The Rice Importers Association of Liberia comprising of five major rice importers has outlined series of major challenges affecting the purchase and distribution of rice in the country.
The five major rice importers are SWAT, United Commodities Inc (UCI), K&K Trading Corporation, Fouta Trading Corporation and Fouani Brothers Corporation.
The Association’s Consultant and lead spokesperson, James Gibson, told journalists that the current rice issue can only be stabilized if the government takes measures to handle the situation.
Cllr. Gibson stressed that the government has been reluctant to take bold steps in handling the rice situation.
Cllr. Gibson indicated that in 2018, President George M. Weah convened a meeting with rice importers and appealed that the price of a bag of rice be reduced from US$16 to US$13; something he said, the importers agreed to implement.
He stated also that the importers accepted President Weah’s appeal that his government had just been inducted into office and was adopting a new policy on stabilizing the price of rice on the Liberian market as a result of his 2017 election promise.
He spoke of a communication written by the Association to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce for some level of increment in price to break-even and stabilize the present situation on the local market, but added, “Up to present, we have gotten no response”
He outlined the chain of challenges to include the issue of “Free on Board” which has drastically increased from 9% to 10% making it much more difficult for sellers and buyers.
Cllr Gibson also highlighted the issue of smuggling the commodity out of the country into neighboring countries because rice is being sold at a low cost in Liberia, while also considering the APM Terminal factor where taxes are increased by 9% to 10% every year.
“The government must put in place a system to deal with factors that are contributing to the problem instead of pointing fingers,” Cllr. Gibbon said.
The General Manager at the Supplying West Africa Traders (SWAT), George Nahme, has also assured the public that there is surplus of rice in the country, adding that the information circulating in the public concerning the shortage of rice on the market is false and misleading.
It can be recalled that weeks ago local rice dealers staged a peaceful protest to call the attention of the government for swift intervention.
Addressing journalists at Supplying West Africa Traders (SWAT) on Wednesday, President Weah said some citizens are misleading the public that the country is short of its staple food.
Since the report of rice shortage on the local market, President Weah inspected warehouses containing rice at the Freeport of Monrovia and assure the general public that the price of rice will never increase under his watch.
