PHOTO: Commerce Min. Marwine Diggs
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Commerce and Industry Minister, Mawine Diggs over the weekend clarified that there is no shortage of rice on the Liberian market, but visits to stores and shops prove otherwise.
Minister Diggs said there cannot be a shortage because there are huge stockpile of the commodity that will last until the end of November, this year.
Many consumers say the commodity is in short supply or when found, the price is up to US$15 instead of the official US$13-13.50 for the 50kg bag of this commodity, Liberia’s staple food. A tour of shops and stores in and around Monrovia that usually sell rice by one of our Reporters in the last few days show that there is a shortage, a situation some refer to as “artificial shortage”.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia, the Liberian Commerce Minister said there is no need for panic purchase of the commodity and there is no need for people to rush purposely to secure huge quantity of rice for storage.
Recently, the Liberian Business Association and some rice importers complained about the increasingly high port charges at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Minister Diggs disclosed that the price of the 25 kg bag of rice remains at 13 United States Dollars for whole sale to retailers.
She added that her ministry has received report that some businesses are selling the bag of the 25 kg rice at higher process and withholding the commodity to create artificial shortage in the country.
“The inspectorate division of the ministry will this week begin the deployment of its inspectors throughout the country to ensure that the rice is sold at the stipulated price.”
According to her, the five companies involve in the importation of rice into Liberia have collectively approached the Liberian government for an increase of the 25 kg bag of rice to two United States Dollars due to the cost associated with shipping the commodity to the country.
She named the five importers of the country’s stable as SWAT, KNK, Foauni Brothers, the UCI and Futa and they said the increment is necessary because of the global and multiple challenges, particularly in freight charges for the importation
However, the importers have re-affirmed their commitment on the importation of rice and the sale to local retailers as the discussion progresses
“We have been closely monitoring the impact of the corona virus outbreak and the shack on the global economy along with the rice importers;” she said; adding: “as a result, we have observed that there has been an increment on the charges of freight and this has been a direct impact of our economy.”
But, the government, partners and these importers are still discussing with the relevant stakeholders in order for rice be available and affordable on Liberian market.
The minister made it clear that there has not been any agreement on the increment; therefore warned businesses against withholding rice purposely to increase or create an artificial shortage of rice on the market.
According to her, government will not hesitate in taking action against any business entity that will be caught making unauthorized increment..
Minister Diggs also disclosed that the government is also holding discussions with companies contracted to unload ships at the Free Port of Monrovia in order to accelerate the docking of ships importing rice.
“The government is cognizant of the high price of rice in neighboring countries ranging from 17 to 39 United States Dollars for the 25kg bag of rice,” Minister Diggs noted; saying: “therefore, rice bought within the Liberian border will not be allowed to be transported to neighboring countries for wide profit margins”
The Commerce Minister is calling on all Liberians to report any increment of the sale of the 25 kg bag of rice than the stipulated price to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for action.