SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Minister Obie Wilchcombe. (File photo)
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
WITH rising food prices expected to become a concern, Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe said the situation is being monitored.
“We’re monitoring the situation to determine the level to which food prices do increase after which we will certainly be preparing for the Bahamian people needing assistance,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “I think it’s imperative to point out that persons, without the food prices being high, we have thousands of Bahamians today who are requiring assistance and that continues and we are providing the assistance.
“So obviously the projected increase and it causes concern, but I think we still have to ask ourselves why and what can be done to ensure that the prices are not at a point where they are beyond the average Bahamian.”
While COVID-19 has already challenged the pockets of many Bahamians, Super Value’s principal recently said he is battling supply chain disruption “every minute of the day” while reassuring that possible eight to 10 percent Christmas price rises will not be “across the board.”
The Department of Social Services took over the National Food Distribution Task Force on October 4. The minister assured the programme will continue.
He explained: “I think the misinterpretation was that the government programme that was initiated by the former administration that came to an end that took forth predicated upon their schedule not our schedule. Our programmes continue.
“We have been able to receive from that body 18,000 vouchers that were unused and when we found a surplus of more than a million dollars that we’ve now recovered and they have provided with us that’s going back into the programme that we’re providing on a continuous basis.”
Susan Larson, former chair of the food task force, previously noted that at the height of the programme, 57,000 households registered for food assistance. During the last phase of the programme, she said about 18,000 households across the country were registered and the numbers had been getting smaller incrementally week by week.
When asked for an estimate for persons currently on the programme, Mr Wilchcombe said: “….Once we’ve looked at all those who’ve been on the programme and been assisted by the national food network, you might be around 14,000 - 15,000.”
Comments
SP 2 years, 6 months ago
The Bahamas is struggling to survive. The government could save up to 80% on prescription drugs if they had the moral compass to force suppliers to source generic medicines outside of the U.S.
U.S. prices were 84 percent of prices in all non-U.S. countries for unbranded generics. Significant savings could then be diverted to feeding those in need.
This is no time for the usual friends, family, and lovers nonsense we are accustomed to.
B_I_D___ 2 years, 6 months ago
Bahamian's need to realize that when the food and other supplies direct from the manufacturer are going up 5-10-15%, every time that product moves from one location to the next, there is a freight charge associated with it, not only is the cost going up from the manufacturer level, freight charges are skyrocketing, in some instances to the tune of 100's of percentage points. By the time it get here, with duty and VAT charges, the price just snowballs. Don't blame the local retailer, this is a worldwide global thing. Sadly, it's also impacting price controlled items/breadbasket items. Those prices are changing on a regular basis just now, so when price control takes 6-8 weeks to reset a price on an item, the retailer, just won't sell it until the price gets adjusted, as they are losing money at the current price control mark up rate in the first place, and that is BEFORE the price goes up from the manufacturer. Be prepared for slow reactions from GOVT to lead to some of your more essential items not getting onto the shelf.
ohdrap4 2 years, 6 months ago
And, when I do notice that the shelves are being depleted, I go to the next branch and stock up on the price controlled items.
SP 2 years, 6 months ago
This man can't make sensible statement! Obie Wilchcombe couldn't monitor the setting sun!!
sheeprunner12 2 years, 6 months ago
What can he do? The politicians are in bed with the merchants
FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 6 months ago
Global issue. Most places are dealing with supply chain issues and high inflation. Don't expect it to get better any time soon. Really is nothing you can do about it unless you are going to subsidize or give duty concessions on goods what aren't duty free.
themessenger 2 years, 6 months ago
Obie, don’t you think an apology to the Feeding Network executives might be in order after practically accusing them of lining their pockets? SMT!
The_Oracle 2 years, 6 months ago
Monitoring something he has no control over. Zero business acumen. I seriously doubt business are in bed with politicians, Most are wondering why they keep plodding along in spite of Government ineptitude and increasing regulation/red tape. Most are still in business in spite of themselves. Not organized enough to be in cahoots with anyone. I will say this, without the merchants you won't have squat. Zero. Probably the last thing you want to collapse. Lose local investor confidence and collapse happens faster than you can say "what, no grits?"
sheeprunner12 2 years, 6 months ago
The main problem is that 242 is totally dependent on USA for food, medicine, gas, cars, appliances, and building supplies ..... Our merchants don't even pretend to want to find other cheaper suppliers besides USA. This was explained best on EW news with Shanique Ferguson last night. But our trade and buying prejudices will continue to be USA or nothing (to our detriment).
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