Govt. to reintroduce price controls soon

Govt. to reintroduce price controls soon

Chienge,  June 22, 2013/ZANIS —  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.