About 14 senators at the National Legislature under the banner, “Group of Concerned Senators”, have issued a resolution against attempt by Commerce Minister, Olubanke King Akelere, to impose monopoly on the importation of Butter Rice into the country for six months, saying it would not serve the long-term interest of Liberians.
The senators, majority of whom are members of the opposition, said in their resolution that they are convinced that the long-term impact and implication of the Commerce Minister’s decision are inconsistent with the Liberian Business Law, which prohibits monopoly in any form and shape.
“In our opinion, the decision is not in line with the practice of free and open market, a system, which Liberia has always professed” the senators indicated.
The resolution further stressed that the decision is not consistent with President Sirleaf’s free market campaign promise, and it contradicts recommendations of the 2004 Rice Committee set up by former Transitional Chairman Gyude Bryant, and chaired by Madam Sirleaf prior to her ascendancy to the Executive Mansion.
They noted that the committee’s recommendations affirmed then that the market should remain open and that the government moves towards a “full market economy” to encourage competition as well as eventually lower prices.
“We believe that the decision of the Ministry of Commerce to restrict the importation of rice to one supplier, selected by the ministry to control the market, has set the stage for favoritism therefore, we call for remedial action” the senators pleaded.
According to them, the minister’s decision has frozen the price of rice, particularly butter rice which has been officially priced at US$22.00 though the real price on the market could become much higher.
The senators called on the government to revert to the open market to allow importers with the basic requirements to get involve maintaining competition in the business.
The resolution was signed by Senators Blamo Nelson, and Cletus Wortoson of Grand Kru County; Hannah Brent and Joyce Freeman of Montserrado County; Jewel Howard Taylor, and Franklin Seakor of Bong County; Adolphus Dolo of Nimba County, and Mabutu Nyepan of Sinoe County, among others.
Police Chief Still In Court’s Dragnet
By George Borteh
The Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice has for the fourth time summoned the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Col. Beatrice Munah Sieh to show cause why she should not be held in contempt.
Col. Sieh was first summoned on September 5, 2006, September 8, 2006, and September 12, 2006 but failed to appear. She later complied after the court order her arrest.
She and her principal deputies were sometimes ago summoned by the Monrovia City Court Judge for their failure to produce in court a vehicle and other items seized by the police during a search warrant carried on the order of the court.
The police acting on a search warrant issued by the Court in September searched the homes of Mr. Jackson Olyetomic and a man yet to be identified and seized about 4 mattresses, 2 video sets, 3 tiger generators as well as US$1005.00 cash and 2 vehicles. The police reacting to an arrest order on their boss issued said it released the vehicles in the custody of the court, a claim which is not easily taking root.
Monrovia City Court Judge Milton Taylor told journalists yesterday that one vehicle was still in the possession of the police. According to him, said vehicle was recently released to the court but was re-arrested 30 minutes after its release to the court.
It was based upon this the Monrovia City Court has again summoned the police chief to tell the court why car was rearrested by her men. “By 3:00pm to 4:00pm, my Sheriff called me by phone and said the vehicle which was then turned over to the court has been arrested by the police, saying that said car is bearing foreign plate,” Judge Taylor said in an angry mood.
Judge Taylor furthered that the police was not cooperating Magisterial Court anymore, noting that the prevailing situation involving his court and the police was far from being resolved. In related news, the Magisterial Court judge has given the police chief a 24-hour ultimatum to release the vehicle to the court, or face arrest.
He said he has informed the Justice Minister concerning the behavior of the inspector General, adding that he has not received any response. When the police chief was contacted through the Press and Public Affairs Section, this paper was informed that she was in a serious meeting.
It may be recalled that the police boss was charged with “Criminal Contempt” and ordered arrested by the Monrovia City Court for her failure to produce said vehicle including two pistols that were arrested from an alleged employee of the Special Security Service (SSS), officer. |
