The Revolutionary National Youth League of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change has expressed deep concern over rising costs of food and transportation in the country.
In a statement released in Monrovia, the CDC youth league criticized the current government’s response to the crisis, accusing the Unity Party administration of failing to take effective measures to address the situation. The youth league highlighted the impact of the Indian Government’s decision to raise export tariffs on rice, which has contributed to the current price surge.
While acknowledging that the export tariff increase occurred during the previous CDC government in August 2023, the youth league emphasized that the former administration was able to stabilize rice prices through concrete policy interventions, including subsidies for importers and reductions in port costs and import tariffs.
The statement also criticized President Boakai and the Unity Party for what they perceived as a lack of urgency and effective action to tackle the rice crisis. The youth league warned of potential unrest, urging the government to prioritize the well-being of the Liberian people by ensuring access to affordable staple foods.
The CDC youth league called on the current administration to refrain from engaging in what they described as deceptive tactics, stating that “walking out of meetings with importers” is not a viable solution to the rice crisis. They emphasized the importance of decisive policy decisions to maintain stable rice prices and alleviate the economic burden on the population.
The Ministry of Transport’s apparent inaction on addressing rising transportation costs also came under scrutiny. The youth league highlighted the hardships faced by low-income individuals due to the government’s policies targeting motorcyclists, which have led to increased transportation fares and further economic strain on vulnerable segments of society.
