Executive Plots Against Snowe

..Two Lawmakers Present Evidence

Public statements by Representatives Saah Gbollie (Margibi) and Samuel Bondo (Bong) that they have each received US$5,000 to commit themselves to the fight to remove House Speaker Edwin Snowe is likely corroborating the Speaker’s claim that there is executive complicity to remove him.

Speeaker Edwin M. Snowe

In a statement issued in Monrovia Sunday, the two lawmakers said envelopes containing the US$5,000 were presented to them by colleagues, Edward Forh, Elijah F. Seah and Alex Tyler of Montserrado, Rivercess and Bomi Counties respectively.

The statement by the lawmakers comes close to confirming long running reports in the media that the Executive Mansion has been influencing series of meetings aimed at removing Speaker Snowe and that cash was being used as inducement in the process.

In the wake of these reports, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf challenged anyone to show proof that the Executive Mansion was sponsoring the move to remove the speaker.

In revealing the plot, the two lawmakers said their colleagues presented to them “envelopes containing the money with a request that they execute a resolution to remove the House Speaker, Edwin M. Snowe, Jr.”

Reps Gbollie and Bondo expressed concern about the source of the huge funds being passed around because, according to them, they do not know their colleagues to have the amount of money that is being passed out.

In rejecting the move by their colleagues, Representatives Gbollie and Bondo said “… the purpose of taking the money was primarily to serve as evidence to reveal the undemocratic and dubious plans by some officials of this government which could undermine the peace and stability we now enjoy.”

The lawmakers then “challenge (d) their colleagues to deny this act and publicly state their source of funding,” the statement added.

The lawmakers ended their challenge by withdrawing their signatures from the resolution, on grounds that they were coerced to do that in a fraudulent manner.

In separate reactions to the allegations, Representatives Forh and Tyler confirmed last evening that series of meetings geared at drafting a resolution to remove Snowe had been taking place, but they however denied offering any money to their colleagues as an inducement to sign the resolution. “We did not take money from anywhere or anybody for that matter to serve as inducement for signing of the resolution as claimed by colleagues.

I signed the resolution based on conviction,” Tyler told The Monitor in a relaxed mood while sipping his Heineken beer.

Dr. Goffa indicts judicial system
-system needs overhauling


A former Presidential Candidate in the 1985 general and presidential elections, Dr. John Scott Goffa has expressed frustration at the workings of the country’s judicial system.

Dr .Goffa who is also the chairman of the Society for the Preservation of Liberia, told newsmen in Monrovia “This country judicial system is corrupt. There is a delay system at the Temple of Justice which makes people to spend money too much.”

Chief Justice Johnny Lewis. He suspended a lower court judge last year upon the alleged order of Pres. Sirleaf

He indicated that there’s a need to review the court system in order to make justice non marketable. “Justice is something that should be for the poor and the rich, but quite sadly, this is not the case in our country’. Goffa noted that most criminal minded individuals have infiltrated the justice system under the disguise of lawyers.

“Almost everything now at the Temple of justice is negative,” he stated: narrating that he is involved in a property case that lasted for years with out upright solution and has made him to lost interest in he court system.

Besides Dr. Goffa, there has been overwhelming public criticisms about the performance of the country justice system. In June 2006, an International Human rights Organization, Crisis Watch proposed a reform of the country justice system.

In its report then on the country, the group said after 14 years of civil conflict the judicial system remains in shambles while impunity continue to prevail on a daily basis.

In spite of the numerous criticism of the justice system, some legal professional certainly believe that the system is the best and those within act in line with professional ethics
Writes Festus Poquie


Veep Boakai urges opposition parties to support govt.



Liberia Vice President Joseph Boakai has urged opposition political parties in the country to closely work with the Unity Party government to help achieve its development agenda.

Veep Boakai said every vibrant democracy requires an opposition which will assist constructively in the development of the state and the improvement of the living standard of its people.

About 21 political parties contested the 2005 elections in which Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and emerged as president. Since then most opposition politicians have cried of being marginalized in the governance process.

Vice President Joseph Boakai

It was recently reported that some of the folks begged for inclusion into the UP government during a stakeholders meeting at the Foreign Ministry.

Vice President Boakai told newsmen in Monrovia recently that the government intends to focus on infrastructure development, health care and agriculture productivity during the course of this year.


Sinkor trading company clarifies

The Chief Executive Officer of the much publicized Sinkor Trading Company, Eddie Brown (CEO) has spoken for the time following mounting criticisms in the media about the form and manner in which the Unity Party led government awarded the contract for the importation of the country’s staple food, rice to the entity.

Earlier comments by both the media and public pointed to Mr. Alan Brown, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Urban Hotels and housing estate in Sinkor, outside Monrovia.

However, in his clarification at news conference Friday in Monrovia on Bushrod, Eddie Brown said, “we were stunned by the level of criticisms aimed at us.”

He said contrary to mounting criticisms about the inability of his company to constantly supply rice of the Liberian market, the STC has the capacity to import and supply sufficient rice on the market, adding,” there has not been, nor will there be a shortage.”

Mr. Brown denied reports by some rice dealers that his company does provide credit to its customers, noting “at this moment we haveUS$616,068.85 in outstanding credit to 225 customers.”

He also dismissed claimed by the Commerce Minister that the government of Liberia invited potential importers to participate in a bidding exercise.

“ Last July (2006) we sent a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce stating that we could provide quality rice and a stable and reasonable price to the Liberian people over a six month strategic month period,” he added.



Deputy Speaker predicts donor fatigue if..

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Tokpah Mulbah has forecast that there would be a lack of international support should the government failed to operate in the scope of fiscal discipline.

The Bong County lawmaker said the Unity Party led government must actualize its policy of transparency and accountability to the fullest as a means of maintaining the international favor that the government currently enjoys.

He noted that the government fight against corruption will only be taken seriously should corrupt officials are punished indiscriminately.

Deputy Speaker Mulbah who just retuned from Europe urged officials of the Liberian government to make public their assets as pronounced by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during her inauguration speech.

A release issued by Representative Mulbah said public declaration of assets will help to protect the image of government officials as well as the entire country from being entrapped in the future.

Several top officials of the erstwhile transitional government are currently being probed for alleged economic crime. The Economic Community of West African States indicted key officials of the NTGL for allegedly siphoning state money.

Amongst those expected to be tried by the Ellen led government include Gyude Bryant Wesley Johnson, Lusani Kamara Tugbeh Doe, Samuel Wlue , Chairman, Vice Chairman, Finance, Deputy Finance Ministers and Commerce Minister respectively.


New anti-malaria drugs under scrutiny

A team of health practitioners from hospitals and medical institutions in the country are currently conducting a comprehensive efficacy study of the newly introduced anti malaria drug, Artemisini based Combination Therapies (ACT).

The 71-day studies according to Dr. Joel J. Jones; Manager of the National Malaria Control Program, is intended to determine the effectiveness of the ACT since its introduction in the Liberian health sector.

Dr. Jones said the studies which are being done in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) will be thoroughly done by using different scientific testing methods available to the country.

He said Global Funds Liberia through the United Nations Development Program agreed to underwrite the cost of the exercise.

Also speaking at the official kicked-off of the studies on the compound of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, outside Monrovia, Dr. Nganga B. Makina, office of the WHO Country Representative underscored the importance of the exercise.

