The Inquirer (Monrovia)
30 August 2008
In an effort to take the consumer education message throughout the country, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce has re-emphasized cash receipt system which they claimed might help eradicate the sale of fake goods on the market.
The campaign which was launched on July 11, 2008, was again taken to three major counties, Margibi, Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties where consumers were informed about the government's latest system put into place to stabilize the market.
As a means of taking the message to the people to the leeward counties, the Commerce Ministry led a ten-man delegation, headed by Acting Minister, Andrew S. Allakamenin and briefly stop-over at Kakata, Margibi County where they cautioned consumers on the new system.
Mr. Allakamenin who said that the campaign was necessary at the time, urged consumers that beginning the day of the message, should always ask for receipts and warranties on goods and carefully read what they say before purchasing.
The Acting Commerce Minister also enlightened consumers to read and study the label on goods and check for expiration date before buying the goods.
He said that the people should be aware of fake goods and check prices of similar goods at several stores before buying them.
Minister Allakamenin spoke on the effect of selling bad goods on the market and also noted that goods sold must be labelled in English so as to be visible to the consumers in general.
The sensitization process which claimed the attention of hundreds in the three visits is another means of discouraging fake, bad and rotten goods on the Liberian market.
The Acting Commerce Minister also said this effort is also intended to avoid the promotion of harmful goods on the Liberian market and also to make consumers and dealers more responsible in their transactions.
With that in mind, the Minister led the delegation to Bomi and Cape Mount Counties where the consumers highly welcomed the latest commerce system and at the same time pledged their fullest support to implement such a campaign.
They urged the ministry to also inform the dealers to adhere to the system by making the transaction between them and the consumers very responsible and advanced.
The Acting Minister repeatedly emphasized that the process is also another step toward the enlightening on the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) of which government has fully stressed.
He told the people of Bomi and Cape Mount to always demand receipts from dealers after they have purchased goods, and also warned them to be careful of fake goods on the Liberian market.
He urged them to always report to commerce field inspector whenever they realize a hike in prices and where fake and expired goods are been sold.
He noted that it would also help guide a healthy society in Liberia.
The tour also took the Commerce delegation to the Blue Lake Mineral Water Plant in Bomi County where the facilities of that company was highly praised by the Acting Minister.
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