On 27 February, the government reduced fuel costs. On 7 March, Biya declared a rise in pay of 15 percent for civil service employees to take effect 1 April and suspended duties paid on basic commodities such as cooking oil, fish, and rice.Anonymous (8 March 2008). "Cameroon cuts prices after riots ", News24.com. Retrieved 12 March 2008. He also raised the pay of military personnel.Lukong, Pius, and Antony Sguazzin (8 March 2008). "Cameroon Raises Pay, Cuts Wheat, Palm-Oil Taxes After Riots". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 12 March 2008. The government reduced the custom duty paid on cement from 20 to 10 percent to address a shortage of building materials. It also announced plans to look at bank and telephone charges.
