Nyore Madzianike and Farirai Machivenyika
Government Chief Whip Cde Pupurai Togarepi has called for an investigation into the pricing of fertiliser and cement in Zimbabwe, which are believed to be higher locally than in neighbouring countries.
Raising the issue as a point of national interest in the National Assembly, Cde Togarepi called on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to explain the price disparities and establish why locally produced commodities are more expensive than those from across the region.
He said a comparison of prices in neighbouring countries show that cement is selling at an average of US$7, while in Zimbabwe prices are significantly higher.
“Here in Zimbabwe, especially in the outskirts, the price of cement is US$16 or US$17.”
Cde Togarepi questioned why the commodity, which is produced locally, is more expensive in Zimbabwe.
“How would the Minister of Industry and Commerce explan that? Cement is mined and produced in Zimbabwe. Why should it be this expensive?”
He also raised concern over the cost of fertiliser, saying prices of ammonium nitrate and Compound D are higher than those across the region.
He said ammonium nitrate is selling at about US$32 in neighbouring countries, compared to US$53 in Zimbabwe.
Cde Togarepi said Zimbabwe used to have competitive fertiliser prices, adding that the prevailing high prices are forcing some people to source fertiliser from Zambia.
In response, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said he will advise the Minister of Industry and Commerce to present a Ministerial Statement on the prices of fertiliser and cement.
