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Liberia: Petro Importers Want Increment in Price
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
30 April 2008
Posted to the web 30 April 2008
Morrison O.G. Sayon
With the recent increase in the prices of basic commodities including petroleum products on the world market, a group of businessmen under the banner of Petroleum Importers of Liberia, is calling for the increase in the price of petroleum products in the country.
The call is apparently in the wake of the increase of the products on the world market something that is said to be affecting several countries in the world especially countries in South Saharan Africa.
In a meeting held between the importers and the management of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC), the importers noted that petroleum products have increased in other parts of West Africa from the previous price to US$6.00 per gallon and therefore, must be done here in Liberia.
The importers, speaking through their two executives, Siaka Toure and Musa Bility, pointed out that if they continue to sell the petroleum products as it is being sold in Liberia presently, they will always be the losers.
The two executives of the petroleum importers of Liberia then noted that due to the low price of the commodity in Liberia their expenditure is far higher than what is being received as profits now, due to the global market price of the products.
The businessmen asserted that if government wants petroleum products to be available on the Liberian market, they must ensure that the price of the commodity increase like in other African countries where the price of the products has been increased.
The businessmen are at the same time appealing to Liberians to understand the present situation and accept the little increase in the price of petroleum products. They reminded the citizens that the increase is not any 'making of the government of Liberia' but as a result of prices on the world market.
In recent times, the prices of basic commodities including gasoline have skyrocketed on the Liberian market thus, posing serious hardship for the jobless masses. Though ordinary Liberians have blamed the government for what they call its economic policy and weakness to control prices on the Liberian market, government on the other hand has counter-argued that the world market is responsible for the increase of prices of basic commodities.
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Addressing the issue at one point, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf attributed the increase in prices of basic commodities to global market and corruption at some key institutions of government. He said her government does not control prices on the world market and as such, the UP-led administration cannot be responsible for the inflation.
The increase in the prices of basic commodities on the Liberian market has led to the continuous suffering of the ordinary masses, some of whom are living below the poverty line of US$1.00 daily.
As the importers prepare to increase the price of gasoline, it is believed that commercial drivers are also prepared to take advantage of the slight increase in the price of the commodity and increase transportation fares in the country.
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