Dr. Makina said the exercise is intended to evaluate the “Protocol for in vivo assessment of the Therapeutic efficacy of Amodiaquine + Artesunate compared to Lumefantrine+ Artemether in the treatment of uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malaria among children from six to 59 months of age in Monrovia”.

He said should the studies show the ineffectiveness of the new anti malaria drug, health authorities in the country will recommend the change to allow the introduction of another drug that would effective in the treatment of malaria.

Malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites in the blood cell, its transmission is caused by mosquito bites.

Malaria is endemic in Liberia and one of the main public health problems facing outpatients departments at hospitals and health centers in the country. At least 17.8% of inpatient deaths in the country are being attributed to malaria.



Several artists get LAGMA annual award

The Liberia Association of Gospel Musical Artists Incorporated (LAGMA), on December 31 2006 certificated and awarded several Liberian Gospel artists and promoters at the Sports Commission on Broad Street, Monrovia.

LAGMA is a Gospel musical organization that has been deeply involved with the promotion of Liberian Gospel artists in the country and beyond. This year awards brought together several Liberian Gospel musicians.

In her opening remark, the president of LAGMA Mrs. Mochline B. Dweh, thanked the Advisory Board and members of the association for their cooperation and hard work over the years and urged them to used their God-giving talents for the advancement of the kingdom of God and the development of the country

Those that received awards were; Ambassador Marron Dweh Cassell, Best Female Gospel Artist of the Year, Elder Zarway Gaye, Best Gospel Song of the Year, Voice of Zion, Best Gospel Group of the Year and Miracle Kettor, Best Gospel minister or Stage Performance of the Year, While Mr. Eddie Harmon of Crystal FM received the Best Gospel D J of the Year and SITCOM won the Best Recording Studio of the Year amongst others.

LAGMA Gospel Music Awards is an annual event that recognizes and encourages artists, promoters among others for their outstanding contributions to the association, the country and its people.



Editorial:

Making reconciliation a priority in 2007

The festivity of the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations were celebrated by all Liberians under a unified government, and in the deepest expression of peace in a unique way as had been in many years.

The peace being realized now can effectively be seen as the first since the December 1989 “rebel incursion,” which resulted into a bloody and protracted civil war, dividing once peaceful Liberians on many lines, and sending thousands of others into undeserved exile.

With a democratically elected government in place for a full year, the Christmas and New Year celebration is not only regarded for its quiet, peace and security, but also for the renewed hope that Liberians continue to harbor from the significant marks scored on the international front by the new government. Indeed, these marks are gradually pushing Liberia to its “rightful place within the comity of nations.”

While we commend the government for the level of achievements thus far, we equally hasten to remind the government not to lose sight of its domestic chores, as lots of circumstances affecting the ordinary Liberians can be reversed by a simple commitment to making the country and its people better.

It is for their belief that any responsible government would take their chores into considerations that they turned out en vogue to participate in the elections of 2005.

To that effect, we believe that it is extremely important for the government to review its policies on national reconciliation and social integration. This can be reflected in how we apply our economic policies, the rule of law, just to mention a few, if the trust and confidence of the people must be upheld.

We urge the government, in all evenhandedness, to prioritize national reconciliation thereby encouraging all Liberians, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation, as one of the surest ways of implementing its national reconstruction and development agenda.

For too long, Liberians have been divided along political, tribal and other social economic lines occasioned by the civil war. It is therefore time that genuine national reconciliation tops the agenda of the government, if we all must contribute to this national endeavor.

Taylor lawyers threaten withdrawal
…Family appeals to Amnesty, Global Witness others


Mr. Taylor (center) is awaiting trial at The Hague

Lawyers representing former President Charles Taylor charged for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the United Nations backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone have threatened to withdraw their legal services from Mr. Taylor due to the limited time and resources allocated to them by the court.

The lawyers argued that “time and resources available to them (defense) was so inadequate that it places them in a position of conflict with their professional obligations and rendered the possibility of a fair trial impossible.”

A statement issued Wednesday in Accra, Ghana and signed by Mrs. Thelma Taylor-Saye a copy of which is in the possession of this paper said former President Taylor is the only crime suspect being subjected to such surveillance.

Mrs. Taylor-Saye also accused the Special War Crime Court in The Hague of violating Mr. Taylor’s “right to privacy and the right to legal professional privilege by the installation of video surveillance cameras to record his conferences with his counsels.”

Accordingly, the statement added “that has compromised Mr. Taylor ability to give instructions and freely discuss with his defense counsels and other individuals”.

The statement said the prosecution currently has five senior counsels in its team while the defense has two counsels with no proper offices both in The Hague and in Monrovia, something the statement noted “has been bogged down in an administrative quagmire in dealing with issues regarding the establishment of a fully functioning defense team, its funding and its facilities.”

Mrs. Taylor-Saye who read the statement on behalf of former President Taylor himself, and other family members based on the expressed concern of lawyers said “Taylor is anxious to defend himself from the charges which have been against him.” However, we are extremely concerned that he is being denied the facilities and time to do so and that fair trial of the case will be prejudiced.”

The statement therefore called on Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Committee of the Red Cross, Global Witness and all rights organization to prevail on the special Court in Sierra Leone to ensure that former President Taylor is given time, facilities and resources to mount a proper defense, if he is to get free and fair trial.

The war crimes suspect who is scheduled to appear in court this April is expected to respond to an initial 32,000 pages of documents statements and transcripts of 226 witnesses. There have been six further disclosure packages with 154 additional statements, 105 exhibits, 97 open source documents, three television programs and nine radio programs.

The statement said in addition to the plethora of documents relating to the trial, the prosecution intends to call 19 experts opinion witnesses, but frustrating, not all of the expert witnesses have been served up to date to adequately enable the defense prepare its rebuttal as required by the practice.



Liberty Party wants CBL Act repealed

The opposition Liberty Party is calling on the National Legislature to critically review the Act establishing the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).

In a press statement issued in Monrovia recently, the party said while it upholds the concept of continuity in government, it must be stated clearly that Taylor’s government was labeled as an evil empire, hence the onus rest on the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led government review all acts that run ovarian to the constitution.

Cllr Charles W. Brumskine-LP Standard Bearer

The Party described the printing of new banknotes by the CBL without any reference to the National Legislature as a “total disregard for the constitutional intent of checks and balances which are hallmark for good governance.”

“The Party strongly believes that the Act creating the Central Bank never intended to make the sole authority in the effect valuation of a major financial policy decision bearing upon the economy of the country.”

It also called on the government to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the democratic governance of the country.



President Johnson-Sirleaf challenges the church to pray for Liberia

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has urged the Christian community to continue to pray for the country and her government.

Speaking at a combined thanksgiving and Intercessory Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday in Monrovia, President Johnson-Sirleaf said there is a need for churches in the country to continue to pray for the stability of the state and its people.

Pres. Sirleaf offers prayers

She said the peace and security of Liberia remain the full responsibility of all Liberia including the Christian community.

The Liberian leader however urged Liberians to recommit themselves to doing those things that are intended to improve the living standard of Liberian people, adding, “it s about time to follow the full steps of your forefathers.”

President Johnson Sirleaf praised God for taking the country successfully during the first year of her administration, noting,” despite trial and tribulation, we achieved that which God destined for us to do”.

Delivering the sermon earlier, the Chaplain General of the Ministry of State and presidential Affairs, Rev. J. Abbey Seh, Sr. said God was with Liberians during 2006 and that He will continue to guard and protect us as a country and people.

