Monrovia, Liberia – A Verity News investigation has unearthed alarming evidence from the central warehouses of two major rice importers, Fouani Brothers Corporation and K & K Trading Corporation, at the Freeport of Monrovia. Leaked videos and pictures reveal a shocking reality-hundreds of bags of ‘rotten and contaminated’ rice are being re-bagged for sale on the Liberian market. This urgent situation demands immediate attention and action.
These leaks, which Verity News is going to upload on its social media page and website, further expose the extent to which Liberian consumers remain vulnerable to contaminated rice and expired goods often stored, re-bagged, and sold allegedly by importers. This not only impacts the economy but also poses a severe threat to the health of people in Liberia. This latest report sheds light on poor commerce inspectorate as expired goods remain widespread in the Liberian market according to previous reports. The staple food in Liberia is rice.
Speaking with Verity News, some rice suppliers confided in us and said contaminated rice is usually disposed of to farmers for animals only as per standard and commerce regulations. Unfortunately, rotten rice is re-bagged to be sold to Liberian consumers for edible purposes. This raises concerns about the honesty and credibility of rice importers, including Fouani Brothers Corporation and K & K Trading Corporation.
Our source, who leaked the videos and pictures from the warehouses of these rice importers, claimed that rice importers usually bribe commerce inspectors and port security to disregard these gross violations while alleging that this is the habit of rice importers, including K & K Trading Corporation and Fouani Brothers Corporation.
The stockpile of contaminated rice linking K & K and Fouani calls for an immediate and thorough investigation by the government of Liberia. This is a grave concern that requires official intervention. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is under statutory authority to inspect basic commodities, including food and beverages, before they enter the market and even while they are in the market. However, the inspectorate component of the Ministry is weak, as revealed by one of its staff who spoke with Verity but prefers anonymity.
It can be recalled that President Boakai met with rice important in May of this year to discuss the hike in the price of rice. The President rejected any increment and set up a special ad hoc committee to critically study the rice crisis in the country, especially rice shortage and price hiking.
As the Liberian government grapples with feeding its citizens primarily due to dependence on rice imports, calls have heightened for the government to invest more in local rice production.
