The
worsening economic situation has forced Liberian President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf to imposed a 60-day travel ban on all government’s officials.
The ban
affects all ministers and heads of other government institutions, as well as
their deputies and assistants.
According to
Africa Review the Presidency said officials can only be allowed to travel when
it is “of utmost imperative”, and such approval can only be made personally by
the president.
“Exceptions
will only be granted by the President herself following a one-on-one meeting
with the official requesting to travel and if it is determined that such travel
is of utmost imperative in the national interest.”
It says the
decision was taken following a review of the economy by the Cabinet and the
Economic Management Team set up by the president.
Liberia is
going through a serious economic crisis, which the government blames
on the Ebola
epidemic and the fall in the mining sector.
Major slump
in prices of its major exports of iron ore and rubber, have further complicated
the situation.
The Central
Bank of Liberia has been tasked to look into the “alarming situation” also
blamed on illicit outflow of foreign currency.
The bank was
ordered to ensure it curbs the illicit flow of foreign currency.
Last week,
owners of small businesses staged a three-day protest over the effect of the
situation on their livelihoods.
The peaceful
march to the House of Representatives also saw the traders shut down their
businesses.
The traders
were concerned about the government’s apparent inability to address persistent
fluctuation of the Liberian dollar against the US currency.
The Liberian
government recognises both currencies as its legal tender.
The traders
were also unsettled by a new tax by the government which they say the
depreciation of the Liberian dollar makes hard to cope with.
President
Sirleaf angered the business community when she blamed them for being part of
the cause of the currency shortage by sending the money abroad.
0 Comments