May 17, 2021
By: Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy has strongly reacted to the increase in the prices of essential commodities in the country, saying that Sierra Leone is doing far better when compared with price of goods in other countries in the sub-region.
Dr. Sandy made this statement while reacting to the price of goods in the country.
“The outbreak of COVID had a negative impact across the world and the COVID 19 restrictions have affected the global supply chain with countries including Brazil, India, among others as we were getting essential commodities like rice, which is not forthcoming, and that China is the country where we get our staple food-rice.”
He said that there have been duty waivers on essential commodities including rice and remove GST on certain commodities, adding that the increase of prices on commodities is not only affecting Sierra Leone due COVID but also across the world.
“But Sierra Leone is doing far better in terms of price of essential commodities when compared with other countries at regional level. But there are engagements with the private sectors, which will solve the situation soon,” Dr. Sandy said.
He maintained that his ministry’s engagement with the private sector is yielding dividend to ensure that there is reduction in the price of goods, noting that as a Government they want to see the prices of goes reduce to the admiration of the public.
The Government, Mr. Sandi said that cannot do business as the private sector does, that is why we are constantly engaging them, pointing out that the SLPP led government is creating the enabling environment for the private sector to do their business, citing duty waivers on the rice.
He said the delay of the ship with essential commodities to come into Sierra Leone as a result of not adhering to emission regulations, could also be attributed to the increase in the cost of rice, adding that there is a cost on the delay, which will ultimately have bearing on the cost of price.
“What is creating the increase in the cost of essential commodities is that our goods are cheap when compare to other countries, they are been taking to our neighboring countries: Guinea and Liberia,” Dr. Sandy said.
Speaking to this medium, some of the residents of Bo said that the new Minister of Finance needs to work with the trade ministry to address the bread and butter issue.
Brima Gbla residing at Samai Town in Bo said that the government should stabilize the prices of goods and services in the country.
In his view Gbla said “Dr. Sandy should stimulate trade and industrial expansion as a key driver in revamping economic growth in Sierra Leone. There cannot be a better time to welcome investors wanting to establish industries in the country. Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora who wish to establish SMEs particularly in Agri-Processing business, ICT, Value Addition etc. now have space and the support of the Ministry to do so. The Trade and Industry bells are ringing’’