PHOTO: Information Min. Ledgerhood Rennie
Monrovia- The government of Liberia informs the general public that there is absolutely no shortage of rice on the Liberian market, and therefore cautions against any form of panic buying, the Information Ministry said today, Thursday, March 31, 2021.
Rice is Liberia’s staple food and it has often been referred to as “a political commodity”.
The statement comes in the wake of a confusion that erupted on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 between rice distributors and some marketers following the reported refusal of distributors to sell their products.
Several local media outlets quoted some local rice traders in Monrovia as claiming that importers and other big distributors were hoarding the commodity to press for an increase in the price to US$15 per a 50kg bag.
But the government wishes to emphasize that it has got enough stock already in the country, while additional consignments are expected to arrive by April.
The Information Ministry’s statement signed by Minister Ledgerhood J. Rennie, blamed the reports on misunderstanding stemmed from a small glitch in the distribution circle”.
The government clarifies, however, that it continues to ensure the stabilization of the market price of the Liberian staple in order to avoid an increment in the cost, although the price has gone up on the international market.
Meanwhile, the government urges politicians to avoid attempting to score political capital at the expense of the country’s hard-earned peace. It also calls on all Liberians to play their part in the maintenance of the democratic course the country is now on.