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Shortages: Government abdicates responsibility
Zimbabwe Liberators Platform (ZLP)
February 17, 2006

The shortage of basic commodities has reached alarming proportions and there appears to be no short or medium term solution to the crisis. The national leadership seems to have run out of ideas and strategies to resolve the crisis.

Maize meal, sugar, fuel and fertilizer are not readily available on the normal market. However, they are sometimes found on the black market. Mbare Musika, for instance, stocks maize meal and fertilizer which are in short supply when supermarkets desperately look for them.

Fuel is hardly found at service stations. But the black market never runs out of the liquid.

Most Zimbabweans spend their meagre resources and valuable time hunting for those basic commodities with little success. When they are eventually found, the scarce commodities are very expensive and beyond the reach of the ordinary citizen.

• What is the impact/consequence of the shortages on the family, workforce, business and the economy?
• The shortage of food commodities affects the health of the family and the workforce, leading to lower productivity, profits and government revenue.
• When fertilizer is in short supply, agricultural yields are substantially reduced. Consequently, the nation faces food and foreign currency shortages despite the abundance of land and rains. Foreign currency is desperately needed to procure fuel and a host of other essential imports.
• Without fuel, the whole economy (transportation system, agriculture, mining, commerce, industry and services) will eventually grind to a halt. Currently, reduced economic activity affects business growth and expansion, government revenue as well as employment creation.
• Soaring prices of commodities are fueling hyperinflation which peaked at 613 percent in January and is estimated to spiral out of control to 800 percent by June.
• Among all the stakeholders, the shortages are causing stress, frustration, despair and despondency. The consequences are poor health, more suicides, anger, crime and migration (economic refugees).
• Brain drain which adversely affects the economy and the family unit.
• There is increased criminal activity as people search for ways of surviving.

Throughout the world, it is the duty and responsibility of the national governments to:

• Create a good environment for business, work, innovation, inventions, tourism etc
• Provide enough fuel and food for the nation.
• Foster international relations which attract foreign investment and tourism as well as promote exchanges in such areas as science, technology, education, sports, security, etc.

Unfortunately the government of Zimbabwe has abdicated its responsibility to provide enough food and fuel for the nation. The people have been looking up to the national leaders to provide essential commodities, guidance and leadership, all in vain. They have been forced to scrounge around inside the country and across its borders to fend for themselves and fellow countrymen.

Government has also dismally failed to create a conducive atmosphere for business, tourism, work, innovation, inventions, etc. Like during Smith’s days, Zimbabweans are leaving their homeland to become economic and political refugees.

Zimbabwe’s bilateral relations with most countries of the world are appalling. The whole world cannot be wrong and we are right. It is time, not for arrogance, but for introspection and facing reality.

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