-Over Reported Shortage
IPNEWS: Rice Importers have differed with the recent statement by President George Weah, that there was sufficient rice in the country to last until next year.
Addressing the media upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly, Liberian president George Weah described “mere rumors and street noise” reports of the scarcity of rice in the country, stressing that there is sufficient food in the country to serve Liberians.
“We need not always listen to the street gossip. This is not the first time it has happened. Those responsible for importing rice say we have rice up to next year. I don’t believe there’s rice scarcity I believe there is rice. We will verify it again. Don’t listen to the noise in the street,” President Weah said when quizzed by journalists upon arrival in the country from the United States where he attended the United Nations General Assembly about his knowledge of the looming rice shortage being faced in the country.
The president said the information he has gathered from rice importers means there’s no need to worry.
President thrashed the current scarcity of rice on the Liberian market, the country’s staple terming the information upon arrival here from the 77th United Nations General Assembly as “news in the street.”
Now, Importers of rice in Liberia, have told the Leadership of the House Representative at a joint meeting held Wednesday, September 28, that there is a small quantity of rice in the country that may last up to December 2022.
The importers namely, K&K Corporation, United Commodities Inc (UCI), and Supply West Africa Trading (SWAT) attending the meeting Wednesday stated that there were serious challenges confronting Rice importers—declaring that ‘rice is available until November’.
The Importers, particularly SWAT, also assured that they were expecting smaller vessels with rice that will last till December 2022, until APM Terminal completes dredging the port of Monrovia that will allow entry of bigger vessels.
The statement by the Rice Importers confirms an earlier investigation by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper in its September 18, 2022, publication, captioned: “IMMINENT RICE SHORTAGE IN LIBERIA (PART III)”
The authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper gathered that Liberia is headed to an imminent rice shortage due to an increment of international collateral manager changes in the Indian Market from US$565.00 per ton to US$ 678.00 per ton @ 20% increment.
According to information available to IPNEWS, the Government of India has halted all loading of ships headed to Liberia until the 20% increment is made.
Already at the port of India loading are two vessels for major Liberia rice importers which are expected to dock in October 2022, are now being held up until the 20% are paid.
According to IPNEWS sources, major importers already loaded for sealing are FOUANI Brothers and FOUTA with a total of 49,000 metric tons of rice.
FOUANI Brothers, has a total of 41,000 metric tons, while FOUTA is expected to ship 35,000 metric tons of rice.
IPNEWS has gathered that an additional 90,000 metric tons (FOUANI 60,000 & SWAT 40,000) were already arranged for FOUANI Brothers and SWAT before the pronouncement by the Indian government of a 20% increment.
Interestingly, as this burden of 20% continued to bother importers and undermine their ability to ship in time before running out of stock, sources have hinted IPNEWS holding all constant, the two Indian vessels expected in October if importers paid the 20% may not dock at the Freeport of Monrovia due to the lack of dredging to accommodate large vessels including the India vessel that has the capacity of 33 meters, equaling 11.5 draft in length.
Already the Free Port of Monrovia, has a capacity of 28 meters, equaling a total of 9,5 draft which makes it impossible for the docking of the two Indian vessels expected in early October 2022.
According to experts, the only option for the government of Liberia is to allow the docking of the two vessels at the Port of Buchanan which has the capacity to accept large international vessels.
Unfortunately, the port of Buchanan does not have warehouses erected, nor stockers to offload the vessels, which will require importers to transport and hire stockers.
Another issue that may lead to a potential shortage of Rice from a survey conducted by local Journalists, if the government does not take proactive steps is the settlement of the subsidy of 14 million promised by the government of Liberia to importers of rice into Liberia.
The revelation by the rice importers comes amidst an emergency meeting called by Members of the House of Representatives leadership Wednesday, 28th September, with rice importers and other functionaries from the Executive over the reported shortage of rice on the Liberian market.
The lawmakers as the people’s deputies of Liberia have heard several complaints from citizens across the country that they have been forced by suppliers to purchase other commodities like flour and milk before they are allowed to buy rice; something that prompted the lawmakers to invite before its leadership importers of rice.
The importers were invited to discuss the issue of the availability of rice on the Liberian Market, which is regarded as the Country’s staple food, and the compulsory purchase of other commodities as criteria to buy rice from importers.
The House leadership urged the importers to act swiftly as the issue of rice is nothing to overlook in Liberia.
At the same time lawmakers are calling on the Executive to coordinate with the Legislature for the revision of APM Terminal Agreement; something that will bring mutual benefits to the Country.
Meanwhile, the House through its speaker Dr. Bhofal Chambers has called on the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to take punitive measures 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 included Acting Minister of Finance 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 expected to hold another discussion with two importers Fouta Corporation and Fouani Brother Corporation this Friday 30th September.
