MIRAP reduces food prices in Limbe

Food and other basic goods have fallen within the reach of smallest purses in Limbe thanks to the standard markets.

On the sidewalks of Pool B of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Limbe, headquarters of Fako Division, in the South West Region, the Consumers Products Supply Regulatory Authority, MIRAP, has organized a standard market for primary necessity goods to democratise prices and ensure availability of commodities to the growing population of Limbe.

Situated at Church Street Limbe, the MIRAP market has become a daily point of attraction for buyers of fruits, garri, palm oil, sugar, eggs, table birds, beef, pork, plantains, tomatoes, vegetables, and corn among others.

From 17 November to 3rd December, and from 7 am to 5.30 pm daily, the MIRAP market is opened to the public. As an upshot of the 2008 food crises in Cameroon, MIRAP, as a State apparatus, has been fighting tooth and nail to dampen price hikes and make food and other necessities quite available to inhabitants.

For example, one kilogramme of cow meat without bone is sold there at CFA 2,200 instead of the CFA 2,800 in ordinary markets. Going by a MIRAP expert, prices are downed from 20 percent to 40 depending on the commodity. An authority of MIRAP explained to Cameroon Tribune that some CFA 20 million changes hands daily in their market. To match the monetary figure, some 20 tons of produce are marketed each day at Church Street.

By the end of the initiative, next December 4, MIRAP market would have ensured food is on the table of citizens and visitors in satisfactory quantities. By next December 4, some 300 tons of food shall have been sold to needy families.

But Bamzok Nfol Cyprien warned against any attempt to buy from MIRAP markets for business purposes. He explained having contacted some 70 producer associations to organise the Limbe market. Given the high demand, the MIRAP authority has decided to construct a permanent standard stall in Limbe before 2017 runs out.

There, all high consumption goods will be sold to the public on a permanent basis to fight against high cost of living, and make primary necessity goods available to the lower income class in society.