By Whloquoi Yeahgar
twhloquoi@gmail.com
Monrovia-Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh has termed the USD fluctuation as an impediment to the recent deduction in the price of rice.
In February 2018, the Rice Importers Association, the Ministry of Commerce and President George Weah reached an agreement to have a deduction in the price of rice by 2 and 4 dollars respectively.
Following the agreement, there were alarming concerns from the public that the reductions were not impacting the local market, a situation which necessitated the intervention of the Legislature.
The House’s Committee on Commerce pushed for authorities of the Ministry and the importers to appear and give details surround the full implementation of the agreement.
Appearing Tuesday before that body, Commerce Minister Tarpeh admitted to the initial challenges but boasted of significant progress in the reduction.
He added that the Ministry is strategizing in making the reduction have an impact on ordinary Liberians.
For his part, the CEO of SWAT, one of the importers, revealed that there has been a cut since December of last year.
George Nehme maintained that the price of a 25kg bag of rice was 16 United States dollars before the reduction in March this year.
He added that currently a 25kg bag of rice is sold for 13 United Sates dollars.
Meanwhile the House’s committees on Commerce and Banking and Finance through a motion by Representative Thomas Fallah have been mandated to work with the sector heads in concluding the matter.
