As prices of cement, rice, gasoline, building materials amongst others continuously increase by the minute on the Liberian market, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has disclosed that her government is unable to reduce prices of such basic items for now. "We cannot do it like that because you have to follow tax laws, rules and regulations," she said. She added that if all these rules or laws are not observed or followed, the country may likely get into trouble with other countries, especially with big powers in the world.

President Sirleaf made the disclosure last week, when she appeared as guest on UNMIL Radio talk-show "Talk with the President." The Liberian leader also blamed her government’s inability to reduce prices of basic commodities on the scarcity of the goods on the Liberian market. She said her government has informed Liberians and other country nationals who have been engaged in business in Liberia to embark on importing rice, cement, gasoline and other needed commodities in the country. President Sirleaf however added that the government is trying to control the prices of commodities in the country.