Credible reports reaching this paper indicate that a huge consignment of contaminated rice stored at various warehouses at the Free Port of Monrovia will soon be disposed of by a joint team comprising the Ministry of Health (MOH), Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), Commerce and the Environmental Pollution Agency (EPA) and other relevant authorities.Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Commerce Mr. Wilmot Paye has confirmed the planned disposal of approximately 4,000 bags of rotten rice sometime ago.  In a brief chat with this paper yesterday he said a team of Commerce inspectors in collaboration with others are carrying out inspection to verify the information leading to the additional contaminated rice at warehouses in the port.

Explaining further Minister Pay said the Ministry of Commerce is not taking the situation of contaminated rice lightly as it will pose health hazard to consumers if the rice in question gets on the market. Minister Pay also responded to questions about alleged undercover rebagging of some of the contaminated rice at various warehouses within and out of the port's vicinity. In his response he said that such information has not been brought to the attention of the Ministry up to present and indicated that if it was so the Ministry and other partners would verify the matter in a relatively short period.  Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Commerce Dr. Frederick Norkeh has sent out a strong worded message to would-be business people who are allegedly involved in sinister activities that would create the condition for paying more fines into government revenue.