As Jah Oil ‘Opens Forensic Investigation’into Cement ‘Shrinkflation’
By: Momodou Justice Darboe
A Gambian business operator has called for an official investigation into the reported shrinkage of Jah Oil company’s 50kg cement bag as the company reportedly engages experts in “forensically” getting to the bottom of the matter.
The businessman, who chose to remain anonymous, said the Gambia Competition Commission and the relevant government institutions should hold the bull by the horns and launch a thorough and impartial investigation into the reports.
The Cement Importers and Traders’ Alliance (CITA) convened a press conference recently during which journalists were told that Jah Oil has not been delivering the right quantity of cement in their 50kg bag.
“This should make every Gambian sit up with concern. The government should turn every stone to establish the truth about this whole issue because it’s the end-consumer that would suffer from any shrinkage. The competition commission should know that they have a work to do and nobody is their policeman or policeman. They need to be seen to be executing their mandate,” the business operator said.
The businessman called for the liberalization of the cement market to promote competition.
“Competition in business ensures quality and brings about price stabilization. Businesses should be allowed to compete to ensure customers get value for their money,” said our interlocutor.
It would be recalled that the Gambia government increased levy on imported bagged cement by 500% ostensibly to protect the cement factories of Jah Oil, Salam and Gacem but the decision has led to acute cement shortages in parts of the country, job losses and its cascading effects were felt in other sectors of the economy.
Jah Oil is meanwhile reportedly engaging experts from Turkey to look into the reported “shrinkflation” in its cement market though these reports could not be independently verified.