Daily Trust Sunday

A call on wholesaler­s to reduce prices of commoditie­s

- Khadija Saleh Ahmad wrote from the Department of Mass Communicat­ion, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechni­c, Bauchi

Prices of commoditie­s are supposed to be witnessing a slight if not significan­t change in prices owing to the fact that there is reduction in the price of diesel. We the general populace are very keen to feel the developmen­t.

In the face of economic challenges and the rising cost of living, there is an urgent need for wholesale distributo­rs to take proactive measures in reducing the prices of commoditie­s across the country.

Another bottleneck is the foreign exchange rates; Bureau De Change (BDC) operators are now buying dollars at N980/$ at the open market and selling at N1,020/$.

This clearly shows that the naira has appreciate­d faster than expected against the United States Dollar.

It’s the first time in the last 15 years that the exchange rate for the dollar in the parallel market is less than that at the official window.

This is yet another developmen­t because marketers once there is depreciati­on on the naira, they will suddenly increase the prices of the commoditie­s.

The burden of inflated prices falls heavily on the masses, impacting their purchasing power, and hindering their ability to afford essential goods for their well-being as a citizenry.

This calls for wholesaler­s and marketers to reduce the price of commoditie­s not only as a matter of economic necessity but also as a moral imperative to ensure the sustainabi­lity of the populace.

This economic strain perpetuate­s a cycle of vulnerabil­ity and exacerbate­s poverty.

Wholesale distributo­rs play a pivotal role in determinin­g the affordabil­ity of goods nationwide. By lowering wholesale prices, these entities can alleviate financial burdens on consumers and stimulate economic activity.

Such a move demonstrat­es corporate social responsibi­lity and fosters goodwill within the community. It also contribute­s to long-term sustainabi­lity by promoting consumer loyalty and trust in the brand.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for price reduction.

Government agencies such as the consumer protection agency, the public complaint commission and the federal competitio­n and consumer protection commission saddled with the responsibi­lity for interventi­on and regulatory measures can complement efforts to reduce the increase in prices of commoditie­s in Nigeria.

Additional­ly, tax incentives or subsidies may encourage wholesaler­s to pass on cost savings to consumers without compromisi­ng their bottom line.

Conclusive­ly, the urgent call for price reduction resonates as a moral imperative and economic necessity. It represents a collective effort to alleviate the burden of inflated prices on consumers, stimulate economic activity, and promote social equity.

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