Rev. Seh described 2007 as a year of fulfillment. The Service was organized by the National Chaplains Association of Liberia.



Prisons need trained manpower
-Says Minister Sheriff

The Assistant Minister for Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice Fatumata Sheriff said the need for more trained correction officers to help adequately rehabilitate inmates around the country can not be over emphasized.

Addressing newsmen in Monrovia recently, Minister Sheriff said due to the acute shortage of trained manpower, her department and its international partners have embarked on the training of interested individuals to carry out the task of manning the various prisons in the country.

According to her, the department is currently understaffed and there was a need for government to offer attractive salary and incentive to help encourage individuals to join the department, adding, “the rehabilitation of individuals in the larger society required trained manpower.”

The Assistant Justice Minister said the department has already begun the recruitment of few individuals that are yet to be placed on government’s payroll. She however, assured them that government is doing everything possible to ensure they are fully prepared for the enormous task ahead.

Minister Sheriff said Justice Minister Frances Johnson-Morris has already pledged her unflinching support to efforts being made her department to ensure that prison condition are conducive for habilitation and for those who manage prisoners.

She also commended the government and its international partners for the level of cooperation shown thus far and hoped that such continue in an effort to improve prison facilities around the country.


Elders, chiefs endorse LAP candidate in Nimba by-election


With five days to the official commencement of campaigning for the vacant seat in the Nimba County District # 6 pending by-election, latest reports from the district has revealed that the Liberia Action Party (LAP) candidate, Paul Tuazama has been overwhelmingly endorsed by elders and prominent citizens of the district.

The reports said Tuazama who was narrowly defeated by the late David Manneh in October 2005 legislative elections was endorsed by the citizens at a mass citizens meetings in various parts of the district as the man suited for the job.

Already, the Executive Committee for the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has thrown its weight behind the LAP candidate who is said to be a leading contender in the race so far.
Monitors’ correspondent observing the campaign preparation said the citizens overwhelmingly reached the consensus to endorse the LAP candidate against the backdrop that he (Tuazama) came second in the October 2005 elections and despite his defeat in that election, he has remained a sole of inspiration to citizens of the district.

Cllr Varney Sherman-LAP Standard Bearer

Our correspondent said partisans of the Liberia Action Party/CDC and other supporters and sympathizers of Mr. Tuazama have already commenced massive preparations in the district to receive LAP’s Standard Bearer in the October elections, Counselor Varney G. Sherman who is expected to lead an array of senior partisans of LAP and CDC to officially launch Mr. Tuazama’s campaign.

Other candidates that have been qualified by the National Election Commission (NEC) to participate in the district # 6 Nimba County by-election according to information available to us include, Evans Koah of the ruling Unity Party, Larry Younquai of the Liberty Party.

Unlike Tuazama and Younquai, the UP candidate was massively whipped in the October 2005 election as a senatorial candidate for Nimba County.

Initially, it was rumored in Monrovia that Mr. Koah was contemplating to contest the presidency of Liberia upon his arrival from United States, but that plan was dropped following consultation with other political leaders.



LACE makes head-waves

The Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) has dedicated two sub-projects in Margibi County.

LACE Executive Dir. Ramses T. Kumbuyah

The Jayebaye Town Community School and the Velley Community Clinic were dedicated on Saturday, December 29, 2006 at the Jayebaye Town community school.

According to a press release, the Chief Education Officer and head of the County Health Team Messrs. David L. Sumoiwuo and Ansu Dunor in separate statements promised to assist the two institutions in making them functional in the county.

At the Program, Mr. Dunor presented on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare a mental bed, wheel chair and table to be used by the clinic. He urged community people to take advantage of the health center.

Also, the CEO Mr. Sumoiwuo promised to ensure that teachers of the Jayebaye Town community school befit from training programs in the county. He announced the school had been placed on the list of functional schools in the county and is already benefiting. The CEO also pledged to ensure that teachers are placed on payroll.

The two officers thanked LACE for improving the lives of the people of Margibi County.

Earlier, LACE Executive Director Ramses T. Kumbuyah placed the cost of the two sub-projects at US$81,741.97.

He hailed the two communities and their project management committees (PMCs) for their commitment during the lifespan of the projects.

Mr. Kumbuyah urged the PMCs to use the skills and experiences acquired during the implementation of the projects for the growth and development of their communities.

LACE Deputy Executive Director for Administration Madam Elizabeth S. Mulbah presented US$1,000.00 worth of instructional materials for the school and US$500.00 starter kit for the operation of the clinic.

The dedication ceremony was attended by county officials, chiefs and residents of the various communities.


In a related development, the Agency dedicated five projects in Grand Cape Mount County recently.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony on Saturday, December 23, at the Mannihenn Primary School in Grand Cape Mount County, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said LACE has demonstrated what it means to have a project that comes out of community empowerment.

President Sirleaf said the sub-projects will pass the test of the time because it was the “communities’ thing”.

President Sirleaf said education remains a major priority for the Government of Liberia. The Liberian leader donated a 5 KVA generator for the running of the Mannihenn Primary School.

LACE Executive Director Ramses T. Kumbuyah making remarks at the ceremony thanked the various communities and their project management committees (PMCs) for their steadfastness and for the job well done.

Mr. Kumbuyah placed the cost of the five sub-projects at US$163,197.51.

Other facilities attached to the renovated and constructed clinics are an incinerator, a hand pump and a six-compartment latrine. For the schools: hand pump, a six compartment latrine and a kitchen.

LACE also presented US$1,000.00 worth of instructional materials for each school and US$500.00 starter kit for the operation of each clinic. Also books donated under the Saudi Prince Grant were presented to the schools.

The five sub-projects (schools, clinics and bridge) are funded under the World Bank and Government of Liberia Community Empowerment Project (LCEP).

Confusion brewing over development funds

--- Lofa, Grand Kru Lawmakers Wants Internal Affairs Account

The Chairmen of the legislative caucuses of Lofa and Grand Kru counties Senators Sumo Kupee and Cletus Wotorson have described as “unacceptable and counter productive” the decision by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to directly purchase project materials for the counties’ development.

Senator Wotorson said the decision by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to purchase construction materials intended for development purposes in the various countries undermines government decentralization program. Mr. Wotorson is not apparently alone in the condemnation of this action by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

At news conference in Monrovia Tuesday, Senator Kupee of Lofa County said “the legislative Caucus of Lofa County is extremely dissatisfied with the manner and approach that Ministry of Internal Affairs has decided to treat this delicate matter.”

Senator Kupee stated that when the districts earmarked the projects in their various communities, they submitted projects to the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the County’s Superintendent, but contrary to the intend of the government decentralization policy, the Ministry has decided to carry out the purchase of the materials of the 100 communities in the 15-sub political divisions.

Flanked by other members of the caucus, Senator Kupee revealed that in addition to the materials purchased for the six projects in Lofa County, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has also issued a check of US$4,887.00 to cover administrative and labor cost for the implementation of the project for the entire county.

He said the items purchased by the Ministry included, nails, timbers cements, zincs, round poles among others and the county authorities have been requested to take delivery of the supplies for their respective countries.

The Lofa County lawmaker added, “Documentary evidence of purchases, indicating cost of the material is not attached to the materials supplied to the county’s authorities and there was need for more explanation on the matter.

