Letter: A $25 sack of cement is highway robbery in Grenada!
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| Published on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 |
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Dear Sir:
With the world major economies in recession resulting in mass unemployment; mass reduction in production; mass repossessions; bankruptcies and the inevitable reduction in consumer demand why is it that Grenadians are being charged EC$25 for a sack of Trinidad & Tobago or Barbados manufactured cement? This is not just highway robbery it is robbery with ‘V’.
Why is the price of building materials in the construction industry in Grenada continue to spiral out of control while the cost to merchant wholesalers and retailers at the factory floor continue falling? What is the government of Grenada doing to protect the vulnerable consumers?
The situation of increasing prices on almost a daily basis by these greedy merchants in Grenada has got out of hand and it is time for government action. The suspicion is that these merchants are operating as a cartel and the reason for these continuous increases is two-fold.
Firstly, they perhaps perceive the government as nimble; green and untested and feel they can get away with it and secondly, perhaps their aim is to push prices as high as they possible can under the nose of the government ahead of the introduction of VAT. I say it is time to stop these fat cats getting any fatter on the sweat and toil of our people.
The government should order a thorough investigation by an authoritative appointed body with a remit to access merchants’ files and make recommendations for action by the government with the findings made public.
Alternatively, the government should put together a Select Committee similar to the UK Commons Select Committee to order these merchants or their representatives before the said committee to answer questions on the issue and for these said merchants or their representatives to produce documentary evidence to justify these continuous prices increase.
The objective will be for the Government Select Committee to get to the bottom of what these merchants are up to. All findings should also be made public. At the same time the government should consider the introduction of price control even if it is on a range of selective goods.
One of Grenada’s biggest industries is the construction industry (which for whatever reason seems to be forgotten by the people running our country). It would be interested to see statistics of just how many people are employed in this industry and how many businesses and their employees are dependant on it as well.
This industry no doubt is likely to grow in 2009 and beyond despite the recession, therefore it is time Grenada starts manufacturing its own cement for consumption as well as export. One of the most common denominatord in Grenada’s construction industry is cement, so why are we continuing to import it? Where is the common sense in continuing with the status quo?
It is time for this government to move up a gear or two with initiatives to protect consumers and open up real job opportunities especially for our youths. Grenada needs a cement factory now.
We also need processing plants for our various spices; fruits and vegetables and the re-establishment of the chicken processing plant. Consumers should not have to purchase these horrible tasteless imported frozen chickens that are sold in local supermarkets?
I believe the government 5 year programme should include these processing plants however; any 5 year programme must include the exploration of our off shore oil and gas resource.
We need partners to achieve these things but hey! This government had 13 years in opposition in which to plan for this opportunity so quit stalling; stop treating us Grenadians as dummies and let the general public look at the draft 5 year programme for our country.
Put it out to scrutiny and public consultation on the understanding that all comments made would be considered before a final decision is made – this is called open government and taking the public with you.
Winston Strachan
Northampton
England | | | | Reads : 2217 | | | |
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