NEWSLINE

“National Security is a Priority”

2012-02-12T20:10:00.000Z

-Says President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, has termed National Security a priorty ahead of the yet to come transition of the UN mission in libe (UNMIL). The CIC said six years ago, her government was focused on the restoration and reform of the AFL and the security sector in general; but the next six years would be spend on forstering log-termed security and economic development of the security sector and the country as a whole. President Johnson made this assertion when she delivered the 55th Armed Forces Day massage over the weekend at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) where members of the 53rd legislature, international partners, government officials and families of enlisted men of the AFL had gathered to commemorate the day. The AFL CIC acknowledged insights by UNMIL Force Commander, Major General Muhammad Khalid when he urged the Government of Liberia should ‘speed up building the capacity of the AFL, in preparations for the drawdown of UN forces because the Mission was not intended to stay in Liberia perpetually. The Liberian President pointed out that in order to meet the need of security after the UNMIL has transition, the strenght of the army must be increased. Acknowledging the need to of expanding military bases to have health and recreational centers and schools, President Johnson said her government will support the necessary allocatiion of additional budget to meet the needs of the army. Having stated the increase in force and the welfare of the army as national security priorty, President Johnson called on international partners including the U.S, UNMIL and member states of ECOWAS among others to keep up their support to the AFL to have it improved to become the force of good. She said the AFL has a charged history of honor, duty and loyalty to the state adding that such was significant in keeping a peaceful and democratic nation. Though members of the new AFL can execise their inalienable rights to vote during elections, the presidents told the gathering that soldiers were not politicians. It can be recalled during the early 1970s and late 1980s when the army interfered with politics is the country, Liberia was plunged into a state of total anarchy until 2003 when its civil crisis came to an end with the departure of Ex-president and Warlord Charles G. Taylor. President Johnson cautioned the gallant men and women of the AFL that unlike politicians, they (soldiers) were governed by the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which will hold them accountable for their actions. The president sighted the National Defends Act of 2008 which calls for an unequivocal loyalty from every man and woman of the AFL as she reemphasized that soldiers are not politicians. Deliverin the keynote earlier, outgoing U.S ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfeild thanked all other nations and organizations thathave worked with and supported the efforts of the Liberian Government to have the AFL at where it is. She said today the men and women of the AFL are individuals of good moral character, courage, and integrity and a tremendous resource ‘who can, who will and who must’ play a strong role in rebuilding and long-term development of Liberia by leading lives driven by duty, honor, pride and country. H.E. Greenfield: “there can be no return to old ways of self-interest over duty and national interest; no return to a sense of privilege and entitlement over honor, intergity, selfless service and respect; no return to a force that thinks it is above the law and preys on its population rather than serve them.” “This is a new day,” she said, “where the members of the AFL are model law-abiding citizens, expressing their will at the ballot boxes, and holding themselves to the highest standard of good conduct.” Also making remarks at the program held under the theme ‘Armed Forces of Liberia Supports the Foundation for Long-term Security and Economic Development in Liberia, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai reassured the commitment of the AFL to serve the people of Liberia to the best of Professional Standard. He said as the minister of defense, he would work and do everything possible to improve the tives and welfare of Members of the AFL. Aknowledging the role other nations have played in developing the liberian army into what it is today, the defense minister said it was his hope that he coast guard be further improve to protect the maritime of Liberia. He used the occasion to declear that recruitment to upmend the strenght of the AFL will begin as earlier as March AD 2012.

New Milestone Reached against Anti-Graft

2012-02-12T19:17:00.000Z

As GAC Certificate 65 CFEs

Cllr. Francis Johnson Allison, Head of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has termed the certification of 65 Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) a milestone reached in the fight against corruption Liberia since the fomulation of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the LACC. Delivering the keynote at the program which saw 65 employees of the GAC and the Ministry of Finance certificated in fraud examinations, Cllr. Allison warned of the honorees of the traps that awaits them in their career as waste and abuse auditors. She cautioned the honorees that hatred will arise from individuals who may not favor audits for reasons best known to them by they (CFEs) must remain professional in the execution of their duties. The LACC boss hinted the CFEs have undergone three months capacity-building training in the area of audit from October to December of 2011 that corrupt individals will try to defame their integrity by offering them bribes. She told the beneficiaries of the GAC’s Proffessional and human resource capacity development policy that in the field of audits, integrity matters. Cllr. Allison lauded the GAC for the successful conduct of audits which have aided in the struggle of anti-graft and the CFEs capacity building program which have advance another 65 young Liberians who will boost the fight against corruption in the Liberian society. The LACC boss however expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of staffers from the LACC who are also working to minimize the occurance of fraud, waste and abuse in the country. The certificate program organized by the GAC brought together 47 staffers of the GAC and 18 of the MOF and facilitated by the Executive Director Jane Mugo, of the Kenyan Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) was geared toward the opening of the Liberian chapter of the ACFE. ACFE was founded by individuals who recognized that the prevention and deterrence of fraud can only be realized through forging strong public and private sector relationship. Also speaking at the program, Mr. Winsley S. Nanka, Acting Auditor General of the GAC told the honorees that their completion of the certificate program makes them automatically eligible to become a member of the ACFE which is umbrella organization of all CFEs. The acting GC advised the CFEs that integrity was better than personnal gains that individuals seek: ‘it is better for you to die poor with your integrity in tack, then to get wealth by doing things that will bring your integrity under question.’ Making remarks to the Honorees, Mr. Charles Egu, comptroller of the USAID, told the beneficiaries that the issurance of cerficates by the ACFE and the GAC was a manifestation of the amount of trust that had been invested in the CFEs. He acknowledged them that undergoing the training and getting certificated was the easy part of the auditing profession but the hardest part will be for each of the individual CFEs to stay in line with the code of ethics of the proffession.

‘Speed up Building Military Capacity’