Senator Kupee said the decision by the National Legislature and the Executive to make the allocation of US$1 million in recast budget and 2.5 million in 2006/2007 fiscal budget is intended to “reignite the spirit of community development, using people participation as a key of driving force, thereby enabling county authorities to have control over development projects and be held responsible and accountable for funds entrusted to them for such purpose”.

He said purchase of construction materials in Monrovia, especially those one already available in the counties, such as wood products undermines the very intend and purpose of the allocation by the government.

This move by that Ministry has lost the essence of government’s decentralization and participatory development exercise and it would not enhance speedy development.

However, in an interview with reporters, the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Charles Kollie said the exercise was not carried out unilaterally as claimed by the legislature.

He said the exercise was carried out in consultation with the county’s authorities and that the Ministry was taken aback by the position of the legislative caucus.

Gbollie, police chief differ on “security threat”

The Chairman of the House Committee on National Security, Margibi County Representative Richard Saa Gbollie has described as unrealistic assertion by the Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Beatrice Munah Sieh that the jail-breakers pose no threat to the security of the state.

Representative Gbollie said it was unconceivable for anyone including the Police Inspector General to ever believe that the jail-breakers some of whom are hardened criminals will not pose threat to communities as well as the ordinary Liberians.

Police Director Beatrice M. Sieh Following the jail-break in Monrovia, the police Inspector General told a local radio station that the escape of the 48 criminals would pose no threat to the security of the state and that a special unit of the LNP has been placed on full alert to
ensure that the escapees are re-arrested to serve their various sentences.

Police Director Sieh

But Representative Gbollie in reaction to the statement told newsmen in Monrovia Monday that it was an elusion for anyone to believe that the loose criminals pose no threat to the country and its people.

“Even if they do not pose threat to national security, the fact remains that they definitely pose threats to the various communities and ordinary Liberians,” he said.

Representative Gbollie said some of the escapees are former combatants while others are professional criminals and as such it was important to put the public on full alert about the danger those individuals pose to the society instead of making it to appear insignificance.

At the same time, the government of Liberia has announced that all prisoners at the Monrovia Central Prison will now be transferred to the Zwedru maximum prison in Grand Gedeh County.

Liberia’s Information Minister designate Dr. Lawrence Bropleh said the Zwedru maximum prison has already been prepared to pay host to the more than 400 convicts.

Senator Taylor launches WAPAO Liberia

An organization known as the World African Progressive Awareness Organization (WAPAO) has been formally launched in Monrovia. WAPAO is a non-political, non-governmental Christian humanitarian and awareness organization catering to integral development of all human kinds and to create an enabling and conducive environment for all nations and peoples of the world, especially for those of the African descent.

Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor The main trust of WAPAO is general development, human resource; spiritual awareness, pan African lectures and mental emancipation as well as ensuring justice, racial balance and at the same time promote peace.

Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor

WAPAO shall also endeavor to engage in the promotion of food, clothes, books, music, magazines, shoes and other materials and equipment necessary to improve the human person.

It also shall engage in health care services for the needy and poor and prevention education among others.

Performing the ceremony recently at the Monrovia City Hall, Bong County Senior Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor underscored the importance of organizations with men and women with integrity that are in preparedness to make a difference in post conflict Liberia, something she added, WAPAO was no exception.

She commended the President General and other executives of the organization for their interest in embarking on programs aimed at enhancing the professional skills of ordinary Liberians to be useful in the society.

Senator Howard-Taylor said it was about time for Liberians to make the difference by initiating programs with the view of improving the livelihood of war affected Liberians, adding, “we all deserve better and improved life.”

She challenged the current generation to leave behind a legacy that the younger generation and generations yet unborn would emulate as Liberia gradually recovers from the ashes of war.

The former Liberian first lady called on executives and members of WAPAO not to give up the struggle in helping to make Liberia a better place for all after years of devastation and carnage.

“You will face obstacles and challenges like the children of Israel, but I say to you, don’t give up. Do your part and allow the society to be the best judge”, she said

Earlier, the Council of Priest I, Shankar T. Jhamnani high-lighted the importance of the organization and noted that WAPAO was considering several projects including, Agriculture, human resource development and other related training that would the minds of most less fortunate Liberians for a better future.

Mr. Jhamnani said WAPAO is committed to working with other institutions and individuals in the country to make Liberia once more a “bread basket” on the African continent.

For his part, the President General of the WAPAO, Rev. Franklyn D. Todd said it was inconceivable to see “westerners advancing, while the Africans are retrogressing.”

“We all were made by the image of God with equal intellect and behooves our leaders and current generation to ensure that we all have equal access to the basic things of life,” he Todd said.

He reminded Liberians that after the revolution in the People’s Republic of China several years ago, they decided to forge ahead with development and the evidence is clear today, adding, “Liberians must rise to the enormous challenges and also make Liberia second to non in Africa too.”

Hazardous gas threatens ozone layer
-EPA warns

The an official of the Ozone Unit of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Monrovia has warned against the use of what he described as hazardous gas on the Liberian market.

The Ozone is a natural layer of gas found out side of the Stratosphere. It plays an important role in the protection of the outral violet ray from reacting the earth surface.

Scientists are said to have discovered that the vital layer has been threatened by hazardous “man made gases” known as ECF.

An official of the EPA, Karl Neblett said as part of its obligation to ensure the safety of this layer, the EPA has taken series of measures to stop the importation of gases that pose danger to the Ozone.

Mr. Neblett, told The Monitor that this unit has been training commerce and custom officers about the danger of the gas (ECF) and to help in controlling the importation of “man made gas.”

“We have been conducting workshops for commerce and customs officers and refrigerator technicians to provide them equipment to test gases that will be imported in the country.”
“We also license importers to import special quality of gas and those who violate our regulations are fine US$50,000 depending on the gravity of the violation”, he said.

Neblett revealed that mankind would definitely suffer from various skin diseases and cancer should the layer be destroyed.

Knowing the devastating consequences the distribution of the Ozone poses to mankind, the United Nations according to Neblett organized the Montreal Protection to arrest the manufacturing of the CFC.

The protocol requires all members state to control and subsequently eliminate all man made gases that have the propensity to damage the Ozone layer. Liberia signed the protocol in January 1996.

Thinking Aloud

Selective Glorification or yellow journalism?
The case of George Nubo, Tom Kamara

For very long, I had been wishing for the occasion when some of our self highly acclaimed journalists of indisputable standards of objectivity and impartiality would slip and kick themselves in the mouths.

Luckily for me, I was highly rewarded when fate conspired and delivered the publication of two articles that appeared separately in the November 21 issues of two “respectable and reputable” newspapers in Liberia under the respective titles: “PRES.SIRLEAF WANTS DONORS TO ACCOUNT” by a Tom Kamara– (new democrat) and “THE HUMAN RIGHTS FARCE AND UNMIL CONSPIRACY” by a George H. Nubo of the “Perspective” in Atlanta Georgia (daily observer).

I have always wondered whether the characterization of the writers of these articles, a year or so back by none other than the poisonous pen of the verbose Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, the born again National Security Advisor as mercenaries hunkering in the journalism profession for “manna” were justified. Now I see that characterization as the “truth, nothing, but the whole truth”.

I think I would do justice to these “venerable” purveyors of sycophancy, if I dealt with them separately; first applauding Mr. George Nubo for his excellence in journalistic “spinning” of the truths and his superb performance in hitting the highest crescendo in replicating his “master’s” voice. We do know that since the creation of the Perspective website, Nubo has been one of the most effective “journalistic hit men of Liberia’s recent times”, a very poor country boy from the southeast sacrificing for greener pastures.

For we know it was the likes of this very George Nubo who capitalized on the assertions of persons that encouraged the burning down of our country’s capital in the early days of the past presidential elections, but later flipped like a cheap one-cent yellow coin, forgetting the heinous intent of those messages and began to soak Liberians with the trumped up praises of what a Harvard graduate would do for Liberia.

Little did he know that in fact there were three Harvard graduates in the Presidential race; two with Law degrees who actually earned Law degrees and one with a degree in Public Administration who was of course touted as a “Harvard trained economist” by Nubo.

Now that the chickens are coming home to roost and we are beginning to realize that criticizing a Government is much easier than running a Government; and the cracks of non-deliverability are beginning to emerge, it is not strange that he would choose to chastise Aloysius Toe, a simple, dedicated young man who is committed to exposing deceit and incompetence can be indicted by him as trying to “undermine the Government”.

I wonder he forgot the common saying that “what goes around, comes around”. George Nubo, you cannot continue to earn your living through falsehood and chicanery.

Even your “Perspective” will soon come under the microscope. Aloysius Toe was right on the button when he raised the alarm for a “secret oil deal, gone bad”. Mr. Greaves is not the first Managing Director of Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), neither was he the first to negotiate for an oil quota that the Republic of Nigeria as a matter of Policy afforded to other sister African countries.

We know that similar deal went berserk when the likes of those now involve in this deal abused the very Nigerian benevolence; got in bed with a foreign oil Company raping Liberia out of millions; and it finally resulted into the dismissal of the then Nigeria oil Minister of Petroleum. Was it a crime for Toe to ask for the publication of the detail of an oil contract that was “approved” by the LPRC Board of Directors, which vehemently denied knowledge of it, except maybe the lady Judge who co-signed LPRC’s financial statement?

By the way why are the GEMAP transparency Gurus so silent about this deal? Did their man play a leading role? By the way why don’t you scold the President by embracing the usage of the caption, the heinous Poverty Reduction Program, a derivative of the deleterious Structural Adjustment Program, instead of “Wealth enhancement Program”, a preferred description of what ought to be done? Or why don’t you scold the President who find herself constantly defending her visit to China, in view of the two- hour lecture, she is alleged to have received from those who did not like the idea of the visit.

No amount of sugar-coated defense of poor performance that could be detrimental to the future of the striving down-sized people of this country will help your case to get “musical chairs,” job of Minister of Information. So shut-up or push off.

Mr. “know-it-all; do-it-all Tom Kamara, the favorite whipping-boy of our former political activist now “advising” on national Security, I think I would bore my readers if I recapitulated the characterization that was befittingly meted out to you by him. Nowadays, we are confused as to where and what you stand for. Or are your benefactors not appreciating the bits-and tips you provided now-and –then when the tide seems to be fading? I was taken aback by your out-pouring glorification of the belated realization of the potential conspiracy by a selected group of those pretending to be showering Liberia with this outpouring of benevolence under the ‘SACRED” disguise of a “one-way” transparency and accountability? For sometime now, many Liberians, including our Lawmakers have been quietly and yet forcefully stepping on the wrong toes about the need to provide evidence of statistical applications of the much heralded $1 billion dollars raised in the name of Liberia.

I think not long ago, I believe it was the Senior Senator from Grand Kru who challenged the International Community to show some details and physical evidence of how this huge financial benevolence was used? It was only the News Newspaper that published the story on its back-page and website as well.

For you and your level of objectivity and professional evaluation those warning signs did not matter as long as you did not get the “proper approvals”. With your “objectivity and courage” one would have assume by now you would have called for a review of the GEMAP contract as long as we are reviewing all contracts, nor have you called for a review of the military frame-work which will now put our boys in bed with enlisted US soldiers? What is happening, boy? Try to be what you think you are and stop vilifying your professional colleagues. Set some examples of national interest or since it is rumored that you might be of a different nationality, Liberia’s interest is secondary to you financial survival. Until I see you next time, keep looking back.

Editorial:
We differ with police Inspector General

On 26 November 2006, more than 50 prisoners reportedly ‘escaped’ from the country’s maximum central prison in Monrovia known as “South Beach” hosting individuals serving several sentences for various crimes.

According to prison authority the individuals were serving jail sentences at the central prison for crimes ranging from aggravated assault, rape, manslaughter, theft, arm robbery and murder among others.

Immediately, following the jailbreak a combined team of the Liberia National police and UNMIL hurriedly arrived at the scene and managed to rearrest at least eight of the escapees while in hot pursue of the rest.

The situation has caused panic in many communities and especially with the threat they pose with the holidays knocking on our doors.

This cannot be overemphasized that the security of a single Liberian as well as everyone within the confines of the country’s border is indeed the primary responsibility of the government as enshrined within the Liberian Constitution and should therefore be taken seriously.

The escape of a single convict from the Monrovia Central Prison or any prison should not be brush aside lest to mention the 48 fugitives.

Assertion by Police Inspector General Beatice Monah Sieh that the “jail-breaking does not in anywhere pose security threat to the country and its people” is far from the truth.
The police chief must be realize that the fugitives have the ability to once more terrorize our people in any form and manner, especially in parts of the country where the presence of state security is lacking.

Considering that some of those escapees are ex-combatants of former warring factions in the country’s protracted bloody civil war and still have the know-how to cause havoc within the Liberian society and they should not therefore be under estimated.

We strongly differed with the Police Inspector and hasten to add that the escaped of the already convicted men should not be taken for granted considering the porousness of the country’s borders.

ELLEN IN CHINA AHEAD OF CHINA-AFRICA SUMMIT
Visits Guangdong Province

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Sunday Oct 29, visited Shenzhen, a special economic zone in south China's Guangdong Province, Xinhua says.

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf arrived in Bejing, Saturday evening, the first among African leaders to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.The summit will run from Nov. 4 to 5.

The Chinese News Agency quoting the Chinese Foreign Ministry says, 48 African countries have decided to send delegations to the summit, of which more than 40 heads of state or governments are expected to be in attendance.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (L) shakes hands with Xu Zongheng, the mayor of Shenzhen in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province(Photo:Xinhua)

Members of the President's delegation include Foreign Minister, George Wallace; Finance Minister, Antoinette Sayeh; Planning and Economic Affairs Minister, Toga McIntosh; and Agriculture Minister, Chris Toe.

Other members of the President's delegation are Public Works Minister, Loseni Dunzo; Economic Advisor, Lawrence Clarke; Grand Bassa Superintendent, Julia Duncan-Cassell; the Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System, Charles Snetter, representatives of the Liberia Marketing Association, and the Independent media among others.

During the visit, the governments of China and Liberia are expected to reach an understanding in furthering bilateral relations between the two countries.

China which currently contributes more than five-hundred troops to the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Liberia, is engaged in several economic and development initiatives in the country.

The Chinese are currently rehabilitating a number of government infrastructures in the country, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sports Complex, and other public buildings. China has also indicated its willingness to cancel over ten-million US dollars debt Liberia owes that country and to get involved in road reconstruction and the rehabilitation of the St. Paul River Hydro dam.

During the President absence from the country, the affairs of government will be conducted by the Cabinet under the Chairmanship of the Education Minister, Dr. Joseph Korto, in close consultation with the Vice President and the Heads of the Legislature and Judicial Branches.

The President is expected to return to the country on November 7, 2006.

-End-

NMCP, UNICEF INTENSIFY ANTI-MALARIA PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTION

Malaria continues to be the cause of most death in sub-saharan Africa. Years of research has not been able to eradicate the deadly disease.

However, campaigners and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been working to help people prevent the disease. One method in such prevention, is the use of Insecticide Treated bed Nets.

In Liberia, some inhabitants of Zorzor and Salayea Districts, Lofa County have recently received training in the use of Insecticide Treated bed Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) for malaria control and prevention.

(Dr. Joel Jones, NMCP Manager(left) shakes hands with beneficiaries

This initiative was sponsored by the United Nations children agency UNICEF, and implemented by the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through a Japanese grant.

The project also sought to increase the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of community members about the treatment and prevention of malaria.

A statement issued by the NMCP in Monrovia over the weekend indicated that more than 1,330 pregnant women and 19,591 children under five years old in Zorzor and Salayea districts received mosquito nets and Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT).

The 19,591 children of the two districts also benefited from the treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), while a total of 66,066 packages of Oral Re-hydration Salt (ORS) were distributed among parents for diarrhea intervention.

The Japan sponsored project is targeting over 100 communities in Maryland, Grand Gedeh and Lofa counties. It is intended to give full protection to the two vulnerable groups (pregnant women and children under five years old) in the three counties.

-End-

UNMIL launches military operation
By Sam Zota, Jr.

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has begun a two (2) week security operation in Monrovia and its environs under the codename, “EXERCISE TIGHT GRIP”.

UNMIL Force Commander Lt. Gen. Isaac Chikadibia Obiakor said the exercise would only involve UNMIL military personnel and be conducted for at least eight (8) hours each night would run from Thursday, 26 October to Saturday, 4 November 2006.

UNMIL Boss Alan Doss

Making the disclosure recently at the mission’s headquarters in Monrovia during its regular press briefing, Gen. Obiakor indicated that the significance of the exercise is based on the need to improve the security situation in the country, especially the densely populated capital Monrovia, and to deploy all available capabilities and ensure a secured and safe environment.

“My objective is, how we’ll evaluate the military forces to the security situation in Monrovia to secure the city and evaluate their capability to robustly respond and react to any serious security situation that would break out in the city,” he stressed.

The UNMIL FC disclosed that during the period of the exercise UNMIL would increase its security presence in Monrovia, deploy security at every entry point, set up roadblocks, checkpoints and conduct foot, mobile, air and other patrols throughout the city and its environs.

General Obiakor further said, in order not to impede normal activities in the city, UNMIL decided that the exercise would be conducted at night. He called on citizens not to panic should they see UNMIL security in their communities and various street corners.

“Let me state this very quickly; we’re not reacting to any thing, but we’re exercising to evaluate our contingency plan because you can not, of cause, talk of your capability unless you’ve evaluated your contingency plans, and that is what we are doing”, he noted.

For his part, Liberia’s Solicitor General and Acting Justice Minister Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe admitted that indeed there exist corruption and weaknesses in the country’s judicial system.

The Solicitor General who was invited to speak on the training of 16 Ministry of Justice/ UNMIL prosecutors for Montserrado and other parts of the country indicated that the judicial system itself has acknowledged that imperfection, corruption and weaknesses exist in the system, and these are being looked at critically to find out their causes and how they can be improved.

“Sometimes when people talk about corruption, judicial weaknesses, lack of independence and fairness in the judicial system, the attention is drawn to the judges; but we have the judges, clerks of the court, the administrative staff and others who impact the strength of the judiciary system to impartial, fair and independent in its judgment and therefore in reforming our judicial system. These are some of the challenges we have to face”, the Acting Justice Minister pointed out.

-End-

‘Media must maintain its advocacy role’
-Alphonsus Zeon


As campaigning for the elections of officers of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) enters its final week today, one of the aspirants for the position of president, P. Alphonsus Zeon says under his leadership the independence of the media landscape struggling to recover from the effects of the protracted civil war would remain uncompromising.

Zeon said the Liberian media, like other institutions in the country greatly suffered the effects of the war so much so that some journalists were forced to tote partisan lines. He said it was therefore time to re-unite media practitioners in the country and ensure that the media is free of interference.

Zeon, the incumbent PUL secretary-general, was addressing a news conference Thursday, 26 October in Monrovia to announce why he decided to contest the presidency of the union. He said, having served as Assistant Secretary and Secretary General respectively for the last four years, he was ready to provide a responsible leadership that would bring pride and dignity to the PUL and its members across the country.

Dispelling rumors by some of his rivals that he intend to single-handedly run the affairs of the Press Union, the radio celebrity informed his fellow journalists that decisions by the union are reached through consensus among all the executives, thus there was no way that the president would be overly powerful as perceived in some quarters.

Zeon said while his leadership does not intend to be unnecessarily confrontational, the PUL as an advocacy institution will remain a beacon of hope for the larger Liberian society by ensuring that freedom of speech and freedom of association as enshrined in the Liberian constitution are upheld at all times.

Mr. Alphonsus Zeon

Zeon noted that the government and the media must remain engaged in an emerging democratic society such as ours; he however pointed out that no one seeking the leadership of the union should make believe that relations between the two institutions would remain rosy at all times.

“There would come a time when the government would strongly differ with the union as an advocacy group, while at the same time the union too would disagree with the government; but these are all necessary ingredients that are intended to sustain and enhance democracy,” the PUL presidential candidate stated.

Zeon promised that, if elected president of the PUL, the union would continue to engage its partners both locally and internationally to help build the capacity of Liberian journalists through the holding of workshops and seminars, adding, “We will insist that journalists in the leeward counties equally benefit from such training opportunities.”

At the same time, another presidential aspirant in the PUL election, former deputy information minister for administration Barnard Waritay has dismissed as untrue reports circulating in certain quarters that his campaign is being sponsored by the Unity Party-led government.”

The Chairman of the Campaign Committee in support of Waritay for PUL presidency, Borbor Mcgill, said the information did not only impute an obvious misinterpretation of the fact but was a total misdirection of circumstances surrounding Waritay’s candidacy.

Delivering the committee’s position statement at a news conference also on Thursday in Monrovia, Mcgill said the decision by Waritay to contest the election was not accidental, as being claimed in some quarters, but based purely on his personal integrity and performances over the years.

He said under a Waritay leadership, the PUL would seek the welfare of the entire membership of the union as opposed to a selected few and the rights and freedom of journalists and media houses would be jealously protected.

In related news, the union’s current president who is seeking re-election, George K. Barpeen, Sr. has assured that the PUL will remain engaged with all of its partners to ensure that the institution is fully decentralized.

He commended the UNDP, UNMIL and other international partners of the union for ensuring thus far the establishment of several community radio stations in the leeward counties.

Barpeen reminded partners of the union that those radio projects which are currently providing essential services to the leeward dwellers would not survive unless the staff are adequately trained to operate those facilities.

The PUL president made the remarks when he spoke at the end of a weeklong intensive workshop organized by the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Liberia sponsored by UNDP for frontlines editors of both print and broadcast media institutions.

-End-

“You are agents of change”
-UNDP officer tells journalists

The Policy Advisor of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Cleophas Torori has admonished Liberian journalists to serve as agents of change in discharging their duties.

Mr. Torori told participants of a UNDP/PUL training workshop for media managers and editors that they represent a very important cream of the journalism profession and the training they received should further reinforce and sharpen their skills.

