Following a concern raised by Senator Botoe Kanneh on the ineffective reduction of the price of rice by Commerce Minister Amin Modad, the plenary of the Liberian Senate has cited the minister to explain reasons for his decision.
On Friday, February 16, 2024 Minister Modad announced a significant reduction in the price of a 25kg bag of rice, effective Monday February 19, 2024, bringing relief to consumers amidst global economic shifts. He revealed this decision during his inaugural press conference on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Following discussions with the Rice Importers Association, Minister Modad disclosed that the price of rice would decrease from $17.00 to $16.75 per bag.
But contrary to the pronouncement from the ministry, Gbarpolu County Senator, Boto Kanneh, told plenary that the price of rice has increased especially in her county, indicating that a bag of 25kg rice is sold for L$4,000.
“Last week, the Minister of Commerce made a decrease in the price of rice, but as we speak the price of rice has gone up more than ever before. The rice is sold for L$4,000 or US$21. So I want the Minister of Commerce to be invited here to give us details regarding his decision and why the price is at this level,” Senator Kanneh told the body.
Commenting further on the matter during Tuesday’s sitting of the first session of the Senate, the Gbarpolu County Senator underscored that her quest for the body to cite the minister is in keeping with their oversight responsibility to avoid the skyrocketing of the price of rice by unscrupulous individuals.
However, Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon emphasized that the Senate, through the Commerce Committee, should cite the minister instead of the plenary inviting him, as the issue raised is concerning.
“We should not invite the commerce minister but we should cite him. The first step made by this government, which in our views is laudable, is the step taken towards our staple food [rice]—to reduce the price by twenty-five cents. And if we don’t act now the public will come to the senators and ask, ‘What y’all know about the price of rice?’ So let’s cite him, let’s know what informed his decision and how long it will stay,” Senator Dillon said.
The plenary’s final decision to cite Minister Modad was voted upon unanimously. The plenary, through the Commerce Committee, is to cite Minister Amin Modad in a period of one week, while the committee is mandated to report back to the body next Thursday following the hearing with the Minister.