Law & Order pg 7 TOP STORIES

Chief Justice Subscribes To Equal Justice

NO ONE ABOVE THE LAW

NO INSURANCE?
AS LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT PUSHES COMPULSORY MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE GOVERNMENT VEHICLES FLOUT REGULATIONS

CORPORATE NEWS

pg 7

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

BUYING MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2014 SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014 L$83.00/US$1 L$83.00/US$1 L$83.00/US$1

SELLING L$84.00/US$1 L$84.00/US$1 L$84.00/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

VOL 8 NO.551

FROM INAUGURAL ADDRESS ON JANUARY 16, 2006

RESURRECTING PAPA NA COME

Times were hard before. Times are even harder today. But I make this pledge to you: Under my Administration, we will work to change that situation. We will work to ensure that when our children say papa na come, papa will come home joyfully with something, no matter how meager, to sustain his family.

BLAME SHIFTING ON POPULIST 06 PLEDGE: WHATS KEEPING LIBERIA FATHERS FROM BRINGING THE GOODS HOME?

PRICE L$40

FROM INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014

The whole idea there was that it will empower father so that when they get home their children will gladly welcome them because they came home with a job and power to help them to feed them to educate them but we have a problem here the problem is papa stop too many places before he gets home.

ANALYSIS pg. 5 & 6

See PG 2

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

onors are pumping millions in the health sector of Liberia through the Pool Fund and other health interventions but the countrys health sector continues to perform below par, not meeting the needs of majority of the population. In many towns and villages across Liberia, access to nearby health center is difficult as people commute over long distances to seek medication at heath facilities that are not even well equipped, pregnant women and others are vulnerable to death during these risky situations they face before reaching a health center. Even in Monrovia, the capital city, the health situation is still dangerous with unskilled doctors and other medical practitioners attending to patients. Little, Phillip Zinnah, Jr. one year, seven months old, hope of becoming a father is at the verge of becoming impossible as he is the latest victim of unskilled medics. On a fateful Sunday afternoon, January 5, this year, Little Zinnah faced a shock of his life when a doctor only identified as Nimely completely cut off his penis in an attempt to have him circumcised. Phillip Zinnah, Sr. 25 years, father of the boy explained that he took his son to the TB Annex to one Dr. Nimley for circumcision but it all went wrong when the doctor completely cut off the boys penis, leaving him in severe pain. Zinnah said I went to circumcise him on the 5th of January on Sunday, 4:15 pm and this doctor I have been hearing about him and he told me he can do the work. He charged me 600 Liberian dollars to do the work right at TB annex, the man was circumcising him and that is where this mistake came from. I been to majority of the hospitals and the doctors said the boy penis is damaged and we need to go for advance surgery out of the country. Dr. Nimley is said to have abandoned his patient, an innocent child who is currently facing severe pain as he is unable to urinate, with stomach swollen. The doctor has not made any move, all the hospitals we went, they said it was the Doctor error, but he continues to deny it, all the hospitals I have been going, he is not with me. When I call him on phone, he cant come; he is not even picking my call. Sometimes when I get him on the phone, he will make palava with me, he says if that is the way I want to take it, I should carry him to court, he has money to get lawyer, Zinnah lamented in an interview. Police let him go The father who crushes rocks for survival said he reported the case to the police but while the police was preparing to send them to court, he

The Doctor said he has been doing it for the past 50 years, other people told me he has been doing this work, even one of my friends call Ramsey said his son, it was the man that circumcised him. Last week the penis hole was closed, he was not urinating, so he has been feeling pain, his stomach getting big, urinating crying, cant sleep. His skin is hot, said Zinnah.
could not allow his son bleed and cry while he goes to court. I carried the case to Zone three, they fix a document for them to carry us to court, I look at the man condition, it was worse at the time so I been from hospital to hospital. I been to JFK two different times, Catholic hospital the doctor said it is a hard work, ELWA, James Davis Hospital, Rennie, all say the work is hard. They say I should get to TB Annex and get document from there and Annex will tell me which hospital to go. I went to TB Annex, I met the administrator, she said the Doctor did the work on his own under secret. She say, they are not circumcising there so they do not know about it. Three persons doing the work, he Dr. Nimley, Pewee and . ., Zinnah explained. According to Zinnah, an administrator at the TB Annex told him sorry but indicated that the Doctor who performed the operation should bear his own punishment. Zinnah said he was convinced by Dr. Nimley who claimed to have performed such operation for over 50 years in paying for his son to get circumcised. The Doctor said he has been doing it for the past 50 years, other people told me he has been doing this work, even one of my friends call Ramsey said his son, it was the man that circumcised him. Last week the penis hole was closed, he was not urinating, so he has been feeling pain, his stomach getting big, urinating crying, cant sleep. His skin is hot, said Zinnah. Appeal for help Zinnah is calling on the Government and other well meaning Liberians and foreign friends to help safe his sons life through surgery abroad. I want for the Government to help me, representative, senator and whosoever that will be able to help his man to go for advance treatment out of this country. He is One year seven months old, he

was born July 20, 2012 and Dr. Nimely was the one who did this work, he appealed. He narrated that his son is so young to be subjected to the current pain he is feeling, noting He was one year six months when I took him for treatment. I feel so bad, this is my only child, now I am not working, I am doing rock business. All the money I have, I have used all, I live Congo Town, White Flower. His mother name is Comfort Gargor, she is 21 years old. Doctor on Run? The man only known as Dr. Nimley when contacted responded to his call on one occasion but after frontpageafrica inquired on the situation he switched off the phone. Several other calls were unanswered as he gave his phone to a lady who repeatedly responded to all calls. When also contacted the John Kennedy medical center indicated that it does not know any Dr. Nimley. US says Health sector unreliable The United States on March 2 issued a travel alert highlighting the poor health, sanitation and other conditions prevailing in Liberia. Hospitals and medical facilities in Liberia are very poorly equipped and are incapable of providing many services. Emergency services comparable to those in the U.S. or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion, the Americans alert stated. In the alert, the US cautioned its citizens in Liberia to consider traveling to the United States, Europe, or South Africa for treatment stating that medicines are scarce, often beyond expiration dates, and generally unavailable in most areas. The alert slams the Liberian health sector, describing the sanitation condition in Liberia as very poor, warning US citizens about the danger of serious diseases such as typhoid and malaria. Stated the alert As there is neither an effective garbage removal service, nor a functioning sewer system, sanitation throughout urban areas is very poor, which increases the potential for disease. Upper respiratory infections and diarrhea are common, as well as more serious diseases such as typhoid and malaria. The United States warned not only its citizens, but all travelers to Liberia to ensure they are vaccinated against yellow fever and anti malaria medication before stepping on the soil of Liberia. All travelers to Liberia must be vaccinated against yellow fever and should carry a supply of all prescription medication, including anti-malaria medication, adequate for their entire stay. A typhoid vaccination is also recommended, stated the US alert.

FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL WHY LIBERIA SHOULD STOP THE

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

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Commentary

WELCOME BACK IRON LADY: IF ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE

CELEBRATION OF TUBMANS BIRTHDAY

Benedict Nyankun Wisseh, Contributing Writer

THE DECISION TAKEN by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to dismiss one of the women serving in a key position in her government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for compromising a rape case that involved the womans granddaughter is a bold step and a huge stride in the fight against rape in Liberia. THROUGH THIS ACTION we saw the reemergence of the Iron Lady, a mother, grandmother and President who has the courage to correct wrongs in society and bring people around her who abuse public office to check. WHEN WE BROKE the story of a 13-year old girl who was raped by a Lebanese national by the name of Ali Saksou, 21 On Valentines Day, many were shocked that a relative of the President who happens to be the grandmother of the rape victim would rather than push for justice to be served the child in question, opt for the release of the alleged criminal that had snatched the childs future from her. WE LEARNED THAT upon hearing of the incident President Sirleaf immediately mounted Pressure on the relevant authorities involved to make sure the alleged rapist was rearrested. The Liberia National Police left no stone unturned and went in search of the culprit who was already on the run, and some had suggested that he had left the country. FOLLOWING ALMOST A week on the run the suspected rapist was rearrested by the Police on Thursday last week and turned over to the Monrovia City Court which then charged him with rape and interfering with child custody. REPORTS HAVE IT also that the court was manipulated in securing the release of the alleged rapist that even a county solicitor was accused of taking bribe to get the Lebanese guy off the hook. PRESIDENT SIRLEAF HAS shown that the many children who have died from rape will see justice, she has shown the courage that only a true mother can show and we applaud her for standing up for the women and children of Liberia who continue to face this menace on a daily basis, when she said: I wear black today to the memory of all the young women whose lives have been taken from them by vicious and violent men. I wear black for the 13-year old girl whose future was sacrificed by her grandmother who compromised rape with an offender by having him taken out of prison when he had been arrested for this vicious act. PRESIDENT SIRLEAF SPEAKING during official program marking the observance of International Womens Day in Liberia at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Saturday, March 8, 2014 pronounced that she had already fired the grandmother who compromised the alleged raping of the 13-year old. SINCE THE PASSAGE of the rape law, women and children as young as two years old have been subjected to this inhumane act. Everyday mothers worry about their girl children, afraid that someone might sexually abuse them; this despicable act has become so prevalent in our communities, homes, churches, schools that today parents no longer feel that the girl child is secure anymore. THE STATISTICS ARE alarming, recent data shows heartrending high cases of rape especially rape of children. The Executive Mansion reveals that in the last two years, the Ministry of Gender and Development reported a total of 2,493 sexual and gender-based violence crimes across Liberia, up from 2,029 cases in 2010. A MAJORITY OF these (58 percent) were rape cases, of which 92 percent or 1,348 involved rapes of children between the ages of three months to 17 years, states the Presidents office. IN THE FIRST six months of 2013, four referral hospitals in Monrovia alone treated 814 rape cases, 95 percent of which were children. In 2012, a total of five child deaths were recorded as a result of rape. In 2013, ten children died as a direct result of being raped. The incidents are rising and becoming more brutal.

ast year, the birthday of the late president, William Tubman, was celebrated as a national holiday. This year, 2014, I suppose that as November approaches, the government of Liberia, in collaboration with the family of Tubman, will begin making plans to celebrate his birthday. I suppose because Tubmans birthday was celebrated as a national holiday during the 27-year life of his presidency and 42 years after his death. On this date, then and now, every meaningful activity of life in the country is sequestered to celebrate Tubman. Government offices, business houses, schools and markets are ordered closed by the government. Last year, celebrating Tubmans birthday, the vice president, Joseph Boakai, visited Tubmans grave and laid wreaths on his tomb. Although government offices, business houses and schools were closed, the celebration was restrained by comparison to the celebration in 2012. In 2012, President Sirleaf led the country in festivities celebrating this date. In her remarks, the president was promiscuous as she heaped encomiums on her late predecessor as the president every Liberian must be proud of because of his accomplishments. This comment, undoubtedly, leaves one assured that no conclusion is in site to the celebration of Tubmans birthday. But do we have to continue celebrating Tubmans birthday? If we must continue to do so, why must we? President Sirleaf asked Liberians to be proud of Tubman for his accomplishments. Undoubtedly, there are Liberians who share her praise and admiration for Tubmans achievements. But the achievements on which she based such instruction are not substantiated by any evidence of meaningful developments that took place during Tubmans rule. However, the examination of his achievements must be preceded by the examination of how he retained himself in power for so long. Mr. Tubman, in our national discussions of the Liberian presidency, will always be the primary subject mentioned repeatedly. He will be mentioned not because of any meaningful accomplishments by him for the greater good of the country. Rather, he will be mentioned because of the 27 years he ruled Liberia as president. But the longevity of his presidency was not sustained by results of free and fair elections in which Liberians continuously voted for him. Mr. Tubman came to the presidency under a constitutional provision that limited one to serve only two terms of eight years albeit that the outcomes were decided by the then ruling True Whig Party. Therefore, Tubman, though handpicked by his immediate predecessor, Edwin Barclay, according to accounts of some historians, was expected to adhere to the same rules at the conclusion of his second term, perhaps, in favor of Clarence Simpson who had served as Barclays secretary of state and harbored an ambition to be president too. But Tubman thought otherwise. As president in his first term, Tubman became obsessed with the preservation of personal power and the protection of greed and privilege for himself and his loyalists. This obsession commenced a number of well calculated and deceptive political moves that retained him in power for 27 years. He looked askance at friends and opponents he thought were not heaping encomiums on him and, such people, Tubman dealt with ruthlessly. He subverted the constitution and used its outcomes to legitimize his presidency. Generally, Tubmans political decisions and behaviors were calculated and driven by deception to serve his obsession to hold on to the presidency. This was demonstrated in his dealings with the indigenous people. He ingratiated himself to them by dressing like them and dancing among them, conveying the impression, although cosmetic, that he deeply cared about them. Yes, by comparison to the mindlessly inhumane treatment of the indigenous people by his predecessors, Tubman seemed to be genuine to the indigenous people. But this was a masquerade. Undoubtedly, Tubmans interest in the indigenous people was to use them as fortress against any attempt by the Monrovia-based Americo-Liberian political power brokers to dislodge him from the presidency. His calculation was informed by his sense of history regarding the election and removal of President Edwin J. Roye from office and the cruel treatment of the indigenous people by the then Americo-Liberian ruling class. Although it is officially recorded that Roye was deposed because of his mismanagement of a loan he secured from England, other historians assert that he was overthrown and murdered because of his attempt to amend the constitution to extend his presidency. Another reason mentioned was that he was suspected to have had sympathy for the indigenous Liberians. Royes ascendency to the presidency was begrudged by the Monrovia-based light-skinned Americo-Liberians, having been elected by an enthusiastic support of the dark-skinned Americo-Liberians, backed by an indisposed support of some light-skinned Americo-Liberians because of his superior education and positions he held in government. But the indigenous majority, for whom Roye had carried sympathy, was excluded from voting. So, when Roye attempted to amend the constitution to extend his presidency, he came under strong suspicion that he intended to grant citizenship to native Liberians if he got the amendment passed. Hence, conveniently, his opponents used the issue of the loan as the reason to move against him. Tubman saw some similarities between himself and Roye as political outsiders. Like Royes, a fellow dark-skinned Americo-Liberian, Tubmans ascendency to the presidency was begrudged by the Monrovia-based light-skinned Americo-Liberians. Therefore, Tubman knew that an attempt by him to amend the constitution to extend his presidency would be resisted, leading to his removal from office, perhaps violently, as they did in removing Roye from office over the same reason. So, if Tubman was to succeed, he had to, unlike
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any of his predecessors, reluctantly embrace the indigenous community. This led to paramount and clan chiefs being invited to Monrovia to participate in parades and dine with Tubman at the Executive Mansion. Some of them were appointed by Tubman to serve in the legislature and participate in a process that they did not comprehend was contrived to keep him in power. Simi-illiterate indigenous young men were recruited into the military and found satisfaction in seeing their chiefs and Tubman interacting. This won, for Tubman, their loyalty and obedience and took the military option from the advantage of his opponents to use violence against him. To his light-skinned Americo-Liberian opponents, the combination of all of this depicted a picture of a president supported overwhelmingly by the indigenous majority and, as he had planned to achieve, intimidated them into political paralysis and fear to prevent him from amending the constitution to retain himself in power. Having succeeded in consolidating power, Tubman inherited and had under his control a country that was underdeveloped in its infrastructure. There were no direct roads that connected the counties and, for the most part, people walked long distances for weeks, sometimes months, from county to county. Schools and hospitals did not exist in the rural communities. But fortunately, it appeared, iron ore was discovered and made Liberia the third largest exporter of iron ore from Yekepa and Bong Mines, in addition to having the world largest rubber plantation. By the 1950s, according to economists, Liberia had the second largest rate of economic growth in the world behind Japan, spurred by iron ore and rubber and guided by Tubmans Open Door Policy that increased foreign investment in the country. We know what Japan did with its economic growth. But did Tubman, in the 27 years he ruled Liberia, develop the rudimentary conditions in which he met the country? No, he did not. Under him, the construction of roads was determined selectively by the economic interests of the government in a county. Generally, they were narrow, unpaved roads that had no lights and were perilous to travel in the night and when it rained. However, the roads that carried the addresses of Tubmans properties and those of other powerful government officials were paved. He selectively paved the road from Monrovia to his Totota residence and left the rest of it, from there through Gbarnga, Nimba, and Grand Gedeh counties to Pleebo, Maryland County, unpaved. At the time he died, people walked almost a week from the former Kru Coast Territory to Karweaken, Grand Gedeh County for cars to take to Monrovia. Generally, he failed to transform Liberia into a country with one of the most modern networks of roads in Africa. One can understand while it was no surprise that his son, William Tubman, Jr., in a state of delusion and campaigning for the Liberian presidency in 2005, got lost in Grand Gedeh County while travelling by road from Monrovia to Maryland County. This is a fellow who was a longtime Senator from next door Maryland County. Monrovia, at the time Tubman died, was a city with few streets, many of which were remarkable for being unpaved and dusty. The absence of paved streets made Sinkor inaccessible as if it was a faraway place. The only street that led from Sinkor to downtown Monrovia was Tubman Boulevard, suspiciously paved because it was named after him. The main road from Waterside to Logan Town, New Kru Town and Caldwell was not only unpaved, it had street lights that were scattered about 100 yards apart from each other. Auto road to the Red Light, from the Monrovia Freeport through Gardnerville, did not exist as it is today. Regarding education, it is not known how many schools were constructed by Tubmans administration to determine how well he did to make education accessible for Liberians to be educated. But no account of record-keeping is required to make such determination because his achievement in this area is self-evident. Under him, sadly, access to education throughout the country was another casualty of his neglect of national development priorities. At the time of Tubmans death, each of the then nine counties had one public high school, many of which were constructed in the last ten years of his administration to celebrate his birthdays in those counties. The high schools, which ran from 7th grade to 12th grade, however, were located in the capital cities of the counties. But no high school was built in any of the then five territories- Kru Coast, Sasstown, Rivercess, Bomi and Marshall- besides very few elementary schools with classes conducted in mud and thatched houses constructed by the villagers. In these schools, pupils sat on bamboo benches without back support. To Tubmans admirers, this was a remarkable achievement. However, when this achievement is examined and put in context, the failure of Tubman to make education accessible at every level emerges with very disappointing and profound long-term consequences for Liberias educational system. In the five territories, while access to elementary schools was relatively common, access to high schools was uncommon. The opportunity for students to continue their education, after elementary school, existed only in the capital cities of the counties where the high schools were located. This meant that those who graduated from public elementary schools had to travel to the cities, if they had relatives there to live with, to continue going to school at the next level. Conversely, if they did not have relatives living in the cities, it meant the end of their dreams and efforts to be educated further. Even having relatives in the cities to host them did not ensure automatic enrollment in the public high school because of competition that came from other students to enroll in that one school.