He said continuous learning is very important for the media managers and editors, otherwise they risk being left behind and wanting in meeting the professional expectation of the public they serve.

Totori reminded journalists they have a very important role to play in the development of the country.

He said the public depends on the media for credible and accurate, therefore journalists must uphold the public trust especially where the challenges for reconstruction of the mental capacity and physical infrastructure of the nation are so high.

He reminded the participants that they could serve as agents of change with the knowledge they have acquired provided they manifest the new ideas and knowledge acquired into their professional duties thereby increasing the credibility of journalism in Liberia.

Torori said UNDP would continue to support the efforts of all stakeholders in the individual and institutional capacity development of Liberia, because when the individual and institutional capacities are adequately developed Liberians have better chance and preparedness to confront the task of nation building.

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LACE dedicates three sub-projects

The Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) last weekend dedicated three separate sub-projects in Margibi and Bong counties.

On Friday, October 20, LACE dedicated a six-classroom school building in Zweehorr, Margibi County. The cost of the project is over US$ 38,985.40.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Margibi County Superintendent Levi Piah said the people of Zeewhorr are no longer the forgotten people of the county because they now have a school in the area.

Superintendent Piah praised LACE for reaching to one of the remotest parts of Margibi County. He urged residents of Zeewhorr to make use of the facilities by sending their children to school.
The school building consists of a kitchen, latrine and hand pump. Instructional materials worth US$1000.00 were presented during the program by LACE for use by the school.

On Saturday, 21 October, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai graced the dedication of the Baila community market building project in Baila, Kpaii District, Bong County.

Vice President Boakia said it was the wish of the Unity Party led government to see the lives of Liberians improve through the provision of safe drinking water, schools and other basic social services.

“This time around anything we want to do we will bring it to you, so we can discuss it and have your input”, the LACE first Board Chairman told community people of Baila.

Speaking earlier, LACE Executive Director Ramses T. Kumbuyah praised the people of Baila for the courage and cooperation during the construction of the market. The cost of the market is US$45,800.63.

He recounted how the people of the community braved the odds during the rains to dive into rivers to dig sand for the construction of the market building. Attached to the market facility is a WATSAN component.

The chairperson of the Baila Project Management Committee Elizabeth S. Dologbein praised the organization for the support and training imparted to them throughout the construction of the market building.

On the same day, a water and sanitation (WATSAN) project in Gwainyea, Jorquelleh District Bong County was also dedicated. The cost is over US$19,136.62.

The cost of the three projects in Margibi and Bong Counties is over US$90,000.

-End-

Editorial:
UNMIL must be vigilant

Last week, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) announced that it was increasing security presence across the country especially within the Monrovia area.

UNMIL Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Isaac Chikadibia Obiakor explained that the exercise will only involve UNMIL military personnel and to be carried out during the night for eight hours.

Besides, the General revealed that the local security networks are excluded form the exercise.

Despite this intense and rigid security measure, Lt. Gen. Obiakor said the force was not reacting to any imminent danger or attempts to abort Liberia’s emerging democracy.

The General must avoid being political as it relates Liberia’s security.

We need not emphasize to the General that security matter is serious business. With reports of insecurity and the wave of crimes being reported by the media, the Mission must take concrete actions without any fear or apprehension to ensure that the Government of Liberia and its people are safe from evildoers.

We urge the peacekeepers to avoid complacency because there are still troublemakers who have not repented but are eagerly waiting for any means to terrorize their compatriots.

Liberians are very cognizant that the job of the Mission is to maintain (ensure) peace and stability across the country by every internationally acceptable means.

The Monitor urges the Mission to take seriously the reported pending assassination by launching a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Liberians are war-wearied.

UNMIL must be vigilant even in the times of peace. As a Roman general once said: “prepare for war in the times of peace”.

Senators ‘loot’ offices
By Festus Poquie

Many employees as well as visitors to the Capitol Building were Thursday afternoon amazed when some members of the Liberia Senate were seen taking away furniture from their offices as they adjoined for the first agricultural break.

The items included chairs, desks, rugs and etc were loaded into personal vehicles as they waved goodbye to each other and employees of the Capitol.

The clearing of offices by some of the senators followed a request from U.S. Government for the lawmakers to turn over the seat of the first branch of government for a period of six months for renovation to enable that branch of government accommodates its entire membership.

Some employees of the Capitol Building who expressed shock and dismay over the latest move by the some members of the Senate had earlier thought that lawmakers would only take away their personal belongings.

Senate Pro-tempore Isaac Nyenabo

The Chairman of the Senate Rules, Order and Administration Committee, Margibi Senator Clarice Jah who justified her colleagues’ action said the decision was based on past experience, adding, “during the tenure of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) who left their materials were looted and we don’t want for this situation to report itself.”
“There is no need to worry about the status of the office furniture. The senators themselves will need them when they return from their break”, she said.

She added that since the inception of the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led government, the General Service Agency did not provide any office materials, except chairs that were placed in the Chambers for the purpose of holding regular session. Some of the items that were taken away carried the official Government of Liberia procurement seal.

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Deputy speaker emphasizes resources management
By Festus Poquie

The Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives Tokpah Mulbah says most civil conflicts on the African continent are prompted by unfair distribution of natural resources by African leaders.
“African leaders must now begin to fairly distribute natural resources in a way that the people will feel a part of the government,” Deputy Speaker Mulbah noted.

He said African leaders must desist from the poor management of their countries’ natural resources and bad governance if there should be lasting peace on the continent.

The Deputy Speaker made the statement recently following his arrival from the South Korean Capital Seoul where he had gone to attend a peace conference.

The 4-day conference was held under the theme, “Peace Beyond the United Nations,’ with emphasis on Africa and the Middle East.

Mulbah further stressed that community leaders need to involve themselves in preaching peace messages and organizing religious and political conferences.

The lawmaker told reporters that delegates from the West African sub-region resolved to conduct regional workshops with community’s leaders from countries of the sub-region to explain the need for peaceful co-existence.
“This will be done frequently in the Mano River Basin which has been an epicenter of conflict,” he stated.

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Vocational, technical training faces setback
…Institutions lack equipment, logistics

Representatives of the Government of Liberia (GOL) vocational and technical institutions under the supervision of the Bureau of Professional and Technical Education (BPTE) has underscored the urgent need for educational stakeholders to increase their assistance to the bureau to enable it effectively provide the required skills and professional training to needy Liberians.

The bureau is engulfed with many problems, which include the lack of vehicles, communication equipments, generators, drafting equipment, electrical machines, architectural equipment, stationery and tools, amongst others.

During a recent consultative meeting, representative of government vocational and technical institutions said the lacks of basic working implement have compelled their institutions not to accept the growing number of students wanting vocational and technical education.

Several government vocational and technical institutions are partly conducting training but under severe difficulties. They said the lack of logistics and needy materials is hampering the smooth operation of vocational and technical institutions in the country.

According to them, there are huge numbers of students in their institutions but they cannot be trained because the institutions lack the required material and logistics, which is creating hard feelings in some counties.

They observed that unless stakeholders of the country’s educational system be encouraged to quickly intensify their support to the bureau, it would not be fully prepared to meet the needs of destitute Liberian students.

They also said delay in salary disbursement to instructors and other staff is causing serious problems that have cause some of them to threaten to seek employment elsewhere.

