Amid growing alarm over the cost of food throughout the world, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the solution to the alarming world wide increase in the prices of basic commodities, especially rice, lie in the ability of Liberians to return to the soil and grow more food.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf

Every space in the back yard, every farm, and every community, the President said, must start to grow rice, cassava, and plantain, “for projections show that increase in food prices will be with us for a long time to come.” 

To tackle the price increases, the Liberian leader said, government has approved and forwarded for Legislative ratification, a US $30-milllion Concession Agreement for investment in large scale mechanized rice production. 

Another proposal, the President said, is under consideration, requesting the Chinese agricultural team to start the training and a program for production of large scale mechanized rice, near the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) in Bong County. The President spoke Monday in a radio address to the nation, in which she addressed a number of domestic issues confronting the country.

An Executive Mansion release, quoting the President’s address, says a committee chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture will look at the purchase and distribution of seed rice for those ready to plant. “We are studying the possibility of offering public land to those who are willing to go to their communities to engage in farming,” the Liberian leader also disclosed.

On the increase in the price of petroleum products, the President said, government has also taken measures to address, in a small measure, the increase, by providing subsidy to the Monrovia Transit Authority, to keep transport cost at current levels.

Other measures, such as reduction in LPRC storage fees, the President maintained, would undermine government’s efforts to address urgent needs in repairing the oil jetty and the storage tanks that have been without maintenance for years.

In addition, President Johnson Sirleaf informed the nation, that measures have been taken on cement that should assure availability at the retail price of $US.10.50, an amount lower than that which is the reported street price.

The President assured the nation that government is still exploring other general price control measures such as charges being levied on goods imported into the country.

An Executive Order, the President disclosed, is being finalized which will put a freeze on taxes and duties for agriculture, forestry and road building equipment, until the end of December. The Ministry of Commerce, the Liberian leader said, has been instructed to be even more vigilant in price control enforcement.

The Ad hoc Price Commission, which has been established and is now at work, she said, should provide additional recommendations, not only for rice, but other essential commodities as well. 

At the same time, the Liberian leader said, the tax system provided in the 2000 Revenue Code is being reviewed with the aim of making revisions that will reduce certain taxes, while harmonizing others, consistent with ECOWAS protocols.

On reports of an increase in armed robbery, the President said the United National Military Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has been asked to be more vigilant and proactive in patrols.

The Justice Minister, the President said, has been urged to do more by providing logistical support for the police and a more effective system of justice. “If there is no improvement in the situation within a month or two, the Chief Executive warned, “I will take more drastic measures, even if unpopular, to ensure better protection of our innocent population.

The Liberian leader, however, expressed concern about mob action by some citizens who take the law into their own hand and proceed to destroy public and personal property.  She described such individuals as criminals who must bear the weight of the law and be required to pay for what they destroy.

Pres. Sirleaf Commends Cuba For Its Interest In Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended the Government of Cuba for its interest in Liberia’s development. She says Liberia can learn many lessons from the Cuban experience as far as staying the course of development is concerned.

	•President Sirleaf with members of the Cuban and Liberian delegations

The Liberian leader made the commendation today at the Foreign Ministry during talks with a visiting delegation of the Government of Cuba.

The delegation is in the country for the Second Session of the Liberia-Cuba Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation held in Monrovia, Liberia from the 9th -11th of April 2008.

During the Joint Commission, both delegations identified possible critical areas of cooperation relating especially to the Liberian development agenda for which the Cuban delegation has agreed to provide assistance. In the area of health, Cuba is to provide 50 doctors to Liberia as well as devise a comprehensive program for malaria control. In the educational sector, the government of Cuba has agreed to provide training for Liberian teachers.

Additionally, 13 scholarships are to be provided in the following areas; 6 in sports, 3 in health technology, 1 in geography, 1 in civil engineering and 1 in agronomy. The delegation has also expressed its willingness to assist in the reconstruction of the National Archive Center which was damaged during the civil war.

President Johnson Sirleaf briefed the delegation about her government’s progress made thus far on its path towards national renewal. She further called on the Cuban Government to provide assistance in areas in which they can offer rapid assistance to Liberia.

The Head of the Cuban delegation and First Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Mr. Ramon Ripoll Diaz, stressed his government’s intention to make its contribution to Liberia. He further added that his government is committed to fostering bilateral ties.

The third session of the Liberia-Cuba Joint Commission will take place in Havana, Cuba, in 2009.

New Appointments in Government

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made appointments in government, affecting the University of Liberia, the Ministry of Transport and the Liberia Broadcasting system.

An Executive Mansion release issued Monday night, said those appointed are,  Dr. Al-Hassan Conte, Ambassador Extraordidnary & Plenipotentiary; Mr. Wilmot J. Paye, Assistant Minister for Land Transport, Ministry of Transport; Mr. Augustus Wloba Williams, Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Transport, and Mr. Albert K. Samukai, Deputy Director General for Administration, Liberia Broadcasting System.

The appointments, the release said, are subject to confirmation by the Liberian senate.