2012-02-12T19:04:00.000Z

- Says UNMIL Force Commander Maj. Gen. Khalid UNMIL Force Commander, Major General Muhammad Khalid, have urged the Government of Liberia to expedite building up the capacity of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) ably serve and protect the country after the departial of the UN mission. Maj. Gen. Khalid made this remark at symposium ahead of the Armed Forces Day’s celebration when he answer to the question what are two things he would suggest the GOL do in preparation for the drawdown of the UN mission which have been aiding in keeping peace. Though he did not state when the UN mission was to be concluded in the country, Maj. Gen. Khalid said over the past six years the GOL has been slow in beefing up the AFL to be able to take over the roles that the mission is playing in the country. “UNMIL will not be here forever. Over the past six years the Government of Liberia has been slow in building up the capacity of the military after the mission is gone. I would suggest that this tenure of government should work to see the military being develop a lot faster,” Maj. Gen. Khalid said. The Force Commander also served as the keynote speaker at the symposium which was held under the theme: enhancing military capacities and professionalism; prospect and challenges facing the Armed Forces of Liberia in a democratic Liberia. During his keynote presentation, Maj. Gen. Khalid spoke on the following: the historical influence of AFL in democracy of Liberia, functional concept of military professionalism in a democratic environment, challenges militating against military professionalism in a democratic Liberia and the emerging roles for the AFL in democracy. On the historical influence of the AFL, the UNMIL Force commander recalled the incursion of the state defence forces into politics by the late Liberia president Samuel K. Doe in the early 1980. “In this period, military professionalism was exacerbated by considerable politicization which invariably ushered the AFL into the realms of national politics. The Doe Government initially sought to correct the entrenched enmity between different ethnic groups but ended up polarizing the military along ethnic lines. The regime was characterized by the exclusion of majority ethnic groups from mainstream Liberian politics. This had a ripple effect on the AFL resulting in ethnic sentiments. This signaled the beginning of the collapse of professionalism within AFL,” Maj. Gen. Khalid said. He further recounted of the sidelining of the AFL by the Taylor-led government that ruled from 1997-2003 which established personal outfits like ATU and consequently destroyed the functionality of the AFL which prompted the subsequent transformation of the force. “The fundamental and cultural differences in the norms that govern political leaders and military personnel,” the Force Commannder added, “often create tension between both parties in a democratic setting.” He noted ‘while politicians thrive on ambiguity and uncertainty, and achieve success when they are able to master such conditions, soldiers, by contrast seek clarity of mission and certainty of condition. The reason being that in war the lack of either can result in bad decisions with devastating consequences. As such, the military may encounter certain abnormalities militating against its achievement of a constituted mandate within a democracy. However, military professionalism imbues the tenets of self-control on the part of the soldier thereby restraining him from transgressing democratic norms and ethos. It makes the soldier self conscious of the fact that he is bound by 2 distinct but complementing laws.’ He acknowledged that some of the emerging challenges that are confronting the AFL in a democracy are similar to those experienced by militaries emerging out of war world over. Some of the challenges he highlighted include the lack of sound doctrinal base insufficient funding, lack of awareness on the roles of the military, inadequate mechanism for civil-military relations, reduction in military structure and the lack of media awareness or cooperation amongst others. He said to improve the capability of the AFL, there was a need to re-assess ongoing training, research and development and the initiation of what he termed as C4I. Maj. Gen. Khalid: “With global growing dependency on Information technology, AFL will have to initiate a C4I System, command, control, communication, computers and Information system within the Institution. This system will not only evade any threat in web espionage but will make the AFL compatible to any future induction of military hardware and software.”

PYJ Pledged Support AFL

2012-02-12T18:55:00.000Z

Having sat at the symposium held in advance of the 55th Armed Forces Day Celebration slated for 11th February, Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson, chairman of the 53rd legislature committee on nation defence pledged unweavering support to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in terms of defending budgetary request to august body by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The militarily inclined Nimba Lawmaker urged the Defence Minister designate, Brownie Samukai, to find out the needs of the nation’s defence force and use allotted budget to solve problems that needed to be addressed to keep its members committed. He added that if there was a need for additional budget, the MOD should make that need known to the National Legislature and he along with his defence committee counterparts will defend it to the letter and have it passed. According to Senator Johnson, one thing that he came to learn while in military service was that no one ‘messes with a soldier money, food or woman;’ this statement pledge drawed appaulses from members of the AFL who attended the program. Also speaking at the symposium, Former Defense Minister, Daniel Chea, who give a brief history of the AFL observed that historians in Liberia have not done enough in cataloging facts about the existance of the army and the role the force have played over the past years. He said it will be a good that records of the force are kept to give the future generation an insight of the how the military have served the people of Liberia since its formulation in early 1957 with the constitutional responsibility to preserve the Liberian way of life and defend the borders. Mr. Chea lauded the pledge made to the Defense Ministry by the Senator Johnson and urged the minister designate to make use of the support being given him by the lawmaker to build a strong and proffessional army. During the taylor-led government when he served as the minister of defense, Mr. Chea said he did not have such support from the legislature to forge forward with the improvement of the AFL. In response to the pledge made by the Nimba Sanator, Defense Minister Samukai said he appreciated the support that the lawmaker have pledge but told the men and women of the AFL present not to be overly zealous because the House have shun him before.

50 Rounded up in Crack-team Raids

2012-02-12T18:38:00.000Z

-Vlagba residents call for stronger measures

As a sign of commitment to ensuring a ‘crime free society,’ the crack-team of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Support Unit (PSU) raided about two suspected criminal hideouts yesterday arresting 50 suspected criminals in central Monrovia. Some of the areas raided by the LNP includes Vlagba (Center Street) and the old government hospital on Ashmun Street where several forms of drugs substances haave been sold. According to police spokesman, Commissioner George Bardue, at least 41 suspected criminals, drugs users and dealers were arrested at vlagba and another 9 were arrested at the old government hospital. He said this action was to ensure that no stone was left unturned in the fight against crimes which would haunt the citizens of Liberia and cast a negative image on the police. However, some of the suspected criminals escorted to detention pleaded they have gone at the raided locations to carry out activities other than using or selling drugs. Meanwhile, the Insight visited the Vlagba to find out how did residents, who had complained of the sale of drugs in the area, feel about the raid which carry nearly 50 alledged thugs to face the laws of Liberia, it was noticed that drugs activities were being carryout at areas suspected to be ghettos. Speaking to the Insight, a resident for this report named Mary Jones, said the raid in the community give her the confidence that the LNP was going to minimise criminal activities in the city. Ms. Jones said the police will have to keep on raiding the community until they can get hold of the drugs dealers in the area and put them away for good. “I am pleased by the action of the police; it shows that crime is going to end soon. But the police will have to keep coming to do this their raid thing because those who behind the whole thing are still in the community and have not being arrested yet,” Ms. Jones said.

U.S to give AFL More Support

2012-02-12T18:28:00.000Z

United States Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Linda Thomas Greenfield, has committed her government to further supporting the Armed Forces of Liberia in terms of logistics and technical training which will prepard the force to support the foundation for long-termed security and economical development in the country. Delivering the keynote at the program commerating the 55th Armed Force Day’s celebration, Amb Greenfield said the United States Government was proud to be a partner of Liberia in the development of the new AFL. The US Diplomat said Liberia has come a longway since 2006 from basic training for the first class to the recruits to the graduation of at least one AFL officer fro the US Army Command and Staff College in December of last year. “you have come a long way: from a dream in 2007 to reestablished the Liberian Coast Guard to today’s small but competent maritime force with two patrol crafts,” she said. As a commitment to supporting the AFL, the US Ambassador said by later dates in 2012 two addition seacraft will be given to th ethe Coast Guardu to protect Liberia’s coastline and fisherise for the future. She said over the past six years, especailly in the last 12 months, Liberia and its partners have felt a sense of accomplishment because the US Government has been by the side of the Liberian Government; more visibly with the presence of 50 US military mentors known as Operation Onward Liberty. “The US Government is committed to helping Liberia Succeed, to helping Liberia beat the odds and defy the World Bank Statitics that indicates almost half of post-conflict countries slip back into conflict. And we are committed to helping the AFL become the ‘force for good’ that President Sirleaf called for anf that the citizens of Liberia longed for,” she said. She recalled, in 2010 as part of the US National Guard State partnership, the AFL and the Michigan National Guard esstblished a partnership which would significantly improved the AFL. The program was designed to assist with capacity development, built long-termed relationship and creat a mechanism for sharing experances, techniques and expertise. “The National Guard in the US plays a very significant role in emergency management, disaster response and search and rescue. Given that National Defense of 2008 assigns similar tasks to the AFL, it is certain that the Michigan National Guard’s expertise in these areas will contribute greatly to AFL’s development as a ‘force for good,’” she said. Ambassador Greenfield used the occasion to disclosed that at the request of the Minister of Defense, her Government is in the early stages of putting together a program, initially funded at US$3.5m, to assist the AFL develop an increased engineer capacity. The program according to Madam Greenfield will include acquisation of some engineer equipment and a requisite training component for the AFL because training is the ‘bread and butter’ of any armed forces in the world. She further added increased engineer capacity will enable the AFL to contribute in a small but tangible way to infrastructure rehabilitation, so necessary for the country’s economic development. Amb. Greenfield said Liberia has a rich array of partners including the U.S, Member States of the ECOWAS, other international partners and the UNMIL which indicates the serious commitment of the international community toward the success of Liberia. The outgoing U.S. Ambassador said the level of commitment attached to the sustainability of peace and security in Liberia by the international community meant that it is imperative that all efforts are fully cordinated and integrated so that all resources, whether international or local, are put to the most effective use. She said the world is looking forward to a day, in years to come, when Liberia will be prepare to provide troops to an international peace keeping mission as it did in the Congo in early 1960-1963. “Let there be no mistake: history will judge this effort to build a new AFL as a success or a failure, naot based on the efforts and policy of the US government or UNMIL or ECOWAS or any other international partners but on the character,ethics, and action of liberian men and women in uniform,” Amb. Greenfield said.

