ministry of Trade and Competitions and Fair Trade Commission, will launch “an inspection of shops and companies to appreciate their prices and take decisive action where necessary.”
Government is also asking the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) to come out as vocal and vehement against the companies as it was against government during the negative effects of the Kwacha depreciation.
“It would be naïve for the able leadership of CAMA to remain silent now when it vehemently blamed government for the resultant negative effects of the Kwacha. CAMA should be up in arms all the time against any institutions and individuals that make a consumer’s life miserable,” he said.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :