|
|
Liberia: Johnson-Sirleaf Speaks On Critical Issues
 |
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
The NEWS (Monrovia)
16 April 2008
Posted to the web 16 April 2008
Jimmey C. Fahngon
Monrovia
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has attributed the increase in the price of the basic commodities on the Liberian market to escalating prices on the global market.
In a nation-wide address at the Foreign Ministry Monday, President Sirleaf said the prices of basic commodities, especially rice, is a worldwide problem that Liberia has no control over.
President Johnson-Sirleaf: "We cannot control the increase on the world market price, but we can do something on the domestic side to bring relief to the population. In fact, the government has already taken a major step by removing US$2 tax on a bag of rice."
She disclosed that this has caused the government to lose US$3 million in revenue.
The Liberian leader said without this action, the price of a bag of rice would be more than the current official price between US$26 and US$28 for the four to five months stock that is on hand.
She said the government has requested the Chinese agricultural team to start training for the cultivation of large-scale mechanized rice farms near the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) based in Bong County.
President Johnson-Sirleaf said a committee chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture will purchase and distribute seed rice for those ready to plant.
She also explained that government was studying the possibility of offering public land to those who are prepared to go to their communities to engage in farming activities.
However, President Johnson-Sirleaf added that in order to address the continuous increase in the price of rice and other commodities, Liberians must grow their own.
According to her, when this is done, Liberia would eventually become food secured.
Touching on transportation, the Liberian leader said the government has also taken measures to mitigate in small measure the increase in petroleum prices by providing subsidy to the Monrovia Transit Authority to keep transportation cost at current levels.
Commenting on the Kendeja issue, President Johnson-Sirleaf acknowledged that the government promised the students of the Kendeja community that alternative school facilities to those on the site would be ready when they returned to school after the Census break.
"We failed in this regard but corrective measures have been taken with strong support of the Ministers of Education and Public Works so that the students should return to classes this morning."
She disclosed that a three-man committee headed by Cllr. Augustine Toe of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, representatives from the Ministry of Information and the General Services Agency have been set up to probe further into the modus operandi and the possible misuse of funds provided for the school renovation.
Regarding corruption, the Liberian Chief Executive assured the public of her commitment to fight corruption.
However, she said the slow progress in this regard is not a lack of political will or a weakening in her resolve, adding "we have relieved officials of their positions where there was evidence of dishonesty."
President Johnson-Sirleaf pointed out that she was awaiting Legislative action on the Anti Corruption Commission and the Code of Conduct that will provide the legal basis for certain action such as the Declaration of Assets.
|
She stated that it has proven to be more difficult and sometimes frustrating at the slow pace of due process which limits government in providing details to the public on the basis that those accused are deemed innocent until proven guilty.
I am willing to farm in Liberia and help grow more rice. It would be of great help if the Ministry of Agriculture can create more active role in the various counties by working with local farmers. I was in the United States whan I made one of the major rice farms in Klay District. If farmers can get the tools and training the need on time, I think we can do better in growing more rice on the local level. However, attention must also be placed on the "road to market". Good road condition... [Read Full Text]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2008 The NEWS. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