Logan Town Marketers Receive L$ One Million Micro loans

2012-02-03T14:40:00.000Z

.. As District#15 Rep. Candidate Promises more if elected Marketers of the Logan Town Market on the Bushroad Island of Montserrado County electoral District#15 have received L$ one Million as micro loans in the area from the chief executive officer of the Abu developmental initiative Abu Kamara. According the Abu developmental initiative Chief Executive officer Abu Kamara the L$ one Million Micro loans is not the first of it kind to marketers of the Logan town Market on the Bushroad or the District#15 at large. He also indicated that the L$ one Million is intended to help marker of the Logan town market to improve on their little one they have present for bigger money tomorrow. The Abu developmental initiative chief executive officer Abu Kamara is on also an independent representative candidate who also vows to give more loans if elected to the 53rd nationals’ legislature comes October 11, 2011. It can also be recalled in 2009 the Montserrado County District#15 give out L$ two millions to residents and marketer of the former District#11 for return some he wave out the residents. He presented the L$ one Million to marketers of the Logan Mark Monday evening September 26, 2011 in the Logan market on the Bushroad Island. Candidate Kamara also called on the potential women of the Logan town marker to see the loans given them over the past building up their capacity as residents of the area. He added that change can only come to the District if the right people are elected in power by the resident and the money given to you women also consider it as women empowerment. The Montserrado County District#15 Representative hopeful Kamara further admonished residents and voter to make sound decision for the betterment of the district. Meanwhile the superintendent of the Logan Town markers Sabah Johnson lauded the effort by the showing so far by the representative hopeful and promises that the entire marker will stand strong for his election to the 53rd national. Superintendent Johnson also stressed that the L$ one million loans came the right time for marketers of the Logan Town market.

More Armed Robbers Nabbed

2012-02-03T14:31:00.000Z

Amar Simogo, 28, Malian, Veaye Trawaly, 19 were picked up on Thursday, December 15, 2011, after they had allegedly robbed a lady identified as Rebecca Gborfua, 38, at her Zubah Town residence on Duport Road. The 28-year-old Malian was arrested with a single barrel short gun with a round. A third suspect, who is still at large is believed to have escaped with a bag containing several single barrel rounds. The suspects after allegedly committing the crime fled the scene but got involve in an accident with another vehicle after they were given a hot chase by some motorcyclists. Suspects Somigo and Trawally were fortunately rescued from hands of an angry mob by police officer on patrol, an LNP release disclosed. They are now in police custody undergoing preliminary investigation at the Zone 5 police station. In another development, in continuation of crackdown on criminals and their hideouts, the LNP early Friday, December 16, 2011 rounded up 91 criminal suspects from the Old Euro Bank building on Crown Hill, Broad Street; The 91 include 14 females and 77 males. The criminal suspects are being screened at the LNP HQ.

Prison Not very Conducive

2012-02-03T13:35:00.001Z

Chief Justice, Johnny Lewis, last Wednesday February 1, 2012 urged the Magistrates of the City Court of Monrovia to help find common ground in ‘minor cases’ and stop sending people sending defendants to jail. The Liberian chief justice made this statement in regard to the condition of prisons in the country which he said are not very conducive to be keeping people; while he was on his normal routine visit to lower courts at the Temple of Justice. He said it was not good for judges to sent people to the central for minor cases which could reach an amicable solution in the courts of competent jurisdiction. Chief Justice Lewis made the said urge this after inquring of a case in which defendant Mary Blayee had been send to prison for receiving money, in the tone of US$ 180, under false pretend from complainant Sarah Vojolo, as rent for a room situated in the City Hall Community. The fund according to information gathered, was received in two folds from complainant Vojolo by defendant Blayee and her son, but thay did not live up to their side of the barging and was taken to court. Because they could not have somebody stand their bond, the defenant was sent to prison until they could pay back the money. They defendant having paid US$100 of the said amount had appeared in court, on Wednesday February 1, 2012 when chief justice lewis inquired and requested that a document should be made on how the rest of the funds would be paid.

Access Bank US$225,466.69 Theft Case to be Rule

2012-02-03T13:28:00.001Z

Defendant Daniel A. Maxwell Cries Wolf The man at the center of an alledged US$225,466.69 cyber-theft at Access Bank Liberia (ABL), defendant Daniel A. Maxwell, have begun to cry wolf as the case draws to the criminal court “C” judge’s ruling come Wednesday February 15, 2012 A.D. According to defandant Maxwell when he spoke with Journalists at the Temple of Justice, after appearing in court last Thursday, alledged that assigned circuit judge, Benedict Holt, was being bias in his presiding over the case which commence since November of 2011. It was alledged by defedant Maxwell that his fiance and co-defendant Felecia S. Davis, received a threat call from Judge Holt urging her to testify against him (Maxwell) of she will be sent to prison. The resigned Access Bank Business Analyst, Maxwell, stated the entire case of Theft of Property, Forgery and Criminal, lavied against Ms. Felecia S. Davis, his affiliate Lorpu Dennis and him could be a strategy by Access Bank Liberia to deter other staffers from resigning or some individuals who have been involved in manipulating figures in accounts at the bank have used his name as a scapegoat. Though defendant Maxwell admitted to having knowledge in the field of Information Technology (IT), he denied having requisite IT skills that would enable him manipulate the ABL banking system to steal the aforementioned fund. However, in a court document title Defendants Legal Memorandum one of the seven witnesses presented by the state, Wilfred Lawson, Head of ABL IT Department, said while he (defendant Maxwell) was still working at the bank was the most referenced person locally in providing solutions to users of the banking software application. Also in his testiment before the grand jury, witness Lawson said in his capacity as business analyst and trainer of those who had function with the banking software at the ABL defendant Maxwell had access to the software which stores all banking transaction. It was also testified by Inspector Abraham Duply, after he was informed that defendant Maxwell had stolen from the bank he, Mulbah Sardee, Chief IT Specialist of the Liberia National Police and others conducted an investigation at the bank and found out that the man in question, Maxwell’s sister (unnamed) had deposited L$ 500 in her account at the ABL Redlight Branch but had a checking account of US$15,000. Another witness, Kawala Jumah, Chief of Maintainace at ABL Duala Branch said defendant Maxwell, was seen in the branch’s confrence room on his laptop but did not had time to find out what was being done on it. Having been before His Honor Benedict Holt in Criminal Court “C” since November, the case of alledged cyber-theft is expected to be rule next Wednesday at 10:00 anti-merrdian, but defendant Maxwell said there could be a motion for retrial because, as he alledged, the judge have been bais during the proceedings of the case.

