Friday, March 29, 2024

Government will soon re-introduce price controls, says Luapula Province Minister

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Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya inspecting the pedicle road project last week
Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya inspecting the pedicle road project last week

Government says it will soon re-introduce price controllers in a bid to avert the exploitation of consumers by the business community.

Luapula Province Minister, Benson Kapaya says this Government is concerned with the exploitation of Zambian citizens by the business community, who he said set prices for goods and services at an exorbitant rate.

ZANIS reports that the Minister said this during a meeting held with civil servants and pupils at Ponde Secondary School.

He was responding to concerns by one of the participant Chimwemwe Gondwe ‘s concern on the high prices of goods and services from Chienge District Assistant Registration Officer.

General Kapaya, who is also Chienge Constituency area Member of Parliament (MP) held the meeting to explain the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel.

He said Shops and other Service providers would soon be mandated to display their prices to enable the Price controllers to check if they are in conformity with prevailing business conditions.

General Kapaya explained that the move is not meant to interfere with the running of private businesses, but is instead meant to protect the Zambian citizens from exploitation.

The price control system was last seen during First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda’s era but was done away with in the democratic dispensation of multiparty system by late second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

ZANIS

36 COMMENTS

  1. Oh my God ! This is so wrong.Much as this is a good thing to do as it will protect citizens from exploitation it is against the principle of a free market economy.Think twice my dear PF.

    • reeling from shock here zebige, never thought i wud witness the day that you did not agree with something your dear PF announced. There’s hope for you yet 🙂

    • Yaba!!! Even Zebige is shocked with policies coming from his own house? You have not heard nothing yet. Exchange Controls kick in on July 1. They want to form another ‘Lima’ Bank and much more. I hope now, you’ll appreciate that objectivity like you have exhibited here is important. Welcome to the “Shocked” Club.

    • @Dudelove
      It’s not you alone. I am sure there is a few of us reeling from shock. Zebige has been rather quiet since he prematurely sang praise for Clive Chirwa, following the half baked and misplaced story that the ACC found him (Chirwa) innocent.
      I have to praise him though, on this occasion, for “speaking” honest sense instead of the usual “fishing” for sense in a nonsensical PF statements.

    • Doing Business in Zambia is complicated and expensive, there is too much red tape and its a slow painful process trying to get things done. Naturally this has an effect on the price of goods. Zambians pay higher prices for goods as a result of this. If the Government want to reduce the cost to the consumer, they should create a more efficient way of importing goods etc.

  2. ….here comes the honey monster! Lose weight Sir! We know you are in GRZ to eat but don’t dig your grave with your own teeth.

  3. I can’t belive this author because pf has leaders who understand economics and there is no way they can introduce this acient way of doing business. Market forces must detamine the prices. l don’t think Kapaya said that.

    • Aren’t they the same economists, who said fuel and mealie meal subsidies were benefiting only the rich. But when fuel prices went up and transport fleet owners accordingly adjusted charges to reflect the increase PF economists cried foul. So, what was their understanding of the implications of the subsidy removal?

    • @chikamba osmore
      wadabwa kaa!! this is what we always tell you that your PF govt is KUKU! wait,, the drama is not over yet,,, there might be three or four more confusing statements to come from other pf ministers over the same issue

  4. One step towards communism thats what happens when you start pondering with price controls. It seems this administration doesn’t understand simple economics. Let the laws of supply and demand work. We seem to be going back to the Kaunda era were everything was controlled by the state. Any student of History and Economics will tell you that price controls don’t work. I think time has come to privatize the country as the current crop of politicians from both sides seem to be very incompetent and have no clue on how to run a country.

  5. Let’s Go Sata Let’s Go! KK Loves You for you were created in his image! Why doesn’t this Luapula Province leech form his own companies so that he sells his produce to the consumers at lower prices? With muppets like him, Zambia is screwed!

  6. In what capacity was the minister saying this. I believe there is a relevant organ of govt to announcement to the nation every policy change. A provincial minister cannot make a statement that affects the whole nation. First it should be mentioned by a relevant organ of the govt. Was he just saying what the people wanted to hear or it is truly the PF policy? Its absurd that in the current government, everyone wants to be the spokesperson. That is why they end up issuing contradictory statements.

    • The current administration is useless when it comes to following procedure. Hence its safe to assume that this is government policy. We have amateurs running the country.

