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| ELLEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER #9 Tackles The Cement Imbroglio, Will That Remedy The Situation? Wednesday, June 6, 2007 |
| In a bid to reduce consumer’s burden in the construction sector and to stir up rapid reconstruction of the country, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf yesterday issued Executive Order Number 9, which has effectively removed tariff of US$2.00 on a bag of cement imported into the country. The move seen as a major reform to curtail the hitherto monopolistic production and distribution of cement by CEMENCO, has been greeted by analysts as a positive development forged by the current administration while awaiting judgment however on the number of Liberians with capability to underwrite the importation of such commodities into the commercial limits of Liberia. The Analyst gleans the wordings of the Executive Order and files this report. President Johnson-Sirleaf has issued Executive Order Number 9, extending the protective tariff on cement importation into the country. By issing the order, the protective tariff of US$2.00imposed by the Government of Liberia for 50 kilograms bag of Portland cement brought into the country for construction is hereby suspended. The decision, according to the Order is intended to promote competition and reduce the price of the commodity on the Liberian market. Though the move seems to be worthy of appreciation, observers are however concerned about the issue of “extension and suspension” which they say creates more doubts than clarities. It is not clear whether the two are inter-twined and are saying the same thing, but observers say the Executive Mansion needs to provide clarification as to what it is talking about in the press statement announcing the issuance of the Order by the president. However, the release under the signature of Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said the extension of Executive Order 9 is part of Government’s efforts to speed up the country’s developmental program. The order further states that the 2006 extension of the cement protective tariff has not produced the expected results, as the price of cement continues to rise on the market at the disadvantage of the consumer and the public as a whole. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf last year issued Executive Order # 5, which suspended the protective tariff on cement for one year. Executive Order Number 9 takes immediate effect. In the wake of the extension of the protective tariff and the suspension thereof, the lingering question is whether the situation will be remedied or worsened, observers worried. According to observers, the reconstruction of the country ravaged by years of war requires reasonable price system so as to enable ordinary citizens rebuild their damaged structures as well as new ones. “The task of reconstruction is onerous which means that government alone can afford to execute it. The citizens need to get involved. This means that prices of building materials have to be reduced to a level where those have the resources can build,” remarked an observer. At present the price cement on the Liberian market is unstable and there are myriad of claims and counter-claims amongst major importers and retailers as well as builders. The government of Liberia is as well blamed for not putting its foot on the cement issue. Many however said the government was taciturn on the issue because officials were getting some benefits. More than that, CEMENCO, the only importer of the cement in the country is at the center of culpability over the hike in the price of a bag of the commodity. This paper recently learnt that a bag of cement is sold for over US$10 at various deports across the city of Monrovia. |
| Source:The Analyst News |