A Reminisce Monday

2011-11-22T19:35:00.001Z

The Trend of Liberia's Monkey-Baboon Politics Barely four week to the re-inauguration of the Liberian president, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, has the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, CDC, has expressed desired to masquerade the principle street of the country’s capital Monrovia, every Monday after their Monday, November 21, 2011 symbolic casket parade of three falling members who allegedly gunned down by members of the Liberian National Police, Emergency Response Unit (ERU). On the eve of the 2011 presidential elections runoff, Monday November 7, 2011, live ammunition was discharged among enthusiastic CDC partisans who said they were taking to the street that they were boycotting the elections runoff which was won by the incumbent Sirleaf over the CDC which claims the most popularity in Liberia. According to the Cllr. Winston Tubman Standard Bearer of the opposition, the party does not recognize the Unity Party as winner of the 2011 presidential election despite ECOWAS observers said the elections met the entire requirement to be classified free, fair, credible and transparent. This statement was made at the party’s funeral rally last Monday when the Cllr. Tubman vowed as of November 28, 2011, his party will masquerade in with an ANC style until the international community come to understand that the CDC was not a part of the runoff election. such action according to some Liberians who expressed fear of their country sliding back into a state of anarchy is not good for the young democracy and peace the country have enjoyed since 2003. Pictures to be uploaded soon...

MPW Healed Belle Yella’s Woe

2011-10-08T14:32:00.000Z

Since the formation of Liberia in 1847, the Belle District of Gbarpolu saw the first motor vehicle ply its soil in 2011 with the efforts of the Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods, II administered Public Works Ministry under the Unity Party (UP) led government. As the late Belle chief, Jallah Lone, accounted the people of Citizens of Belle Yella in 1926 tried to construct a road to link them with the rest of Gbarpolu with their bare hands but abandoned the struggle due to lack of support from the Charles D.B. King government. In 2006 when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took over the presidency, she promised infrastructure development to all part of the country the Bopolu-Belle Yella road being one of the developmental projects. Though slowed by some unforeseen circumstances the Belle Yella road project encountered during its construction this year, the people of Gbarpolu County, especially Belle Yella District now enjoys a 41 miles road which links them to the rest of the county. Knowing the importance of the road to the county’s history, Minister Woods expressed concern over the slow progress of the road project and instituted new measures which sped up the project until its completion in late June. The ministers and some partners assessed the road works in the county and eventually had PEALAT, the company awarded the bid of to construct the road, sub-contracted TEAM, a company specialized in bridge building, to give contractors a more specific task to complete in considerable period. At a meeting after the assessment, it was decided Pealat Construction submitted a comprehensive work schedule for the project which was funded by Liberian Taxpayers’ Money to create direct access to Belle Yalla which was cut off from the rest of the country before beginning of this year rainy season. Also at the meeting, the Resident Engineer and Project Consultant at the time were mandated to submit a weekly work- progress-report in line with the already submitted work schedule to the Minister and Senior Management Team. To checkmate possible fraud individuals may have gotten involve, verbal or oral discussion and communication without documentary backup was no longer accepted by the MPW Senior Management so far as matters relating to the Belle Yella Road project were concerned. The move excepted by the MPW official allowed the main contractors to concentrate on the road thus speeding up the project. The completion of the 41 mile road in that part of the country was a fulfillment of some of the unity party led government promise of infrastructure development to the people of gbarpolu yea Liberia.

UP Platform Invisible

2011-09-19T20:22:00.000Z

Liberians Worry about Party’s Deliverables Several residents of the community of WestPoint have expressed doubt over the withholder of the ruling unity party’s campaign platform. According to Samuel Jarvey, who claimed to have come back to Liberian in December of 2010, he is yet to pledge his support to any party during the 2011 elections slated for October 11, 2011. “I was impressed by the crowd the unity party pull during their campaign launch, but I am to decide which party to vote for base on their platform. The unity party has leaved me in doubt what would be their deliverables if they win the election,” he said.

Also speaking to our reporter a business woman, Yvonne Smith, said though the Unity Party had tried its best to address some situation in the country, she did not understand if the party had any added objectives. “The unity party may have gotten popular since it took the presidency of the country, but that does not warrant leaving us in doubts of what are it plans for their second term,” she pointed out. Last Saturday, September 18, 2011, approximately several UP partisans and sympathizers from locations around Montserrado County and beyond marched through the principle street of Monrovia to the Antoinette Tubman Staduim ATS; built to accommodate 10,000 spectators for a football match. Temperature in the over capacitated stadium became so high that the National Fire Service (NFS) created artificial rain to quench the blistering heat which had begun to suffocate the third overwhelming crowd pull by any one political party in the country. At least ten of the jubilant UP loyalists and sympathizers fainted at the stadium and was rushed to hospital before the party’s standard bearer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, mounted the stage to address the gathering. President Sirleaf was supposed to present the party’s platform to her supporters but begged them to go home instead after her approximately five minutes speech because of the heat hazard which was beginning to prevail. Incumbent resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf highlighted the successes she and her able lieutenants have accomplished in the country including reformation in the human and infrastructure development. The impressed UP presidential aspirant urged the crowd to vote for not only her but all those running on the party’s ticket because the other UP officials, if elected will boost the next government’s efforts in moving the country forward. In her closing remarks the second term hopeful thanked the crowd for coming out to show their loyalty to the party and the vision to the rebuilding of a viable Liberian society. During the march, political slogans such as “it will hold”, “ugly baboon wait small” and “the mansion is lock, Ellen has the key” could be heard as the crowd journeyed to the ATS with second term hopefuls incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Joseph N. Boikia. Impressed by the massive turnout, several stewards who were at launch, including NPA director Mathilda Parker and Internal Affairs Minister Harrison Karnwea among other expressed how confident they were of their standard bearer retaking the Liberian presidency. Some jubilant partisans said they had made up their minds several years ago to follow the unity party because the party gives them assurance of tolerance, hope, justice and peace. Frontpage Africa asked 26years old George Fayiah, one of the overzealous UP partisans, what have prompted such historical turnout for the Unity Party as compare to previous elections. “The people say we do not the numerical strength to defeat them, but from today I think that doubt is clear. As you can see people are even fainting around this place,” Mr. Fayiah said. However, sayings such as “our players are on loan today and will return when we are ready for them” could be heard from some onlookers probably neutral or from another party.

