Liberia: House to Probe Petrol Shortage as Liberia Refinery Company, Commerce Ministry Deny Short Supply Despite Long Queues at Filling Stations

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers has set up a 21-man committee to investigate what seems to be a shortage of gasoline on the Liberian market.

The specialized committee is headed by Rep. Zoe E. Pennue (District #1, Grand Gedeh County) and Co-chaired by Rep. Jeremiah Koung (District #1, Nimba County).

It is tasked with the responsibility to liaise with stakeholders including the Ministry of Commerce, Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) and major petroleum importers to ascertain reasons behind the shortage of gasoline.

The decision was reached by plenary following the appearance of Commerce Minister Prof. Wilson Tarpeh and the Managing Director of LPRC, Marie Urey Coleman before plenary on Tuesday.

The two officials were invited by plenary, based on communication by Rep. Alexander Poure (District #1, River Gee) to explain the reasons behind the continuous shortage of petroleum products and outline measures being taken to address the situation.

Taking the witness’ stand on Tuesday, Prof. Tarpeh said the Ministry of Commerce maintains a rigorous surveillance program to monitor the essential commodities including petroleum, rice, cement and medical drugs, among others.

According to him, the shortage is due the failure of the major importers to bring in the expected amount of petroleum.

Following several negotiations with major importers, Prof. Tarpeh stated they agreed to supply smaller importers to alleviate the pressure and the long queue that has marred the process. 

“It was discovered that the level of order that we should have gotten for fuel did not come in. With LPRC and major importers’ cooperation, we brought in TOTAL and they supplied the other importers to reduce the queues. We were able to diversify the little that we had to other smaller stations so that this situation will be cured,” Minister Tarpeh explained.

He said one of the major tasks is to ensure the price of the gasoline remains the same until the situation is fully brought under control.

However, that is not the case. The price of gasoline continues to increase, along with the transportation fare.

Also speaking, Madam Coleman clarified that there is no gasoline shortage. She said here is enough gasoline to supply the market at a staple price.

According to her, because of the vessel restrictions placed on major importers including TOTAL, Super Petroleum and Petro Trade by APM Terminal over ongoing maintenance, the supplies that were intended for this month -February did not arrive in December 2019.

“It was discovered that the level of order that we should have gotten for fuel did not come in. With LPRC and major importers’ cooperation, we brought in TOTAL and they supplied the other importers to reduce the queues. We were able to diversify the little that we had to other smaller stations so that this situation will be cured.”

– Prof. Wilson Tarpeh, Minister of Commerce and Industry

Because of the restrictions, Madam Urey explained that only bigger importers were able to bring in gasoline and stored at the closed facilities that was no longer operational but had to be reactivated because of the restrictions at AMP Terminals.

She said this left smaller importers without gasoline, thus putting pressure on the bigger importers that resulted to long queues and the inconvenience followed.

To address the situation, she said and agreement was reached with the major importers to supply the smaller ones to alleviate the pressure on both them (major importers) and the consumers.

“Our sufficient products that we have in the country was imported by our big suppliers, TOTAL and Petrol Trade because they had the ability to bring in the vessels before the restrictions. TOTAL stores at our Cornex terminal.  We have enough products there but in order for TOTAL to give our smaller suppliers, it became an economic problem,” she explained.

She apologized for the inconvenience and assured the lawmakers that there is sufficient gasoline that can serve the public.

I want to assure that even as we speak, we do have sufficient products in the country that will last according to our monthly consumption,” she added.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers, speaking on the floor were not satisfied with the officials’ accounts. They noted that there continues to be a shortage of gasoline on the market and continuous long queue s in Monrovia and its environs.

Others stated the price is still high, especially in the rural parts of the country.

Rep. Johnson Gwaikolo (District #9, Nimba County), setting the base for his motion, stated that the Ministry of Commerce and LPRC should work with major stakeholders within the sector to bring the situation under control.

He called for the Speaker to constitute a specialized committee to thoroughly ascertain what is happening and report to plenary within one week. His motion was unanimously accepted and the Speaker set up the 21-man committee comprising of Reps. Zoe E. Pennue, Chairman and Jeremiah Koung as Co-Chairman.

Members of the Committee per County include: Reps. Jimmy Smith (District #2 Montserrado County), Yekeh Kolubah (District #10, Montserrado County), Richard Koon (District #11, Montserrado County), Abu Kamara (District #15, Montserrado County) and Dixon Wlawlee Seboe (District #16, Montserrado County).

Other members of the committee include Reps. Nagbe Sloh, (District #2, Sinoe County), P. Mike Jury (District #2, Maryland County), Dr. Isaac B. Roland, (District #3, Maryland County), Emerson Kamara, District #3, Grand Cape Mount County), Edward Karfia (District #5, Bong County), Moima Briggs (District #6, Bong County), Dorwohn Twain Gleekia (District #6, Nimba  County) and Johnson Gwaikolo (District #9, Nimba County).

Reps. Ellen Attoh Wureh (District #3, Margibi County), Clarence Gahr (District #5, Margibi County), Byron Zahnwea (District #2, Rivercess County), Alexander Poure (District #1, River Gee County), Alfred Koiwood, District #1, Gbarpolu County) and Kaine Wesso (District #2, Gbarpolu County) are also members of the specialized committee.