CEMENCO Is A Cancer - Says Rep. Kpakah
By: Lewis K. Glay
Forum
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
Rep. Kpakah used the term cancer indicating the monopoly being engaged by CEMENCO which he noted has a negative impact on Liberia’s drive toward rebuilding their devastating communities after the civil war.
He bitterly protested the monopoly in the cement industry which according to him Liberians should not continue to be subjected to at the advantage of CEMENCO.
Rep. Kpakah averred that the current Legislature needs to vehemently advocate to break the CEMENCO monopoly so that the huge demand of the Liberian people in terms of cement availability at affordable price can be met.
He said breaking the monopoly would pave the way for competition thereby enabling other investors wanting to enter into the production of cement to bridge the gap of shortage as well as reduce the high price of cement on the Liberian market.
The Lofa lawmaker said inasmuch as the monopoly enjoyed by the LoneStar cell phone company in recent past was broken by the presence of other GSM companies in the country, CEMENCO too should not be allowed to suffer the Liberian people at such a time when the quest for rebuilding the country has become irreversible.
The House Committee Chairman on Maritime Affairs made these reservations recently at the Capitol Building during a news conference.
The conference was principally intended to make a clarion call for a review of the Liberia International Ship & Corporate Registry( LISCR) ten years contract that is expected to end by 2009.
According to Rep. Kpakah, the contract which gives LISCR the advantage to financially coordinate Liberia’s Maritime Affairs is “dubious” because a lot that should be put in place to benefit Liberians are lacking as such a quick page must be turned by the present government. The lack of Board of Directors of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs as well as the non- existence of Maritime school at Marshall, Margibi County were among concerns raised by the Chairman on Maritime Affairs.