Motorcyclists Reassured Support to Ellen

2011-09-18T17:29:00.001Z

Several hundred commercial motorcyclists, pehm pehm boys, last Thursday September 15, 2011 gathered at the fish market in Monrovia and reassured their support for the re-election of the incumbent, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. At the gathering the president thanked the crowd for coming out under the rain to re-assure their support to her at this time of the election period and lauded the contribution the motorcyclists were making in the country transport sector. For “safety sake” President Sirleaf gives out more helmets and illuminable vest to several of the riders at the site. Furthermore, madam Sirleaf gived the LMTU 1,000 gallons of gas slip and L$ 20,000 as a gesture to the assembly potential electorates who will got to poll on October 11, 2011. The motorbike riders thanked the president for such gesture which will help them and their organization to become more improved. According Mr. Robert M. Sammie Secretary General of the Liberian Motorbike Transport Union (LMTU), they converge to reassure their support to President Sirleaf because she has been helping the motorcyclists in the country. He said the president have made Liberia a peaceful nation in which they can work and support their family and also improve the road network in the country among others in her last term. LMTU secretary general Sammie said the incumbent have promised to give the union a land to begin the construction of a national headquarters for the union come October 23, 2011. Also speaking with the FrontPage Newspaper, Donato Bovel, General Supervisor of the LMTU, said the union will contribute to a non-violent election. Mr. Bovel said he was pledging his support to president Sirleaf because she have “demonstrated her love for the young people” of the nation. Beside that he said since the inauguration of Madam Sirleaf in 2006, he have seen and heard a lot of improvement about the development of the country’s infrastructure, health and education sectors which he term as a “positive sign” to have her reelected. One of the motorcyclists, Alex K. Nunue, of ELWA district # 6, said he was pledging his support to the president not because he would receive gas slip and money from the Unity Party’s candidate but because she, president Sirleaf, have done well. “Madam Sirleaf have done very well in her last term to get us this far. I think if we give her the presidency again things will get even better than they are,” Mr. Nunue said. Jusufu Jaward, a motorcyclist from red-light district # 5, said he had come to pledge his support to the Madam Sirleaf because he “loved” her and the things she has done to help the motorcyclists in the country. The motorcyclists first pledged their support to the president in March of this year for her development agenda aimed at transforming Liberia.

“Fees Increment at JFK is a Rumor”

2011-09-18T17:27:00.000Z

CMO McDonald Clarifies Dr. Wvannie Scott-McDonald, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Medical Center last Thursday September 15, 2011, termed media reports about an increment in medical services fees at the hospital as rumors, because the institution discharges several persons on what she called uncompensated care. Addressing a team of journalists at the JFK’s administrative building, Dr. McDonald described reports that “management of the hospital has sharply increased the fee for women wanting to give birth from L$500 to US$50.00 or L$3,500.00” as mere speculations that cannot be proven. CMO McDonald said the institution, since 2006, has added more free services rather than fees, as the administration can attest to. She highlighted increased social services, training of early young teens to care for their infants and healthcare for children under five and something she termed as ‘uncompensated care’ as services added over the past few years in fulfillment of the government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. Dr. McDonald disclosed that the Government of Liberia has spent about US$3 million on uncompensated care alone. She explained that when she earlier took over the institution, people were saying the hospital was dirty and medical services were inadequate, but today they are saying the fees are too high; “they will always find something to say” she added. The Chief Medical Officer also used the medium to express dissatisfaction over the disposal of corpses around the hospital’s facility at night by unknown individuals. She said corpses found around the hospital’s facility in recent times were individuals that were not admitted at the hospital, but have led to the public speculating that the hospital was polluting the environment by dumping corpses at the beach-end of 20th Street. “Sometimes we see these bodies around the facility but we have to contact the police because it’s a homicide that could be termed a murder if the police are not informed before the body is removed,” she said. Dr. McDonald pointed out that unclaimed corpses at the hospital are disposed of in a respectable way in consonance with the law that such bodies should be reported to the police and a notice is sent out for 72 hours before burial. She said about 25 dead bodies remain at the hospital unclaimed because some families don’t turn up for them after the individuals die. The CMO said the hospital reports all those who die in the hospital and what was the cause of their death so the institution could not just go about dumping dead bodies in places that will bring harm to other people. “We live in a society where we have respect for our dead. This is shown by us carrying flowers to their graves on Decoration Day. Why should people dump their relatives exposed body on the street around the hospital,” she said. In her closing remarks Dr. McDonald called on the public to refrain from the act of dumping bodies around the hospital which is not good for the people living around the vicinity. She ruled out the rumor of increased death rate of 3 to 5 patients dying daily as a result of less attention allegedly paid to patients, because the patients, do not have enough cash to pay as a result of the “new increased fees.”

In the fight against Corruption

2011-08-26T13:25:00.000Z

Audit Reports are Not Taboos for the Public
-AG Morlu tells African Auditors General

AG Morlu makes presentation during the AFROSAI-E Board Meeting

The Auditor General (AG) of Liberia, Mr. John S.Morlu II has expressed regret that most of the audit reports conducted by some African auditors general are merely shelved and labeled as taboos to the media, civil society organizations and the public at large.

Speaking Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at the Sixth AFROSAI- E Governing Board Meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia, AG Morlu emphasized that if African auditors general must succeed, the public must be active participants in terms of dissemination of audit information to the public once they are sent to the legislature, president and the auditees.

Auditor General further stressed that the public must know how, where, what and when public monies are spent by those entrusted with public monies. The resources of a country, he said, do not belong to government officials. Government officials are just custodians in ensuring appropriate utilization of public funds, but it is the general public that own the monies and resources.

“The fight for transparency and accountability”, AG Morlu averred, “is not a one or two man show and so audit reports must not be seen like a big secret or sacred document only meant to be kept with the auditors, auditees and the government.”

Morlu then expressed concern that up till now the secretariat of AFROSAI-E are yet to specifically carve strategic plans and policies on the need and importance of communication in the auditing processes. He has the Secretariat has not recruited Communication Manager since a year ago that will plan, organize, carve and structure a general communication plan for AFROSAI-E members.

AG Morlu told his fellow auditors that unlike most auditing commissions; the General Auditing Commission (GAC) is far ahead in recruiting professional journalists for the Department of Communications as well as legal analysts for the Legal Department. Most of the auditing institutions in AFROSAI-E do not have communication and legal departments and he urged them to do so. GAC department of communications has a standard communication policy.

The Auditor General of Liberia, Mr.Morlu was among 22 auditors general from the English and Portuguese speaking countries who attended the Meeting.

Zambian President Rapheal Binda who spoke at the opening program highlighted the challenges and importance of auditing in the transformation of Africa from the shackles of graft, abuse of resources, corruption and fiscal improprieties.

If Africa must develop, President Binda indicated, the age old corruption virus must be fearlessly fought by African Governments. He then lauded the steady strive that some auditors general in Africa are making in protecting public monies.

For her part, the Auditor General of Zambia, Ms.Anna Chifungula expressed compliments to the auditors general for their participation. She said she was pleased that auditors are united in single front to ensure fiscal discipline in their various countries.

Meanwhile, the Chief Communication Officer of the GAC, Ernest S.Maximore cataloguing his experience during the trip to Lusaka, explained that he was surprised that the real and personal properties of public officials who were proved to have stolen government monies were confiscated and auctioned by anti-corruption commission or tribunal .

This he noted, is a worth noted move to deter would-be-corrupt officials from using public monies to own estates and other properties while majority of the people wallow in abject poverty.

He said he anxiously opts for the day and dispensation in Liberia’s history where the fight against corruption will truly match with empirical deeds and where people will not only be suspended or dismissed but made to restitute what they stole from the public treasury.

The Meeting zero-on revamping, restructuring and reinforcing AFROSAI-E six strategies imperatives; namely human resource management, quality assurance, performance auditing, the independence of the Supreme Auditing Institution(SAI),the optimal utilization of information technology in the auditing process and communication and the media.

AG Morlu’s delegation comprises five senior staff: Ron Mwambwa,Head of European Union(EU) Long Term Technical Team assigned at GAC, George Nubo, Director of Operations, Gloria Valhum, Chief of Office Staff, Office of the Auditor General ,Loraine Clarke,Executive Secretary, Office of the Auditor General, Ernest S.Maximore,Chief Communication Officer,Cornelius F.Wennah,Director of Legal Services and Lawrence W. Jackson Manager, Legal Services Manager.

The Delegation is expected home, today Monday,April 27,2009.The Sixth Board Meeting of AFROSAI- was held from 20th April to the 24th .

AFROSAI –E is an organization that succeeds the Southern African Development Community Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (SADCOSAI) which was established as an independent organization in 1991.

The objectives of AFROSAI-E, among other things include, enhancing the audit performance of Supreme Audit Institutions in the AFROSAI-E region; developing and share resources on local and regional levels; promoting and maintaining relations with national, regional and international institutions specializing in issues affecting the audit of public resources and to support regional institutions in promoting good governance.

UN Envoy Extols Nigerians’ peacekeeping Role in Liberia

2011-08-26T13:21:00.000Z

Says they are ‘ Face of UNMIL’

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj has extolled Nigerian military personnel serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for their valuable role in maintaining peace and stability in the country
Ms. Løj made this statement recently in Monrovia when she awarded 1,648 UNMIL Nigerian military officers, seventy-two of whom are women, received UN peacekeeping medals for their contribution.

“You have indeed performed your duties honorably; and I know that it has not been easy”, she told the Nigerian peacekeepers. Reminding them of the formidable role they continue to play in maintaining peace and stability, the UN Envoy spoke of the protection of lives and properties, including assistance given to almost one half of Liberia’s population. “You are, more than anybody in the Mission - the Face of UNMIL”, the SRSG pointed out.

Ms. Løj expressed optimism that the goal of consolidating peace in Liberia will be accomplished as a result of collaboration between the UN, Liberians and other partners. This collaboration, she noted, will help in tackling security and rule of law challenges - the prevalence of armed robbery, rape and drug trafficking. “However, in doing so, we must never forget that ultimately, Liberia’s future rests firmly on Liberians’ shoulders”, the UN Envoy reminded, adding that, “Liberians have the opportunity to build a new country today”.

Paying tribute to former Nigerian Contingent Commander, Brig.-Gen. Ezekiel Olu Olofin, Ms. Løj described how he brought to the Mission qualities and values based on hard work, respect for diversity, generosity and compassion for humanity. “We in UNMIL benefited immensely from his leadership”, she emphasized. The UN Envoy expressed confidence that his successor, Brig.-Gen. Ebiobowei Bonna Awala will contribute equally well.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s contribution to peacekeeping, the SRSG said Nigeria has exemplified the leadership and generous disposition through its unmatched record in peacekeeping and conflict resolution in Africa and globally. She extended thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria, for their unflinching commitment and support to peace, especially in Liberia. Nigeria is one of the largest troop contributors to the United Nations and has been for most of the past four decades.

Attending the medal ceremony was the representative of the Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian Military, Chief of Research and Development, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. FNN Osokogu. Others attending were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu; Acting Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Carl Modey; Director of Mission Support, Mr. Stephen Lieberman; Command Officer-in-Charge, Armed Forces of Liberia, Maj.-Gen. Suraj Abdurrahman; Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Liberia, Mr. Essien Ntekim, other members of the Diplomatic Corps, and senior UNMIL Military officers.

Motor Accident at Bomi Highway

2011-08-22T15:08:00.000Z

At about 6:30 A.M. yesterday, a heartbreaking motor accident occurred at Monrovia-Bomi Highway, leaving at least eight passengers dead.
Three passengers including two women and a man died instantly at the accident scene and five others at the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Eyewitnesses said a commercial bus, heading towards Sass Town market on the Bomi highway was smashed and dragged by a ten-tire MACK truck, with license plate marked BT 1324.
The bus driver died instantly while several others sustained serious injuries and were subsequently rushed to Island Clinic at Tweh Farm on Bushrod Island and John F. Kennedy Hospital in Sinkor.
The bus, which contained mostly market women caught fire after it collided with the truck and burned for over 20 minutes, making it impossible for the other two bodies to be physically identified.

Eyewitnesses said the 18- seater mini-bus was carrying about 20 passengers. The bloody incident attracted hundreds of grieved stricken onlookers.
Although JFK officials could not be reached for formal comment on the conditions of the injured victims, credible sources at the hospital said eight of the seriously injured motor accident victims died by 2:30 p.m. some upon their arrival.
This information could not be officially corroborated by authorized medical personnel at the state-owned hospital.
Eyewitness said the bus was heading for Sass Town where several market women were going to purchase goods for their various businesses.

According to Abraham Gurmo, husband of one of the victims identified as Saybah Morris, he had earlier cautioned his wife not to go out because it was too early for her to the house but she insisted.

Other eyewitnesses said that the accident was the fault of the truck as it was driving with a single light.

