Amidst shortage of rice, Liberians’ staple meals on the Liberian market, the federal government of Liberia has introduced a cargo of rice that’s anticipated within the nation starting “October to early November” of this yr.
“We want to announced that beginning October to early November of this year, subsequent supplies of rice totaling over 150,000 metric tons will be in country which will supply the market up to the early part of next year, and this is in addition to the 22,000 metric tons expected in the coming days,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) launch stated.
Reading the MOCI launch Tuesday, October 4, 2022 on behalf of the federal government, Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Jalawah Tonpo additional assured that the present inventory of rice in nation may also serve the market as much as the arrival of the subsequent vessel.
According to him, though there have been delays within the incoming consignments resulting from vessel restrictions ensuing from the ‘Safe Notice’ issued by the National Port Authority (NPA) on the tenth of August 2022, ample rice has been provided to retailers to serve most people.
Minister nonetheless on the similar time attributed the state of affairs to excessive regional pricing of rice above Liberian value one thing he stated has additionally positioned vital stress on the buffer inventory in Liberia.
The nation’s Deputy MICAT boss confused, “Hence, this price discrepancy has given retailers the incentive to hoard rice in order to sell across the border for the sake of profiteering.”
“Over the last two fiscal years, the government set import subsidy at US$5.5 million in the Special 2021budget and US$11 million in the current 2022 budget, respectively. To date, about US$14 million has also been given to importers,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister Tonpo can be calling on the general public to stay calm and chorus from panic shopping for, whereas on the similar time warned retailers to desist from hoarding of the commodity.
“We therefore encourage businesses to continue to carry out unrestricted sale of rice, void of price hiking and profiteering at the expense of the ordinary people. The government remains committed to its PAPD by ensuring riced and other essential commodities remains available and affordable,” he maintained.
Minister Tonpo then disclosed additional that inspectors of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry together with National Security equipment won’t hesitate to take actions the place vital towards anybody caught in violation whereas intently monitoring actions available in the market.
It could be recalled previous to the federal government stance on the state of affairs, African Entertainment noticed that a number of enterprise folks have been seen exploring all avenues so as to buy some luggage of rice.
According to our Liberia correspondent who toured numerous warehouse throughout Monrovia, aged ladies have been seen battling their male counterpart and leaping over a rice warehouse believed to be owned by Fouani for the product.
Our reporter added that authorities officers from each the Ministries commerce and Industry and Information, together with officers from the Liberia National Police have been additionally denied entry resulting from large presence and tussle of crowd.
It could be recalled that about fortnight in the past, the have trending noise of rice scarcity on the Liberian market thus resulting in residents standing in lengthy queues in entrance numerous shops simply to purchase few luggage of rice.
As a results of the rice scarcity, residents have been additionally being drive by sellers to purchase completely different commodities above LD1000 (US$6.50) to being allowed to buy a bag of rice, one thing which many described as “unjust and wickedness.”
“Rice is sold at L$3,500 [US$23.00]. The businessman told me before I can buy a bag of rice, I must buy L$1000 (US$6.50) worth of other items that I do not need. Can you imagine that and this is just so unfair,” Mary Weah, a petty dealer informed AEN.
“I can no longer afford to give my children what they really need in terms of food. The sudden increase in the price of rice means we have to cook less and just manage. It is really getting bad,” Christine Moore additionally intoned.
But in response to the cries of Liberians concerning the state of affairs, President George M. Weah upon his return to the nation from the 77th UNGA summit stated he believes there was no rice scarcity available on the market.
“We need not always listen to the street gossips. This is not the first time it has happened. Those responsible for importing rice say we have rice up to next year. I don’t believe there’s rice scarcity. I believe there is rice. We will verify it again. Don’t listen to the noise in the street,” he stated.
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