Global Rice News

IPNEWS-Monrovia: The authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, has reliably gathered that one of Liberia’s major rice importers, SWAT is expected to bring in 23,000 metric tons of rice from the neighboring Ivory Coast.

According to sources in Abidjan, SWAT concluded the deal early Wednesday morning (October 4, 2022) and the consignment is expected to dock at the Freeport of Monrovia, on board MV KEN STAR by October 11, 2022.

Sources tell IPNEWS that this consignment is in response to the recent commitment made by SWAT at a joint meeting held with the Legislature and rice importers in a bid to prevent a crisis of Liberia’s staple food.

The 23,000 emergency supply is in addition to ongoing stocking of additional shipments expected to arrive from the Republic of India.

Recently the authoritative Independent Probe reported that SWAT and other rice importers were arranging huge shipments of rice from India, even though there were renewed charges of 20% increment imposed on a ton of rice by Indian authorities.

In April of the year, the President of Liberia, George Weah was seen on LNTV, the National Broadcaster, inspecting the NPA warehouses, walking by much rice to the point that he said: “There is enough rice, and the price of rice would never rise.”

But the price of rice has risen from US$14 to US$35 against government $13 set price.  The rice sellers have appealed to the GOL for an increase in the official rice price, but the Government of Liberia (GOL) has refused, citing that there is no more stock of rice. So, the rice sellers have embarked upon a go-slow action, refusing to sell rice.

Earlier, when the GOL said that there was enough rice, the sellers held a protest, blocking the Vai Town area because they said that they had no access to the rice. Once again, this shortage of rice is artificial and not real because of the powers that have access to the rice.

Liberian president George Weah has 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.

According to sources, the alleged mismanagement of the first US$14m subsidy provided by government for rice importers with intent to keep rice price stable on the market is the root cause of the present shortage of the country’s staple food.

Rice, the staple food of Liberia is a political commodity, that caused the death of dozens of people during the 1979 riot . That riot started after the William R. Tolbert government announced it would increase the price of a bag of rice on the local market.

In a related development, LNP is warning Rice smugglers and hoarders of rice in the country.

According to the LNP, it has realized that some rice dealers, were in the constant habit of hiding the commodity with intent of increasing price while some are smuggling it across to neighboring countries for higher prices.

Such action according to the police is causing serious inconveniences to the Government and its citizens and residents.

In view of this, the LNP immediately activated officers across the country to effect arrest of perpetrators of said ugly act.

Since the activations of police officers across the nation, there have been several arrests made in various parts of the country on pending charges of economic sabotage, profiteering and cheating and defrauding government.

To date, the following individuals/vendors/ business persons were arrested, pending various charges:

1. Mr. Ahmad Saksouk (Lebanese Businessman) was arrested in Dupo road with 62 bags of 25kg Star rice at sale price of 30 USD;

2. Mr. Skymilay Dorbor was arrested at Gobachop junction selling government PRO-POOR RICE out of a blue truck marked H0889. Mr. Dorbor was selling a bag of 25kg Pro Poor rice 20 USD;

3. Mr. Mamadu Jalloh was arrested at Omega with 27 bags of 25kg Star rice sold at 30 USD;

4. Madam Garmai Roberts was arrested in Paynesville with 14 bags of 25kg Star rice sold at $30 USD;

5. Madan Ma-Bee of Ganta city Nimba county was arrested with 199 bags of 25kg Star rice sold at 30 USD;

6. Madam Marvina Doe of New Kru Town was arrested with 160 bags of 25kg Star rice sold at 5,500 LD;

7. Madam Omu Bah of West point was arrested with 22 bags of 25kg Star rice sold at 5000 LD;

8. Madam Sata Weasley was arrested in West Point with unspecified number of bags of 25kg rice sold at $30 USD.

As a result of tipoff from Commerce Inspectors, Joint Security forces were successful in confiscating two trucks of rice at Loguatuo border in Nimba County.

The length of each of the trucks is about a 40ft container, with an estimate of over 2,500 bags of 25kg rice contained in both trucks.

Currently the rice is being guarded by LNP tactical unit pending transports to Monrovia by the Ministry of Commerce.

In awake of unfolding developments, the Inspector General of Police, Hon. Patrick Toe Sudue further reiterates calls to all business individuals, vendors and distributors that until government can change the prices of rice, any arbitrary increase in price for profiteering will be termed as illegal.

Members of the public are also urged to assist the LNP with any useful information leading to the arrest of individuals in the habit of hiding, increasing the price or smuggling rice to neighboring countries for profiteering.

Source: https://www.independentprobe.com/breaking-news-swat-brown-brings-in-23000-metric-tons-of-rice/