Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye’s government announced a new policy to reduce the prices of certain staple foods, which is expected to cost 53 billion CFA francs.

The Minister-Secretary General of the Government has announced a reduction in the prices of several food products. The aim of this policy, which is expected to cost the State 53 billion CFA francs, is to « pay tribute to the people who have made so many sacrifices ». The price cuts concern rice, sugar, oil and cement. The price of granulated sugar has been reduced by 50 francs to 600 CFA francs from 650 CFA francs per kg. The price of unscented broken rice has been reduced by 40 francs, so that the selling price does not exceed 410 francs per kg, whereas it currently costs 500 francs. Senegal is expecting 80,000 tonnes of Indian rice. According to Mouhamed Al Amine Lô, exchanges with the Indian government have resulted in a quota. The price will be below 400 francs from August onwards. Refined oil will see a slight drop. The price of 20-liter cans has been reduced by 100 francs. For bread, the price fell by 15 francs on a baguette costing 175 francs, pending further exchanges with millers. This reduction was made possible by the suspension of customs duties on wheat. The 2,000-franc parafiscal tax on housing-based cement will be suspended. However, large companies will continue to pay this tax.

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The government has decided to facilitate access to housing by allocating the Mbour 4 land to developers.

The 3 telephone operators responded to the government’s call for lower mobile data prices. Fertilizer prices fell by 22%. The government has decided to put price regularization and control at the heart of everything it does, by strengthening economic control. The return of the model store system is planned in all localities, with the involvement of young people and women. « We’re also going to use digital technology to combat speculation and undue margins. The Declaration of import of food products (Dipa) will be subject to the production or marketing of local products », promised the government’s Sg. Adding that « hydrocarbon supply sources will be diversified. Public demand will be centralized. The reduction in the State’s cost of living will be reinvested in social programs. Subsidies will be targeted ».

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The State had to forego 53 billion in customs revenues to launch these measures. They will be implemented after next week’s National Consumer Council.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH