GOVERNMENT pg 6 TOP NEWS STORIES

MILITARY NEWS

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VOL 8 NO.530 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

SAYS CHAMBERS' CLAIM IS FLAWED

MARITIME DEBUNKS US$200M LOBBYING CLAIM

SMALL BUT ROBUST ARMY CRUCIAL FOR LIBERIA

New chief of staff wants small but bigger operational impact

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 L$80.00/US$1 L$80.00/US$1 L$80.00/US$1

SELLING L$81.00/US$1 L$81.00/US$1 L$81.00/US$1

These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

WHAT SENATOR CLARICE JAH TOLD ELLEN CORKRUM

PRICE L$40

IN HER OWN

I say the President really using me oh. We got this strong relationship and especially she can confide in me. When they got on her son, I had my click. They got on the air. When they got on the air, I had all the tapes for her. She said is it real? I said yes; its just that Im not the, anh you know the outing, where you see me out, because I work a lot Yesterday, I told her, I said Madam, ELLEN CORKRUM, the MD from Robertsfield, anh you know, I met her casually, but IVE been admiring her work, she said oh yes, you brought something to my mind.

WORDS

POLITICS pg. 5 & 6

See PG 2

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Friday, February 7, 2014

iberias Auditor General Robert L. Kilby was recently dismissed by the President for violating the PPC law by his involvement in conflict of interest. In dismissing Kilby, Sirleaf stated I am today formally requesting the concurrence of the Honorable Legislature to dismiss the Auditor General, Robert Kilby for failure to disclose private business activities that represent a clear conflict of interest with his official duties as Head of the institution with prime responsibility to investigate and advise on non-compliance with our public financial management and procurement laws. Sirleaf now faces the headache of acting against the Weeks cousins who have recently been in the spotlight for violating extant laws of Liberia. Nepotism, family linkage and kinship are amongst some of the key vices that have impacted Liberia negatively over the years with successive Liberian presidents falling prey to the menace. Decision making becomes difficult for these Liberian leaders when their friends, family members and relatives are involved in violations of extant laws. The practice is aged old as President William V.S. Tubman, William R. Tolbert, Samuel K. Doe and Charles Taylor were all hampered by the practice as their families and friends were involved in situations that embarrassed their ability to make crucial decisions. Tolbert ran a family empire and the Tolberts controlled the economy through their private companies where government agencies and private citizens were compelled to do business with these private entities. The Tolberts also embarrassed the president through their actions at various ministries and agencies of Government. President Does kinsmen held high profile military positions and easily behaved their way without being reprimanded. Same as Taylor whose brotherin-law Henry Cassel even shot to death a poor commercial taxi driver without being subjected to due process of the law. For Sirleaf her cronies have shown economic interest and are always willing to exert excessive power in places they work, with the Liberian leader caught between the scissors on decision making. President Sirleaf is currently grappling with an embarrassment by two senior officials of her government from the same family linkage, the Weeks two of whom have taken center stage in the country in recent months, taking decisions that are in clear violations of the laws, regulations and other best practices in Liberia. First it was the Bropleh linkage that embarrassed President Sirleaf when Albert Bropleh ran the LTA as a private chiefdom engaging in massive waste and abuse of resources while another Bropleh, Lawrence was involved in payroll fraud in the payment of Foreign Service employees at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Sirleaf later took the hard decision when she surrendered Albert to Court through the Ministry of Justice and dismissed Lawrence. Now again, Sirleaf is caught between the scissors as she comes to terms with the actions of Antoinette Weeks at the Ministry of Public Works and Angeline Weeks at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). Antoinette Turns public Works Apart The once peaceful Ministry of Public Works turned chaotic when Minister Antoinette Weeks assumed office as Minister. Minister Weeks brief time at the Ministry has been marred by acrimonious working relationship with other senior officials of the Ministry, where she is said to be making every decision and ignoring the input of others. Since taking over the ministry last September, Minister Antoinette Weeks has reportedly refused to use her official office and has instead shared office with now suspended Deputy for Technical Services, Minister Smith. A fortnight ago, Minister Weeks and Deputy Minister Smith were involved in heated argument that drew onlookers. It is unclear what triggered the argument which eyewitnesses spurred a shouting match between the pair as both senior officials traded nasty insults which included cursing each others parents. Again, Minister weeks effected a number of changes at the Ministry, transferring the Director of Human Resources and Training at the Ministry Mr. Vincent B. Smith to the post of Director for Warehouse. Deputy Minister for Administration Zack Sharpe stated in a letter to one of the managers who was transferred: Based on the above, you are officially notified that effective Friday, January 24, 2014, you will be transferred from your current position as Director of Human Resources and Training to a new position of Director of Warehouse for MPW. Please turn over all outstanding personnel matters and details of your new position. Besides issuing transfer letters to the Financial Comptroller (Abraham Samukai), transfers were also issued to Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Y. Forkpa, Procurement Director, B. Wion Kanteah, Assistant Director

for Logistics, Joe V. Dixon and the Director of Human Resources & Training Vincent B. Smith. Like the Financial Comptroller and his deputy, the Procurement Director and his Assistant have been transferred to the Division of Human Resources for re-assignment. The Director of HRT, Vincent Smith was been transferred to the Ministrys Warehouse as Manager. No valid reason were given by Minister Weeks for these changes except for the frivolous excuse that it is part of internal reforms. Letters were issued after official working hours with immediate action taken in changing the locks to various offices concerned. Minister Weeks actions clearly violated the Civil Service Agency Standing Orders by transferring managers and other senior level employees at the Ministry without consultation with the Civil Service Agency, something that has been acknowledged by the CSA. The CSA stated in a communication that Minister Weeks action is in violation of the CSA Standing Order and that the agency was not consulted on the decisions. In a communication dated January 30, 2014, CSA Director George Werner acknowledged receipt of a complaint from some employees and informed Hon. Zack G. Sharpe, III, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Public Works that the CSA was not consulted by the Ministry before taking actions against the affected employees. The Ministry of Public Works did not consult the Civil Service Agency prior to the administrative transfer of Civil Servants in the category of Directors. Had the Ministry of Public Works done so, you would have been properly advised of the procedures and regulations governing such transfer, in accordance with the Standing Orders for the Civil Service, of which we quote the relevant sections: Director Werner indicated in his communication. Despite the clear violation of the CSA standing Order by Minister Weeks, President Sirleaf suspended the Deputy Minister Victor Smith while Weeks still enjoys the confidence of the Liberian leader. Like Kilby Angeline Violates PPCC Laws From the Ministry of Public Works, Angeline Weeks is also tearing apart the coffers of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority signing lease agreement worth over US$1.1 million without the adhering to the advice of the Public procurement and Concession Commission of Liberia and the Ministry of Justice. With the Government of Liberia experiencing shortfall in the collection of revenue for the 2013/2014 national budget, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority under the stewardship of Angeline Weeks recently entered into advanced negotiations with a Chinese company, Qingfian International (Lib) Group Development Co. Ltd. (CNQC) to rent its apartment building to house the LTA. The building, located on the Congo town back road near the Baptist Church as per the lease agreement will be rented for US$385,000 per year. The huge rental payment agreement comes after Finance Minister Amara Konneh recently accused the LTA of not meeting its commitments to support the national budget, which has contributed to budgetary shortfalls which the Minister said could affect important infrastructure and social services programs but in spite of the alarm from the Finance Minister, the LTA is still negotiating big money contracts. As per the agreement with the Chinese Landlord, the LTA has agreed to pay US$385,000.00 (Three Hundred Eighty Five Thousand United States Dollars) per year, with a three-year upfront payment to a Chinese Landlord totaling US$1,155,000.00 (ONE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND UNITED STATES

DOLLARS). The four-story building contains thirty-one rooms and six bathrooms situated on two lots of land. According to a source within the LTA, the lease agreement was sent to the Ministry of Justice in keeping with the Procurement Law. However, it appears that the Ministry of Justice was reluctant to sign off on the deal despite the insistence of Weeks. One source said the ministry was reluctant committing the government of Liberia to a lease agreement that made the government a tenant of a Chinese Company in Congo Town. More importantly, concerns have been expressed about the LTAs unilateral decision to lease a building for more than a million dollars when the same money could build more than one permanent structure for at least two or three government agencies. According to investigation, the action by the LTA is in violation of the PPCC law, 2005 as LTA has not, as of Fiscal Year 2012/2013 and Fiscal Year 2013/2014, submitted its procurement planning for approval in keeping with Section 40 of the PPCA. The regulations state that prior to approval of Procurement Plans must be obtained from the Public Procurement Concessions Commission before any contracts can be awarded for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. The LTAs noncompliance, FrontPageAfrica has learned was deemed a violation of the PPCA as Procurement Planning is the beginning from which transparency and accountability of GoL funds can be ascertained. Besides the submission of Procurement Plan, the PPCC in a communication to Weeks, requested from the LTA information including the cost of purchasing a land to construct a new office for the LTA, the cost of renovating a government owned building, amongst others but the LTA did not get back to PPCC and went ahead with the lease contract. There are also other violations of the PPCC law in the signing of the lease agreement as a source at the LTA confirmed that the LTA management is already in the process of moving into the building, suggesting that the LTA went ahead and signed the MOU even though it was advised by the PPCC not to do so, a clear violation of Section 31. 1 of the Amendment and Restatement of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act states that No Procuring Entity shall enter into a procurement contract above the Thresholds establish by Regulations promulgated by the Commission unless a minimum of fourteen (14) days have lapsed since the notification of intent to award a contract was delivered to the Commission. President Sirleaf recently dismissed Auditor General Robert Kilby for violating the PPCC law through his involvement in conflict of interest situation at the General Services Agency of Liberia. Said President Sirleaf I am today formally requesting the concurrence of the Honorable Legislature to dismiss the Auditor General, Robert Kilby for failure to disclose private business activities that represent a clear conflict of interest with his official duties as Head of the institution with prime responsibility to investigate and advise on noncompliance with our public financial management and procurement laws. For the same reason, the Liberian leader dismissed the Director General of the GSA, Ms Pearine Davis-Parkinson, who approved the contracts Kilbys consulting firm in violation of the countrys procurement laws and procedures. Pundits believe the situation with the Weeks cousins is a serious embarrassment to the Liberian leader since she has taken decision against other government officials for violating the same laws the Weeks have also violated.

FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL A EULOGY TO THE REGENERATED ARMED

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Friday, February 7, 2014

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Commentary

STORY MUST NOT END WITH FREEZE OF LTA ACCOUNT

IN ORDERING A FREEZE of the accounts of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Tuesday, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf made the right choice, taking a decision that may not go down well with members of her kitchen Cabinet; but will certainly score brownie points among her critics unhappy over her dwindling fight against graft. THE PRESIDENT took the decision less than 48 hours after a FrontPageAfrica investigative report uncovered yet another wasteful spending on the part of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) in the tone of US$1.1 Million dollars. THE FRONTPAGEAFRICA REPORT revealed that LTA Chair Angelique Weeks had entered into an advanced negotiation with a Chinese company, Qingfian International (Lib) Group Development Co. Ltd. (CNQC) to rent its apartment building to house the LTA. The building is located on the Congotown back road near the Baptist Church. IT IS INTERESTING to note that the National Investment Commission turned down an asking price of US$450, 000 per annum for the same building, causing many to wonder why the LTA settle for such a ridiculous offer. THE LTA, WHOSE lease with the Methodist Church, the landlord for one of its offices in Sinkor expired last Sunday, had already moved into the controversial new building despite objections from the Ministry of Justice and the Public Procurement Concessions Commission. THE DEAL itself had all the markings of wasteful spending at the highest order. The LTA chair had agreed to pay US$385,000.00 (Three Hundred Eighty Five Thousand United States Dollars) per year, with a three-year upfront payment to a Chinese Landlord totaling US$1,155,000.00 (ONE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS). The four-story building contains thirty-one rooms and six bathrooms situated on two lots of land. THIS IS WHY we are happy that the President also took a decision Tuesday to suspend the US$1 million lease agreement between LTA and a Chinese company, Qinjian International, for the controversial building. THE PRESIDENT who returned home Monday from an AU summit and a three-day state visit to Malawi, also took another decision Tuesday when she ordered through an Executive Mansion release, a full investigation into all standing contracts between the Ministry of Public Works and construction companies in the country. The President who took the decision following a meeting last evening with Public Works officials, is looking to ensure that Government gets the full value for money spent, a key concern for international partners, has directed all current and former officials of the Ministry of Public Works to cooperate fully with the investigation.

A GOOD MOVE MADAM, PRESIDENT BUT

Joey T. Kennedy, josephtnkennedy@yahoo.com, Contributing Writer

FORCES OF LIBERIA

he Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) is a defense and development an institution of the state that has metamorphosed into an entity which is garnering respect and credibility both locally and internationally, principally on the basis of the quality of trainings being provided to its personnel and the competence of individuals being enlisted within its ranks. Originally named the Liberia Frontier Force (LFF) at its establishment in 1908, the Liberian Army comprised 500 men whose mission was to patrol the borders of the hinterland and ward off British and French territorial enlargement as well as to prevent disorder. The Liberia Frontier Force became the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in 1956. Following its establishment, the AFL saw little action, apart from a reinforced company sent to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1960s which changed at the advent of the Liberian Civil War in 1989 when the AFL became entangled in the conflict that spiraled over the period from 1989 to 2003. Following its demobilization in 2003, The AFL is being restructured and reclassified. Today, a new 2000-strong AFL is being built under the auspices of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) program. With support from the international community, particularly the United States and United Nations peacekeeping and peace-building efforts, Liberia has rebuilt a new, ethnically balanced and professional army; Liberia can now boast a 1,980-person-strong Armed Forces of Liberia which now positions itself to support a democratic environment through strategic and practical proficiencies with a robust capacity to defend the territorial integrity of Liberia. Currently, the newly rehabilitated Training Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia, headquartered at Camp Todee has assumed responsibility for tactical and proficiency training locally. The facility is presently training 140 new army recruits, which is expected to be increased by some 400 recruits recently vetted and endorsed by the Joint Personnel Board of the AFL. The AFL currently consists of two infantry battalions, and a small Liberian National Coast Guard, which is being reformed. In her State of the Nation Address delivered at the joint sitting of the Liberian Legislature in January this year, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf intimated her desire to install, after confirmation consideration by the Liberian Senate, a Liberian Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Brigade Commander of the AFL at the celebration of Armed Forces Day on February 11, 2014 bidding farewell to Major General Suraj Alao
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Abdurrahman who has served the AFL as Command Officer-In-Charge since June 2007. The President subsequently nominated the Brigade Commander of the AFL, Col. Daniel Dee Ziankhan, and Col, Eric Dennis as Chief-of-Staff and Deputy Chief-Of-Staff of the AFL, Respectively. In a letter addressed to the Liberian Senate, President Sirleaf said the officers have met all the requirements necessary, including advance and strategic training at various military institutions, and their deportment and discipline have been highly commended by the countrys international partners involved in restructuring of the AFL. Following its restructuring, the Armed Forces of Liberia In 2013, was proud to contribute an infantry platoon-size unit to join the Africa International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), making it the first time that our Armed Forces is participating in international peacekeeping operations in 52 years. The last time the AFL participated in an enterprise of similar scope was in the early 1960s in Congo. Initially under Nigerian command, the AFL platoon in Mali came under Togolese Contingent Command when Nigeria withdrew from the mission. Despite some initial logistical problems the platoon performed admirably, performing patrols and VIP escort duties. The AFL has also been contributing to upholding peace and security in the country as well as assisting in warding off insurgency in neighboring Ivory Coast and other countries in the Mano River Union Basin. On a regular basis, the military is seen performing clean-up activities in the city of Monrovia and outlying communities in an effort to effectively contribute to the process of making the City a place of social comfort. These efforts of the Armed Forces have created integrity and public confidence within the AFL whose reputation was soiled as a result of its role in the more than 14 years of patricidal civil conflict in Liberia. It is worth noting that authorities of the AFL are continuously exerting effortstowards recruiting to the Army individuals with impeccable character with the ultimate goal of ensuring that enlistment within the military would harness and uphold the current state of public trust within the institution in our nations quest to make the Armed Forces of Liberia second to none on the continent of Africa and one of the best in the world. Therefore, as we celebrate the 106 years of existence of the Armed Forces of Liberia (1908-2014) and the 57th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia, we should lift our heads up high in giving accolades to our rejuvenated AFL because through it all, we now have a capable, gallant, nationally and internationally representative ARMED FORCES OF LIBERIA!!!!!!!!!

THE DECISION WAS followed by the resignation of Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services, Mr. Victor Smith., who has directed him to remain in country and cooperate fully with the investigation. SMITH WAS involved in a heated exchange with Minister Antoinette Weeks last week resulting into what eyewitnesses say a rain of insults, prompting Smith to leave the ministry. The fight between the pair comes in the wake of mounting tension pitting the minister at odds with her principal deputies, prompting allegations that Weeks has been micromanaging the ministry with very little input from senior staff toward agenda items/issues

WHILE WE EMBRACE the presidents decision on these issues, we do so with a bit of caution and a lower expectation considering the fact that the President has in previous years, turned to similar tactic for reprieve from questions dogging her seriousness about fighting corruption. The list goes on: From the Knucklesgate investigation to the November 7 WE ARE ALSO puzzled as to why the President chose to order an investigation and freeze the LTA account without suspending the board as she did when a similar act led to the suspension of the LIBTELCO board.

THE LIBTELCO board was suspended pending a probe after members reportedly failed to stick to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act in concluding a contract with a European company, Ketter Telecom (K3). WITH ALL eyes watching to see how the saga at the LTA and probe at Public Works will end, it remains to be seen how Sirleaf will handle the outcome of these investigations: Prosecute those found running afoul of the law or a redux of previous endings to these developments. Sirleaf must realize that she does not have the luxury of time on her side and must do all she can to score more brownie points if she has any intentions of leaving a lasting legacy in Liberia.

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Friday, February 7, 2014

COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE

FUMBLING EJS: LIBERIAN PREZ FUMBLES STATE OF NATION DELIVERY
MARTIN KPAHN I do not think FPA representation of the president's state of union address is fair. You were overly negative negative. While all may not be rosy both the negatives and the positives achieved should be highlighted not focusing almost exclusively on the negatives as you did. SYLVESTER MOSES It was a persuasive promise from a chef who announced a mouth watering menu of great dishes to a wolfish group of impatient diners. Is there enough time to prepare the foods, would all the ingredients be ready? Admittedly, mistakes and delays were made but the hungry diners must consider that though the dinner is late, the chef remorsefully understands they are hungry, and is rushing with the cooking. We ask for the patience of Swiss tennis stat Stan Wawrinka, the winner of the 2014 Melbourne Tennis Open, who after many tries finally defeated top - ranked Rafael Nadal. Reportedly Stan had these words - from a poem written by Nobel Laureate Samuel Beckett - tattooed on his left arm: Ever tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Better. So in spite of wasted opportunities a lot can be achieved. And never mind that the argument was turned on its head that instability causes poverty, rather than poverty poses a threat to stability, it is gratifying that the linkage between the two was recognized. That is an incentive to focus on jobs, equality of opportunities, youth training, education, empowerment, decentralization, reconciliation, social justice and security sector professionalism and preparedness. Lets exercise forbearance, my people. WILLIAM PONDER FPA ,my advice is to follow the patterns of Western media especially those in the United States after a president gives an Annual Address. Interview both sides, those who take away something positive from the speech as well as others who (as you have interviewed here, feel that the speech didn't live up to expectations. This will create a balance set of views. From this presentation, it would appear from someone on the outside that after a two-hour speech, there was not one citizen out of the nearly 4 million people living in the country that had anything positive to say. We all understand Liberia has many challenges and there are many who feel a lot more needs to be done. However, let us also celebrate our successes while we hold ourselves to account for the failures. This is the only way we can build-on the successes and correct the failures in order move forward. Other than that, I want thank and congratulate FPA for its new roll-out of news coverage. There has been some major improvements. Phil George Top Commenter Umass Lowell With all due respect Sirleaf is too old and weak to be an effective President. Liberia needs a hands-on chief executive who can get out there every day and see what's going on because you can't trust those rascals calling themselves officials. No senior level official has been arrested and charged for corruption! She's a joke! Unfortunately we are a long way off from the next election. Folks, isnt it time to change the term of office to 4 years? Have we learned anything yet? George Alonzo Kamara CEO & Founder at Primecomputersstore.com This is the same president that came out and publically stated that "the education system of this country that I am currently ruling is a complete mess", it is during this very same government administration that (25000 or 25 thousand students fails the university of Liberia entrance; at which the entrance requirement was 50 for English, and 45 for map. Not a single students of this 25000 couldn't make this grades. At the time our belovely president took power, these listed students was in 4th grade. Now tell me fellow readers of this media from 4th grade up to 12th grade is 8 years. Therefore these first groups of students under our belovely president leadership, learn nothing but complete mess". This is why the university doesn't want to allow person with disabilities to enroll cause they will make the different. All these guy's does is to spared or crook with money to pass. very clear my good people. Now my next is the jobs facilities: according to the latest report from IMF, united nation, the unemployments rate is 90 percent. that is out of our population which is 3.4 millions. And our president is saying that over hundred of companies/NGO, employ 150 employees, other employ 90 women. If we do the map, we will be left with 60 to 75 percent left unemploy. Finally please university of Liberia, please sees reason to allow person with disabilities to enroll in our nation own university. Our constitution state that government is fully responsible to provide equal education, equal job employments, equal justice, equal security to all citizen of this nation. thanks the voice of the voiceless advocate.

"Setting the Records Straight Regarding Liberian to UN-Geneva"

Mr. Editor: I would like to extend Greetings for the New Year and Best Wishes. This comes with reference to your article of Wednesday, January 8, 2014 page 8, under the Diplomatic News Section entitle: Will Sirleaf Act? As Liberian Foreign Missions wallow in financial peril by Wade C. L. Williams. In that regard, I feel constrained to set the record straight and correct certain inaccuracies in the article that refers to a number of issues during my tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. (September 2007 November 2010). Several dimensions of the article casts aspersions unjustifiably on the Liberian Ambassador in Paris and in turn smears the international image of the Government of Liberia, something which any patriotic Liberian should be concerned about, whether one is part of Government or otherwise, as in my case. As such, I am addressing the aspect that fell under my purview during my period at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while other issues in the article, is more appropriately addressed by the current officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first issue relates to the sub-section of your article captioned: McKinley Thomas rush to reopen Swiss mission. The article alleges that the Ambassador convinced President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to reopen the Geneva mission, citing a diplomat source that prefers to remain anonymous. It is further alleged that the deceased diplomat, Mr. Amet, complained about the inadequacy and ill-timing for Governments support for the missions (Geneva, presumably) expenses (but) Ambassador Thomas refused to abandon the idea of establishing a mission. The statement is totally inaccurate as regards the considerations surrounding the opening of the mission since Mr. Amet was nowhere In the picture when we moved to reopen the mission and reduce/clear outstanding indebtedness of Government. The reality was as follow: Foremost, Government of Liberia had outstanding indebtedness in 2006 at the beginning of the first administration of President Johnson Sirleaf of some $ 600,000 to $ 855,000 to private individuals in Geneva, from past Governments failure to honor its obligations. Because of such indebtedness, Government of Liberia could not benefit from the Swiss government grants of technical assistance, nor could we operate a mission at UN Geneva headquarters. This was a most embarrassing situation for Africas oldest Republic and perhaps amongst, if not, the first African mission to UN headquarters in Geneva. Thus, it was upon my directive and supervision that we engaged a Swiss lawyer to assist us in this matter. We were able to come up with a schedule of payment that we maintained and that showed seriousness to the Swiss government. Negotiations were engaged in with the creditors through our lawyer with Amb. Thomas that led to the saving of GOL of approximately 565,000 US dollars (as we were able to negotiate lower payments annually) to approximately 291,000 US dollars from the initial amount mentioned above and over the period 2007 to now. We were also able to tap some accured WIPO funds earnings of Government of Liberia, which application was duly approved by the Ministry of Finance at the time and the Office of the President. WIPO then new guidelines had no problem with this. It was only following progress on settlement of our indebtedness that Government of Liberia was able to benefit from the Swiss canton of Genevas special facility for LDC (least development countries) to receive assistance of some 300.00 Swiss CHF towards payment of accommodations for our offices. It was therefore upon that basis that the Paris mission received the green light from central office to proceed and negotiate for appropriate offices whereupon Ministry of Foreign Affairs received authorization from Madam President for re-opening of our Geneva mission. Indeed even with that, I had much trouble getting the Ministry of Finance to remit the necessary funds when it was time

to meet the scheduled payments. For your further information the Swiss Government had presented to Madam President during her official visit to Switzerland in March 2006 a full listing of the said indebtedness and urged Government to find a solution for its settlement in order to reignite our bilateral cooperation. As such, Amb. Thomas worked assiduously with the Ministry to solve the problem and did a first class job as indicated on page 98 of my book on Womens Leadership in Post Conflict Liberia: My Journey. Indeed, it was decided that in order to be cost effective and minimize operating costs, the Geneva Permanent mission would be established as an ancillary to the Paris Embassy, to which Ambassador Thomas would concurrently be accredited as Permanent Representative to the UN at Geneva and that an officer from the Paris mission would be seconded and serve as Charge d affairs a.i. As such, the late Mr. Albert Amet was duly accredited to our Geneva mission. To the best of my knowledge I do not recall that drivers quarters exist at the Liberian Embassy in Paris, to which for the records, my father, the late CTO King ll was accredited as Liberian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. As to Mr. Amet dying as a pauper etc, this will have to be responded to by the current officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What I do know is that I read in the newspapers of how he was buried with honors in Paris. Thus, the entire reference on this item in your article tarnishes both the reputation and standing of our Ambassador in Paris and the Government of Liberia. This is a disgrace and an insult to the accomplishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during my tenure and must not be allowed to go unanswered. Indeed, for your information and the benefit of the public it is my understanding that in December 2013 the Swiss Permanent mission to the UN-Geneva, wrote to our mission in Paris acknowledging that Liberia has completed the process (which started In 2008) of clearing its debts of the former Permanent mission and indicated that the settlement would restore confidence with the business community in Switzerland. On the issue of there being no plan to settle outstanding Foreign Service officers arrears, please see pages 88 91 of the above mentioned book which reports on our work in this regard while Minister of Foreign Affairs. We actually did a comprehensive vetting of the outstanding arrears; began paying a percentage of same to the officers while the balance due was to be pursued by the Ministry. The book can be found at Longman Book Store on Camp Johnson Road, at the Crystal Ocean view Hotel and at the Angie Books International Centre on 3rd Floor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I trust that the recently elected Press Union of Liberia will look into such matters so as to avoid the wanton tarnishing of the International Standing of the Government of Liberia. In closing, I want to urge Front Page Africa to please properly do its homework and research before going into such reporting as was done in this article information for which was given by sources at the Ministry who had nothing to do with the dossier at hand. Yours Sincerely, Olubanke King-Akerele Former Minister of Foreign Affairs (R.L) Cc: Hon. Augustine Ngafuan Minister of Foreign Affairs Cc: Ambassador D. McKinley Thomas Liberian Ambassador Embassy of Liberia Paris, France Cc: K. Abdullah Kamara President Press Union of Liberia Monrovia, Liberia

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Friday, February 7, 2014

n the latest strings of secret recordings released by the former Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LCA), Ellen Corkrum and her fianc, Melvin Johnson, a member of the National Legislature has revealed what she termed the click that is used by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in getting presidential nominees confirmed by the Liberian senate and also conducting fake investigations. In the recording, Senator Clarice A. Jah (Liberty Party, Margibi) disclosed that the President had used her on many occasions to lobby with colleagues to get appointees including Central Bank of Liberia Governor Mills Jones confirmed. The lawmaker disclosed that President Sirleafs intervention at one time helped her to receive a US$5,000 gratuity from Central Bank Governor Jones for her (Jahs) role in helping to get the Governor confirmed by the Liberian Senate. Sometimes we just need to tie the knots here and there, because like I say, everything now is politicsEverything in Liberia. Everything that politics, everything. The last time, the President called. You know when the Governor went for confirmation. He had all this problem. They was bringing, oh the man want run for President in time to come, blah blah blah. Oh, they cant give the man the position. So I stood for the Governor, I went around and talked to those who were in control; they listened to me. The President called me, she say, you think the Governor will get confirmed? I say Ma, I dont want to tell you yes right away, but let me do small work, by then I had gotten all of the political aspects, you know.Finally when we got to the last person, Robert Sirleaf, you know that man there, when the man see people, he proud, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I called him, I said go talk to this person, the president called me He got confirmed. This day, I was at the Presidents office, when I look, he came. The President say, she turned around, Senator Jah, I say yes Madam President. How much this man contributed towards your campaign? Just like that. She embarrassed him, until he gave me some kind of $5000.00 USD. The lawmaker also indicated that fake independent investigation committees are sometimes established by the President for the sake of making things appear the right way in the eyes of the public. The senators comments contained in the recording were accordingly as a

IN HER OWN WORDS

What Senator Clarice Jah Told Ellen Corkrum
Minister Samukai has since apologized for his comments against the President and other government officials. Police Director Chris Massaquoi has said he has no regrets for his comments as recorded by Corkrum where he told Corkrum that the President had ordered him to arrest her but he still aided the escape of Corkrum who is now wanted in Liberia to face trial. READ FULL TRANSCRIPT Per Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum, the recording of Senior Senator Clarice Jah marks the beginning in a series of recordings to come that illustrates President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her governments commitment to and experience with corruption and stealing from the poor people of Liberia. Liberia is in a state of emergency; therefore, Liberians first, then the friends of Liberia must intervene and take a stand. After the airport Board of Director which comprised of seven (7) members, then Minister of Transport- Eugene Nagbe, LCAA representative- Captain Weefur, Mrs. Amy Clarke, Ambassador Edward Dunn, Mr. MassaquoiKamara, Board ChairMusa Bility and the airports managing director, approved Judge Johnson to serve as legal adviser to the airport, Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum took numerous immediate and drastic anti-corruption stances. For instance: Airport Gas Station The Airport has a gas station purposed to supply the necessary fuel for airport fleet equipment and vehicle. Before Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum, there was virtually no accountability for the fuel. In fact, the gas station was a source of theft for government officials. Some officials were reportedly operating parallel private gas stations with the fuel taken from the airport station. Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum even received reports of officials taking fuel from the airport gas station and selling it locally at third parties make-shift gas stations. The pair instituted a stringent logging system and required the corresponding report to appear on the desk of Ellen Corkrum no later than Monday mornings at 9:00am for the preceding week. The pair required the attendant to record the Year, Make, Model, Mileage, Employee Name and Department for every drop of gasoline. Naturally, this caused problems for those government officials who were stealing gasoline. VIP Lounge The airport has a VIP Lounge that provides VIP accommodations for such guests traveling to and from Liberia. The airport provides complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for the guests. After the pair audited the lounge, and compared the ordered drinks and snacks inventory to the registered number of VIP guests for the same period, they discovered that each guest was purportedly consuming an average of twenty (20) alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage before or after the flight. Obviously this was another source of theft by government. The pair immediately changed the voucher ordering, inventory and accounting systems and sent a letter to the local drinks and snacks vendors. The letter, in essence, provided that the new management had discovered some improprieties in ordering and inventory and politely wanted to put all vendors on notice to avoid any collusion with any unscrupulous officials. In closing, the letter promised to expose all such government officials and involved vendors to the fullest extent. Ghost Employees A phenomenon of corrupt governments is Ghost Employee. Government officials would essentially lists additional imaginary employees for the purpose of illegally collecting said made up employees salaries at the pay period. At the airport the pair received tips about this phenomena and about senior officials retaining part of the lowest paid employees salary. Due to fear and intimidation, the lower paid employees who simply go along with it. Realizing this, the pair sent notice to all airport employees and expressed their desire to meet and congratulate everyone for a job well done to date. The pair explained further that consequently they would be present with the pay masters at the next pay period. The pair requested all employees to bring his ID at the pay masters table to receive salary. Unbelievably, nearly 25% of the listed employees miraculously quitted and never appear to collect their salaries. Pay Increase For Lowest Pay Employees and Christmas Bonus As a result of the surprise surplus generated from the Ghost Employees crack down, the pair declared that all employees earning a meager $54 USD a month would receive a raise to $108 USD a month. Further, all such employees would receive a one time Christmas Bonus of $54. This would later be referred to by corrupt officials as an administrative lapse because the pair did not get permission to increase the salary of such employees. The aforementioned actions by Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum made the pair gravely unpopular amongst their colleagues and high ranking corrupt government officials. Before long the pair received numerous tips about a plan and plot to tarnish the pair and get rid of them. After much prayer and reflection, a consideration of the high risk involved (their lives, careers, 6 children, family, love ones, etc), the pair decided to record these corrupt officials (including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf), with no exception, and unprecedentedly bring the truth to light. After recording several suspected culprits, the pair decided to approach Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai. The pair approached Minister Samukai, NOT because they suspected his involvement, but they had established a professional relationship with him, and given his position as the highest ranking security officer in the country, they imagined that he might be aware of what was transpiring (after all Liberia is a small country where information is free and plentiful). Minister Samukai (via his now public recording) disclosed to the pair that the corrupt officials plot was premised on the pairs anti-corruption stance, but focused on $130 Million USD that was forthcoming for the airport renovation. Minister Samukai advised the pair to seek an Independent Investigation/Audit from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Taking Minister Samukais advise, they were headed for an audience with the President, but first conversed to various officials in an effort to observe protocol and chain of command. The officials immediately and sternly discourage any independent investigation. They explained that such an investigation would expose and shame the government. After the pair had spoken to

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POLITICS

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consequence of attempts by Corkrum to have an investigation into activities at the airport mainly a $130 million that was forthcoming for the airport renovation but Senator Jah is said to have been sent by President Sirleaf to intercept the pair and discourage them from carrying out investigation or independent audit, with an apparent fear of not hooking senior government officials who were involved with the operations of the LCA. Senator Jah in the recording attempted to convince the pair to disregard any independent investigation/audit but rather allow she, Senator Jah, the President and the Click to stage a fake investigation; thereby keeping intact President Johnson Sirleaf and her governments secrets regarding corruption. Says Senator Jah, I say the President really using me oh. We got this strong relationship and especially she can confide in me. When they got on her son, I had my click. They got on the air. When they got on the air, I had all the tapes for her. She said is it real? I said yes; its just that Im not the, anh you know the outing, where you see me out, because I work a lot Yesterday, I told her, I said Madam, ELLEN CORKRUM, the MD from Robertsfield, anh you know, I met her casually, but IVE been admiring her work, she said oh yes, you brought something to my mind. The children can say that Clarice finish joining Unity Party, she will say, Clarice is still with Liberty Party, but Clarice is my daughter. I travel with her a lot of times. So one night we were on the flight. We were going Senegal, from here to Italy. So we were in first class. I was just sitting across from her. She said to me, but Senator, take small wine. I said, no Madam. She said well, our two on the flight, but me I drinking my own you hear. And every five minutes when I look, her attendant will go to go pour her some more. ..I say dammit, this woman not strong for nothing. Senator Jah is an opposition lawmaker but since her election in 2005 she has been a close confidante of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and has been quiet on issues, failing to publicly comment on national issues. She admitted in the recording that many think she is now a member of the ruling Unity Party as she has kept her cool from politics especially in her own Liberty party. Jah is now facing the task of getting re-elected as her nine years tenure expires in few months. Like the case of Jah, the Corkrums secret recording has now become a national embarrassment for several top government officials who did not manage their words in conversations with Corkrum which were unknowingly recorded and has now been made public. Already Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and Police Director Chris Massaquoi are amongst the officials embarrassed by the recording. Minister Samukai lashed at President Sirleaf in one of the recordings for her failure to fight corruption.

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POLITICS

Friday, February 7, 2014

DOING IMPUT? ARE THEY LOOKING AT YOU AS THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR? BECAUSE SHE WAS SAYING SHE WILL NOT USE BOARD MEMBERS, IS WHAT SHE SAID, BUT SHE SAID THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT SHES USED BEFORE FOR THESE TYPE OF THINGS. JUDGE JOHNSON: (POINTING TO SENATOR CLARICE JAH), THATS THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR, (STILL POINTING TO HER) YOU SEE HOW SHE HAS HER ARMS FOLDED. LAUGHTER (STILL TALKING ABOUT SENATOR CLARICE JAH). LIKE A REAL INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR ELLEN CORKRUM: So Ma, whats the tactic now, what do we need to do? SENATOR CLARICE JAH: VERBALLY, WE CAN TALK THAT OVER WITH HER. Because after her term, thats public document. So you have to be very mindful of that. Because you cant trust nobody now. If somebody takes it out of her office and GIVE it oUT, you know its a public document. but it is a public document, so you have to frame it in a way that like, you KNOW sometimes we just need to tie the knots here and there, because like I say, everything now is politicsEverything in Liberia. Everything that politicS. Everything. The last time, the President called. You know when the Governor went for confirmation. He had all this problem. They was bringing, oh the man want run for President IN TIME TO COME, BLAH BLAHBLAH. OH, THEY CANT GIVE THE MAN THE POSITION. SO I STOOD FOR THE GOVERNOR, I WENT AROUND AND TALKED TO THOSE WHO WERE IN CONTROL; THEY LISTENED TO ME. The President called me, she say, you think the Governor will GET confirmed? I say Ma, I dont want to tell you yes RIGHT AWAY, but let me do small WORK, BY THEN I HAD GOTTEN ALL OF THE POLITICAL ASPECTS, YOU KNOW.Finally when we got to the last person, Robert Sirleaf, you know that man there, when the man see people, he proud, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I CALLED HIM, I SAID GO TALK TO THIS PERSON, THE PRESIDENT CALLED ME, .. He got confirmed. This day, I was at the Presidents office, when I look, he came. The President say, she turned around, Senator Jah, I say yes Madam President. How much this man contributed towards your campaign? LOUD LAUGTHER. Just like that. She embarrassed him, until he gave me some kind of $5000.00 USD. JUDGE JOHNSON: BUT THE QUESTION IS: WHAT YALL WILL DO NOW? SENATOR CLARICE JAH: Its like, I GONNA to give a summary report of, ANH YOU KNOW, my activities, and the kind of work that I do. The kind of financeS I deal with. You know. ELLEN CORKRUM: So it will be like its coming from me, or that will be you that will be doing it? SENATOR CLARICE JAH: No. Its coming fROm you. Its coming from you. But what I want, I think what the President and I are driving at, is in that, you wont be indicting yourself. but Madam will settle this thing. She will settle it. Lets just do the report. Lets do the report and work with her. ELLEN CORKRUM:OK, So what do you need us to do? How do we get going now? SENATOR CLARICE JAH: WELL YOU KNOW, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ YOU KNOW SOME OF THE REPORTS FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE INDICTED, WELL MAYBE I COULD FIND ONE DAY AND COME SIT HERE AND JUST READ SOME OF IT OF HOW WE PUT IT TOGETHER. THEN YOU CAN GIVE YOUR INPUT, THEN WE SEND IT TO MADAM. By Thursday, we will send it to her. The whole week she will be busy. ..SO MAYBE BY THURSDAY Because its mainly envy and jealousy ma. Thats the first thing thats happening. Once youre not stupid to say yes sir, get ready to pray more. ELLEN CORKRUM:Thats so, so praying oh. JUDGE JOHNSON: I say people around the world are praying and fasting.

various officials and expressed their desire for an Independent Investigation/Audit, President Ellen Johnson Sirleafaware of the pairs intent, sent her one of her Lieutenants in corruption, Senator Clarice Jah, to intercept the pair and discourage any Independent Investigation/Audit request or public announcement. Senator Jah instead attempted to convince the pair to disregard any independent investigation/audit but rather allow she Senator Jah, the President and the Click to stage a fake investigation; thereby keeping intact President Johnson Sirleaf and her governments secrets regarding corruption. Senator Jah on the recording talks about: The Fake Independent Investigation Committee; How the President and their Click have their own way of crafting investigations to make it look one way; How the Click rescued Robert Sirleaf; and, How the Click corruptly got the bank governor confirmed and how the President pressured the governor into paying Senator Jah $5,000.00 USD. In conclusion, Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum understand that there are some well-meaning people who are confused and concerned about the revelations and its impact. Liberia ranks highest in the region in infant mortality rate. This means that hundreds and hundreds of our unborn and newborn babies, pre-schoolerswho are dying unnecessarily from curable and preventable disease would NOT die, if the available resources were properly utilized. Unless one has lost a baby to such conditions or hasbeen affected by such loss, one tends not to appreciate the emergency nature of the situation. They represent our future; our future doctors, lawyers, pilots, pastors, teachers, etc. that Liberia will never enjoy the intended benefits of these children. About 90% of our brethren are unemployed. Further about 90% of our people are forced to live below the poverty lines while a hand full exclusively enjoy all of the available resources. Such emergencies drove and continues to drive Judge Johnson and Ellen Corkrum to expose the truth. To GOD be the Glory!!! SENATOR CLARICE JAH: I SAY THE PRESIDENT REALLY USING ME OH. We got this strong relationship. And especially she can confide in me. When they got on her son, I had my click. They got on the air. When they got on the air, I had all the tapes for her. She said is it real? I said yes; its just that Im not the, anh you know the outing, where you see me out, because I work a lot Yesterday, I told her, I said Madam, ELLEN CORKRUM, the md from Robertsfield, anh you know, I met her casually, but IVE been admiring her work, she saID oh yes, you brought something to my mind. THE CHILDREN CAN SAY THAT CLARICE FINISH JOINING UNITY PARTY, SHE WILL SAY, CLARICE IS STILL WITH LIBERTY PARTY, BUT CLARICE IS MY DAUGHTER. I travel with her a lot of times. So one night we were on the

flight. We were going Senegal, from here to Italy. So we were in first class. I was just sitting across from her. She said to me, but Senator, take small wine. I said, no Madam. She said well, our two on the flight, but me I drinking my own you hear. And every five minutes when I look, her attendant will go to go pour her some more. ..I say dammit, this woman not strong for nothing. JUDGE JOHNSON: Something got to be behind it anh! The iron lady. SENATOR CLARICE JAH: And I told her, I said, Madam, you giving me support for my election, the workers are angry with me if Ellen cannot go back to work. So how do I talk to them? Thats how she say okay, go. laughter ELLEN CORKRUM: But, the workers have been very supportive. sometimes, i did not imagine the impact on the people, because I was just doing my job. SENATOR CLARICE JAH: The people (workers) will call me eleven or twelve o clock at night. my husband just pushes the phone to me. because he getS tired that there is no rest (from the workers), so he will just push the phone. in the morning he said damn it, yall will kill this woman! NO, they really have been supportive, I tell you not lie, more than your top management. ELLEN CORKRUM: OH ABSOLUTELY, YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST DOING MY JOB. I WOULD STOP AND TALK TO THEM. DURING CHRISTMAS, I SAID ALL OF US HAVE JOBS, DOESNT MATTER WHAT WE ARE MAKING, THE FACT IS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BUY A LITTLE RICE FOR OUR FAMILY; BUT LETS DO SOMETHING ELSE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY EVEN IF ITS JUST ONE COPYBOOK (NOTE BOOK) WE CAN AFFORD TO BUY FOR OUR CHILD, SO YOU KNOW, JUST LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, NOT KNOWING (I DIDNT KNOW) THE PEOPLE WERE CALCULATING AND KEEPING ALL OF THAT STUFF IN MIND, I MEAN I DIDNT EVEN HAVE ANY IDEA. I WAS JUST TRYING MY BEST, THATS ALL. SO THEY WILL CALL, THEY WILL CALL. JUDGE JOHNSON: I SAY, THIS YARD HAS BEEN AN ASSEMBLY CENTER (WITH THE WORKERS). SENATOR CLARICE JAH: THEY HAVE BEEN CALLING. YOU KNOW THATS HOW IT SHOWS WHEN PEOPLE ARE DEDICATED. YOU KNOW PEOPLE GET FED UP. JUDGE JOHNSON: But what about the idea of the independent investigation, the independent investigation report? SENATOR CLARICE JAH: The independent investigation report. I dont know. We got our own way of crafting things to make it look one way. ELLEN CORKRUM: And how? Im sure youve dealt with similar type of stuff? BECAUSE THEN YOU WILL BE

Friday, February 7, 2014

MARITIME DEBUNKS US$200M LOBBYING CLAIM

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GOVERNMENT NEWS

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SAYS CHAMBERS' CLAIM IS FLAWED

Stephen D.
should take few minutes to view the FARA report indoor to understand the facts before making public comments. In a communication to the House plenary, Rep. Chambers called on members of the House of Representatives to investigate an alleged US$200 million that was spent by the government of Liberia for expenditure and public relations fees in the United States of America citing the Federal Agent Registration Act (FARA) report in 2008. Commissioner Kessely is expected to appear before the House of Representatives today to answer queries from the lawmakers reading the purported payments for Public relations. Said Commssioner Kesselly: It is said and frustrating especially when Liberians and the government are trying to understand the dynamics of our fragile economy, we choose to alarm the one institution that runs a commercial business for us based on interactions with the international world. Commissioner Kessely noted that from January, 2000 to December 31, 2013, the Liberia Maritime Authority has contributed to the national budget two hundred million, two hundred eighty nine thousand, seven hundred fifty-

Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.com 0776329124

four dollars. He disclosed From 2006 January, to 2013 December Maritime has contributed a hundred and thirty plus million dollars to your economy. This money is generated internationally and not based on taxing people domestically. If you were putting your money or buying a product from a company and you an international person and all you here from the stakeholders or shareholders that run and own that company begin to say this a bad company, in fact the money you paid they are taking it to do this and that. Any prudent person will pause

he head of the Liberia Maritime Authority has termed as erroneous and malicious misrepresentation statement from Maryland County Representative Bhofal Chambers that the Government of Liberia in 2008 spent about US$200.000.000 (two hundred million USD) for lobbying fess in the United states of Liberia. Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism regular press briefing on Thursday, Commissioner Binyah C. Kesssely revealed that its alarming and as such individuals

for a second and wonder if they should continue to do business in that in that particular act. According to Kesselly for anyone to make uninformed and reckless comments without doing a perfect research should make all Liberians pause, reflect and moreover ask themselves where did this take us.

Kessely: If you are telling me that we in this economy collected two hundred million dollars, we brought it home then we turn around took it and send it back to the US government and told them we want to lobby with you, somebody perhaps needs to pause for a minute and do just a little bit of research.

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FROM CAR DEALER TO REAL ESTATE OWNER

LIBERIAN BUSINESS MAN STILL DEFYING THE ODDS AMID ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
Stephen D. Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.co 0776329124
makes sure they give us the money every month. Right now I do something I call buy here, pay here. Most of the time when people come purchase cars what we do is we request like seventy-five percent down payment and afterward we work with the person to pay the balance in installments. But despite the current buy here, pay here customer encouragement scheme, many individuals are sometimes reluctant to pay the remaining money. Kruah told FPA that prominent figures in government are among the nonpayment list, a situation he says, continues to create embarrassment for the growth of his business. Continue Kruah: Like one senior police officer came the other time and took my car and he didnt pay all the money. Every time hes like I will pay your money, certain time he wont pay. While asking here and there, he threatened to beat my brother whose here with me. He even threatened to issue warrant for my arrest because he said hes a big man in the police if I kept on asking him for my money he will arrest me. So those are some of the issues that scare investors to come here.

BUSINESS

Thomas Kruah, a Liberian used car dealer

Liberia because the first car I sold I was able to generate over three thousand USD in profit. So I started doing my calculation that if I were to ship like three or four cars I would be generating about twelve thousand dollars in less than two months period. According to Kruah, beginning business in Liberia at the time was never a smooth ride considering the various bureaucracies that were associated with the registration and other procedures of government. However, Kruah says he believes trust and confidence can lead you to success. Continued Kruah: Its all about being patient. Sometimes you bring the car over here and when you are not patient, you will end up selling it below the cost. Others will come and say I bought this car somewhere else for five thousand and you want to sell yours ten thousand? People will come and want to bring the value of your cars down so you got to be very smart in your business strategy. From 2007 to date, Kruahs used car dealing is now valued at about $500,000 United State dollars. He has eight employees

ven in the midst of Liberias growing economic woes, Mr. Thomas Kruah , age 32, seems to be unwavering in enhancing what he calls little but profitable enterprise. The 32 year-old young entrepreneur is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Kruah Used Car Center, sole-proprietorship dealing registered under the laws of Liberia. In an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa on Monday at his Congo town used car center, Kruah says it all began in 2007 after obtaining an accounting degree in the United States of America he decided to venture into business. He first shipped a single Nissan pick-up truck to Monrovia with the intention of using the vehicles profit to undertake some significant projects he felt would raise some money. But after the first shipment and sale of the pickup, Kruh appeared to have seen a hole of positive venture which has today shifted his financial standing to a momentous stage. Kruah explained to FrontPage Africa: I realized there was a great need to sell cars in

and has constructed 14 housing units in real estate properties. The shipment of the fist pickup truck in 2007 paved the way today for best vehicles like range over, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, navigator among others models that are currently being sold at Kruahs Used Car center. Quizzed by FPA about the difficulties faced during shipment, Thomas said there is only one major trouble with duty fees. Back in the days we never used to deal with something called BIVAC. Our cars used to be appraised all kinds of ways. But now that we have BIVAC it was better until recently when I shipped

about seven containers when the custom officers started claiming that they no longer honoring BIVAC because BIVAC is under pricing the cars that we are shipping into this country. I find that very unbelievable because for one fact, the Liberian government hired BIVAC to do the preinspection on that side wherein when the car or containers get here the process will be easy for we the shippers. I had a scenario recently at the port when some of my cars were appraised and when it got to custom in Liberia they stated that BIVAC understated those cars. So they had to do their own appraisal. I had to pay

additional money here because of that, he said. Kruah told FrontPage Africa that in a bid to afford more Liberians the opportunity to own personal vehicles; his business is contemplating of entering into agreement with commercial banks to carry out what he calls the car note. Explains Kruah: This is done wherein somebody wants to buy a car they come to us and let us know then they go through the banks. If they have collateral or base on their history with the bank, the bank will loan them money and they pay the money to the bank every month but we dont go after the client. The bank just

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Colonel Daniel Ziankahn nominated recently by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Chief of Staff of the Liberian Army says Liberia needs a small but robust army with bigger operational impact. Facing confirmation before the senate committee on Defense and National Security to justify why he should be confirm as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Co. Ziankahn assured that number does not matter but the ability of a small army to be professional and able to perform wider operations. At the senate defense and National security hearing Nominee Ziankahn promised to instill discipline in the Liberian Army and make the army more robust. He also stressed the need for a smaller number of personnel in the AFL because according to him it will lead to smaller footprint but bigger operational impact. Ziankahn said: We dont need a huge army because they will need more resources but a small and robust military could leave smaller footprint but bigger operational impact. We cannot cover all the grounds of Liberia and so what we can do is to have our bases in some strategic areas but that will also depend on the National security strategy. Responding to questions as to how he intends to deal with the issue of AFL personnel leaving the army because of the lack of incentives he said; the issue of incentive for AFL personnel is not in his jurisdiction as chief of staff but promised to equally treat all personnel and ensure respect for superiority. Hurdles Article 45 E of the Liberian constitution calls for the

SMALL BUT ROBUST ARMY CRUCIAL FOR LIBERIA

in Military Science. New chief of staff wants small but bigger operational impact He served as Platoon Leader,

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MILITARY NEWS

Friday, February 7, 2014

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com

President of Liberia to nominate with consent of the senate members of the Liberian Military from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent and above which include; Marshals, Deputy Marshals and Sheriffs. At the hearing Senator Oscar Cooper ( Margibi County, Unity Party) raised concern about the nominees failure to go for confirmation for past positions he occupied before his nomination as chief of staff.

Responding to the senators concern the nominee admitted not appearing before the senate for confirmation for past positions in the army as required by law but said, it was instruction from his bosses. Senator Cooper who also serves on the committee as Co-chair to Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County also raised the issue of a military requirement of fifteen years of service in the army before becoming a Chief of staff.

Security is not politics and one thing I have seen in Liberia, we have politicized security too much. Let me turn around and salute the members of the fourth Estate please leave the security sector alone. The security does not work in the press, so leave it alone, Othello D. Warwick Director of the Executive Protection Services stated at the 57th Armed Forces Day Symposium at the Monrovia City Hall, during questions and Answer period in the hall. Mr. Warrick on World Press Freedom Day in 2013 personally attacked the media when he was called upon to make remarks. The media has the pen and we have the pistol, so we would silence the media. The program that brought together a penal of various security sectors and international partners including MOD, LNP, BIN, DEA, UNMIL,US Embassy, Members the Legislature and other governmental Agencies under the topic, Inter Agency Cooperation Fundamental Necessity for the Security of the Republic of Liberia, was aimed to discuss security issues and a way forward. In times of grave and imminent internal Threat to national security such as massive and violent rioting which cannot independently be contained by the Liberia National Police even with the help of other civilian security collaborators, we have collaborated with the Armed Forces of Liberia-AFL; as in the case of the post-elections violence of 2011Says Police Director Col. Chris Massaquoi, of the LNP. Col. Massaquoi further said as a result of the Inter Agency cooperation and collaboration, securities in 2013 successfully pieced together the necessary mechanism that led to the calling off of the planned illegal mass demonstration by the Campaigners for change, a group of young people in Monrovia, which portended sinister motives and possible national security consequences. If UNMIL leaves in the future, joint Security needs to be reinforced. Therefore, there should be allocated budgetary appropriation for the security because we need logistics, vehicles and advance communication equipment to use in time of problem so that the enemy will not be able to monitor or have access to our communication, Says AFL retired General Rudolf F. Kolako. General Kolako also pointed out that training both internal

"NATIONAL SECURITY IS EVERYBODYS CONCERN"

Mae Azango, mae.azango@frontpageafricaonline.com
still weak; thereby making prosecution of perpetrators difficult. My office arrested a Nigerian who traveled to Liberia with 26 tubes of cocaine in his stomach, but we are called to court for this man to be released on bail because the drug law has not been passed yet, so we need to pray. Lawrence Bropleh, former Information Minister who served as moderator interrupted and said there is no need to pray but demand that the bill be passed. Some top dignitaries attending the program were Dr, Amos Sawyer, who served as the Guest Speaker, Minister Brownie Samukai, Maj. SA Abdurrahman, Mr. Michael Page, Hon. George Mulbah, Timothy Mitchell, Col. Lemuel Reeves, Cllr. Ablah Williams,

The fifteen year requirement was defended by Senator Isaac Nyenabo who told members of the committee that during his tenure as Senator Pro-Temp of the Liberian Senate seminar issue was raised but it was resolved. Like Ziankahn also appearing before the senate defense committee along was Colonel Dennis Wamu nominated to serve as deputy chief of staff by President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf. About the candidates

Executive Officer, Company Commander, and Military Assistant to the Minister of National Defense; he also served as AFL Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation and Executive Officer 23rd Infantry Brigade prior to his nomination as chief of staff. Colonel Dennis Wamu was commissioned September 7, 2007 into the AFL, he also served in the Army from 1986 to 2006. He is a former chairman and lecturer, Military Science/ROTC department at the University of Liberia amongst others. He received his Basic combat training at the Tubman Military Academy and in other countries around Africa. After several minutes the Committee Chair Senator Prince Johnson told the Colonel Daniel Ziankahn candidates to retire and got enlisted into the new promised to forward findings AFL on the 22 of July by the committee to the 2006. He was promoted to President. Sergeant December 2006, On February 11 few days from 2nd Lieutenant may 8, 2007, now Liberia will be celebrating 1st lieutenant may 10, 2009, Armed Forces Day and it is captain 15 April 2010, Major said that a Liberian will be April 6, 2012 and Lieutenant named as the new chief of staff Colonel October 31, 2013. of the AFL to take over from Ziankahn has a BBA in the caretaker Nigerian Chief of Business Management and Staff. Master of Military Art and Science and also has several domestic and foreign training

General Rudolf F. Kolako

and external securities are important because the country needs security at the Border entry points and air and sea ports. Security is everybodys

business including market women, students, youths, yanna boys. Therefore, Liberians should report a crime in your community whenever they see one because security

is not only for the military and the police to be concern about, said the retired army officer. Mr. Anthony K. Souh of the National Drug Enforcement Agency said the drug law is

Friday, February 7, 2014

MAKING HIS CASE

Liberty Party Lawmaker Justifies Senate Race Intent, Slams Pro-Temp Findley
ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI, BUCHANAN

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POLITICS

Frontpage

Page 9

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County head of the Liberty Partys primary for Grand Bassa County Special Senatorial election this year, Electoral District Four Representative Jeh Byron Brown says his decision to contest for the senate is based on the fact that no politician from the hinterland of Grand Bassa have ever won a senatorial seat in the county. The vocal Lawmaker also frowns at incumbent Senator, Gbehzongar Findley for what he terms as ignoring the plight of the Bassa people. Speaking to FrontPage Africa ahead of a special mass meeting with his constituents on Saturday, February 8, the Liberty Party Lawmaker said he has asked his party to consider him as a candidate and if he hopefully wins the primary, he will be a formidable force. I want to contest the position because from the onset of the creation of these counties, especially Grand Bassa as it is considered the second county in the Republic of Liberia, one of the things that happens is that, most of the leaders are from the sea

CHINESE EMBASSY IDENTIFIES WITH RALLY TIME MARKET SCHOOL

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side, so our people in the rural areas are not fully represented, said Rep. Brown. According to him, prior to his ascendency as a lawmaker, there were many issues that were debated and argued upon in the rural parts of the county that are still undone leaving people in the hinterland marginalized. Hon. Brown named some of the issues as the delays in reviewing the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) concession agreement of 1959, deplorable condition of feeder roads, and the numerous problems affecting rural schools in the county. Said Rep. Brown: and we have a senior senator that is not reaching to our people. They present themselves as electioneering saviors, when they are very close to election they go back to the native people and give them tokens in other to get them back to power. Continuing his criticism of Senator Gbehzongar Findley, Hon. Brown said he single handedly took the Liberian government and LAC to court over the concession agreement issue by preying the court to file a Rate of Mandamus against the government and the company, but to his disappointment he was never supported by the Countys Senior Senator during that endeavor. Hon. Brown thinks the priority areas in the Countys hinterlands are transformation of the human resource capacity of the youth and the transformation of basic infrastructures.

But His critics have lashed at him for underachieving as member of the lower house, yet he wants a bigger responsibility. A recent FrontPage Africa inquiry shows that the Liberty Party Representative needs to fine tune his political bases if hes serious about winning Hon. Findley in the election. Responding to critics, Hon. Brown said his performances at the 52nd and now 53rd legislature justifies his consistency as a politician who is dedicated to the three cardinal responsibilities of a Lawmaker; Lawmaking, Oversight, and Representation. Im I not presenting bills at the legislature? Im I not advocating for my people, by taking the government and LAC to court over the concession agreement? Is that not advocacy? Liberty Partys meticulous approach of selecting its candidate will certainly set the stage for all partisans to denounce a break away. Stalwarts of the Party have reiterated the importance of the party winning this years election in Grand Bassa. When asked if it was possible to work with any other aspirants once hes not selected during the primary, Hon. Browns response seem optimistic and committed to unseating the incumbent come October this year. The goal of all of us is to move Senator Findley, and we want to use the party (LP) as a conduit to get to where we want to reach but what we going to do, is to meet partisans and take a decision and support a candidate, he answered.

NEWS EXTRA

Al-Varney Rogers alrogers2008@gmail.com 0886304498

he Chinese Embassy near Monrovia in collaboration with the Sirleaf Market Women Fund has donated several school materials to the Rally market School. The donation includes 140 arm chairs, seven Black boards for all seven classes and five desks and five chairs for the teachers. The Executive Director of the Sirleaf Market Women Fund Magretta Sawo-Smith General thanked the Chinese government for their donation to the Rally Time Market School. We are very pleased with the people and government of China for such a welcoming donation, General said. General said, that the arm chair is meant for schoolchildren of all sizes. The arm chairs represent various seizes for the little, medium and for the bigger students. The head of the Sirleaf Market Women Fund said, the donations to the market school is timely adding with such materials learning condition for the kids will be conducive. The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese embassy Yang Jun said, the donation is the people and government of China way of contributing to the social development of Liberia. Jun said, the donation is among several donations that the Chinese government has carried

Mae Azango maeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com

DONT VENTURE, BONG COUNTY IS LOCKED -FRIENDS OF TOKPA DECLARES

out adding with that Liberia will become a prosperous country like China. The Deputy Chief of Mission said, the embassy will continue to help Liberian institutions in whatever way possible. Jun said, the school was chosen because it is predominantly children adding that as such more investment need to be made in the children because they are the future of Liberia. We chose this school to help the children because they are the future of this country. We want to help them in their endeavor in receiving quality education, Jun said. Representing the Liberia Marketing Association,

Emmanuel Tumbey thanked Sirleaf Market Women Fund for their role played in soliciting support for market across the country. We were lack of these chairs the Sirleaf Market Women has made it possible through the intervention of the Chinese embassy, Tumbey said. Tumbey said, the donation by the Chinese is a relief to the school in term of logistics. You have helped our children to graduate from these small broken chairs to new ones. The Principal of the Rally Time School Finda Kandakai said, the school lacked chairs for students adding that was a huge challenge for the school.

Kandakai thanked the Chinese embassy for the donation to her school adding that she hope the Chinese embassy continues and even go beyond donating arm chairs. The principal of the Rally Time Market School promised to take better care of the donated items adding that it is a timely intervention by the Chinese. The Chinese government of recent has been contributing to rebuild Liberia by the construction of the University of Liberia Fendell campus, the Tappita Hospital, the extension of the MVTC complex and the renovation of the S.K.D sport complex.

he political heat is already on and the central region of Liberia, Bong County is expected to be one of the races to watch come the midterm senatorial election in Liberia. Candidates are already making headways with some claiming to be pre election favorites. I will tell others in the Senatorial race for Bong County, not to put foot in upper and lower Bong because the whole place is lock. As for my District, Gbarngasiaquelleh, and surrounding villages are all locked, so any politician going there, will just be wasting their time because it is Dr. Tokpas Pepper Bush, Says Isaac Sulonteh, general Secretary for the Friends of Tokpah, (FOT), the group campaigning for the election of Dr. Henrique Tokpah as senator of Bong County. Sulonteh said voters in and around his district are a litter over 8,000 while nearby Gbarnga Siakolleh District, has little over 1500, indicating that he is not alone in mobilization process as FOT has representatives from other districts who also locked their respective districts as well. Marline Jawoe and Ochina T. Men are from Foequelleh, Panta District in Upper Bong, while James Kpakela is from Gbarngasiaquelleh and Quoiquoi Andrew is from lower Totota. So all those listed, have locked their Districts down, Sulonteh told frontpagafrica in Sukoko, Bong County recently. Sulonteh said Dr. Tokpah stands a better chance of winning the 2014 senatorial elections because they are helping to build and complete projects in various villages and Districts in Bong and he (Dr. Tokpah) speaks fluent Kpelleh and relates better to his people, unlike incumbent Senator Taylor who always communities with the people through an interpreter. We are building a school; and we also contributed to the building of a guest house in Zota District. We are also helping people to complete their town hall project in Panta District. In Bong Mines, there was a ground breaking ceremony and the people are molding their bricks to commence construction. In Salala, we are supporting a youth group called Sadosee to establish their website, the campaigner for Tokpahs election narrated the initiatives been undertaken by his candidate. He said they have more people in Senator Taylors supported area than the incumbent as according to him many people do not know her in those places. And when she visited one time, she said she is on sanction this is why we have not been seeing her. Is sanction to travel out of Liberia the same as traveling to your constituency? Furthermore, People we visited told us, they want Dr. Tokpah to represent them, because they voted wrongly in the beginning without investigating the back ground of the candidates they voted into power. They are saying they want someone who has worked in Bong and is established in Bong County. Sulonteh furthered that because Senator Taylor knows it is close to elections, she is now visiting her people, noting that it is very late for her. We dont want an eagle that will bring palm nuts because it wants us to give it feathers? Which means, We dont want people who will only come and fool us when it is time for elections, and as soon as they get our votes, we dont see them again, Sulonteh declared. Sulonteh who said he brought over 500 young people with him to join Dr. Tokpa, is a member of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and said likewise his friends are from other political Parties. I did not come to make money, but to help my people in Bong to make the right decision. We are actually working in the interest of Bong County so this is why we are from different political camps but we are working for a common goal, and that is Bong County.

Page 10 | Frontpage

Invitation for Bids (IFB)

Liberia Electricity Corporation P.O.Box10-165 Waterside 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia Liberia Electricity Sector Enhancement Project (LESEP)
SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING OF ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR THE LIBERIA ELECTRICITY CORPORATION IFB Number: ICB/LEC/LESEP/ERP/04/13/14 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING
1. This Invitation for Bids (IFB) follows the General Procurement Notice (GPN) for this project that appeared in UNDB online, on March 7, 2012. 2. The Government of Liberia has received a grant from the Government of Norway toward the cost of the Liberia Electricity Sector Enhancement Project (LESEP). 3. The Liberia Electricity Corporation acting as the Implementing Agency intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to payments under the contract No: IFB Number: ICB/LEC/LESEP/ERP/04/13/14, for the Supply, Delivery, Installation & Commissioning of ERP Hardware and Software for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). 4. The Liberia Electricity Corporation now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Supply of the above mentioned goods and related services to be installed at the following sites: i. LEC Head Offices, Computer Center, Waterside, Monrovia, Liberia for the Main Data Center ii. LEC Bushrod Offices, Computer Center, Bushrod Island, Monrovia, Liberia for the Disaster Recovery Site as described in the Schedule of Requirement of the bid document and summarized below: Bidder should note that this tender is a single package and is to be tendered as a whole.

Worx Mobile App; XenApp; XenClient; XenDesktop; XenMobile; XenServer; ShareFile; Friday, February 7, 2014 Network Management Software 7 Supply, Installation and commissioning of Developer Tools - Microsoft LOT Dynamics AX 2012 (10 user license) 8 Supply, Installation and commissioning of Backup Software - Symantec LOT NetBackup Enterprise for Windows environment 9 Server accessories, tools and other accessories required for the LOT installation and commissioning of servers, network equipment, backup and Enterprise Planning Software application 10 IT and Functional Expert Training (refer to Table - 3) LOT 11 End User Training (refer to Table - 3) LOT 12 Technical Support (Recurrent Annual Support and Maintenance) LOT
The estimated delivery period of the ERP/IT System is 6 months.

1 1 1

1 1 1

Item Description of ERP/IT System N 1 Supply (Customization & Development) and Installation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software application (100 concurrent users, 250 users license) Supply, Installation and commissioning of the Servers for the ERP Supply, Installation and commissioning of the 42U server rack and Server UPS Supply, Installation and commissioning of Network Equipment (router, firewall and switch) Supply, Installation and commissioning of Backup Hardware - Symantec NetBackup 5230 for Windows environment Supply, Installation and commissioning of Network Software (100 concurrent users)license Citrix Enterprise Edition Worx Mobile App; XenApp; XenClient; XenDesktop; XenMobile; XenServer; ShareFile; Network Management Software Supply, Installation and commissioning of Developer Tools - Microsoft

Unit of QNTY Measure LOT 1

5. Bidding will be conducted through the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures specified in the Government of Liberias Public Procurement and Concessions Commission Act and Regulations (PPCA) and approved by the PPCC, and are open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Guidelines. 6. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from the Liberia Electricity Corporation and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 0900 to 1700 hours, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. More information on how to purchase bidding documents can be obtained by contacting Thelma Saunders or Alfred Cassell at tsaunders@lecliberia.com and acassell@ lecliberia.com respectively. 7. Qualifications requirements include: a) Bidders must have successfully completed at least two (2) similar contracts done within the last three (3) years, of similar nature and complexity, each with a value of at least US$ two million (USD2,000,000). For a Joint Venture, the Partners should collectively meet this specific experience provided each joint venture Partner has had relevant experience in the component contract it is designated to perform. b) Minimum average annual turnover of US$2,000,000 (USD 2million), calculated as total certified payments received for contracts in progress or completed, within the last two (2) years. c) The Bidder shall also demonstrate that it has access to financial means (evidence of a line of credit), sufficient to meet the cash flow amount of USD 500,000.00 US Dollars (USD 500,000). d) A margin of preference for certain goods manufactured domestically shall not be applied. e) Bidders must provide audited Financial Reports for the last two 2 years 2011 and 2012, depending on the financial year of the firm. f) Bidders must provide a Certificate of Registration g) Bidders must provide prove of authorization from Microsoft Corporation as Implementation agents/partners for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 product. h) Additional details are provided in the Bidding Documents.. 8. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee Two Hundred United States Dollars (US$200.00). The method of payment will be Bankers Check in favor of LEC or paid in cash to the Chief Accountant Office, 3rd Floor, LEC Central Office. Alternatively, a direct payment into Liberia Electricity Corporation Project Account No: 10610000012034, (Swift Code No. ECOCLRLM) held with ECO BANK LIBERIA LTD and submitting the payment advice as evidence to collect the Bid Documents. 9. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 10:00 am local time, on February 27, 2014. Electronic bidding will not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. 10. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 10:00 am local time, on February 27, 2014. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of Twenty Thousand United States Dollars (US$20,000.00) or in an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. 11. An on line bidders pre bid meeting shall be held on February 3, 2014 and detailed on LEC Website as shown below. 12. The address referred to above is: The Chief Executive Officer, Liberia Electricity Corporation P.O Box10 165 Waterside 1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia Email:jnchoe@lecliberia.com, dbeyan@lecliberia.com, and gwatkins@lecliberia.com and copied to gsylvestre@mhi.mb.ca This information will also be available on the LEC website as shown below: www. lecliberia.com

2 3 4 5 6

No No LOT LOT LOT

10 2 1 2 1

LOT

Friday, February 7, 2014

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT (GPEBEP) 3RD STREET, SINKOR, 1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA NOTICE OF AWARD AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THREE PROJECTS AS PER TABLE BELOW FOR THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Identification Number: NCB Nos: MOE/GPEP/NCB/W/06, 09 &11/13 PROJECT ID: P117662 IDA GRANT NO.: TF097456 Summary of Scope of the Awarded Contract National Competitive Bidding (NCB) for Construction of one (2No.) School as per the below Schedule of requirements: Lot No. 6. Package No. MOE/GPEP/NCB/W/06/13 Description CONSTRUCTION OF KINGSTON WEAGBA PUBLIC SCHOOL (BASIC EDUCATION) TARJOURWON DISTRICT, SINOE COUNTY CONSTRUCTION OF KONOWROKEN PUBLIC SCHOOL (BASIC EDUCATION), WEBBO DISTRICT, RIVERGEE COUNTY CONSTRUCTION OF KPALAWHEN PUBLIC SCHOOL (BASIC EDUCATION), GIBI DISTRICT, MARGIBI COUNTY Construction period

Lot No. Lot 9 1. 2 3 4

Name of Bidder UNCORN Liberia ADRA SAMI CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE COMPANY AGRO MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED

requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar Page 11 technical and commercial Frontpage scale. Read-out Evaluated Remarks Nationality Price (US$) Price (US$) Liberia Liberia Liberia Liberia 703,350.67 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 618,415.32 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 581,165.87 581,142.69 Lowest Evaluated bidder 566,410.33 Rejected The contractor did not meet the ITB requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar technical and commercial scale. The summary of the figures indicate that they dont have the requisite experience to execute projects of the magnitude that they have bided for. The contractor did not meet the ITB requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar technical scale. and commercial

TOTAL QUALITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Liberia

546,936,92 Rejected

8 months ``following the date of effectiveness the of the Contract

9.

MOE/GPEP/NCB/W/09/13

WONDER INCORPORATED Liberia 2 453,523.53 Rejected

11,

MOE/GPEP/NCB/W/11/13

Lot No.

