Sen. Kaipay seeks accountability for US$11m rice subsidy

By Ethel A Tweh

Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan Kaipay has urged the Ministers of Commerce and Industry, Finance and Development Planning to provide clarity on Eleven Million United States Dollars allocated in the 2022 National Budget as a subsidy for rice.

Senator Kaipay says it is unbelievable for Liberia to face rice shortage when the Legislature took a giant step in to provide subsidy for the commodity in the tone of US$ 11 million.

In a communication to plenary, the Grand Bassa Senator requests the appearance of authorities of both ministries to speak on the matter.

He notes that a reflection of the country’s political history provides an instructive lesson as to the impact the unavailability or shortage of rice has on the peace and stability of the State.

Senator Kaipay maintains that there should not have been any strangulation of the population, considering the fact that the budget is in its full implementation stage, and there has been no representation from the Executive Branch regarding impediments to its implementation. 

Meanwhile, the Plenary of the Senate has invited heads of both ministries to appear before its Committee of Whole tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25, at 12:00 noon to give clarity on the usage of the US$ 11 million subsidy for rice. Editing by Jonathan Browne