Press Release: Thursday, May 30, 2024: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has commissioned a storage facility for the Vegetable Sellers Association of Liberia.  The project, a gesture of the UNDP is part of efforts by the Ministry to protect the goods of those selling perishable items, particularly vegetables. The facility uses solar energy and is located at the OMEGA Market in Paynesville.

During the program, Deputy Commerce Minister for Trade Services, Wilmot Reeves said that the Senior Management Team at the Ministry is determined to work along with local entrepreneurs to address their concerns.  Deputy Minister Reeves noted that once members of the Vegetables Sellers Association of Liberia are supported, it will help them realize the fruits of their labor.   He said it was disheartening to see the goods of local vegetable producers perish in their hands due to the absence   storage facilities.

“Sometimes you invest huge sums of money to bring in the goods but within no time they perish without you realizing what you have invested” Mr. Reeves added.

Deputizing for Commerce and Industry Minister, Amin Modad, he indicated that one can imagine what those who are in other parts of Liberia goes through when people who are right in Monrovia are challenged with storage facilities.The Deputy Commerce Minister for Trade Services said the situation points to how local producers are losing a lot of money that could be used to sustain their families.

He cautioned Liberians especially those who are engaged in the private sector to always work together for the growth and development of their respective businesses.

Deputy Minister Reeves also commended the UNDP for its continued support to the Liberian people, adding that such partnership will always be appreciated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In a brief remark, Deputy Commerce Minister for Small Business Administration, Benedict Amos Dolo thanked the group for the patience exercised in seeking the support. He said the cooling facility has the capacity to store vegetables throughout the year.  “We brought in 220 volts and want to try it to know if it goes well then we will try to go into other market centers” Deputy Minister Dolo added.

The UNDP Program Coordinator, Abraham Tumbey, said that the UNDP from the onset of the discussions was   concerned about how Liberian vegetable sellers and others can be supported and encouraged to be able to produce more.

He said in 2022 that stakeholders including vegetable sellers under the Liberia Vegetable Sellers Association and Oil Palm Value Change Actors held a meeting where some of the issues affecting them where highlighted. He said it was at the juncture that the UNDP came in as a development partner to support the initiative.

In another development, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has presented a cheque for US$2,500 to the leadership of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA).

The cheque was presented on behalf of the Ministry by Deputy Commerce Ministers for Trade Services and Small Business Administration, Wilmot Reeves and Benedict Amos Dolo,for the renovation of the Jorkenpeh Town Market in Sinkor.

It can be recalled that the LMA leadership recently appealed to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for assistance to address the leakage being experienced at the facility.  The group hailed the Ministry for the kind gesture.