Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana stated that the Big Joe Rice sold for 15,000 FCFA per 50 kg is of good quality. The rice is on promotional sale in some cities of the country.
It is part of the ministry of trade’s strategy to fight the cost of living in the country.
Rice is a staple for most Cameroonian households.
But since last year, its prices have risen, with some brands selling for as much as 50,000 FCFA per 50 kg.
Owing to complaints of lack of purchasing power, the Minister of Trade resorted to buying Big Joe, among other commodities, to sell to locals at reduced prices.
However, the ministry has been criticised for politicising the process as people in some places were asked to deposit ID card photocopies before buying.
Recently, rumours started circulating that the particular rice being sold is of poor quality.
The people who fronted the claims on TV programs however did not give evidence to back up their points.
What is the Rice Quality?
Minister Mbarga Atangana stated that the rice has all the necessary documentation and is of good quality, contrary to the rumours circulating on social media.
The Minister in a press release on Wednesday, January 29 said “this rice, imported regularly and landed at the Port of Kribi, has all the required documentation in this area, both in terms of product quality and its compliance with the standard. It can therefore, on this basis, be consumed with complete peace of mind.”
The intention of the government, he said, was to ensure the well-being of populations and to support the purchasing power of consumers, particularly those most exposed to erratic and speculative fluctuations in the prices of consumer goods, which spare no country, or almost, in the world.
To him, the promotional sales so far are meeting with great popular success, to the great displeasure of the inveterate detractors of any initiative of the Public Authorities, by targeting big Joe rice.
The minister stated that legal actions could follow these fake claims.
“It is up to its promoter to take all necessary legal action against the opponents of said product and to provide, at the first request, the documents in its possession attesting to the quality of the product and its strict compliance with the requirements of the laws and regulations in force.” he said.