  7. I thought by Law goods and services, all prices are supposed to be displayed in shops. it already mandated. Anyone not doing so, is committing a crime

  8. Well at least those in higher echelons of authority are beginning to recognize the need to check escalating prices of essential commodities.

    While I do not favor the notion of price controls as I am a proponent of free market principles, I would like to take this opportunity to suggest the following:
    1. Conduct in depth studies into production costs for essential goods and services “produced” in Zambia. This will enable the researchers to work out “reasonable” prices that would allow the producers to enjoy ROI while at the same time charging the consumers “fairly”.
    2. Let the market forces run their course. We need to do our part to mitigate escalating prices but within the context of a free market economy.

  9. Bwana minister,it would be beneficial to the country for you to step down than bring those UNIP price-controls where there was no sliced bread and apples were only seen in movies.

  10. Oyo bapompwe you have failed to control FOREX how can you control someones business? you dont even know the source of the commodities.

  11. PF if indeed you intend to introduce price controls in the economy, you are very very mistaken guys. You will ruin the economy and that will mark the beginning of commodity shortages. Price controls is not the way to go PF. What you should say is to let all the shops put price tags on all items so that people can know where to buy cheaply. This way , automatically checks and prevent exploitation of consumer.

    PF listen, please dont let those MP who are nor well versed in economics utter nonsense as this MP Kapaya is doing. This crop ignorant MPs are tarnishing PF name. Please be very careful whenever you commenting on sensitive matters such as price control. Hope you have listened, learn also to consult professions in respective ministries.

    Peace and prosperity to Mother Zambia.

  12. Zambia in reverse gear! Soon you’ll have queues for essentials & after Mugabe is out of office, Zimbabwe policies will have taken effect in Zambia! Slowly, the way termites work, this country is getting eaten!

  13. Bonse mulifikopo.What is the main subject ?The Minister is saying: Zambians have beeen exploited by greed Business men and women,so he makes a good suggession.Who says only the market forces can be the only yard stick to determine the price of any commodity? Why is HH then crying for the removel of subsidies mwefikopo mwe?Would you allow Zambian Govt.to TAX you 50% plus since its a free market economy ,would you allow Zambian Govt.to ask UNZA Students to pay 100% since its a free market Economy think before you say anything?We do not have proper markets in Zambia and i support the Minister period.Market is a place where you find numerous buyers and sellers compiting.Here is Zambia its the sellers voice.That is the reason HE Obama the President of the USA pushed in for Social reforms

  14. PF Ministers cannot be trusted on their statements. Tomorrow the Minister of Commerce will issue an opposite statement and tell us that is Govt policy.

  15. @Ndobo,kudabwa chani iwe magot? lt is pf o the way. Look at this,at the same time u cry for subsides and condemn kk’s days. Bane mwacheepa kuli ‘king cobra’.U can’t drible him. Watch as we turn Zambia into a paradise.

  16. When greedy millers exploited Zambians by hiking maize meal prices which themselves obtain almost free of charge from FRA, MCS responded by attempting to fix the price at fifty pin or something like that, the so called bush economists complained. When the government removed the subsidy on the same commodity the same people complained. Is it just politicking or what? That’s why I say most Zambians have just been to school but they lack education. Its a polite way of saying they are functional illiterates.

  17. When greedy millers exploited Zambians by hiking prices of maize meal, the government tried to fix the price to protect the poor people but some economists complained. The government then removed subsidies on the same commodity, the same economists complained. What do they want?

  18. @ The Truth & Spartan

    The sooner our government recognises that they are responsible for the wellbeing of Zambians the better. Calling business people greedy solves nothing. The solution lies in working with the private sector to lower prices. But hey this government needs something/someone to blame to stay alive. Just a shame that they did not use their popular election mandate to energise Zambians around a growth agenda.

    • @Its a Friday
      Explain briefly how the government should work with the private sector, instead of just dwelling in generalities.

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  20. While we appreciate our hard working and practical man, Minister of Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya, there is one area that needs urgent attention.

    Zambians motorists using the pedicle road are subjected to pay “informal tax” on entry and exit at Mokambo and Mwenda border posts.

    The Congolese have set up three desks at each post where a motorist has to pay Kr5 at each desk. A motorist pays out Kr 30 in total.

    Mr Minister, this is day light robbery and above all exploitation of the Zambian motorist. But before you take this matter to the joint border meetings that you hold with the Congolese, travel incognito on this road for you to arm yourself with evidence.

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