The President of the Republic has decreed 2023 as a social year. The implementation of this will be the business of the « combat » government that was set up and led by Mr. Amadou Ba. In order to cope with the high cost of living and lighten the household basket, broad consultations were initiated and resulted in eleven measures, among which the reduction of the price of certain basic products figures prominently. Since the beginning of the application of these measures, the government has faced the reluctance of some rebellious ones who are reluctant to apply the new tariffs as indicated.It is a titanic effort: 2275 shops were controlled 2 days after the application of the 11 measures that were taken by the government of Senegal, 689 traders were fined during the control.This information is from the Minister of Trade, AbdouKarim Fofana.The government is showing a firm commitment to enforce the application of the 11 measures taken during consultations between the actors of the sector.Behind this desire lies a completely different reality on the ground.This is evidenced by the difficulties encountered in the applicability of the new measures taken to reduce the cost of living and lighten the household basket.Those who suffer the most from these measures « are the retailers », said a trader in Rufisque market.According to him, « the retailer has no interest in raising prices on its scale.The bulk of the problem is with wholesalers not playing fair. »On the effectiveness of controls for the application of prices, « He believes that this should normally be done higher up, with wholesalers » to see the price at which the products were sold to us compared to what was discussed and agreed with the government during the consultations.The indignation is the same for Seydina, a butcher.« I don’t apply the new rates because I always buy at the same price.I sell the kg of meat at 3800 F Cfa otherwise, I cannot make out of it, « he explained.Adding that: « Senegal has no oxen, most come from Mali.But if they don’t reduce the price, there’s nothing we can do. »For his part, MbayeSarr is a wholesaler who does not wear gloves to express his anger.Although he agrees that the government is in its role, he believes that wholesalers are also fathers, heads of households who are an integral part of Senegalese society.After this clarification, he said: « The government did not take into account the stocks that were already being sold and that had been purchased before the consultations. We should have been given time, at least a month to prepare for the application of new tariffs and to organise with the partners. » According to him, « this was done in haste and obeys more a political logic rather than a relief of the cost of living ».Questioned during the vote on his budget on the issue, the Minister of Trade, Abdou Karim Fofana, had assured that the government had not decided to lower prices unilaterally and without consultation.« We started by calling manufacturers, consumers, etc.The problems of the sector have been scrutinised.Extensive studies were even done before stopping the 11 measurements.The opinion of the administration was sought before the submission to the Head of State, » he defended himself in the Hemicycle.From 22 billion in 2022, the budget of the Ministry of Commerce has increased to 122 billion235 million 696 thousand 379 CFA francs, an increase of more than 100 billion that finds its explanation in the subsidy on basic necessities to prevent prices from taking the elevator.