You can read the full commentary on www. frontpageafricanonline.com cut off my private part, said Minister Cassell. WE MUST NOT cover these sick people who continue to sexually abuse our young children. We see an increase in Fistula cases; girls get pregnant at an early age because they are raped and molested, they are not ready to have babies because they are still children. We must end this wicked act being perpetrated by heartless bloodsucking men.

WE MUST JOIN hands with the President to fight this menace and begin to think of tougher measures for these abusers of our children. LIKE THE MINISTER of Gender Julia Duncan Cassell in a recent interview with FrontPageAfrica, that even men are proposing stringent penalties for rapists. THE MEN, IF you are accused of rape what should be done to you? The men say good men dont rape. If I were to rape,

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

MANNY EMMANUEL

GOVERNOR MILLS JONES SUPPORTERS DESCEND ON LAWMAKERS

COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE

DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED ARMY IS WHAT LIBERIA NEEDS

The Editor, I could not have agree with former Interim President Dr. Amos C. Sawyer more when he served as keynoter on program marking the official celebration of this years Armed forces day which witnessed the commissioning of a Liberian Chief-of Staff and other top brass of the Armed forces of Liberia (AFL) thus bringing to a historical end the charge of a Nigerian Care-taker Chief-Of-Staff or Officerin-Charge. Many Liberian intellectuals and political pundits would undoubtedly agree with me that the erudite Liberian Politician, outstanding Statesman and Academician gave not only a brilliant oration at that auspicious occasion but also presented a perfect roadmap for the Liberian army we all including our international partners envisage. In his reverberating oration, on February, 11, 2014, DR. Sawyer asserted, We all agree that Liberias security sector should be organized with the objective of protecting and promoting human security. Human security in its full form is about the political, economic, social and cultural rights and empowerment of all citizens and inhabitants within our country. Under normal conditions of governance, ensuring human security imposes significant challenges on the institutions of the state. These challenges are even greater in post-conflict situations such as ours. How can we shape our military to become an instrument for the transformation of our country by contributing to forging reconciliation among ourselves and accelerating our development while continuing to perform its traditional role of defending our territorial integrity, assisting in maintaining domestic tranquility and managing disasters and humanitarian emergencies? Why is this question important? Why do we want our military to become a driver of reconciliation and accelerated development? In answering this question let me first say that the institutions of our country or any country for that matter must be able to respond to new challenges if they are to be helpful. In Liberia, every historical period has required the review and revision of some institutions and the creation of new institutions to address new challenges. Dr. Sawyer is intimating in unambiguous terms that the time has come where the military everywhere has become a service oriented agency in the State and not just an institution of mere gun totters or carriers under the command of dreaded and paranoia military Generals who only took solace in perpetrating carnage against innocent Liberians reminiscent the distasteful and unpopular conduct of the AFL during 80s and 90s. The excesses of the Old AFL are recounted by several writersso I need not bold you in this little piece. He asserts again, In post-war Liberia, our militarys role should transcend the standard and conventional role. It must promote our unity, reflect the values we subscribe to, the vision we have focused and the national reconciliation we are forging. Our military must continue to be a servant of the people and a partner of other institutions of governance in accelerating the implementation of our national development programs. It must be so because our needs are acute and our resources are scarce. More importantly, because ultimately, security rests with the people themselves; so empowering them is, indeed, the best strategy for strengthening security. Again, I concur with the Professor on this point. I have always argued and continue to hold the belief that the army must be servants of the people and productive contributors to national development

This thing make me sick when people who know better refuse to accept the truth. People leave Liberia and come to the west and get all the best education and go back to Liberia to make fool of the poor people. If you know you can win a election without CBL post or money ,than just leave. LET US LOOK AT LIBERIA AS A SICK CHILD THAT NEED HELP AND NOT A GROUND OR PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO AND GET RICH OVERNIGHT AND COME BACK HERE WITH THE MONEY AND BUY ALL THE BIG HOUSES AND CARS. RAYMOND SUMO CUTTINGTON UNIVERSITY, LIBERIA The Legislature and the Executive have worked together to fight political corruption in this case. I believe Dr. Jones knows better but he brought this on himself and members of the board, and other government agencies such as finance is on the radar for similar bill. Civil society and their supporters should get ready again. In fact Dr. Jones helped the President and the legislature to pass this bill into law. I am only disappointed in our civil society, some learned Liberians who were on the wrong side of history, and some of our young people who were bused to the legislature on behalf of Dr. Jones. There are so many ills in our society that the civil society could tackle, but no money in those areas. ARTHUR DAVID FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY I am not a fan of this Legislature, but I support them fully on this CBL Act. If someone at the CBL wants to run for President, let them resign and run. Dividing public funds to gain political leverage is a disease and must be stopped. If this fellow has sincere intentions in jump starting the Liberian economy and empowering Liberian small businesses, then why is there all this noise about a law targeting him. Let the future Bank Governors worry about this bill. Let him go on and do his job. To continue using these poor, uneducated and uninformed people is a crime. SAYKU KROMAH CIY OF PHILADELPHIA AT RETIRED Well, CBL Board Members, the ball is in your court. Over a year ago, I shared with most of my friends that Gov. Jones had outsmarted the corrupt politicians with presidential ambitions by designing this loan scheme to headstart his presidential campaign. I admonished them that unless they stopped him, given. The level poverty, he was the next President. I even raised this with some members of the Legislators, but I did not foresee them using a sledgehammer to kill a fly. Well, Gov. Jones, it looks like the other crooks outsmarted you. To have directly stopped the loan scheme, would have put them in antagonistic position with the market women, but the way the have done it is Checkmate. Now lets see if the loan scheme will continue with the same level of enthusiasm. the level of poverty. NYEMADE WANI AVERAGE JOE AT POWER TO THE PEOPLE Why don't you sit down in Philadelphia and stop writing nonsense you know nothing about. Our useless, greasy incompetent Senators know that Jones is the man to fix this mess of a country they have created. They are targeting only one person because he has a chance of becoming president. Out new constitution can remove their nonsense. I say give them only 2 years in office and let them read a book in front of the entire country so we can see if they are educated. These people will destroy our country. NOBODY should be restricted from running for president. If a former warlord can win our election and former rebels can now call themselves honorable, Mills Jones who was never a rebel or a warlord can be president. The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica

by forging synergies with other state institutions rendering public service. This is why me and many others believe that there should be no contradiction between what we call military expenditure and development expenditure. Just as government is constructing the infrastructure of the State, it must equally strive to construct a developmental military. Our military today is the most educated we have ever had. It is the best ever capable of being shaped, trained and equipped to become a critical instrument of development. It can become a partner with other state institutions in advancing agricultureespecially to attain food security, engineering and construction, literacy work and health care, among other areas of development, Dr. Sawyer noted. The idea of establishing a development-oriented military is not new. In fact our military has strong potential to ultimately become a developmental military. For example, a company of our current military has been engaged in civil works, working with UNMIL units as well as with the Ministry of Public Works and the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program. We need to adopt these activities as mainstream activities of our military along with the purely military functions it is also required to perform. We need to accelerate the militarys engagement in these development activities, he pointed out again. This is one of the best public speeches our country has been blessed to hear in recent times. This means we must take Dr. Sawyers speech as a guide in transforming the AFL into a diversified and resourceful public service institution. This means we must begin to train and transform our soldiers into engineers, agriculturists, medical doctors, nurses, geologists and other service oriented professionals thus bringing us again to another lofty point Dr. Sawyer eloquently highlighted in his oration; This brings us to the importance of training. Now that we have raised the bar for entry into the military, we must improve our training facilities and curricula. We must strive to upgrade our Military Academy, and until we are able to develop our own technical training institutions for the military, we must take full advantage of current institutions of learning and technical training, upgrade them and let our military personnel attend them in larger numbers. I am talking about our agricultural training institutions and other polytechnic institutes and our universities and colleges. We can see here where military expenditure can dovetail with education expenditure to enhance capacity building and accelerate development. Dr. Sawyer could not have said it better. This writer believes that the Professor presentation is a brilliant thought to ponder as we strive to recalibrate the New AFL. Today, the British Military is in the streets fighting river flood and bringing relief to their people. Today, other militaries around the world are building roads for their countries and performing critical surgeries in their hospitals while others are proudly serving as lecturers and professors in Universities and colleges. This is the kind of military we envisage for Liberia and its people. We entreat and encourage the Defense Ministry and the new Chief of Staff, General Daniel Zienkhan as well as the entire Leadership of the army to tilt the army in this trajectory because this is the best and globally acceptable trend that must be followed. I extol Dr. Sawyer for his insightful, lofty and brilliant presentation and again Congratulate Chief-Of-Staff Zienkhan, his deputies and the new cadre of soldiers and wish them all the best in striving to build a development-oriented AFL. Robert Kpadeh, rkdestine03@gmail.com

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Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666; 077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com; rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com Wade C. L. Williams, News Desk Chief, wade. williams@frontpageafricaonline.com; 0880664793 Francis F.B. Mulbah, Layout Editor; 0886639382 REPORTERS Sports Editor, Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528 Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline. com Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline. com, 0886-304498

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Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.sombai@ FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428 COUNTY NEWS TEAM Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042 Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666 Sinoe County, Leroy N.S Kanmoh, leroy.kanmoh@ frontpageafricaonline.com 0886257528 BUSINESS/ADVERTISING Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753, advertise@ frontpageafricaonline.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

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FROM INAUGURAL ADDRESS ON JANUARY 16, 2006

RESURRECTING PAPA NA COME

Times were hard before. Times are even harder today. But I make this pledge to you: Under my Administration, we will work to change that situation. We will work to ensure that when our children say papa na come, papa will come home joyfully with something, no matter how meager, to sustain his family.

BLAME SHIFTING ON POPULIST 06 PLEDGE: WHATS KEEPING LIBERIA FATHERS FROM BRINGING THE GOODS HOME?

ANALYSIS

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FROM INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014

The whole idea there was that it will empower father so that when they get home their children will gladly welcome them because they came home with a job and power to help them to feed them to educate them but we have a problem here the problem is papa stop too many places before he gets home.

Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@Frontpageafricaonline.com

O
Monrovia -

n January 16, 2006, a newly-elected President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf struck a populist tone when she wowed guests attending her first inauguration with a poignant message directed at Liberians.

The statistics are a painful reminder that those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder are continuing to struggle for survival; and making ends meet has forced many to do odd things: Mothers giving their underage daughters to men, and young boys and girls forced to trek the streets in search of a daily bread. Post-war Liberias breadwinners have suddenly been transformed from Papas to mothers and their school-age children working the streets to bring home the goods.

Said Sirleaf: Across this country, from Cape Mount in the West to Cape Palmas in the East, from Mount Nimba in the North to Cape Monsterrado in the South, from Mount Wologizi in North central to Mount Gedeh in the Southeast, our citizens at this very moment are listening to my voice by radio and some are watching by television. I want to speak directly to you. As you know, in our various communities and towns, our children have a way of greeting their fathers when they come home after a long, tiring day of trying to find the means to feed the family that night and send the children to school the next day. They say, Papa na come. Well, too many times, for too many families, Papa comes home with nothing, having failed to find a job or to get the help to feed the hungry children. Imagine then the disappointment and the hurt in the mother and children; the frustration and the loss of self-confidence in the father. Through the message of this story, I want you to know that I understand what you, our ordinary citizens, go through each day to make ends meet for yourselves and for your families. Sirleaf went on to say that times were hard before but are even harder today as she made a strong pledge that under her administration, she would work to change the situation. We will work to ensure that when our children say papa na come, papa will come home joyfully with something, no matter how meager, to sustain his family. In other words, we will create the jobs for our mothers and fathers to be gainfully employed. We will create the social and economic opportunities that will restore our peoples dignity and self-worth. We will make the children smile again; the thousands of children who could not present their voting cards, but repeatedly told me whenever I met and shook their hands that they voted for me. Indeed, they voted with their hearts. To those children and to all other Liberian children across this nation, I say to you, I love you very, very much. I shall work, beginning today, to

give you hope and a better future. Now, I would like to speak in particular to our youth. You can believe my word that my Administration will do its utmost to respond to your needs. Mothers, kids, the new Papas Eight years later, Liberia under Sirleaf is at a crossroads in a mid-term election year which could serve as a litmus test and possible gauging point about how Liberians are feeling and what they are thinking about the government which has been engulfed in criticisms of a poor and badly managed economy, a rapidly depreciating local currency and a nation struggling to restore its economic sanity. During the observance of International Womens Day last Saturday, February 8, 2014, both President Sirleaf and President Pro Temp Gbehzonga Findley struggled to give new meaning to the Papa Na Come declaration made by Sirleaf in 2006. Revisiting Sirleafs 06 pledge that papa will come; Findley suggested that the presidents commitment should rather be for both papa and mama to come home. The day I do not have a job I expect my woman to support me and nothing wrong with that. The Pro Temps statement prompted Sirleaf to explain her thinking behind the phrase as she suggested that the idea behind her statement in 06 was to empower fathers who are considered the breadwinners of their families. The president pro Temp mentioned the statement I made in 2006 or 2007 about papa coming home, the whole idea there was that it will empower father so that when they get home their children will gladly welcome them because they came home with a job and power to help them to feed them to educate them but we have a problem here the problem is papa stops too many places before he gets home. Shifting gears, Sirleaf now says, it is time to empower Liberian women so that they will be able to come home.

Lost on the new definition being interpreted by the President and the Pro Temp, is that women and children have in fact become the new Papas bringing home the goods for the family. Despite more representation of women in the Sirleaf government, women languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder are having to work twice as hard as men and are actually already bringing the goods home as the new breadwinners. More troubling in the new dynamics is the fact that children as young as four and nine-years-old are being forced to become Papas. Many attribute the problem to the lack of easy access to quality education and the lack of incentives to lure educated Liberians abroad to return home in a bid to help make a difference by educating others. Prior to the civil war, some traditional families used girl children as bread winners for the families to up-keep their homes, mostly through prearrange marriages During the celebration marking the 75th birth anniversary of President Sirleaf last year, Musu Sloah, President of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) acknowledged market women are in fact the new winners for their individual families. But for many political observers, the resurrection of the populist phrase which drew loud cheers in 2006 and the new explanation by Sirleaf signals a reluctant admission from the Sirleaf that fulfilling promises made during an election year could be tricky especially when they go unfulfilled. Corruption part of problem Many see Sirleafs losing battle in the war against corruption, credited in part to the lack of prosecution as a key reason why many of her election-year promises have not been fulfilled. In the past few months, damning indictments from both the United Nations Panel of Experts report and the United States Government on the issue of corruption and governance dampened Sirleafs once promising international image. "The