Name of Bidder

Lot 6. 1. BEACON OF HOPE 2. HENSAH GENERAL SERVICES 3. GBESOHN ASSOCIATES 4. CUSMOS CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION

Nationality Read-out Evaluated 1 Price (US$) Price (US$) Liberia Liberia Liberia Liberia 916,858.24 624,766.90 582,744.38

Remarks

Rejected Less Competitive Bidder Rejected Less Competitive Bidder Rejected Less Competitive Bidder

Lot No. Name of Bidder Lot 11 1. SINOHYDRO Liberia INCORPORATED 2. ZHONGMEI ENGINEERING Liberia GROUP LIMITED 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. TOP INTERNATIONAL ENG. COMPANY TUMARSI DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION SAMI CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE CO. AMMETON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY JUSMART ENGINEERS (LIBERIA) LIMITED GILSA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Liberia Liberia Liberia Liberia Liberia Liberia

The contractor did not meet the ITB requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar technical and commercial scale. Read-out Evaluated Remarks Nationality Price (US$) Price (US$) 1,000384.27 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 599,804.46 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 694,315.09 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 575,234.39 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 558,582.44 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 557,821.93 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 551,770.53 Rejected Less Competitive Bidder 546,382.46 546,489.73 Lowest Evaluated bidder

577,525.60 581,038.32 Lowest evaluated bidder 5. ELITE CONSTRUCTION & Liberia 567,597.38 Rejected The contractor did not meet the ITB GENERAL SERVICES requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar technical and commercial scale. 6. RURAL CONTRACTORS INC. Liberia 553,716.97 Rejected The contractor did not meet the ITB requirements in demonstrating delivery of projects of similar technical and commercial scale. Read-out Evaluated Remarks Lot Name of Bidder Nationality Price (US$) Price (US$)

Page 12 | Frontpage

Friday, February 7, 2014

Friday, February 7, 2014

ROME (Reuters) disgraced Catholic religious order whose late founder lived a double life as a paedophile, womanizer and drug addict officially denounced him on Thursday and apologized to his "many victims". The Legionaries of Christ, which former members said was run like a cult rooted in secrecy, accused Father Marcial Maciel of "reprehensible and objectively immoral behavior" as head of the order from 1941 until former Pope Benedict removed him in 2006. Once a darling of the Vatican because it attracted many Catholics to religious vocations and made sizeable financial donations to the Church, the order has been in Vatican receivership since 2010 and came close to being disbanded. The apology, issued by delegates from around the world meeting in Rome to set a new direction for the order, came a day after a United Nations committee singled it out in a scathing report accusing the Church of ignoring child abuse by priests. The statement denounced "the magnitude of the evil and scandal caused" by Maciel, who died in 2008, and said the conservative order was now ready to turn a page. The meeting, which began on January 8 and is due to end in late February, elected Father Eduardo Robles Gil as the order's new leader. Like Maciel, the 61-year-old hails from Mexico. "We want to express our deep sorrow for the abuse of minor seminarians, the immoral acts with men and women who were adults, the arbitrary use of his authority and of material goods ..." the order said. BULWARK AGAINST CHURCH LIBERALS For decades the Vatican

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WORLD NEWS

Frontpage

Page 13

IN BRIEF
KEY KOTOKO PLAYERS RETURNING FOR BYC CLASH

Islamabad (AFP) egotiators for Pakistan's government and the Taliban met for more than three hours Thursday in the first round of talks aimed at ending the militants' bloody seven-year insurgency. The two sides gathered in Islamabad for a preliminary meeting likely to chart a "roadmap" for future discussions, amid deep scepticism over whether dialogue can yield a lasting peace deal. Irfan Siddiqui, the government's chief negotiator hailed the meeting after it had finished, saying that the Taliban committee had "responded

PAKISTAN HOLDS LANDMARK TALKS WITH TALIBAN

dismissed accusations by seminarians that Maciel had abused them sexually, some when they were as young as 12. The order's rules forbade criticizing the founder or questioning his motives. Pope John Paul II, set to become a saint in April, strongly backed Maciel even as criticism of him mounted and appreciated the order's faster growth than other religious

DISGRACED CATHOLIC ORDER DENOUNCES FOUNDER, APOLOGIZES TO VICTIMS

groups. The order also had many wealthy conservative benefactors who saw it as a bulwark against liberalism in the Church. In 2006, a year after John Paul's death, a Vatican investigation concluded the previously denied accusations of molestation were true. Pope Benedict ordered Maciel to retire to a life of "prayer and penitence". After his death, Vatican investigations found Maciel had also fathered several children with at least two different women, visited them regularly and sent them money. "We are grieved that many victims and other affected persons have waited so long in vain for an apology and an act of reconciliation on the part of Fr. Maciel. Today, we would

like to issue that apology as we express our solidarity with these persons," it said. The order runs private Catholic schools and charitable organizations in 22 countries through its network of some 950 priests and 1,000 seminarians. It operates a Catholic university in Rome and its lay movement, known as Regnum Christi, has around 30,000 members

Asante Kotoko are boosted by the return of key players from the CHAN tournament ahead for their CAF Champions League opener against Barrack Young Controllers on Sunday. The Porcupine Warriors were the major contributors to the Black Stars squad that finished as runners up at the recently ended CHAN tournament in South Africa. Key players such as Jordan Opoku, Michael Akuffo, Yahaya Mohammed, Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Edusei have all returned to boost coach Mas-Ud Dramanis team. The Ghanaian champions are expected to ease past their visitors from Liberia especially playing before their expectant home crowd at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. With new signing Rahim Ayew returning to his best form, the Porcupine Warriors are armed with a rugged ball-winner who is also capable of picking a pass. It is however unclear at this stage of goalkeeper Isaac Amoako will be involved after fire gutted his apartment on Wednesday. Coach Mas-Ud Dramani is however desperate to replicate their fine domestic form in the Champions League something Kotoko have found very difficult to do in the past seasons.

NIGERIA: TENS OF THOUSANDS SUFFER FROM ARMED CONFLICT AND OTHER VIOLENCE

to us beyond our expectations". The breakthrough came after an abortive start to the talks Tuesday, which were called off when the government cited

doubts over the Taliban negotiating team. "We are really happy that the Taliban committee has responded to us beyond our expectations and they have heard our

reservations and told us their reservations with an open heart," Siddiqi told reporters on Thursday evening.

onflict-affected people in Nigeria are struggling to meet basic needs. The ICRC, in cooperation with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has brought aid to around 40,000 displaced and otherwise vulnerable people. It has also been granted greater access to places of detention. "Violence, lack of security and growing anxiety over recent months have resulted in tens of thousands of people fleeing the conflict in the north-east of the country," said Zoran Jovanovic, head of the ICRC delegation in Nigeria. "Thousands have been injured and hundreds have lost their lives." Displaced people have sought safe havens elsewhere in the country or in Niger, Cameroon or Chad. "The availability of shelter, food, water, clothes and health services has worsened in that region," said Mr Jovanovic.

Page 14 | Frontpage

NINE CONTESTANTS VERSUS FIVE POSITIONS

Sport

Friday, February 7, 2014

he Sports Writers Association of Liberia (Swal) will today elect new officers for a twoyear mandate. The polls will open at 10:00AM at the Press Union of Liberia headquarters on Clay Street and close at 4:00PM. Counting of the ballots will immediately begin and the winners will be announced. The elections should have been held on January 24 but adhoc elections commission chairman Momolu V. O. Sirleaf postponed the process in order to reconcile irregularities in the roster submitted by Sky FMs Francis Pelenah, who chairs the committee on membership, and the leadership led by outgoing president Fombah Kanneh. That has now been resolved with the inclusion of veterans like Malcolm Joseph, Horatio Bobby Nesta Willie, Hilary Justine Colnoe, Lenn Eugene Nagbe and two members of the commissionSirleaf and Zoegar Jaynes, who didnt pay the US$20 membership fee at the expiration of the deadline. There are nine contestants vying for five positions, although the vice president, assistant secretarygeneral and treasurer will be elected unopposed. Who are the presidential candidates? Martina Brooks Martina Brooks, who is a producer and presenter at UNMIL Radio, debuted in the politics of Swal in December 2011 and won the vice presidency by beating Daily Observer's Leroy M. Sonpon, III and ELBC's Moses Kollie Garzewu. Martina has since been a dedicated vice president to Kanneh, who came in her defence when a propagandistic report emerged that she was indebted to Swal. At what appeared to be his final news conference when he constituted the elections commission on January 6, Kanneh described Martina as a loyal vice president, who had never credited from Swal. Unarguably the most educated of all the candidates with a bachelor of business administration degree in management and accounting from the University of Liberia, Martina faces a stern test between gender representation and male's dominance in leadership. But pundits say her chances are great in becoming the first Swal female president and arguably the first lady to head such a body in Africa. 'Swal's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf' is the name her admirers have begun

GEORGIAN FC HOLDS SUPER ROLLERS TO DRAW

A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai121@gmail.com
failed to conquer the defense of Super Rollers. The match slow down in the 39th minute as Roland Flomo of Super Rollers sustained serious injury on his head after colliding with Abodnogo Queweah of Georgia. Both teams could not find the opening goal during the entire first half. The second half started with pressure from the two teams but it was Super Rollers who made the difference through Edgar Walker placement in the 49th minute. Roland Flomo who sustained injury was substituted by Siafa Formah in the 57th minute as the newcomer missed several goal scoring opportunities for Super Rollers after all of his shot went far away from the goal pole. Formah last goal scoring opportunity was from a 35 yard free kick after his teammate Aaron Ciapha was brought down by Mozar Jlah of Georgia FC. As Georgia continued the pressure both in the midfield and in the forward line to get the equalizer they made the first substitution by bringing in Fahyee Nimely in place of Yanqui Mulbah in the 78th minute and subsition pay off with Nimely getting the equalizer in the in the 80th minute through a terrific shot from the left extreme. Georgia FC Edwin Koon was red carded in the 85thminute after he was booked for committing the second offense against an opponent. Abu Kamara and Jarryanneh Jarteh both of Georgia received yellow cards for misconduct. Super Rollers Victor Holmes received the only yellow card for his side in the entire match. Super Rollers Captain Gbelly told frontPageArica that his side was to carry the day but they failed due to the lack of finishing torches. We missed several scoring chances that could have given us victory against our opponents and I think we have to go back to our drawing board to see what to do in our next game. On the opposite side, the Captain of Georgia FC attributed his team failure to walk away with all three points due to what he termed bad lock. I think everybody that watched the game saw the number of goal scoring opportunities we misused in both half and our draw today is another serious setback for the team because of our current position in the table third from bottom. Georgia FC starting lineup: Captain and #5 Prince Nyema, #1 Edwin Koon,#2 Abu Kamara,#3 Thomas Johnson, #11 Jarryyanneh Jarteh, #8 Darlington Dennis, #17 Benjamin Bah, # 10 Adolphus Grant, #4 Yanqui Mulbah, # 12 Abednego Queweah, # 9 Augustine Walter Substitutes; # 13 Fahyee Nimely, #15 Bobby Tarlue, #16 Lawrence Kollie and #7 Tommy

calling her. Richard Manuba Richard Manuba works for state radio, ELBC, as a sports and newscaster. Manuba, who served as secretary-general of the workers' union, first contested a bi-election to fill the vacancy created by then secretary-general Michael Geegbeh. Geegbeh had taken up a media related post at the Angie Brooks International Center in the run-up to the International Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in March 2009 in Monrovia. But the bi-election didn't take place until December and Manuba lost by 3-15 votes to D. Webster Cassell, who was then sports editor of the Inquirer newspaper. Manuba has presented an ambitious manifesto to the electorates, who are opposed to an ELBC-dominated leadership with two of his workmates poised to be elected. And it remains to be seen how much his resignation from ELBC, following a long running battle with the management on allegations of cruelty, intolerance and arrogance, will help his bid. Leroy M. Sonpon, III Leroy has been eyeing a leadership position within Swal for quite some time now. He had registered to contest the 2009 polls as assistant secretary-general but announced his withdrawal on the day of the debate. Although he endorsed Roland Mulbah, who brought him into sports journalism where the duo worked for the ex-Sportsmax newspaper, Leroy has since failed to explain reasons for his action. One report emerged that Leroy was troubled by the tactics of Mulbah, who hired Small Town International Social Club as they paraded the principal streets of Monrovia singing pro-campaign songs. Leroy, afraid of a massive defeat, sought a truce with Mulbah, who paid all his elections-related expenses in order for him to withdraw and back his candidacy. But like Julius Ceaser said in the Shakespearan drama, cowards die many times before their death...., so it was with Leroy when he contested the 2011 elections. He could yet die for the third time and embarrassingly to the lady, who inflicted the first defeat of his Swal season. Roland Mulbah Mulbah has been one of Swal's most controversial officials since beating

