Control teams from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Local Consumption went to the field on Tuesday August 23, 2022 to ensure the proper application of the government’s subsidized domestic gas prices. To do this, they crisscrossed several service stations and gas distribution stores in the city of Lomé. This tour revealed that some sellers respect the subsidized prices set by the government by displaying them clearly on their gates, while others still maintain vagueness around the selling prices, by refraining from displaying them. For the latter, summonses were sent to them to answer for their actions.
On August 12, 2022, Togolese were surprised by the sudden and dizzying rise in butane gas prices. Indeed, the 6 Kg bottle which was sold until then at 3120 FCFA suddenly rose to 5370 FCFA and that of 12.5 Kg which was sold at 6500 FCFA rose to 11300 FCFA. Faced with this exponential rise in prices, the government, which has always subsidized the price of gas, immediately began consultations with the companies importing this product. This, in order to relieve the sorrows of the populations already tested by the expensive life. At the end of the negotiations, these prices were revised downwards, following the government’s decision to continue to subsidize the price of gas.
An unexpected visit to a gas refill workshop by a control team.
As a result, one kg of gas is now sold at 790 FCFA, the 6 kg cylinder at 4740 and the 12.5 kg cylinder is sold at 9875 FCFA.
In order to ensure the correct application of the measures to readjust these prices, control teams from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Local Consumption went on Tuesday to certain places of sale for spot checks on subsidized prices. Because according to the law of competition, gas prices must be clearly displayed on the various cylinders on display. During the tour, it was noted by the various teams that in places the prices are clearly displayed and written by hand or by machine, but elsewhere nothing was mentioned on the bottles on display. Thus, the businesses which did not display the subsidized prices of the government were, forthwith, summoned to be heard and sanctioned, in the event of unconvincing explanations. These sanctions range from fines to the suspension of authorizations or approvals.
Consumers called on to denounce dishonest people on the toll-free number 8585
« As you know, the government has taken measures to readjust, by subsidizing, the sale prices of butane gas in Togo. It is therefore in this context that we went out, on the instructions of our minister, to ensure that the government’s measures were applied. What we found during our tour is that some gas stations or stores clearly displayed the subsidized prices, while others did not. “, confided the Director General of Commerce, Mr. Talime Abé. To this end, he called on everyone to scrupulously respect the government’s measures. At the same time, he urged consumers to be more vigilant and to denounce dishonest people on the toll-free number 8585. Referring to the case of those who ordered before the government subsidy, Mr. Abé recalled that they must pay this problem with their distributors who, too, are required to respect the government’s price readjustment measures. While inviting all actors to patriotism, he indicated that surveillance will be reinforced to ensure that no one engages in speculation. ” The subsidy of 102 FCFA per Kg is huge funds that the government is investing “, confided the Director General of Commerce.
In Togo, gas supply is ensured by three private operators: TotalEnergie, Zener SA and Sanol SA
Alex TEYI
