Monrovia – June 3, 2022: The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) says its attention has been drawn to persistent public concerns about the shortage of L$5 and L$10 in the economy, despite a series of radio programs organized by the CBL explaining the causes for the shortage and efforts by the bank to address the situation.

In a press release issued Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the CBL said, “Moreover, in two separate meetings with the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee and the leadership of the House of Representatives last week, the CBL provided updates on the currency reform about the minting of the L$5 and L$10 coins and assured the lawmakers that the bank is working diligently to ensure the problem is permanently resolved.”

According to the release, “The management of the CBL further emphasized to the legislators that the bank is working very closely with the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom to ensure the coins are brought into the country much earlier than expected.

“Considering the 3-year average lifespan of the Liberian dollar banknote, and the yearly estimated mutilated rate of 7.0 percent, most of the existing banknotes, especially smaller denominations, have already outlived their lifespan and CBL has not been able to print additional smaller banknote denominations during the past years to replace existing mutilated banknotes since 2017.”

The release continued, “This shortage of L$5 and L$10 has been further heightened by the increased demand on the smaller denominations due to the growth in the population and expanded scope of economic activities, including ‘kekeh’ and motorbike ventures, as well as other small marketers’ need for smaller denominations.

“Moreover, the implementation of the mandate of the 54thNational Legislature to replace all the old banknotes in circulation means that the CBL cannot print additional denominations of the existing banknotes, while at the same time make arrangement to mint the L$5 and L10 coins. The latter process involves more time, given that Liberia is introducing a new set and designs of coins that are completely different from the existing coins of 1 dollar, 50 cents and 25 cents.

“CBL empathizes with the public on the shortage of smaller denominations and pleads, once again, for patience as the bank does all within its power not only to address concerns of the smaller denominations, but the entire currency management challenges of the country.”

Courtesy of Hot Pepper Online