A preview as Sports Writers Association of Liberia goes to the polls today

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Garzewu by 30 to 14 votes for the position of assistant secretarygeneral in 2009. Mulbah was elected as secretarygeneral two years later, beating FrontPageAfrica sports editor Danesius Marteh, who was rumored to be an LFA-sponsored candidate and ELBC reporter Kolubah Zayzay, and the sum of their votes could not match his overwhelming victory. Swal veterans have admired his antics but an unsubstantiated story in March 2012 where Mulbah reported that LFA president Musa Bility awarded a US$1.5 million contract to his son, Sidiki Bility, to build a Fifa-sponsored goal project in Caresburg soon landed him behind

bars where he spent three days. A truce was brokered by ex-Swal president Malcolm Joseph but the LFA seems reluctant to say whether it withdrew the case against Mulbah, who had initially stood by his story, but reportedly apologized. And with his seeming lack of maturity after four years, Martina may as well proved to be the last bus stop for Mulbah, who has been serving as Swal coach. Two eye SG post Kolubah Zayzay Winners, they say, don't quit and quitters don't win. So is the case with Zayzay, who is up again for a post he lost two years ago. Julius Konton This time around, Kolubah faces a test from Julius Konton of Sky FM/ TV. Zayzay and Konton have a similar manifesto of constitutional review, rewriting the history of Swal and keeping an updated membership's roster. Konton has been rumored to be a Mulbah planted and financedcandidate because Zayzay endorsed Martina's ambition but the Sky reporter has since rubbished those

insinuations, arguing that he is gainfully employed and even registered before Mulbah. And it remains to be seen whether the electorates will prefer Konton, who has been Swal's version of Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo during their charity games or the candidate from the camp of Swal's Ellen. Unopposed officials Moses Kollie Garzewu It is still not clear whether Garzewu may have prayed for this situation where he will be elected as vice president. But the fact is the former Star Radio and Radio Veritas sport reporter didn't prevent anybody from paying the L$4,500 registration fee to contest against him. With previous successive defeats, Garzewu has been celebrating his victory on facebook and only time will measure his delivery card for a long coveted leadership role. Edwin Boy Dolo Did Dolo, who is contesting his firstever election, also pray for such a situation? Dolo is the assistant secretarygeneral-elect and the secretarygeneral-elect will be happy that the

bitter exchanges that ensued between outgoing assistant secretary-general Anthony Stephens of Power FM/TV, then of Radio Veritas and Mulbah, will not be repeated. The gentle Dolo of Insight newspaper will take instruction from any official and Martina will certainly be pleased to have such a character in her administration. Momoh Siryon Siryon defeated Siafa Boakai of Firestone FM for the position of treasurer. The antics against Siafa was that he is based in Harbel, Margibi County and getting a treasurer to repeatedly sign cheques and other financial transactions would be likened to someone being asked to do an HIV/ AIDS test. So, would Siryon have won if Manuba, Sonpon or Konton had contested against him? And has he ably managed the finances of Swal? Well, I am yet to see a financial and administrative report of the treasurer vis-a-vis the outgoing president. But in democracy, the minority will have their say and the majority will have their will. And we await the majority's will.

t exact 3:00 pm GMT the second division struggle in group (a) of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) resumed between Georgia FC and Super Rollers at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS). The game got off to an interesting start with Super Rollers striker Julius Quellie making the first move in search of the curtain raiser but a brilliant safe from Georgia FC goal keeper Isidore Kieh prevented the breakthrough. Georgian FC got control of the ball after the early scare from the opponent and took control of the game for at least 10 minutes but

Bah. Super Rollers starting line up: Captain Eddie #5 Gbassana, #18 Isidore Kieh, #11 Aaron Ciapha, #13 Julius Quellie, #10 Mozart Jallah,#12 Victor Holmes, #15 Caroll Vansheah, #17 Edgar Walker, #4David Gbassana, #2 Alfred Caine and #8 Roland Flomo. Substitute: #19 Varo, #1 BaiwoeMarto, #7 Moses Nyanti, #14 Septimous Nagbe and Siafa Formah. In the day other games, Nimba United crushed Darius FC 9-0 at the Blue Field sport ground on Lynch Street. Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) II played Small Town to a 1-1 draw in the day last fight at the ATS.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Kumasi, Ghanahana's Asante Kotoko will welcome Liberia's Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) to the Baba Yara Stadium in a Caf Champions' League first leg preliminary match on Sunday. Kokoto and BYC share a thing or two in common going into this competition. The latter won Ghana's premier league last season and lead the current campaign with 34 points from 15 matches while the former won a league and cup double in Liberia but have had a purple patch this season, seated in the third position with 27 points from 16 matches. BYC are making their debut while Kotoko have a rich history in the competition. But they will be trying to redeem their image, having been eliminated by Algeria's JSM Bejaia last season. Kotoko received a boost of 50,000 Ghanaian Cedis (more than US$20,000) from Cash and Carry Limited, distributors of Blues Jeans energy drink on February 4. But Ghana's 3-4 defeat to Libya on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes of play in the final of the fourth edition of the African Nations Championship in South Africa on February 1 has dampened the morale among the locals. Kotoko contributed eight players, goalie Isaac Amoako, defenders Kwabena Adusei and Abeiku Ainooson; midfielders Michael Akuffo, Jordan Opoku, Richard Mpong and Yahaya Mohammed and striker Seidu Bancey, to the squad that averaged less than a goal per match. But Akuffo is confident that the experience of playing in the tournament will help the Porcupine Warriors to excel in this years campaign. Its a big disappointment to all of us but the experience of playing in this championship will benefit Kotoko especially in the long run. We have as many as eight players who featured in this

OLD RIVALRY, NEW FACES?

Ghana's Asante Kotoko meet Liberia's BYC in Caf Champions' League match on Sunday
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Sport

Frontpage

Page 15

SPORT BRIEF

MOURINHO: MAZZARRI AND SEEDORF NEED TIME

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competition. The team spirit, cohesion and unity is there and thats what will spur us on in the Champions League. I believe Kotoko will be the biggest beneficiary in all this, Akuffo said. Ghana beat Congo 1-0 on January 13, drew 1-1 with Libya on January 17 and beat Ethiopia 1-0 on January 21 in group C of the tournament reserved for players based in Africa. They beat DR Congo 1-0 in the quarter-finals on January 26 and drew goalless with Nigeria in the semi-finals after 120 minutes before winning 4-1 on penalties on January 29. Kotoko have been champions of Ghana a record 22 times and have won the Champions League twice but BYC president Sekou Konneh isn't bothered by records. "If it were for records, then the Spanish FA should not be holding the La Liga over a 10-month period. They should just give it to Barcelona or Real Madrid. "Ghana twice drew with
v

BYC Coach Lartey Sounds Warning To Kotoko Ahead Of Clash

African champions. I must be very frank with you Asante Kotoko is a very good side. They have a very good pedigree of players, Lartey told Kumasi-based Angel FM They play internationally on various continents but we are coming to attack. BYC will be coming to test the strength and ability of the Kotoko defence. Ive been aware of Kotoko since I was a kid and my father used to cheer Asante Kotoko. Its my pleasure to play against Asante Kotoko as the head coach of BYC. We even saw some of their players that featured in the

ALL FIRED UP

Libya in the African Nations Championship and eventually lost the final. You and I know Asante contributed eight players to that team. "You know Libya is inferior to Ghana in football. So we don't believe in records but we respect Kotoko for who they and what they have been able to achieve over the years," Konneh told FrontPageAfrica minutes after the team exited the Kotokai international airport in Accra on Wednesday. A more than four-hour journey by road to Kumasi meant the team had only a training session on Thurday, having arrived at the International Hotel at 5:00AM. Head coach Robert Lartey, who guided BYC II to the second round in the Confederations Cup, is aware of the reception shown by the hosts. His team had to wait for two hours before breakfast was ready and another two hours before it was served. Robert Sirleaf, the club's chief executive officer, told a news

conference in Monrovia that he was pleased with the underdog tag. They are underneath more pressure than we are. They are going to have 15,000 or 20,000 people in a stadium that hosts 40,000 people. Maybe, they have 40,000 people. They are going to be all out and extremely hot to score in the first 15 or 20 minutes. And if they dont score in the 15 or 20 minutes, they are going to panic because their fans are going to be putting a lot of pressure on them. And when you panic in a football game, you are going to make mistakes and that is what we are looking for. If they panic and make some mistakes and we score, it is going to be a very interesting 60 minutes to go. I have a lot of confidence in Liberia and I have a lot of confidence in my team. If they dont score in the first 20 or 25 minutes, we will win the game. They have to score. So for those in Asante that is listening [reading], I have just added more

pressure to it. If they dont score in the first 20 or 25 minutes, we will win the game, Sirleaf said on February 1. Kotoko warmed up for the tie with a 3-0 win over lower division side First Klaas FC in the MTN FA Cup round of 32 tie while BYC beat Watanga 2-1 in a league match on February 2. It has been more than 20 years since the two countries squaredoff in a club competition but Liberia's 2002 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ghana in Monrovia in July 2001 could bring an old rivalry with new faces to the stage. With goalie Nathaniel Sherman, defenders Teah Dennis, Alpha James and Francis Jallahbah and midfielders Isaac Pupo and Gideon Williams, BYC have players who have been tested and tried at international level. Elsewhere in the Confederation Cup, Liberia's Red Lions will face Guinea Bissau's Estrela De Cantanhez on February 7 and the return legs will be played on February 16.

helsea manager Jose Mourinho says Inter coach Walter Mazzarri and AC Milan boss Clarence Seedorf need time to bring success. Both sides have been struggling to find their best form in Serie A this season, but Mourinho feels the two Milan clubs simply lack the quality to compete at the moment. "I believe that Mazzarri and Seedorf need time and support from their clubs and fans," Mourinho told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Let's be honest, they don't have a lot of top players to build a great team in just a few months, so they need some time and support. "I am an Interista and will always be one. I think that Mazzarri deserves the club's faith. Of course, I am no Milanista, but I have a lot of respect for the club and their great history. I hope that Clarence will also get the chance to work in tranquility and bring Milan back to the heights of before. "Italian football needs the two Milan sides to be on top of their game."

JAMES EAGER FOR ROLE WITH BECKHAM'S MIAMI FRANCHISE

he Liberian champions arrived in Kumasi on Wednesday night to take on the Porcupine Warriors in the preliminary qualifier of Africas elite inter-club competition on Sunday. Kotoko boast of an array of top stars who have just returned from South Africa after participating in the 2014 CHAN tournament. But head coach of Barrack Young Controllers, Robert Lartey has admitted the enormity of the task ahead but insists they will go all out for a win against the two-time

just ended African Nations Champioship. Weve all seen and we know how were preparing to curtail some of the counter attacks that were likely to face. For BYC, Ill tell you quite frankly; the boys are in high spirits. They want to prove something on the continent of Africa and they want to bring pride to their people back home. So Kotoko should not underestimate BYC, he added. He added: We won the Liberian league, the knock-out (Liberian Cup) as well as the Super Cup. We are a very good and

M
formidable side and youll see for yourself what were made of when we come to Ghana. Kotoko will be seeking a

Barrack Young Controllers trainer Robert Lartey has fired a strong warning to Kotoko ahead of their CAF Champions League clash this weekend.
convincing win from the first leg to make the return encounter a mere formality.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) iami Heat forward LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, said on Wednesday he hoped to be involved with David Beckham's plan to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to Miami. Former England soccer captain Beckham, who has become a close friend of James in recent years and often attends Heat games in Miami, announced earlier on Wednesday he had exercised his option to become the owner of an MLS team in that city.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2014

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OLD RIVALRY, NEW FACES?

Ghana's Asante Kotoko meet Liberia's BYC in Caf Champions' League match on Sunday

DANGEROUSLY DANGEROUS!!!
Monrovia-

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Spot News

iberia is one country where anything goes. It is common practice to see men hanging on moving vehicles. The scariest sight is when you see several persons sitting atop a vehicle filled with bags of charcoal. These men ignore the risk associated dropping off from the moving vehicles. More interesting, this vehicle passes by several police officers and it is allowed to ply the streets without being questioned or actions taken to ensure that the driver complies with road safety rules. Many of these vehicles are allowed to even move at night, but the dangerous part is what happens to people who sit atop of these cars when an accident happens? The answer is anybodys guess. Can someone appeal to the Liberia National Police to intervene to stop these kinds of dangerous conveyance? We need help.

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