Liberian president George Manneh Weah has issued an Executive Order #124 that placing a Moratorium on the exportation of unprocessed natural rubber from Liberia.
In a release from the President Weah’s office he urgent action is required to curb the decline in the natural rubber industry. He noted that appropriate policies and framework can be put in place to improve the situation in the longer term to ensure redevelopment, new developments as well as increased production, increased job opportunities, and increased revenue to government.
The president action is consistent with the constitutional provision which requires the state to take necessary steps, including legislation and executive orders, to eliminate the misuse of government resources as well as other corrupt practices.
Mr. Weah additionally acknowledged how the Liberian rubber industry has been part of the national economic heritage for over 95 years, providing the highest single source of annual revenue for the government.
The Executive Order stipulates that the rubber industry, which provided employment opportunities nationwide than other single employment sectors, has been greatly affected by abuse, misuse, abandonment, and theft.
“The Liberian rubber industry has been and continues to be depleted by illicit tapping, which is observed to be increasing in addition to having massive economic consequences on employment and government revenue, with theft situation having major security implications throughout the country”, the President noted.
According to the President, issuing Executive Order #124 becomes imperative in order to deal with the “depreciating obtaining in the rubber sector and that further strategy is required as urgently as possible to enable government formulate policies and appropriate institutional and regulatory framework established to curb retrogression, sustain development of the industry and stimulate growth.”
In 2008 former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf issued Executive Order #16 to remedy the situation, but that the government believes it is in the national interest that urgent action is necessary to stem the current decline in the industry.
He further stated that “as part of this, an immediatele pause in the exportation of unprocessed natural rubber is required.”
As of the issuance of EO #124, there would be no further exportation of unprocessed natural rubber from Liberia until otherwise ordered.
In Liberia, Firestone Rubber plantation remains the only exporter of natural rubber outside of Liberia since for several years now.
The latest decision means the operation of Firestone Liberia Rubber may likely be hampered since the company is not processing any rubber product for now in Liberia.
