A Liberian businessman has accused the Ministry of Commerce and Industry employees in Ganta, Nimba County of allegedly harassing and extorting L$5,000 from him.
Speaking to this paper via mobile phone, Moses L. Paye explained that an employee of the Ministry of Commerce identified as Michael Nuah allegedly confiscated his goods over the weekend in Ganta under pretense that he (Paye) was selling products that were not registered with the Ministry.
According to Paye, Nuah allegedly invited a group of men who fought and took his goods but he was rescued by a local community radio journalist.
“It was my first time to go sell on Ganta. I had to give him L$5,000 to release my goods,” businessman Paye alleged.
Since the coming into power of the CDC-led government, recruitment of MoC workers serving as field agents is reportedly on the increase which is of serious concern among the residents in the district.
Businessman Paye noted that if the constant harassment of business people by government field agents including Commerce officers and Security officers will deter investors from coming into the country.
Since the beginning of 2022, there have been alleged reports of security harassment of travelers under the pretense of searching for illegal goods by people claimed to be working with Commerce, the NSA and other ministries in the County.