They furthered recommended that stakeholders be encouraged to participate in the preparation of the national curriculum for vocational and technical institutions, as well as various industries in the teaching process by using their facilities when necessary.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of additional provision of computers to the institutions, method of lesson planning, duration of vocational and technical training, proposed curriculum, method of technical training in today’s technology, and problems and constraints faced by their institutions.

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Lack of technology hampers farmers
-Minister Williams
By: P. Numennie Williams

The Acting Deputy Agriculture Minister for Technical Services Solomon Hedd Williams says fifty percent of our crop losses in the agriculture sector are attributed to major pest problems especially pest and the lack of harvesting technology.

He said the non-availability of storage and cooling facilities imposes a threat to national food security.

Minister Williams said the government through the Ministry of Agriculture is determine to put in place mechanism and polices that will address problems of crop losses experienced during harvest.

He said as a matter of urgency, there is need to address great losses to agriculture production. A new department called the Division of Agriculture Engineering has been established at the Ministry, he informed journalists.

This department, according to him, is charged to apprehend issues of agricultural mechanization; land cleaning, tilling and cultivation using modern equipment and other farm implements and in puts.

This division will also engage in activities of dams, drainage, irrigation, canals, building construction and preparation for nursery beds.

He said the division would also focus on land, water, and environmental issues that will create an avenue for post harvest technology that is now imminent in Liberia.

Accordingly, this department will also concentrate on food processing or the development of small scale for rural ago-industry.

He said this would create employment opportunities, increase commercial farming in the country.

He said there is need to gradually shift farmers from traditional harvesting practices of rice, coffee pounding to that of a milling technology.

He said supermarkets operating in Liberia should not be canned locally from abroad incentives should be created where our local farmers can be engaged to get involved in massive vegetable production to an extend where supermarkets will be compelled to purchase vegetable from our local farmers.

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Article:
Liberia - the one we have!
By Sam Zota, Jr.

The fourteen (14) years senseless bloody civil conflict in Liberia - the oldest (but poorest) republic on the continent of Africa - did not only destroy the fabrics of the nation but also left ten of thousands of people dead and caused thousands of its citizens to flee for safety into neighboring countries and other parts of the world.

Power-greedy and selfish politicians who are now “angels” holding public positions (as a reward for their evil deeds against the Liberian people) rode on the illiteracy of the people, mainly the youth, and poisoned their minds against one another to kill their own fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and other relatives for their (politicians’) evil gains. While the carnage was been perpetrated in Liberia, the children and family members of the war sponsors were abroad attending the best of schools with state resources.

What surprises me is that those very heartless and shameless politicians who trained the children (9-20 years), who gave them arms and ammunition (instead of pen and paper), are now referring to those very people as criminals, useless people, country people illiterate people, etc. Isn’t that regrettable?

During the October 2005 legislative and presidential elections, we saw those same so-called politicians who masterminded the killing of their kinsmen to satisfy their own selfish desires, and even those self-acclaimed ‘freedom fighters’ who initially said they did not want state power but only intended to bring down dictatorship, contesting for the nation’s highest seat and legislative posts.

With this, several questions remain unanswered: Didn’t they know that this nation, Liberia, is the only one we have? Were they not aware that elections were going to be held one day in this country? Didn’t they know that there were eligible voters here when they were throwing mortar shells from one place to another? Were they ignorant of the fact that precious lives were been taken away on a daily basis as a result of their evil deeds? What a shame!
Mind you, most of these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” are still masquerading around here like true patriots, while using the very money and resources they stole from the Liberian people for their private businesses, riding luxurious cars and living in million dollars houses (with all facilities) at the detriment of the poor Liberian people who live on less then US$1 per day.
Can you imagine Liberians are living in their own country begging for daily bread, even worse than being in a foreign land?

Some Liberians, who fled the country to seek refuge in other countries as a consequence of the war, have even opted to remain in those countries for the rest of their lives because of the “backwardness” of this country in nearly all sectors.

They must remember, however, that there’s nowhere like home. Despite the condition you find yourselves and your country (among the world’s poorest countries), you are still Liberians. You have a duty to return and contribute your quota to the rebuilding of our war-ravaged nation; Liberia is the only one we have. Only you and I can make it what it ought to be.

Present day’s reality shows that the fangs of corruption are still biting into this country’s skin.

In her inaugural address, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf declared war against corruption and described it as “an enemy to the state”, but it is often said in Liberia that, “Where you tie goat, that is where it finds something to eat”, meaning, wherever one finds him/herself, that is where he/she gets daily bread. This has been an age-old problem that Liberia has got to tackle.

Let’s face the fact. Can this age-old problem of corruption be solved in this new political dispensation with the current allocations in the National Budget heavily favoring government officials while servants who do the hardest (physical) portion of the day-to-day upkeep of the government given peanuts?

Can this monthly take home salary of US$30.00 allotted to a civil servant cater to the needs/wants of these laborers who are mostly heads of family (ies) without them being corrupt, while government officials proudly walk home monthly with US$1,500.00 plus other fabulous allowances and benefits?

I believe that if nothing is done to solve this and many other problems, the president’s pronouncement will only remain in words, not actions, because it is often said, “action speaks louder then words”.

Madam President, Liberia is all that we have; therefore, let allocation of the people’s (taxpayers) money be done appropriately in their interests and not at their detriment.

Security: “The security situation in Liberia has remained generally stable, but there are continuing serious threats to stability that require careful and robust management,” UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said in his 12th progress report to the Security Council on UNMIL operations in the country. . This statement is in concurrence with previous pronouncement by the U.S Government.

Now you don’t need to ask me again whether Liberia is safe, because it has been confirmed that this country is not actually safe despite the presence of over 14,000 UN troops in the country.
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Editorial:
Open up to criticisms

Strong reaction emanating from the Executive Mansion describing views expressed by some opposition Liberian politicians and the Foundation for Human Rights and Democracy (FORHD) as “unnecessary criticisms” is not only regrettable but also an attempt by the Unity Party-led government not to tolerate the views of others.

For us, it is too early for such outburst of anger from government especially towards criticisms made in good fate.

President Johnson-Sirleaf and officials of her government must realize that no human being is infallible and that perfection belongs to God only and as such the Executive Mansion must be prepare to accept criticisms as suggestions to help better the lives of Liberians.

Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf deserves all respect, rights and privileges appertaining to the Office of the President and it would be imprudent for anyone or group of individuals to think that she does not deserve the highest honor of the nation.

It is inconceivable for anyone to believe that rights organizations in the country including the Press Union of Liberia as well opposition politicians should remain mute on critical issues of national concern such as threats against free speech, the downsizing of public servants, the failure by government to prosecute former NTGL officials indicted by the ECOWAS audit report and the “super monopoly” imposed on the importation of the country’s staple food, rice in favor of OLAM/ the Sinkor Trading Company.

The Monitor expresses shock over the Executive Mansion’s overreaction, intolerance to the media reports and public criticisms about the government’s recovery program. The people of Liberia deserve the right to know - every step is precious in the crusade to rebuild this wrecked nation ravaged by a 15-year bloody civil war.

It is only prudent that government accepts public criticisms no matter where it comes from or who made them.

Criticisms are not only met to seek the downfall of a particular government, but they are intended to pin point the pitfalls of institutions and individuals thereby providing options for decision makers.

The President and those in public office must awaken to the fact that they have chosen to enter the limelight and therefore open not only to praises but criticisms as well.

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