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

law does not provide criminal penalties for official corruption, although criminal penalties exist for economic sabotage, mismanagement of funds, and other corruption-related acts. Officials engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Low pay levels for the civil service, minimal job training, and few court convictions exacerbated official corruption and a culture of impunity," reported the U.S. Department of States 2013 Human Rights report. The report took aim on the government's unequal justice system and observed that while the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice are responsible for exposing and combating official corruption, the LACC remained a weak option because of underfunding, understaffing, and judicial bottlenecks. "During the year the LACC received 25 cases, investigated 23 cases, and recommended four for prosecution, resulting in no convictions." The 2013 report alarmed that judges were susceptible to bribes to award damages in civil cases. "Judges sometimes requested bribes to try cases, release detainees from prison, or find defendants not guilty in criminal cases. Defense attorneys and prosecutors sometimes suggested defendants pay bribes to secure favorable rulings from or to appease judges, prosecutors, jurors, and police officers. The Ministry of Justice continued its calls to reform the jury system." Besides the issue of corruption, the government has also been struggling to deal with a serious issue affecting landowners and the complicating dilemma for concessionaires unable to get anything done due to squabbles with villagers. Last December, the UN Panel of Experts recommended that the Government of Liberia should continue to address the grievances of local communities affected by the allocation of customary land to international palm oil agribusinesses. Unless communities are provided with adequate guarantees regarding employment, social development and a sustainable future for their land, and the independent legal and technical support to ensure these outcomes, the risk of conflict in concession areas remains high. The Panel recommends that the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil conduct a review mission to Liberia without delay to assess the compliance of international companies operating large-scale concessions with its principles and criteria. The panel report recalled an incident on September 3, 2013, where EPOs exercise was disrupted by approximately 100 men armed with machetes from Debbah Town, one of the

settlements within the area, protesting the expansion of the agricultural development. Grievances have also affected concessionaires Sime Darby and Golden Veroleum. Challenges amid inroads For the foreseeable future, many see education as the key that could go a long way in restoring hope to a nation, the United States Aid for International Development says, is significantly behind most other countries in the African region in nearly all education statistics. USAID is currently working through the Girls Opportunities to Access Learning program, funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporations Threshold Grant to Liberia, to increase girls enrollment, attendance and retention in primary schools in Lofa, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties. According to USAID, at the national level, the project addresses the challenge of overage enrollment and broadens the impact of the Programs efforts through its support to the Ministry of Education to update its National Policy on Girls Education. While the results of such a program may still be years away, blame is also being shifted in another direction, that the government has been unable to implement a strong agriculture program to bolster Liberias food security and nutrition which international stakeholders agree is very important for the countrys economic growth. In 2008 the government and the United Nations Joint Programme on Food Security and Nutrition designed a comprehensive three-year programme aimed at providing a coherent and coordinated response to the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition in the country. Six years later, the problem persists despite some inroads in the rehabilitation and construction of key roads, as a means to improve access to markets and basic social services. The rehabilitation and improvement of essential farm to market roads and bridges in Bong, Nimba and Lofa counties linking vulnerable farming communities to market places, health centres and schools has helped to some extent to alleviate some of the problems. To date, some thirty-five kilometres of farm to market roads have been rehabilitated, 33 culverts have been installed and five bridges have been fully repaired. The rehabilitated roads link Wagliela, Davoiyee and Gblason towns to Sanniquellie, the capital of Nimba County, providing farmers with year round access to the main regional market place. An irrigation scheme in Gbidin has also been repaired and 100 workers have

been trained to ensure its proper maintenance. Eight hundred farmers are now able to irrigate their rice farming land, leading to two harvests per year instead of one. With work yet to commence on the Somalia Drive route, many Liberians remain hopeful despite the slow pace of post-war development. School-age kids working the streets For Sirleaf, the journey from the populist 2006 Papa Na Come refrain has been rugged much to her own doing. Besides the poor economic state, the losing war against corruption and some poor decisions, the lack of political will to bring those close to her to book has been cited as a key reason why her government remains entrenched in a state of doubts in the eyes of some stakeholders unconvinced about Sirleafs ability to tackle corruption. For some of Sirleafs supporters, there have been glimpses of the Iron persona. Like last week action the president took against a distant relative who tried to compromise police investigation into the alledged rape of the relatives granddaughter. Speaking during the official program marking the observance of International Womens Day at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Saturday, March 8, Sirleaf declared: I wear black today to the memory of all the young women whose lives have been taken from them by vicious and violent men. I wear black for the 13-year old girl whose future was sacrificed by her grandmother who compromised rape with an offender by having him taken out of prison when he had been arrested for this vicious act, stressing, I assure you he has been rearrested and she has been fired. The action taken by Sirleaf came in the midst of disturbingly high cases of rape involving young boys and girls. The Ministry of Gender and Development reported a total of 2,493 sexual and gender-based violence crimes across Liberia, up from 2,029 cases in 2010. A majority of these (58 percent) were rape cases, of which 92 percent or 1,348 involved rapes of children between the ages of three months to 17 years. The statistics are a painful reminder that those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder are continuing to struggle for survival; and making ends meet has forced many to do odd things: Mothers giving their underage daughters to men, and young boys and girls forced to trek the streets in search of a daily bread. Post-war Liberias breadwinners have suddenly been transformed from Papas to mothers and their school-age children working the streets to bring home the goods.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

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LAW & ORDER

NO INSURANCE?
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As Liberian Government Pushes Compulsory Motor Vehicle Insurance Government Vehicles Flout Regulations

NO ONE ABOVE THE LAW

Chief Justice Subscribes To Equal Justice

Kennedy L. Yangiankennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 077296781

mid series of international and national human rights reports that judges and court officers in Liberia receive bribes to render justice which has given the public the impression that the countrys court system is the place where the rich triumph over the poor in the dispensation of justice, Chief Justice Francis Saye Korkpor has re-affirmed his administrations willingness to subscribe to equal justice where everyone will be given equal treatment under the law. We believe in the fair application of the rule of law to all, we subscribe to the ideal of equality that reflects not just that no one is above the law, but that everyone is equal before and under the law and is entitled to its equal benefits said Cllr. Korkpor in his address during the opening of the March Term of the Supreme Court which was witnessed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who made no official statement though she was asked to do so. Chief Justice Korkpor indicated that even though there are still many daunting challenges facing the Judiciary yet the judicial system is fully functioning and that the primary duty of judges is to hear and decide cases adding that judges have always underscored fair and impartial decisions and that the decisions they make, serve as instruments of peace. He stated that without courts there would be no forum to decide disputes among contending parties in accordance with accepted principles of due process and that the resultant effect would be total breakdown of law and order as well as chaos. The Chief Justice continued that in recognition of the due process of law, the people of Liberia decided many years ago that they will live in an orderly society wherein the law and not men will govern. On the issue of alleged malpractices in the Judiciary which has eroded public confidence, Chief Justice Korkpor told the gathering that censoring oneself was a sure way to restore confidence in a system and if one expects right, one should do the right thing. According to him some judges and lawyers have been punished by reports from the Grievance and Ethics Committee and endorsed by the Supreme Court and that the same applies to all support staff of the judiciary stressing that if anyone is caught in an act of impropriety or corruption such person will be summarily dismissed, arrested and turned over to the Justice Ministry for prosecution. He stated that the warning is also up to party litigants and jurors and the general public and that anyone who thinks that his saying will be like a business as usual and doubts about their renewed resolve should test this caveat. Commenting on lawyers attending to clients cases before the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Korkpor also indicated that the rules of the court provides that both parties shall within five days after service of notice of completion of appeal filed their briefs which most lawyers do not follow the rule. He continued that to avoid the usual situation of unpreparedness by lawyers when cases are called, the Supreme Court has already notified some lawyers to have their briefs filed in a number of cases which the high court will assign hear and decide and that no excuse will be accepted from lawyers who failed to file briefs when the cases are called. The Judiciary law sets the second Monday in March and the second Monday in October every year as the days the Supreme Court shall open for hearing of cases filed before it.

s the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Transport and the Liberia National Police continue the impounding of commercial and Private Vehicles, FrontPageAfrica has discovered that most government vehicles have not been insured. The government through the Ministry of Finance said it allotted US $671,000 in the FY 2013/2014 budget and the ministry said this amount is set aside for 36 entities. The government has over 2,000 vehicles and most of these vehicles ply the streets without insurance stickers. For two weeks now, motor vehicles owners have been subjected to stringent police inspection for vehicle registration and insurance documents. Those who have been unable to show proof of the vehicles being insured or registered have had their cars impounded by the police. Transport Minister Tonorlah Varpilah during a news conference recently said the government was going to ensure that all vehicles comply with all public safety procedures laid down by law, which included the Third Party motor vehicle insurance scheme. He said the government would not compromise on the enforcement of the insurance scheme. Your vehicle will be arrested and impounded, you will not move from where the police will put it; so if you dont insure your vehicle we will arrest the vehicle and have it kept until you can insure it, said Minister Varpilah. Not only that, if your vehicle does not have roadworthiness inspection sticker, that vehicle will be impounded. This scheme was first enacted into law in 1973 and it says that every owner of a vehicle should provide evidence that they have the financial security to respond to any

damage done, as a result of an accident to a third party. Thats the minimum requirement for insurance. Reiterating the call Varpilah told FrontPageAfrica over the weekend that no vehicle is exempted from the ongoing compulsory motor insurance scheme adding that even his vehicle has been insured. Government vehicles, NGO vehicles, earth-moving equipment, are all supposed to abide by the law, said Minister Varpilah. The car that Im riding is a government vehicle and it is insured. All the vehicles at the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, are all insured, the vehicles at the Ministry of Finance are being insured; so all the vehicles of government are supposed to be insured to comply with the law. The law doesnt exclude anybody. He said to show that the government was serious about enforcing the scheme; Vice President Joseph N. Boakais vehicle is also insured. If you recall during the launching of the whole thing, the Vice Presidents vehicle was one of the first vehicle that took the

Monrovia he National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) announces the appointments of two Vice Presidents to its Executive Team following a competitive vetting process. Those appointed by the Board of Directors are Lamini A. Waritay, Vice President for Public Affairs Division, and Karmo D. Ville, Vice President for Finance Division. Making the appointments, the NOCAL board called on the appointees to "utilize their education, training, experience, and innovation to ensure the development of NOCAL, which, according to the board, is an entity that holds great promise for our nation and people." Waritay comes to the job with the requisite professional experience as a Communications Specialist, and academic qualifications, including a Bachelors degree from Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from Boston

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT NOCAL

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NEWS EXTRA

policy and the vice president has a government vehicle, he said. Currently most of the government owned vehicles continue to ply the streets with impunity without the cars being impounded as is the case with private and business vehicles but the Transport Minister said though there are some ministries and agencies yet to insure their vehicles, currently the government is in the process of regularizing its motor insurance troubles. It is not true for all the ministries; check there, there are some ministries that are budgeted for it; for those ministries that didnt budget for it, we are now concluding how the Ministry of Finance can through general claims to make sure that those vehicles get insured. Continued Varpilah: What is happening is that the GSA is doing the pre-insurance action to document those vehicles that are not insured and they will have the mandate to first park them before even the police; so very soon you will see Mary Broh and her team in the streets of Monrovia making sure that all government vehicles comply. The ministry of finance will now

look at how to make the money available to those ministries that didnt budget for it to have it properly done. Even the Vice President during the launch of the scheme issued a stern warning to the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to leave no stone unturned in enforcing the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Third Party Liability Insurance. I would like to start by underscoring the word compulsory; we hope that this will be the underlining word and that goes to our police and the Ministry of Transport to ensure that this is going to be compulsory, he said at the launch of the scheme at the Bella Cassa Hotel in Sinkor. With many government owned vehicles not insured and still plying the streets with impunity, while private and business vehicles are being impounded daily, the question remains, is the government above the law? Currently the Government has registered 30,832 motor vehicles nationwide, issued 12,807 drivers licenses, 263 eligible certificates and generated US$ 4,956,344.000 million.

University in the United States, and a Certification in Communications Policy and Planning from the Universities of Nairobi, Kenya, and Amsterdam in Holland. He once served as President of the Press Union of Liberia, Minister of Information, Acting Chairman of the Mass Communication department at the University of Liberia and, recently, Commissioner in charge of Public Affairs at the Liberia

Telecommunications Authority. Mr. Karmo Ville also comes to his new position with considerable professional training and academic qualifications, including a Bachelors degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting from the University of Liberia, and a Master of Science in International Finance and Economic Development from the University Of Reading School

Of Economics in the United Kingdom, and several professional certifications. Mr. Ville has served in several financially related positions, including Financial and Management Consultant of the World Bank Group seconded to the Ministry of Education; Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Analyst for Project Management and Finance and Chief Administrative Officer at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. Until his recent appointment at NOCAL,Mr. Ville served as Managing Director of the National Transit Authority (NTA). The appointments of the two NOCAL Vice Presidents are effective March 1, 2014. Mr. Ville succeeds Mrs. Marie Leigh-Parker who retired in October last year while Mr. Waritay succeeds Mr. Israel Akinsanya who resigned in September last year.

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March 11, 2014 he FrontPageAfrica reports (FrontPageAfricaonline, March 6, 2014) that in a fervent attempt to subvert the reform process (of leasing Liberias off-shore oil blocks) and ride the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) into a bid round (leasing of the oil blocks) contrary to the agenda of the President, (the proposed, new law and) . . . the National Legislators, while on nationwide tour presenting the proposed new law (to the citizens), the head (Dr. Randolph McClain, President/CEO) of NOCAL and his partners, went to South Africa to present data to oil company executives and commit the GOL to a NOCAL/GOL Tender of 11 (eleven) Blocks by Third Quarter, 2014. Alarmed, FrontPageAfrica sought answers to these, relevant questions (a), If a bid round held by NOCAL was allowed in the new law and (b), Will we see a repeat of the types of agreements signed by Dr. Fodee Kroma and team, were (where) negotiations conducted in South Africa with oil companies for the Harper Basin? According to FrontPageAfrica, . . . The proposed new law now being studied by the Legislature . . . states that the Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy, NOT the NOCAL CEO, shall, subject to the recommendation of the Petroleum Regulatory Body and the approval of the President (of Liberia), have the following responsibilities under this Act: Opening new areas for petroleum operations, making such decisions and issuing approvals as required in connection with the tender and award of petroleum agreements (among many others); nowhere does the new law mention NOCAL in the process as coordination with GOL in the tender process. On the issue of Dr. McClains apparent, unilateral decision-making behavior, FrontPageAfrica reports that One industry observer confided . . . that (Dr.) McClains unilateral decision-making without board approval have led some to dub him (Dr. McClain) as the Lone Ranger, prompting some (others) to question whether (or not) the NOCAL CEO could pull off this type of subversion without assistance from (or by) key people around President Sirleaf or without creating a scenario that leave(s) open acreage and economic sabotage at a loss for the country. For example, the Chronicle newspaper reported (The Chronicle, March 5, 2014) that . . . Economic sabotage by the NOCAL CEO resulted in a loss of US $180 million, denying Andarko, Tallow & Repsol an extension. Decision without Board approval, Sole-Sourcing Contract award without PPCC Participation The episode described above appears to be a replay of the allegations that Dr. Randolph McClain, as President/CEO of NOCAL, awarding a US $731,100 contract under similar conditions. This contract was the issue of an article (FrontPageAficaonline, July 15, 2013) in which the newspaper reported: That the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and its President/CEO, Dr. Randolph McClain, awarded a contract worth US $731,100, unilaterally, to the American firm, DuPont, without notification of the Board of Directors; that Dr. McClain awarded the contract, also, without prior approval by the PPCC; that the contract was or is out of DuPonts area of expertise, and that DuPont was Dr. McClains former employer, while in the US, for more than 20 years, suggesting conflict of interest. To these allegations, Dr. McClain responded in a prepared, press statement (FrontPageAfricaonline, July 22, 2013): That transparency, sustainability, inclusiveness, Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) Care are the core principles underscored by NOCAL; that the latest step is the signing (or awarding) of a Safety, Health & Environmental Protection and training contract with one of the worlds leading Chemical & Environmental Organizations, DuPont, a company with a reputation for excellence in safety and a renowned, world class safety leader; that PPCC was informed of the exigency of ensuring the safety of our environment and hence the need to sole Source (select a single contractor without bidding) the agreement; That the PPCC, on January 11, 2013, approved NOCALs request for No Objection to the Sole Sourcing of DuPont and that awarding the contract unilaterally . . . when you are dealing with urgency, then you go to the PPCC and say look Ive got years of competence situation here . . . I need to go for this particular company (DuPont), they (PPCC) look at your (DR. McClains) merit . . . your companys (NOCALs) credibility and on that basis they (PPCC) made their move (approve your request to award the contract); and That contrary to press reports, Dr. McClain claimed that The contract was not out of DuPonts area of expertise, and that (regarding possible conflict of interest arising from Dr. McClains more than 20 years of employment by DuPont), Dr. McClain said well, there no connection . . . Ive worked for the DuPont Company before; I am a DuPont Retiree now since, about twelve years . . . I have no share position in the company. NOCAL and Controversy In considering these charges, counter-charges, we reflect on the several controversies that characterized the short, relatively, life-time of NOCAL. Since the founding and establishment of the company in 2000, it has been involved in numerous controversies regarding its manner of management, especially, public dishonesty (corruption), transparency and truth, although the foreign firms to which NOCAL leased the nations off-shore, oil blocks have not, yet, produced a single barrel of oil. The credibility and, indeed, the commitment and dedication of President/CEO of NOCAL have been called into question, including his citizenship loyalty and patriotism to the Republic and people. He has been and is now accused of dishonest activities in top management, concerning the renting of the nations off-shore, oil blocks, and selection and awarding of contracts for services which it (NOCAL) does not need, implying conflict of interest. The July 2013 controversy called into question the credibility, possible conflict of interest and, indeed, the style of top management of NOCAL, represented by its President/CEO, the Honorable Randolph McClain, by an investigative newspaper, with particular respect to the selection and award of a contract to DuPont, a US Chemical & manufacturing company. Because NOCAL is placed and situated to play major, significant role in the nations economy, concerned with exploration, production, sale and distribution of oil, the liquid gold, it is extremely necessary that Liberia

THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN Mismanagement Poses Setback At NOCAL

prevent or guard against the experience of the much talked-about oil curse, because the major factors that give rise to the oil curse are graft, greed, dishonesty, corruption, disloyalty to the nation, among many others. We felt, therefore, that the July controversy presented an excellent opportunity to find the truth. So, we took on the responsibility to search for the truth. What, then, are the Facts? In response to the July, 2013 controversy and its implications, nationwide, we undertook a desk research of the activities of the parties named in controversy - FrontPageafrica newspaper, NOCAL and the DuPont Company. We present, hereunder, a repeat of the research findings, then-unpublished, for insight into the Lone Ranger attempts and our Conclusions. The FrontPageAfircaonline Newspaper The FrontPageAfricaonline, one of the nations leading, investigative, daily newspapers, is based in suburban Congo Town of the city of Monrovia. The Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Mr. Rodney Sieh, is a journalist with years of journalism training/experience, both, in the United States and Liberia. As the result of court action for libel, Mr. Sieh was imprisoned growing out of the suit against him by a former official of government for reporting alleged acts of corruption in which the official was named. He was subsequently released. The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) Section 4 of the Act of Legislature that established NOCAL states that The Corporation is established for the purpose of holding all of the right, title and interest of the Republic of Liberia in the deposits and reserves of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons within the territorial limits of the Republic of Liberia, whether potential, proven, or actual with the aim of facilitating the development of the oil and gas industry in the Republic of Liberia. By holding all of the right, title and interest of the Republic of Liberia . . . with the aim of facilitating the development of the oil and gas industry on behalf of the Republic . . ., NOCAL is, in fact, a Regulatory Agency at this point in time, since it (NOCAL) does not, yet, possess, the capacity expertise and finance capital to undertake the research, exploration, development, production, distribution, sale of oil, but leases out the nations oil blocks to firms and regulates (facilitates) their activities; NOCALs major function, therefore, at this point in time, as the lesser, is the regulation of the activities of the lessees, and as indicated earlier, none of the exploratory activities by these firms has produced a single barrel of oil yet. E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. According to the records of the United States and the State of Delaware, DuPont was found and established in 1802 as a gun powder and explosives

PERSPECTIVE

Bai M. Gbala,Sr.

bai_gbala@yahoo.com, Contributing Writer

manufacturing company that developed into the chemical manufacturing empire that is today, with corporate headquarters in the city of Wilmington, Delaware, USA, and worldwide. Indeed, DuPont has been and is a giant in the chemical, manufacturing industry of the United States. However, DuPont has been and is involved in numerous controversies accusations by individuals, civil society organizations, State and Federal Government agencies of the United States over air and water pollution violations. With its huge, apparent, unlimited financial resources, DuPont has become a US national storehouse of power and influence. For example, our research showed that DuPont contributed $4 million to the effort in opposition to the State of Californias Proposition 37, seeking a mandate of disclosure of genetically-modified crops used in the production of food products in tivitihat state (California) by DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Breed. Below are our research findings on the activities of DuPont: DuPont Air & Water Law-suits, US Environmental Protection Agency Violations and Fines 2002 Scientists and researchers at the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, ranked DuPont as the No.1 air polluter in the United States in 2002. August, 2004 DuPonts DeLisle Plant in the State of Mississippi, USA, discharged closed to 14 million pounds of toxic chemicals per year, including about 42% of all dioxins released in the entire United States. Many of these toxins cause cancer, birth defects, weaken immune systems, and eye, skin and lung irritations.

Nonetheless, DuPont filed for new permits to expand this facility and raise the pollution limit without taking any measures to stop polluting. The Sierra Club filed lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in August, 2004 for its decision to grant the permits. If successful, DuPont will be forced to pay fines for its past pollution violations of a total of $13.6 million, under state (Mississippi) law. April, 2009 DuPont and Lucite International, Inc. have agreed to pay a combined $2 million fine to settle alleged air pollution violation claims at a plant located in the State of West Virginia. The companies will pay $1 million to the US and another $1 million to the state of West Virginia as part of a consent decree filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. July, 2010 The US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) fined DuPont $43,000 for gas leak deaths and for exposing workers at its plant in Belle, West Virginia, USA, to hazardous chemicals, following the death of workers from a fatal exposure to phosgene gas. June, 2010 US Environmental Agency fined DuPont $59,000 for mercury discharges at its plant in Kinston, North Carolina, USA, in violation of Clean Water Act. DuPont accepted civil penalty as part of a consent decree with US EPA. December, 2010 Scientists & researchers at the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, ranked DuPont as the fourth largest corporate source of air pollution in the United States. 2011 DuPont, US EPA, US Department of Justice and the State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control reached a consent decree in which DuPont has agreed to violation of the Clean Water Act at its Edge Moor plant in northern New Castle County, State of Delaware, USA. May, 2012 DuPont is involved in class action Lawsuit filed against the company by more than 100 Hawaian residents of the State of Hawaii, USA, alleging that DuPonts Pioneer HI-Breed is creating pollution and health hazards to the island residents with its genetic engineering crop facility. Based upon the foregoing Results of research, we conclude as follows: A. Regarding the DuPont Company, the claim by Dr. Randolph McClain, President/CEO of NOCAL that the DuPont Company is a renowned, worldclass, safety leader in environmental protection is false, the company having been declared, by Scientists & Researchers at the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA, as the NO.1 air polluter in the US for the years 2002, and 4th largest, corporate source of air pollution in the USA in 2010, among many convictions and fines for environmental violations. B. Regarding the NOCAL President/CEO, Dr. Randolph McClain, in response to the July 15, 2013 report by FrontPageAfrica, admitted: That he, as President/CEO, selected, unilaterally or sole sourced the DuPont Company with request (simply) for PPCC approval; that he confirmed and affirmed the (false) statement that DuPont is a company with a reputation for excellence in safety and a renowned, world class safety leader; that he sought approval from PPCC on the basis of his (Dr. McClains) competence situation here, merit and NOCALs credibility, but failed to state whether his admitted unilateral sole-sourcing decision was made before or after his requested approval from PPCC, reportedly given on January 11, 2013; that Ive worked for the DuPont Company before, I am a DuPont Retiree. In the light of or Research Findings and admissions by Dr. Randolph McClain, we conclude as follows that: The contract award was a unilateral selection or sole-sourcing by Dr. McClain, President/CEO of NOCAL, and that it was not submitted to the bidding process for the participation of the PPCC, as required by law; therefore, NOCAL and its President/CEO were and are in serious violation of law regarding public procurement of goods and services. Since NOCAL, presently, is without the expertise and finance capital for research, exploration and production of oil but leases the nations off-shore oil blocks to qualified firms and regulates their activities, there is no need, let alone urgent need, for environmental protection services. Where and when such a need arises off-shore, it is the responsibility of the relevant, contracted firm, not NOCALs; the contract awarded to DuPont was not only unnecessary, but also that environmental protection was or is not within DuPonts area of expertise; therefore, NOCAL should and must recover the US $731,100.00 paid. Regarding Dr. McClains unilateral selection and sole-sourcing of DuPont based on false statement that DuPont has reputation for excellence in safety and a renowned, world-class safety leader, it is reasonable to conclude that this action was motivated by self-interest, considering the fact that Dr. McClain was a longtime employee and a DuPont Retiree. Indeed, it was and is, also, reasonable to question Dr. McClains judgment in making and confirming such blatant falsehood; in that, Dr. McClain, a highlyeducated and experienced individual with twenty-something years in the USA, especially, as an employee of the very same DuPont Company, should know, we believe, of DuPonts numerous violations of environmental protection laws, nationwide, in the USA. This fact leads us to the inevitable conclusion that, in the light of the US research findings, that Dr. Randolph McClain knows or should know; therefore, Dr. McClain is not fit to head and lead a major corporation, particularly an oil company, in a small, developing nation such as Liberia. Finally, there is a lingering question of Dr. McClains citizenship, given his longtime (some 20 years) residence in the USA and the apparent commitment to DuPont. This raises the question of Dr. McClains allegiance to the Republic of Liberia. It is, also, an open secret and the subject of intense encounters among Liberians that NOCAL and other choice, state enterprises, in fact, the nations entire, political economy, are dominated by Liberians whose loyalty and allegiance are exclusively mortgaged to foreign countries, the Lone Ranger may not be alone.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

