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Dealers Hiking Prices in Gbarnga

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
July 9, 2004
Posted to the web July 9, 2004

By Marcus N. Malayea
Bong County
Residents in the devastated city of Gbarnga in central Liberia are reportedly
being hit with price hikes.
According to a survey conducted by our correspondent, prices of commodities are
being sky rocketed as a direct result of the influx of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) whose employees are said to be "well paid".
The survey revealed that a bag of coal previously sold for 40 Liberian dollars
(LD) is now being sold for 75 Liberian dollars, while a gallon of palm oil
previously sold for LD110.00 has gone up to LD175.00.
The survey also indicated that the price of a bag of rice has been hiked to LD
1,125.00 from LD 1,050.00.
Owners of entertainment centers have also increased the prices of beverages as
a bottle of large beer previously sold for LD$85.00 is being sold LD$100.00.
Prices of building materials are also on the hiked list. A sheet of ceiling
made of local materials previously sold for LD10.00 is now being sold for
LD125.00, and a bag of cement previously sold for USD$6.00 is now being sold
for USD$8.00.
"I don't think some of us will ever rebuild our damaged houses because of the
high price of building materials", a father of eight children told our
correspondent.
Some school administrators in the County have also taken up the price-hike
spree by increasing tuition, thereby making it extremely difficult for parents
to send their children to school.
"I don't think some of our children will go to school for next academic year
because of the high tuition", a parent was quoted as saying.
Despite the influx of NGOs, our correspondent observed that unemployment was
still high as most NGOs hired their workers from Monrovia.
Gbarnga was one of many cities and towns destroyed by the civil war. During the
crisis, armed groups looted and vandalized public and private buildings.

   

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