Drugs On Monrovia’s Streets

2011-08-22T15:04:00.000Z

Monrovia- It can be recorded that in the early months of 2009, the P.H.P community on Lynch Street was raided of ghettos. Thugs that were residing in the area have been reduced to a great extent that people can now feel free to visit the area at night. Having been dislodged from their P.H.P base, many thugs have migrated into communities where drug houses already exist. The fact is known the world over that drug is one of the factors that threaten security in any country, as it give rise to armed robbery among other art of violence in order to keep its market running. Several areas in Monrovia, including Vlagba, West Point and Trench Town among others, have been earmarked as areas where drugs are visibly being sold and little is being done by law enforcement agency to put stop to the act. According to residents of a community in Central Monrovia, Vlagba, there are many drugs houses that are being run despite the existence of the Liberian National Police (LNP) depot in the area which make them feel insecure. A dweller of the community, who prefer anonymity for fear of retribution, in a chat with the Newsline expressed graved concern over the sale of illicit drugs in the area, which he said ‘have effected some youth and my young children are exposed to the abuse of narcotics.’ He narrated how drugs moved into the area and that it has grown into companies which are gradually developing into a clan that could become strong enough to resist the law. It has been proven that these criminals and some national security officers are in the dealing of drugs. Despite the danger it poses on the health and thoughts of many youngsters, narcotics are flowing on the Liberian street especially in Central Monrovia where a higher level of national security offices is concentrated. The problem of drug abuse in Liberia goes beyond just the users. Farmers are tempted to grow cannabis rather than other crops because its profits are higher and the drug can be trafficked relatively easily throughout the region, 100km and 150km from Monrovia. The Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) in June of last year simultaneously disposed of a huge consignment of narcotic drugs valued over L$24million in the 15 political sub-division of the country. In April of this year, DEA agents in Greenville, Sinoe County accused some law enforcement officers in the county of aiding drug traffickers. Apart from the cannabis grown in rural Liberia other synthetic drugs such as cocaine, Italian White, Dugee, morphine among others are found on the streets of Monrovia. Information gathered in the area indicated that some national security officers and the drugs dealers in central Monrovia are in a very close tie and the ghettos hardly get raid. According to an informant, who preferred anonymity, the only time ghettos get raided is when an order is issued from headquarters for a general raid which last took place in January of this year. Besides the general raid, the police often visit some of the ghettos on Self Interest Operations SIOs at which time the narcotics dealers organized some funds for them. For the ghetto at center street there is more than one dealer. Each of these dealers operates on certain day of the week in other to get their product going. According to a resident of Center Street, recently, one of the many ghettos has been attended to by the LNP in the area which they termed as a flow-show because other drug house is still functioning on Center Street. One of the areas noted for trade in drugs is the Casablanca “video center” on Center Street. Visiting the Casablanca “video center” (drugs center) for the first time you may mistake it as a mare video center or a place where “direct” (Marijuana Tea), is been sold, but rather this place is a hide out of many street thugs who rage terror in the Liberian society at night. Many of the thugs hidden in the area often venture the night streets ravaging the security of citizens by raiding valuables and also dealing injuries or possible death to some who hesitate in giving up their belongings. Apart from the Casablanca “gap” (drugs house), there are other gaps in the same area. An unfinished house opposite the drainage beside the previous LNP Metro station on Center Street. Speaking to some street thugs, identified as Abu and Joe, who have been dealing drugs and raided, they said that the master minds of the many armed robberies that happen at night are the drugs dealers. According to Joe, many other thugs often take “dangerous risk” (go armed robbing) at night and take their loots to the drugs dealers in exchange for drugs. This indicates that the strong urge to have narcotics in their thuggish body has giving the dealers the influence of a ruler, who could at any time instruct these thugs and they will obey no matter the risk. Joe ,said he was once raid on center by some member of the Police Support Unit (PSU), in the early part of July but got free based on the bagging between the police and the dealer. “In Vlagba, I was there the PSU came and raid us. After they raided us, they when strict to the dealer and the dealer ‘advised’ (pay ransom to) them and they let all of us that was raided to go,” he said. According to one ex-police officer, such influence becomes even more dangerous when the dealers also have influences on some national security by placing them on payroll. According to informant, every Sunday many thugs assemble in an area located in the Center-Lynch Street block where dealers issue “market” (Drugs) to some addicts, in other to keep their customer ship running. Verifications have been made that the exact location is behind the tailor shop opposite the Fofana store on Benson Street, approximatly 100 meters away from the LNP Depot.

Dare Deviling at Camp

2011-06-30T12:46:00.000Z

If you haven’t gone to a camp as a young person, you have missed some of the most exciting moments in life. This kid proved to his friends who regarded as “scared and weak” how brave he was by jumping a bonfire. Camps can be hosted for different purposes, including football, Christian enlightenment or scouting to name a few. Whatever the purpose of a camp, those who attend always have a chance to do things they would not do at home.

Poet Wants Liberians to Study Creative Writing

2011-06-29T14:23:00.000Z

By Leroy M. Sonpon, III lemaxson101@yahoo.com (231-6-585875)

A Liberian celebrity poet, Associate Professor Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, has encouraged Liberians to take interest in poet and creative writing, as well as African literature.

Prof. Wesley told reporters yesterday that the study of arts (poetry) and literature enable ones to express themselves through creative writings, evidence of her publication of books of peotry. She said arts (poetry) and literature make a nation.

The Liberian poet made the assertions at Ministry of Information’s weekly press briefing, in the Ministry’s conference room in Monrovia.

Dr. Wesley is an Associate Profession of English and African Literature at Penn State University, Penn State Altoona, USA. She is an author of four books of poetry.

According to the Prof. Wesley, her first book of poetry, Before The Palm Could Bloom, was published in 1998. It entails a collection of poems about the African continent.
The second book, Becoming Ebony, was authored in 2003, while the third book, The River Is Rising, was published in 2007.
Dr. Wesley stated that her second book of poetry articulated the essence and peculiarity of becoming a black (ebony) person, and the third book is mainly about the Liberian civil war and the devastation it has brought and also the rising of the nation.
1n 2010, the Fourth book, Where The Road Turns, was in print. This book, talks about ones’ decision and choices in life.
Prof. Wesley was born in Tugbakeh, Maryland County and grows up in Monrovia. In 1985, she earned her Master Degree from Indiana University, Blomington Indiana, USA, in English Education. In 2002, she got her Doctorate (Ph.D) degree from Western Michigan University, Michigan, USA, in English and Creative Writing.
“The books, hopefully next week, will be on sale, between US$12 to US$15. And I hope Liberians as well as foreigners will take interest in reading them,” Prof. Wesley stated.

Slum Dwellers Face Sanitary crisis

2011-06-28T19:30:00.000Z

The unsanitary condition of mushrooming slum neighborhoods across Monrovia has further deteriorated due principally to the lack of toilet facilities in the homes or even pits latrines for use by these communities.

Dwellers of this dominant type of human settlement across the city are also battling with ‘bad air’ or squalor emanating from mountains of garbage stockpiles in these neighborhoods.

Inhabitants of these areas have continued to blame their being in these areas on worsening conditions in their communities of origin in other parts of the country. For instance, growing slum communities along the Measurado River account for at least 2/5 of Monrovia’s population (970,824 people), according to the final results of the 2008 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) published by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) in May of 2009.

The slum communities include West Point, Slipway, Jallah’s Town, Saye Town and Plunkor. Approximately, according to the Census results, 194,000 dwellers in these randomly built dilapidated houses and zinc shacks without toilet facilities or enough spacing in between to allow sanitary workers reach homes at the rear of those communities to collect garbage. These people have also built more than 500 makeshift toilets along the bank of the River; thus increasing the unsanitary nature of their dwelling places.

To make matter worse, they also dispose of their garbage and other waste materials directly into the River, which in turn, serves as breeding ground for tones of mosquitoes and flies.

Some concerned residents of the above mentioned slums, recently spoke with the Daily Observer in an exclusive interview. They outlined several issue they think are responsible for the unsanitary condition of their communities, despite relentless efforts on the part of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to sanitize the entire city.

“This community has been going on like this longer than you think. But I’ve continued to live here,” Samuel Moore, 33, a resident of Plunkor said.

“Some of the makeshift toilets are even older than me. Some, too, were recently built. You see as more people come into this community and build their homes without toilets, they add one or two toilets to those already along the river,” Moore explained.

Moore blamed their condition on abject poverty. He said they are hugely impoverished and cannot afford to construct flush toilets in their homes.

