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.