BUBANZA December19 (ABP) – Traders in Bubanza province (northwestern Burundi), especially those of cement, chemical fertilizers and meat, are appealed to respect the prices that have been fixed. This was said during the meeting which was held by the Governor of Bubanza, at the headquarters of the province on Tuesday, December 17, for the traders of that province.
According to the Governor of Bubanza province, Mr. Nobus Thérence Butoyi, the observation is that, in these days, some traders are fixing prices as they want, especially for cement, chemical fertilizers and meat. Currently, the price of a bag of cement is raised between 28,000 and 30,000 BIF while it should not exceed 25,500 BIF for retailers. Some wholesalers even sell the bag of cement at 25,500 instead of 24,500 BIF. Some of the reasons put forward by traders are, among others, the insufficient quantity of cement, which means that some prefer to fall back on the shops of Bujumbura City Council at high prices.
And those who receive it from BUCECO lament that they currently benefit from 2 trucks and irregularly, whereas before, this company regularly granted them 6 trucks per month. Other wholesalers divert that cement and transport it to Bujumbura City Council.
Regarding meat, the price per kilogram is between 8,000 and 9,000 BIF, and as a reason, traders argue the insufficiency and high cost of cattle to slaughter, as well as a significant amount of meat sold towards Bujumbura. As for chemical fertilizers, they evoked a glaring shortage while the beneficiaries have already paid.
During that meeting, the governor of Bubanza province and the traders agreed that the price per kilogram of meat can now be bought at 8,000 BIF, the bag of cement at 24,500 BIF at wholesalers and 25,500 BIF for retailers. As for chemical fertilizers, the Governor promised his involvement for them to be available. Governor Butoyi warned those who claim the right to override those recognized prices that they are subject to sanctions according to law.
