….Trade Minister Mumba decries continued cement crisis despite government interventions
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Weeks after accusing local cement producers of creating an artificial scarcity and inflating prices purportedly to sabotage government, Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba has lamented the apparent failure of interventions to stabilise the market.
Speaking to journalists after a campaign rally he held in Euthini, Mzimba, on Sunday, Mumba said the cement situation remains a serious concern despite measures that were intended to ease the shortage.
The minister, who is President Lazarus Chakwera’s running mate on the Malawi Congress Party ticket in the September 16 General Election, pointed out that government had facilitated foreign exchange for some companies to import cement from Zambia.
However, he revealed that some of these companies are holding on to the forex instead of executing the imports, while others who have already brought in cement are hoarding the product.
According to Mumba, such practices are undermining government’s efforts to stabilise both availability and prices of cement in the country.
He described the conduct of the companies involved as deliberate sabotage meant to frustrate Malawians and create political pressure on the administration.
The minister emphasised that government will not tolerate any form of economic sabotage and warned that action may be taken against companies engaging in such unpatriotic activities.
Mumba further urged Malawians to remain calm as government works on alternative strategies to ensure the availability of affordable cement on the market.
Concluding Analysis
The continued cement scarcity underscores the challenges Malawi faces in balancing regulatory interventions, foreign exchange allocation, and corporate accountability.
While government has made efforts to address the issue, the alleged hoarding and misuse of forex by importers points to systemic weaknesses that demand tighter oversight and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
With elections fast approaching, the cement crisis is not only an economic concern but also a political test of the administration’s ability to deliver on its promises of stability and accountability.
