By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-02-04 15:24:04
The Cameroonian government has confirmed a new increase in the prices of certain petroleum products at the pump. According to the government’s statement, the price of super gasoline has increased from 730 CFA francs to 840 CFA francs per liter. The price of diesel has also increased to 828 CFA francs from 720 CFA francs previously.
The government’s announcement, which took effect yesterday, Saturday, has immediately led to an increase in transportation prices. The Touristic Voyage agency, which serves several localities in the country, has posted a new pricing schedule. The transportation cost for the Bertoua Belabo route, which was 1500 CFA francs the day before, has increased to 2000 CFA francs, an absolute increase of 500 CFA francs and a relative increase of 25%.
For the Bertoua to Nguelmendouka route, the cost of transportation has increased from 3000 CFA francs to 4500 CFA francs, a 50% increase. Similar increases have been experienced on other transportation routes. Authorities are still trying to deter unscrupulous transporters who are unilaterally increasing prices. In a memo published on February 3, the sub-prefect of the Belabo district warns the manager of the Touristic Voyage agency. Referring to the increase in transportation costs, the administrative authority indicates that “verifications made on the ground confirm the veracity of the facts, and the manager of the said agency has been reminded to reason. Despite this reminder, while waiting for a government decision in agreement with the unions, the manager continued in the early evening to impose the new prices. The sub-prefect draws attention to the inconveniences that his agency incurs by practicing unilateral and unauthorized pricing.”
But it is evident that this deterrence will only last a short time. Starting next week, a general inflation of around 10% can be expected according to some specialists. Last year, food products experienced an inflation of over 10% in the 8 months following the increase in fuel prices, far exceeding the 3% rate set by the Economic Community of Central African States (CEMAC). Transportation prices, on the other hand, rose by more than 16% according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Albert Atangana
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
