11 Comments
Sheriff Barrie, the Deputy Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Importers Association, has called on the government to abolish exclusive import rights in order to foster a more competitive market environment.
Speaking in a recent interview, Barrie emphasized that the issue of rising prices in the country is not solely the responsibility of the government, but is greatly influenced by the market dynamics, which are largely shaped by the importers themselves.
Barrie argued that the government’s policy of granting exclusive rights to certain importers, which gives them sole authority to import specific goods, is hampering market competition.
According to him, when only one importer is given exclusive rights to bring in a particular product, other importers are effectively barred from importing the same goods. This, he said, creates a monopoly-like situation where the sole importer has no competition and can dictate prices without any checks or balances.
“The market will not be competitive if only a single importer has the right to import a particular good,” Barrie explained. “Without competition, the importer is free to increase prices because they have no rivals, which ultimately harms consumers who are forced to pay higher prices for essential goods.”
Barrie stressed that abolishing these exclusive rights would introduce healthy competition among importers, leading to lower prices and benefiting consumers across the country.
He called on the government to consider revising its policies to encourage more competition in the market, which he believes will contribute to price stability and economic growth in Sierra Leone.
This people think exactly what I have been thinking For the past 20 years infact the monopoly of business should not even exist in Sierra Leone. Because we have been suffering from the hands of various importers they hike prices The way they feel like but if there is a competitive market I suggest inflation will go down for an example when you sell your product for like le100 another person will sell his/her’s for le 800 that will force you to put your product in to the Same Range.
Thank you God bless you and those that brought this initiative
Am sillah Sheriff Sesay
A patriotic citizen
Government must supports this moved …..statements of facts
Well said Mr. Barrie! Hope the govt will hear your voice
Sierra Leone is a crime scene against humanity. For six good years and still counting, Sierra Leoneans have endured untold sufferings, hunger, torture, inhuman treatment, extra judicial killings, harassment, land grabbing by government officials from the rightful owners ( Temne and Krio) especially in Freetown also known as KOYA and its environ etc. A lot of heinous crimes under the watch and command of Maada Bio have been committed. These are intended to fuel war in a country. Rest assured that Murderer Bio will pay for all the atrocities in Sierra Leone.
Mr Barry you are perfectly correct I like the idea
This is one of key factor that hinder economic growth in the country and lead to prices fluctuation, because of no rivalry or competition in the market and a individual will just control the price of a particular commodity which is not good for me citizens and,he/she a lone will benefit why the entire country is crying.
This is just one of the causes of high prices and low economic growth. The main reason for high prices is this country is the “high cost of doing business”. The cost of business activities is very high. Most of the things that can lead to high cost is business activities like TAXES, PORT DUTIES, POOR INFRASTRUCTURE, EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING and of course CORRUPTION are all the doing of the Government. The government and many others might think that this cost will be paid by the businesses but the reality is, the consumers will pay for it in two ways. First in high prices and then, there will be the cost paid through the situation of low standard of living. If the government can at least get rid of high taxes, reduce port duties, cut on government spending and minimize corruption, then nothing will stop the prices from going down which will lead to increase in purchasing power thus higher standard of living.
The solution is that simple.
This is the main course of uncontrollable price rises in the Country.
May the government listen and take coniczance action to it Mr Barrie, God bless you and bless Sierra Leone. I am Abdul Karim Turay from Kabala.
This is a reasonable suggestion that should be considered by the government to alleviate the suffering of consumers caused by these unscrupulous sole importers.
This is a good suggestion, everything is monopolized in this country, and we are suffering at the hands of investors who have been labeled as the only importers of certain goods. Please H.E Bio save the masses