Cameroon President Paul Biya has again signed another decree. This time, it targets the rising cost of living and lays down the rules applicable to consular officer salary, travel expenses, and installation allowance for state personnel serving abroad.
In this decree, President Biya instructed that payment should take into account the cost of living in countries where consular officials operate.
That is to ensure that these people should be paid an amount that can enable them to meet the standard of living in that country.
Cost of Living Increasing Daily in Cameroon
Meanwhile, the president is concerned about representing the country abroad, but at home, the situation is not good.
Since the rise in fuel prices, almost every sector, as a result of that, has witnessed a price increase in its goods and services.
To enable citizens to afford, the government has set 41,875 FCFA as the minimum wage.
Since this price was instituted, prices of goods and services have continued to rise.
Take Buea, for instance; basic commodities are very expensive.
A bag of rice, which was formerly sold at 22,000 FCFA, is now more than double the price.
Apart from rice, things like cooking oil and some food stuff like plantains and yams have also become expensive.
For an ordinary person with mouths to feed and earning even 50,000 FCFA monthly, it becomes challenging to survive.
Government Concern with Major Cities
However, the increase in the price of some goods and services is illegal. But the government is yet to crack down on those practicing it.
Some months ago, the Ministry of Commerce did a surprise check in some markets in Yaounde, Baffoussam, and Bertoua. Defaulters had their goods seized. In some cases, the ministry organised outdoor promotion sales.
But all of these remained only in some cities. For a place like Buea, the Ministry of Commerce has yet to do something.
The cost of living continues to be expensive, especially for many living and earning below 50,000 FCFA and who again have families looking after them.
