By Massa Kanneh, masskanneh4@gmail.com
Several Liberian Businesses were shut down on Monday December 30, 2019 due to the buildup of tensions ahead of a planned anti-government protest and counter-protest that was later called off.
The huge pronouncements of the most anticipated President George Weah Step down Protest brought many businesses to a virtual standstill.
One of the most popular Food Centers was shut down but later opened with very low supply of Cooked Foods.
Liberian Food Center is located at Carey and Randall Streets, were customers find it difficult sometimes in securing a seat just to have a meal, was practically empty on Monday.
Sally Kamara is the Manager of the Business and she said, sales dropped tremendously just by the pronouncement of the Protest.
“People are afraid, I was afraid, so we didn’t cook soon,” she said
According to Madam Kamara, her staffs prepared five bigger Pots of Rice every day with different soups, but on Monday, she could only advised them to prepared at least two Pots.
“On different (ordinary) days, we Cook Five Big Pots of Rice, but today we could only cook two, we are scared, and the two Pots we cooked, only few people coming, after they said, No Protest,“ the local business woman said
“All I can say today, No business,” she added.
Komah Kollie who sells perfumes and Phone accessories on Carey Street is one of the businessmen who shut down his Business.
Mr. ,Kollie told Journalists, the pronouncement of Protest, have got several implications, for some individuals will only be interested in vandalizing and stealing from business owners.
For said reason, and to avoid losses, Kollie closed his Mini Shop and later opened after the suspension of the protest by COP.
“During protests, some people come and enter people places to steal and that will cause a huge loss for me,” Mr. Kollie said.
“Instead of me losing my Goods just in one Day, it’s better for me to loss a day,” he added.
For the postponement of the new protest date to January 6, 2020, Kollie sees that as a waste of time, adding it will be better for COP to just abandon the entire protest action for the sake of peace.
Another Business Man, Mohammed Barry who has been into traditional Clothes sales for over 10 years, shared his experience.
Narrating similar ordeal like Kollie’s, Barry said he could not open at the usual time on Monday due to fear of his shop being looted by imposters.
All Barry prays for is Peace and stability. He said once there is no peace, business, Schools and even to feed the family will not be possible.
Barry told Journalists, he prays that COP and the Liberian Government would amicably settle their deference for the sake of Peace.
“I have been into Business for more than 10 Years, and once there is Protest, we will not have food for our Family or to send our Children to School,” Mr. Barry said.
“It is from these Businesses we feed our Family and send our Children to School, if there is protest, there will be no business,“ he added.
One of the leading Fast Foods Joints,, Diana Restaurant also admitted decline in sales.
A Lebanese Man, who declined to identify himself but was seen working behind the delivery Counter, told Journalists the impact of the protest was felt.
(No, business as you can see, people are not coming, the place is empty” he said
Almost all of Diana’s delivery Motorcycles were parked outside, unlike normal business days when they are busy carrying Foods around.
Though there is no specific statistic on revenue loss or generated on Monday, but a large number businesses in Monrovia were shut down on Monday, for the fear of the Protest turning Violent and chaotic.
Months ago, Council of Patriots (COP) headed by one of President Weah Critics Henry Costa announced he would lead a protest demanding President Weah to step down for his lack of ability to fix the Economic, among other things.
Even though the Protest was Call off for Monday due to the Intervention of International Partners, United States Embassy in Monrovia, European Union, United Nations and others, but COP says Monday January 6th will be the New date for the Protest.
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice issued a statement two days ago, urging all would be Protesters to abandon their plan.
The Ministry said they could not provide security protection for all persons who wanted to protest.