Calls For Legislature And Executive’s Concerted Measures To Ease Burden On Citizens
PHOTO: Sen. Amara Konneh
By K. Ericson Sayee, Contributing Writer
Monrovia, April 9, 2026– Gbarpolu County Senator and former Liberian Finance Minister, Amara Konneh has made his position clear on the current rising prices of commodities such as diesel and gasoline, calling for government to take measures to ease pressure on ordinary citizens.
He wants concerted efforts from the legislature and executive to speedily address the matter, which is affecting the citizens as a result of hikes in transportation fares and an increased in other local commodities.
Using his social media handle, on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to express his deepest concerns surrounding the present realities facing the Liberian populace, Konneh said as the President has recalled the Legislature to a special 10-day session from April 9 to April 23, 2026, the legislature must go beyond the Liberian Chief’s top priorities mentioned in his recalled letter to the members of the 55th national legislature.
As the Liberian Head of State recalled the legislature from its recess to approve the proposal for printing additional Liberian Dollar banknotes, the passage of the 2026 supplemental budget, and an address on urgent national concerns, the lawmaker noted that he hopes the rising prices of fuel, transport, and food costs will be issues of concerns for the legislature.
“I am cutting my Asian trip short to return home to participate fully in the discussions and debates,” the Gbapolu Senator stated.
Over the past few weeks, according to him, global shipping disruptions and rising war-risk surcharges, caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, have begun to put real pressure on the country’s economy and its citizens.
“As vessels are rerouted away from the Red Sea and the Middle East, shipping lines are adding significant fees that directly impact the cost of bringing goods into Liberia”, the Senator asserted. “These costs are now beginning to show up in the prices of fuel, transport, and other essentials. As a result, the government has raised fuel and gasoline prices twice in the last 25 days and may increase them further if the crisis in the Middle East lasts more than a month.”
Before the crisis, he intimated that diesel and gasoline sold for $4.88 and $4.02, respectively, but on March 14, retail prices rose to USD 5.78/LD$1080 for diesel and USD 4.87/LD$910 for gasoline.
He added that in just a few weeks later, on April 4, these prices soared further to USD 6.55/LD$1225 for diesel and USD 5.09/LD$950 for gasoline, noting that the increments represent a 34.2% in diesel and a 26.6% in gas, respectively, which he says the increase is affecting many areas of the economy.
The Gbarpolu Senator asserted as the two-week ceasefire being struck leads to to a permanent end to the crisis contrary to that prices will continue to soar. He said this why the government has act quickly as the demand for fuel will exceed supply, and ordinary Liberians will feel the full impact of this crisis in their wallets and pocketbooks.
Konneh disclosed: “During this special session, I will work with colleagues to push for stronger and coordinated action to protect Liberian families, businesses, and our economy. Yes, we cannot control global conflicts, but we can control how prepared we are and how quickly we respond. No politics! No gimmicks!”
According to the Senator, during the special sitting, the legislature has to strategically engaged with the Executive Branch on a combination of fiscal, regulatory, and social measures, including the following practical measures that will give relief to families.
Of those practical measures, the lawmaker outlined the following: 1. Reissuance of Executive Order 128, which suspends several import-related fees to ease some of this pressure on our people. This is an important first step.
- Reduce government fuel consumption across all three branches to set the example, and use NTA buses to transport government workers during this crisis, reducing fuel consumption and easing pressure on commercial transport and national fuel demand.
- Freeze transport fare increases and work with unions to stabilize fuel access.
- Accelerate port clearance to prevent goods from sitting for days and becoming more expensive.
- Ensure stable food supplies and prevent hoarding or artificial shortages, and adopt a clear system for prioritizing fuel distribution so that essential services such as hospitals, public transport, security operations, and food supply chains receive uninterrupted access.
Meanwhile, the Gbarpolu Senator noted that Liberians are already burdened with more taxes and fees, and that these steps will help keep prices stable and give families some breathing room.
He says if the government already has a plan, the legislature should ask them to share it and make it public so that they can support it to the fullest.