Ganta, Nimba County – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Inspector General, Miantor Sai Gbatu, has ordered the closure of another cold storage facility in Ganta City, Nimba County after large quantities of expired frozen goods—including fishes, chickens and other perishables—were found at the West Africa Enterprise Incorporated Branch 26 in the Congo Community of Ganta.
By D Franklin Doloquee
This is the second time Inspector General Gbatu has traveled from Monrovia to Ganta to shut down facilities storing expired food products.
It can be recalled that a few weeks ago, he led a similar operation to close Carnaline Cold Storage, which was also found holding expired frozen chickens and other goods.
The FrontPage Africa (FPA) has gathered that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has deployed significant manpower to conduct daily inspections of business facilities across Ganta and other parts of Nimba County.
Despite these ongoing efforts, expired frozen goods continue to be discovered in multiple cold storage units, raising serious public health concerns.
Inspector General Gbatu underscored his commitment to expanding inspections nationwide.
“My appointment by the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung is to enforce compliance with business laws and ensure the safety of citizens,” Gbatu said.
“I will ensure expired frozen products are removed from the market. No one involved in selling or buying these harmful goods will be spared. These expired products pose severe health risks to Liberians, and it is my responsibility to protect our people.”
During a visit to West Africa Enterprise Incorporated Branch 26, the FPA reporter and other reporters observed numerous cartons containing expired frozen fishes, chickens and other perishables clearly beyond their safe consumption dates.
The facility was promptly shut down by the ministry to stop the distribution of these unsafe products.
In addition to the crackdown on expired goods, multiple sources told the FPA, highlighting increased cross-border trade at the Ganta-Guinea Border.
Over 1,000 bags of rice, 40 drumps of gas and more than 5,000 bags of cement are reportedly transported daily from Ganta to Guinea.
This growing trade underscores Ganta’s economic vibrancy but also presents challenges for regulatory oversight.
Inspector General Gbatu pledged that future inspections will not only target expired goods but also focus on proper licensing, product quality and compliance with import-export regulations.
“Our goal is a transparent and safe commercial environment throughout Liberia,” he said.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry encourages all businesses, especially cold storage facilities and distributors, to strictly follow food safety standards and business laws to avoid closures and sanctions.
Citizens are urged to report any expired or unsafe products found in markets to the authorities for immediate action.
The ongoing crackdown led by Inspector General Gbatu reflects a firm stance to protect public health and promote fair business practices in Nimba County and across Liberia.
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