Govt urged to probe cement, fertiliser prices

Nyore Madzianike and Farirai Machivenyika

GOVERNMENT has been called upon to investigate cement and fertiliser prices in the country amid indications that they are among the highest in the SADC region.

Raising the matter as a point of national interest in the National Assembly, Government Chief Whip Cde Pupurai Togarepi urged the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to explain why locally produced commodities cost significantly more than those in neighbouring countries.

He noted that while cement averaged about US$7 across the region, domestic prices were more than double that amount.

“If you look at the average cost of cement in the countries around us, it is about US$7, but here in Zimbabwe it is between US$15 and US$17,” he said.

“What would be the reason that the Minister of Industry and Commerce would give the people of Zimbabwe for the price differences? What is the main factor, given that cement is mined and produced in Zimbabwe? Why should it be this expensive?”

Cde Togarepi also raised concern over fertiliser prices, noting that ammonium nitrate sells for about US$53 locally compared to US$32 in neighbouring countries, while Compound D costs around US$35. He added that uncompetitive pricing was driving some farmers to source inputs from Zambia.

“Is it that these people are incurring costs that we do not know about?” he asked.

“That is why you see people buying fertiliser from Zambia and bringing it into Zimbabwe. Why are they not offering competitive prices to save our people?”

In response, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said he would direct the Minister of Industry and Commerce to present a ministerial statement addressing the pricing of both commodities.

Source: Govt urged to probe cement, fertiliser prices – herald

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