The Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA), has called on traders and minibus operators to immediately reduce prices of goods and fares following the recent drop in fuel prices.
CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said it has become a trend for businesses to quickly adjust prices upwards whenever fuel prices go up, but the same urgency is missing when fuel prices are reduced.
“There is always a rush to increase prices of goods and minibus fares when fuel prices have been increased,” Kapito said
However, he noted with concern that most times when fuel prices are reduced, traders are unwilling to reduce prices of their goods and services, especially minibus fares.
Kapito said this creates an impression of greed and exploitation of poor consumers who bear the burden of high cost of living.
“We are appealing to Consumers to demand reductions and push traders to adhere to the same principles they use when fuel prices are adjusted upwards,” he said.
CAMA is therefore appealing to all traders and minibus operators to immediately reduce their prices and minibus fares as one way of building trust with Consumers.
The consumer body argued that fair pricing during fuel price reductions will help ease pressure on Malawians and restore confidence between businesses and their customers.
