PHOTO: (L-R) Pres. George Weah and opposition leader Alex Cummings
In recent weeks, Liberia’s staple food, rice has largely disappeared from stores and shops, with mounting public concerns about shortage. But the CDC government of President George Manneh Weah has continued to insist that there is no rice shortage, an account critics of the government has repeatedly challenged.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the government assured the public that there is enough rice in stock until new shipments arrive in days, but opposition leader and head of the new Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander Cummings has blamed the whole rice crisis on President Weah’s “incompetence”.
First here is the Commerce Ministry’s statement on the rice crisis:
October 4, 2022
Press Release
The Government of Liberia over the last five years has worked with rice importers to keep the price of rice affordable for the Liberian people. Over a year ago, importers requested the Government to abandon this policy and add $US2.OO to the price since they were selling at a loss.
However, Government chose to remain committed to its regulated price of rice. and subsequently in September of 2021 the Government of Liberia began a program to partially subsidize the high cost associated with the importation of rice due to increase in freight and other global supply chain issues.
Over the last two fiscal years, the Government set the import subsidy at US5.5 million in the Special 2021 budget and US$] I million in the current 2022 budget, respectively. To date, about US$) 4 million has been given to importers.
Although there has been delays in the incoming consignments due to the vessel restrictions resulting from the SAFE NOTICE issued by the National Port Authority on the 1 0th of August 2022 sufficient rice has been supplied to retailers to serve the general public.
High regional pricing of rice above the price in Liberia, has placed significant pressure on the buffer stock in Liberia. Hence, this price discrepancy has given retailers the incentive to hoard rice in order to sell across the border for the sake of profiteering.
We want to assure the public that the current stock of rice in country can serve the market up to the arrival of the next vessel which is expected in the coming days. As a result, we call on the public to remain calm and refrain from panic buying and retailers to desist from hoarding of the commodity.
Beginning mid-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 yeare This is in addition to the 22,000 metric tons expected in the coming days.
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. Inspectors of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with national security apparatus will not hesitate to take actions where necessary against anyone caught in violation while closely monitoring activities in the market.
The Government of Liberia remains committed to its Pro-Poor Agenda by ensuring rice and other essential commodities remains available and affordable.
Opposition Leader Cummings Blames Weah’s “Incompetence” For Rice Shortage
Speaks Of Criminal Acts, Poor Judgement & Lack Of Leadership
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The standard bearer of the new Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) has attributed the shortage of rice on the Liberian market to high level incompetence by President George Weah and his office.
Alexander Cummings said criminal acts, poor judgment, and lack of leadership are undermining Liberia’s image and reputation in the international community.
Mr. Cummings made the disclosure when he officially named a 43-man team who coordinate his presidential campaign in the 2023 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia.
According to him, this is making it difficult for investors to invest so as to create jobs for the ordinary people in the country.
Cumming further said: “incompetence and the failure of leadership beginning with President Weah have resulted into the shortage of the supply of rice, the country’s stable.”
“Warehouses are empty and rice cannot be found,” he said; adding: “dozens of women are sleeping in the open at the various gates of rice importers for days hoping to buy food.”
“Videos of women climbing high fence purposely to buy food are heart- breaking; while, rice has become unavailable and unaffordable as it is now wearing coat suit.”
The CPP standard bearer claimed that the shortage of rice is now leading to increase in the prices of other substitutes such as cassava, potatoes and others.
Cummings pointed out that the lack of accountability around the rice subsidies allocated, disbursed and has received a regular occurrence under this government.
According to him , in the wake of these prevailing situation, President Weah is partying with his ministers as Liberians are scrambling to find rice to eat.
“Regrettably,” he went on, “President Weah has failed to speak to Liberians by demonstrating leadership during this crisis because he does not care”
Another crisis creeping in the country is the recent burst of cocaine value 100 million United States Dollars which is an indication that Liberia is place of transshipment and destination of dangerous substances.
“Thanks to the United States because Liberia is not just a country of destination of dangerous drugs but also place for supply chain to the rest of the world.”
“For allowing the use of Liberia as an area of transshipment of dangerous drugs makes the country unsafe for the future of the children and an insecure nation.”
“It is hard to imagine that top security officials and elements of the administration with the authority to protect the country’s border, do not know or have been providing cover up and guarantee safety to international drug dealers to use Liberia .”
According to him, all of these are indication that President Weah is misleading the country, worsening the living condition of the people and exposing them to danger
For the last five years, President Weah has shown to all Liberians and the international community that his incompetence, irresponsible and lack of leadership, thus exposing the entire nation to insecurity.
“Based on these prevailing factors,” he continued, “we must combine our resources , energy and efforts that we rescue this country from the incapable hands of President Weah in 2023.”
It is against this background that he has resolved to name a change team full of talents and diversity in terms of geographical balance to redeem Liberia.
Remarking on behalf of the team, former Liberia Ambassador to the United Nations, Lewis Brown, said the only person who has the credentials to lead Liberians out of the deep hole the President Weah has put the country is Alexander Cummings
“They say that he has no governing experience, that is the reason I say he should be made president because he has the corporate experience, he brings fresh and new ideas and the old idea has failed us,” \he said.
Brown furthered, “We will challenge in every inch and breath of this country because we will multiply because Liberians are suffering everywhere”
“We are not here to try; we are in it to win because enough is enough; thanks to President Weah’s failure to the Liberian people as we are determined to win in the first round.”
Those named on the team are Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntrosh, former Foreign Minister, Lewis Brown, Former Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations; and Goerge Wisner, former Executive Director of the National Investment Commission, among others.