But Eddie Gietar has a diverging view on this matter. Gietar, a resident of Jallah’s town, is of the conviction that slum dwellers deliberately construct their homes without toilets. “It has nothing to do with money,” added.

“Building a house is a project and there is no way you are going to carry out a project without a plan. If you plan to build a house, tell me how will you leave out a bathroom which is to your own convenience?” Mr. Gietar asked.
Mr. Gietar recommended one way the people in these communities could stop using the river as toilet was if the city government prevails on owners of houses that lack toilets to make at least one room in their homes as a restroom.
“Until the MCC come up with a mandate that will have these people changing rooms in their homes to toilets, the river will be used for defecation purpose. That means we will live like this forever,” Mr. Gietar asserted.
Concerning the issue of garbage, an elderly resident of Saye Town, who asked to speak on the basis of anonymity for fear he may be seen as an instigator against the community said, the garbage along the river was a result of how cluttered the houses in the community are.
He admitted though he lived closer to the river, he also dumped his dirt on its bank too.
“It is not that I want to do that, but garbage collectors don’t reach my home because people have built their houses all on the alleys,” he said.
The Daily Observer then contacted Mr. Nyenpan Jlateh, Public Affairs Officer the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), via mobile phone on what was being done to improve the sanitation situation in the area.
According to Mr. Jlateh, the city corporation has organized a garbage collection scheme under which every community in Monrovia will be beneficiaries.
As pertaining to the toilets build on the river, Mr. Jlateh said the city government is running a running a water front program under a World Bank project to give the river line a face lift.
“We have begun to break down some of those toilets in the in the Slipway community under our water front program,” he said.
But what will become of the communities which relies on those river toilets, the MCC public affairs officer said his corporation was working in line with community leaders to identify areas where they could construct public latrines for the people in the area.

“Do Not Allow Your Handicap to Hold You down”

2011-06-28T19:21:00.000Z

Ambassador Greenfield Urged Deaf Students

Amb. Linda Thomas Greenfield

The United States Ambassador to Liberia, Ms. Linda Thomas Greenfield, over the weekend encouraged students of the Hope for the Deaf school to push forward in life and not be depressed by their handicaps.
She spoke as a guest speaker on Friday, June 25, 2011, at the first kindergarten graduation exercise which saw nine hearing impaired children promoted to the first grade.
The program was characterized by many activities including songs, drama, cultural performance, visual aid demonstration, spelling bee contest, solo and dance - all performed by the students.
Ambassador Greenfield said disable people were doing many things in the Liberian society and the school has empowered its 63 students to live more meaningful lives that could help them in the society.
“Disable people are doing many things in the Liberian society and their works are being recognized, we know so many. I want you students to know that I have a young man working for me at the US Embassy who is hearing impaired,” the US ambassador encouraged the assembly of deaf students and their parents.
Narrating how the hearing impaired staff, Isaac Jefferson of the US embassy travelled several time to get instructions on his job as a voucher examiner, the ambassador urged the students not to allow their disabilities to hold them down.
“Mr. Jefferson is a dedicated and well respected colleague at my embassy here in Monrovia. He is not only focused on his own success, Mr. Jefferson focuses on providing educational opportunities for other deaf children so that they can achieve what he has achieved in his life. He did not allow his handicap to hold him down. And I want to say to you, do not allow your handicap to hold you back,” she said.
She told the students they could be leaders, teachers or business persons and become well respected but they needed to think big and stay focused to meet their goals.
“Your President was in the United States recently, and she give a commencement address at the Harvard University, and one of the things she said resonated with me, she said and I quote; ‘if your goals don’t scare you, it is not big enough.”
Impressed by the activities which characterized the graduation ceremony, the US diplomat urged the parents to be proud of their children despite the handicap that they (the children) are faced with.
Also speaking at the program, Mr. David T. Worlobah, II, program coordinator of the Hope for Deaf Institute, said deaf education in Liberia has suffered difficulties because of limited support or enthusiasm.
Mr. Worlobah said because there are fewer schools in the country that provide any education for young people who are hearing or speaking impaired, illiteracy remains high among them (deaf and dumb).
“The objective of this school is to empower these people through education to help themselves in the society,” he said.
He encouraged the parents to help bridge the communication barrier between them and their children to promote a smooth relationship among them.
“I will like parents to help their children. Some parents are not showing interest in their children. If a person is deaf, that does not mean that person is not mentally sound. I have encouraged parents to come and learn the sign language,” he said.
He said there are plans to expand the program from Monrovia to other parts of the country to give opportunity to those living with deafness to learn and become productive citizens in the country.
Though the school is conducting training in shoemaking, the program coordinator said there are intentions to integrate more vocational training including soap making, tailoring and tie and dye.
“Hope for the deaf has been in the vanguard to make the lives of the deaf in Liberia better,” he said.

Amb. Greenfield and Students

Dancing without Sound

2011-06-28T19:07:00.000Z

In our contemporary world, people have various forms of impediments that they must accept to live with, no matter what. Some are visually or hearing impaired, others have physical disabilities yet some have impediments that would only be seen if carefully observed. It is interesting how people who accept their conditions tend to overcome their problems. The culture performers seen in this photograph are girls who have accepted the impediment they are faced with deafness. This girl performed vibrant culture dance without the sound of drums. Interestingly, her motion corresponded with the gesture of a man made with his hands in thin air.

“Corruption is holding you down”

2011-06-13T01:20:00.000Z

Ambassador Greenfield tells Cuttington’s Graduates

Suakoko- US Ambassador to Liberia, H. E. Linda Thomas Greenfield, last Sunday, June 12, 2011, blamed the underdevelopment of Liberia on corruption, which she said continues to violate Liberia’s trust and interest.
Madam Greenfield made this remark while delivering a commencement address at the 50th commencement convocation of the Cuttington University College (CUC) in Suakoko, Bong County which saw the graduation of at least 552 students.
“while most people are struggling to make ends meet to feed their children, send them to school, and provide them with health care under difficult circumstances,,” the US diplomat said, “there are misuse of public coffers; which should not be tolerated.”
In her 37 minutes speech to the assembly of graduates and other people present, Madam Greenfield acknowledged the significant progress Liberia has made in the area of Health, Academic, and other social amenities that could inspired Liberians at home and abroad to work harder.
“Schools are opening-up in urban and rural areas so that children can go to school. Hospitals are being built to provide decent health care to the public. Streets and communities are receiving lights to improve the quality of life of citizens. And infrastructure is being developed to increces the potential of foreign direct investment and the development of local entrepreneurs. All of these possibilities inspire us to work even harder,” she said.
“If I told you that there are no challenges,” she added. “I would be less honest with you. Because I very much care about Liberia, I don’t shy away from being critical, when necessary. Let me repeat what I have said on many occasions. The one problem that continues to violate your trust and interest is corruption.”
Not defending corruption in the United States, Ambassador Greenfield, acknowledged there exist corruption in the United States, which is not right in where ever it exists. But corruption in the United States does not lead to the lack of roads, schools, or keep ports not operating.
“Corruption in Liberia is holding you back,” Madam Greenfield, upon who the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, LHD was conferred, told the audience present.

Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield