Monrovia – The Government of Liberia has come under criticism for allowing the shortage of gasoline to reach a level where it has disrupted normal economic activities. Critics charge that at any given time the Government should have have a reserve stock of gasoline to prevent recent disruptions.
Reports reaching FrontPageAfrica suggest that the Government is preparing a more holistic assessment of key commodities including rice and drugs and medical supplies, especially at a time the Corona virus appears to be having disruptive impacts on global supply chains.
In response to critics, the Government, through the Ministry of Information and Cultural Affairs and Tourism, has countered that this situation was unavoidable because of the unreliability of stock data that was available to the Government. According to Minister Nagbe at a press briefing the Government had been informed that some 10,000 metric tons of fuel was always available in the tank at LPRC. This situation was found not to be the case as petroleum importers began disclosing that LPRC data is misleading.
This prompted the President to establish a Committee headed by Minister of State without Portfolio, Trokon Kpui, to investigate the situation.
Some analysts believe that If the Government was misled by data on the available level of stock, then this cuts the Government some slack, since every Government must rely on basic information to make decisions. Says one analyst, ‘no government goes to the extent of distrusting or doubting information reported by relevant agencies because these entities should not be in the business of misreporting or lying.’ Added the analyst: ‘considering the situation, the Government will now begin to distrust reporting from entities and will set up teams to verify what entities are saying. This makes the business of governing much more difficult.’
To address the shortage, the Government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, had to procure emergency supply to the tune of 2000 metric tons of gas from neighboring Sierra Leone, which analyst say can last for about 4 to 5 days.
This supply can tide the country over while a ship containing more than 10,000 metric tons arrives by Tuesday or Wednesday. Government sources say additional stock will be procured form Sierra Leone until the ship’s berthing at the Free Port of Monrovia is assured.
Attending a Meeting of the West Africa Monetary Zone in Freetown, Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. met with President Maada Bio to convey President George Weah’s appreciation for the smooth and fast cooperation that enabled fuel trucks from both Liberia and Sierra Leone to transport Government-purchased gas from Sierra Leone into Liberia.
Extraordinary coordination in areas of customs clearance and immigration had to be worked out to facilitate the trade. The Minister also used the opportunity to discuss how both countries can continue to strengthen their relationship in a whole host of areas, especially in strengthening the Mano River Union.
Minister Tweah also paid a courtesy call on Trade and Industry Minister, Edward Hinga Sandy, and thanked him for his role played in the trade.
Reports reaching FrontPageAfrica suggest that the Government is preparing a more holistic assessment of key commodities including rice and drugs and medical supplies, especially at a time the Corona virus appears to be having disruptive impacts on global supply chains.