By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
People in Freetown have expressed frustration over the hike in prices of foodstuffs in the country and urged the government to ensure that the markets are monitored.
Businessman Hassan Kabia told Politico that the relevant institutions responsible for regulating prices are falling short of their responsibilities. He noted that because prices are not regulated in the country, suppliers increase the prices of products as they want, leaving they the retailers with no option but to return sell in a way to make a profit as well.
Kabia made reference to a month ago when the price of Onga seasoning cube was NLE350 per carton but shut up to an astronomical NLE 850 per carton. He added that a bag of rice ranges from NLE500 upwards, depending on the quality that the consumer wants.
Shop owner at Congo Market Aminata Kamara said: “The reason for the increase in prices of goods is because of the dollar which is used by business people to import goods into the country.”
Another businessman at Sani Abacha Street in Freetown, who does not want to be named, stated that the prices of commodities are depressingly high because the country imports basic commodities such as rice, sugar, salt and even groundnut. He claimed the producers of those goods price them depending on the demand.
He added that the Russia and Ukraine war has affected the flow of business and recommended that there be enough foreign exchange in the country to help reduce the problem of high prices of commodities.
A single mother Seray Sesay also expressed her dismay at the increase in the price of palm oil despite the fact that it is locally produced in Sierra Leone. It is now being sold at NLE 450 per a five-gallon jerry can as compared to the cost of NLE 150 not long ago, the woman stated.
The Krootown Road petty trader further explained that the reason for the increase in the price of palm oil is because the product is smuggled to other countries thereby depriving Sierra Leoneans.
Sesay noted that as an ordinary citizen, it is difficult to survive, claiming that most Sierra Leoneans die early due to the pressure and stress in trying to fend for themselves and their loved ones.
A fish monger Mamie Marie stated that recently, it was difficult to get fish and that when they get it, it is expensive and that a dozen of small ‘Kinney’ fish is sold at NLE250 per-dozen.
The mother of five said it seems as though the fishes in the country are being exported, stating that they hardly see them. She added that the ones they buy are those that are imported.
“It is difficult to take care of my family now as the business that I depend on does not yield much because of food prices escalating on a daily basis” complained Dauda Bangura, a father of three who also spoke to Politico.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online
