–As Rice, Flour, Onion, Greens Prices unaffordable
It is now an open secret and the Liberian Government’s perpetual silence on the escalating rise in critical commodity prices, as the situation appears to be spiralling out of control.
Principally, such commodities are rice, flour, onion and all variety of greens are currently becoming unaffordable by low income earners and ordinary Liberians in many parts of the country.
With no ending in sight for the uncontrollable price hikes in the country, the Liberian Government continues to remain silent, while Liberians from all walks of life continue to encounter enormous hardships as a result of hike in commodity prices at every level in Liberia.
Analysts say, history and other critical accounts point to the fact that the rice crisis in Liberia dating back to April 14, 1979 clearly spelled out that rice has a grave political undertone. And stabilizing the price of rice, Liberia’s staple food should be treated with utmost seriousness by the CDC-led government.
Only a proposal by the former Agriculture Minister Dr. Florence A. Chenoweth for an increase in the price of 100kg bag sparked a big and bloody street riot in the Liberian capital, Monrovia. That demonstration on April 14, 1979 led to the deaths of many Liberians.
Sadly, after a year and two days, a bloody military coup staged by 17 non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia and president William Richard Tolbert Jr. was killed at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia.
In a week long survey of the Liberian market, a 25kilogram bag of rice all types is now been sold for LD$2,200.00 in stores, shops and other distribution points in several parts of the country.
Complaints and comments from many Liberians across the country are that financial hardships which include and limited to are high cost of living, hikes in transport fares and affordable price of critical commodities on the various Liberian markets in the country.
Besides, the affected Liberians pointed out that cost of petroleum products have hit the roof and a pump prices of gas and diesel fuel are LD$535.00 and LD$545.00 at the various gas stations and Liberian retailers in Monrovia and its environs.
About two weeks ago in Monrovia and other parts of urban and rural cities, a 25kg bag of rice had been sold for LD$2,050.00 and the situation was already becoming not affordable and unbearable.
Correspondingly, the retailers of the above mentioned commodities have equally stepped up prices of all measurement cups to LD$40.00 per cup in the various markets in Monrovia, Paynesville and other urban and rural cities in the country.
Economics analysts said last weekend that one of the critical drivers behind the hikes in commodity prices is the shocking skyrocketing of the exchange rate of the all-powerful American dollar against the very weak Liberian dollar in the country.
The analysts also pointed out that with no substantial export produce from Liberia at the moment and the extensive pressure and demand for American dollars from major importers in the business community, there is no way the exchange can be regulated.
The financial analysts however, pointed out that the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) must design new and practical strategies that will enhance the foreign exchange and current hard hitting liquidity crises in the country.
In separate comments from low income earners and ordinary Liberians in Monrovia, Paynesville, Waterside and Duala business hubs, they expressed grave concerns about the current socioeconomic hardships in the country.
Retail market woman of rice and flour at Red-Light Market Satta B. Morrison, 45, said, she was constrained to reduce her measurement cups due to high cost associated with buying bags of rice and flour from Lebanese and Indian business people in Liberia.
Housewife Mrs. Catherine K. Harris, 38, intimated that LD$500.00 can no longer feed her family four on a daily basis and stressed the need for some practical steps by the Liberian Government in addressing the plight of Liberians.
“We need and want practical actions and steps that cut down the cost of critical commodity prices such as rice, flour, water and transport fares as these are drivers of confusion and hardships,” Madam Harris stressed.