Major rice importers, including K&K Corporation, United Commodities Incorporated (UCI) and Supply West Africa Trading (SWAT), have assured that rice is sufficiently available on the Liberian market, and that the product in their warehouses could last up to November. According to SWAT, they are expecting smaller vessels with rice that will last till December, at which time APM Terminals might have completed dredging the Freeport of Monrovia, which will facilitate the entry of bigger vessels.
Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 held a day-long meeting with rice importers and other functionaries from the Executive over reported shortage of rice on the Liberian market.
The lawmakers mentioned several complaints from citizens across the country that they have been forced by rice suppliers to purchase other commodities, like flour and milk, before they are allowed to buy rice, which prompted them to invite the rice importers.
The importers were invited to discuss the issue of the availability of rice on the Liberian market and the compulsory purchase of other commodities as criteria to buy rice from them.
The importers who attended the Wednesday meeting: K&K Corporation, United Commodities Inc (UCI) and Supply West Africa Trading (SWAT), said though there are challenges, rice is available until November. They disclosed that smaller vessels are also expected to bring in more consignments of the staple that could last up to December.
However, even with the clarification made by the importers, the House of Representatives have notified the importers to act swiftly in handling the issue at hand, as rice issue is nothing to overlook in Liberia.
At the same time, the lawmakers are calling on the Executive to coordinate with the Legislature for the revision of APM Terminals agreement, aimed at bringing mutual benefits for the country.
Meanwhile the House, through its Speaker, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, has called on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to take punitive measure against any importer demanding from buyers the compulsory purchase of other commodities as criteria to buy rice.
Apart from the importers, others who attended the meeting were Acting Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samora Wolokollie, Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah, APM Terminal General Manager, Jonathan Graham, and a representative of the Ministry of Commerce.
The House leadership is also expected to hold another discussion this Friday with two importers: Fouta Corporation and Fouani Brother Corporation.