House Intervenes to Address Skyrocketing Rice Price

CAPITAL HILLL, Monrovia – The Leadership of the House of Representatives is said to be holding talks with rice importers and other functionaries from the Executive over the reported shortage of rice on the Liberian market.

The importers are K&K Corporation, United Commodities Inc (UCI), and Supply West Africa Trading (SWAT) amongst others.

The move by the Lower House was triggered by a series of complaints from citizens across the country that they have been forced by suppliers to purchase other commodities before being served rice.

In a statement Wednesday, the leadership of the House expressed shock over the alleged act of importers demanding buyers to purchases other commodities as criteria to buy rice.

However, rice importers in a meeting Wednesday with members of the lower House assured of tackling the challenges at hand and causing the shortage.

They added that despite the challenges being faced, rice will be available until November, at which time, SWAT, a major importer of rice, expects smaller vessels with rice that will last till December.

They attributed some of the challenges to ongoing works at the APM Terminal, something they said when completed dredging the port of Monrovia, will allow entry of bigger vessels.

The statement said the House leadership has however 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 the APM Terminal Agreement.

Emmanuel Toe