ZIMBABWE’S second largest city of Bulawayo is set to benefit from the Basic Commodity Supply Side Intervention Program, BACOSSI, which is a government initiative to help alleviate the effects of the current economic crisis.
The national BACOSSI programme will be delivered in stages - the first phase beginning with the distribution and sale of basic commodities in rural areas whilst modalities for a similar programme for urban centres will be worked out.
Bulawayo residents will be amongst the first to benefit from the programme which started two weeks ago.
A city-wide campaign has been launched which will see the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe officials accompanied by National University of Science and Technology students in visiting every household to compile demographic information necessary for the programme.
Similar initiatives will be launched elsewhere in the country and the country says the move will not be politicized, but will benefit every Zimbabwean household.
Distribution points will be established that are in close proximity to residents where food hampers will be sold at affordable prices. The Governor of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Cain Mathema told ZTV yesterday that distribution points had already been set up in Bulawayo and resident needed to provide the teams with the necessary documentation to facilitate the process.
Information and Publicity Secretary, George Charamba said this is a government initiative which seeks to cushion Zimbabwe against the constant escalation of prices of basic commodities and is a sign of things to come as government develops synergies between the various ministries.
