Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah is under mounting pressure from local rubber farmers after telling the House Committee on Agriculture that he advised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to issue Executive Order 166.
Executive Order 166, which was issued June 26 of this year, bans the export of unprocessed rubber. Minister Nuetah’s revelation has since triggered widespread anger in the rubber sector, with farmers describing the order as an economic strangulation for Liberian-owned businesses.
Leading the criticism is Mr. Charles Bamakpeh, CEO of Meawon Liberia Incorporated.
Bamakpeh says the Executive Order is destroying livelihoods and collapsing the local rubber trade. According to Bamakpeh, the impact is already severe as warehouses across the country are full of unsold rubber, international contracts are cancelled, and thousands of smallholder farmers are being forced to sell at giveaway prices to stay alive.
“Meawon Liberia Inc. and many other Liberian-owned companies have been completely cut off. We can no longer honor our international trade agreements. Our workers are now jobless, and farming families cannot sustain their homes or send their children to school,” Bamakpeh told reporters over the weekend. He argued that the previous arrangement under Executive Order 151, which permitted exportation of unprocessed rubber upon payment of US$150 per metric ton, was far more beneficial as it kept local businesses operational while generating revenue for government. In contrast, Bamakpeh claims Executive Order 166 only protects foreign concession companies and creates a monopoly that squeezes Liberians out of their own sector.
When he appeared before lawmakers, Minister Nuetah defended the ban as the best path forward for the industry. But local farmers see it differently, accusing him of betraying Liberian farmers in favor of foreign interests.
They are now calling on President Boakai to not only repeal the order, but also relieve the Minister of his post and appoint someone who will prioritize local farmers.
Bamakpeh also criticized the manner in which the ban was rolled out, with no grace period despite the Ministry being fully aware that local exporters had huge quantities in stock.
“The Minister has been confrontational with farmers in the field instead of addressing their welfare and this is really killing us. He is seeking foreign investors at the United Nations General Assembly while suppressing Liberian businesses at home,” he explained.
“It is my perspective that Minister Alexander Nuetah is operating with executive shielding to the detriment of Liberia’s rubber industry. We urgently request that the administration repeal Executive Order 166 and dismiss the Minister of Agriculture without delay.”
