Axle load limit hikes prices

High transport costs have resulted into increased prices for wheat products, one of the leading bread makers in Kigali said.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

BY MUTESI

High transport costs have resulted into increased prices for wheat products, one of the leading bread makers in said.

Augustine Shema, Managing Director of Millennium Bakery, attributed the current price increase to axle load limit.

"Vehicles that used to carry 60 tonnes now carry only 35 tonnes,” he said. As a result, transport costs have increased.”

To prolong the life span of roads in the country, government limited the tonnage of the cargo each transit truck is to carry on roads.

With the directive, Millenium Bakery, in Kabeza is forced to use half the wheat they used to import.

"We used to import about 120 tonnes of wheat before; but now we import only 60 tonnes,” Shema said. Adding, "We could also import about 62 tonnes of cooking oil, but now we import 25 tonnes.”

Jaqueline Kabihogo, a retailer in Kacyiru, had no supplies. "No bread, no factory pies and cakes in the boutique.” The factory that supplies them asked them to wait for a week.

But she is not sure when will be getting the supplies.
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