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GOVERNMENT NEWS

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COUNTY NEWS

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GRAND BASSA LABOR COMMISSIONER FACES DIFFICULT TASKS

RAPE ON THE RISE

ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI, BUCHANAN

President Sirleaf Discloses Increase in Incidences of Rape; Latest Offender Rearrested, Grandmother Who Compromised Dismissed From Government

ighlighting a recent incident in which a 13-year old girl was raped and her future sacrificed by her grandmother when the offender was released from prison after being arrested, the Liberian leader disclosed that the offender has been rearrested and the grandmother, working in government, has been dismissed. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking during the official program marking the observance of International Womens Day at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Saturday, March 8. This year is being celebrated under the global theme: Equality for Women is Progress for All; while in Liberia, the Day is being celebrated under the theme: Mentoring for Transformation. Dressed in gray and black suit, President Sirleaf mournfully said, I wear black today to the memory of all the young women whose lives have been taken from them by vicious and violent men. I wear black for the 13-year old girl whose future was sacrificed by her grandmother who compromised rape with an offender by having him taken out of prison when he had been arrested for this vicious act, stressing, I assure you he has been rearrested and she has been fired. Recent data reveal disturbingly high cases of rape especially rape of children. 1n the last two years, the Ministry of Gender and Development reported a total of 2493 sexual and gender-based violence crimes across Liberia, up from 2029 cases in 2010. A majority of these (58 percent) were rape cases, of which 92 percent or 1,348 involved rapes of children between the ages of three months to 17 years. In the first six months of 2013, four referral hospitals in Monrovia alone treated 814 rape cases, 95 percent of which were children. In 2012, a total of five child deaths were recorded as a result of rape. In 2013, ten children died as a direct result of being raped. The incidents are rising and becoming more brutal. In the Keynote Address, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Her Honor Jamesetta Wolokollie, argued that Liberian women must see that the call for equality must be a person fight since it involves their wellbeing and that of their children. They must not just sit there passing the buck on to males to pull them up, she said, adding that the idea of their wellbeing and that of their children being linked to men and the success of these men must be disabused. She said only if our women who spent all the time in church, praying to God to send them a husband to improve their lives could spend half of this time going to school, fighting to achieve higher education or getting involved in some meaningful training that would better their lives, great transformation would come to Liberia. Associate Justice Wolokollie stressed that womens strive for equality and advancement must begin with their will and desire to first pull themselves up. Look women, as long as we remain sitting, doubting our ability to work alongside our male counterparts, and relying on men to provide the impetus for our full participation, our progress and the future of our nation shall remain dim and we shall go every year to the UN making some glossy report on women development which is not seen or

translated to our society, she predicted. Making remarks earlier, the Senate President Pro Tempore, Senator Gbehzongar Findley, promised to work with the women to transform the Liberian society. We will work along with the women, we will walk along with the women to ensure that the necessary development that we need in Liberia is achieved. He urged the women to continue to be critical of the men so as to keep them on their toes to ensure that the necessary transformation is achieved. In his brief remarks, Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan said as the country is expected to go to a Constitutional referendum next year there is a need to make some commitments to women empowerment not just celebrate the Day. For us in Liberia, we should be ashamed that we have 15 counties but if we check in our Legislature, we have less than 15 women represented, he said. Minister Ngafuan then proposed, like Rwanda and Uganda, each county should have a seat to be competed for exclusively by women. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia, Madam Karim Landgreen read the UN Secretary Generals International Womens Day Message. In his message, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said highlighting the importance of achieving equality for women and girls is not simply because it is a matter of fairness and fundamental human rights, but because progress in so many other areas depends on it. Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support, Mr. Ban said, adding that the evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all. This years celebration was held in memory of UN Womens Representative in Liberia, Ms. Sheelagh Kathy Mangones (19542014), who passed away on February 4, in Nairobi, Kenya following a brief illness. Before the official program, women from all sectors of society converged at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion and marched through the principal streets of Monrovia to the ATS exhibiting banners with this years theme other anti-sexual and gender-based violence slogans. International Womens Day is usually a time women reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. In 1975, during International Womens Year, the United Nations began celebrating March 8 as International Womens Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Womens Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.

he Ministry of Labors direct representative to Grand Bassa County could face a difficult task if the already existing transportation problem is not addressed promptly. After taking over as Labor Commissioner more than two weeks ago, Mr. Augustine Gbosah is cognizant of some of the difficulties his job may encountered once he and his team are unable to monitor the many working places in the county. Right now we have spoken with administration at central office, so that the only pick-up we have can be repair so we can monitor work places around here, the Labor Commissioner told FrontPage Africa. Grand Bassa County has some of Liberias major concessions as well as a huge labor sector and many observers have said some of the bad labor practices at these work places can only be unearth if the Labor commissioner is proactive. At the same time, one employee of Arcelol-Mittel who spoke with FPA on the basis of anonymity claimed that some of the employees complaints are often delayed during investigation by the Labor Ministry, something he said leaves the employee in a difficult position and would not want to seek justice against the said employer any more. You dont have any free and fair hearing in this place; the labor commissioner cannot deal with these big companies. When the case is being decided by the top people, what will a Labor Commissioner do? he asserted. Commissioner Gbosah said working with trade and workers union in the county will be a top priority so that the county can enjoy labor stability. Grand Bassa County Labor Commissioner claims he has over 20 years of experience in the sector and assured that the demand for fair labor will be quickly addressed as soon his office hears about labor unrest anywhere. The former acting Commissioner, Joseph Zinneh who worked for many years as Grand Bassa Countys Labor inspector reportedly had an in-tight relationship with the LAC workers union. He probed into anillegal dismissal of seven LAC employees. Although the case was unresolved, according to the leadership the LAC union the seven plaintiffs failed to continue the case. The illegal dismissible actions by companies in the county, the hiring of workers as contractors on a long duration basis and the awarding of contract to a person without a legal document are couple of irregularities impeding the countys labor sector, according to the President of the LAC Workers Union (LAWU). Jeremiah Dahn indicated that the new Labor Commissioner has an uphill task especially intervening for contractors who are not protected by a legal agreement between them and their employers. He said sub-contractorshired by individuals implementing for companies are most vulnerable to unfair labor practices.Dahn expects the pending work bill to be used as a yard stick to effecting positive change for workers across the country. One policy that can change the way labor issues are going is the decent work bill. Once the work bill is pass into law, some of these problems will minimize, Mr. Dahn said. Statistics show that Arcelol-Mittel currently has about 350 workers directly employed with the company, while vast majority of the work force are sub-contracted firms hired by the steel giant. AFCON, a construction company working forMittel has over 2,350 workers while another sub-contractor, Fair Deal Construction Company has around 1,400 workers and afirm recently contracted by Mittel is yet to furnish the county statistics office with the total number of its employee.LAC remains the oldest investor and has over 15,000 workers, but a good fraction of its work force is contractors who are often dissatisfied with the arrangement between they and their contract heads. The county now attracts a massive work force because of the number of companies operating there but observers shave interestingly noted that the labor sector must be given a critical review from a national perspective while the noticeable irregularities in the county have to be minimized. Grand Bassa Countys economic potential is massive just as the labor sector, considering the presence of steel giant ArcelolMittel, Liberias second largest rubber plantation, Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC), several logging companies and the existence of one of Liberias strategic sea ports. Last year, Chevron Liberia completed its lay-down yard in Buchanan, while Block 13 of the countrys hydro-carbon natural resource is located off the sea coast of District Four, Grand Bassa County. Already five commercial banks are based in Buchanan and several stores and business are actively engaged in trade on a daily basis. With the County Labor office already experiencing its own problem of logistical support, the county Labor force is increasing amidst the already existing labor issues, something that could make the commissioner work difficult.

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REMEMBERING THE DEAD LIBERIANS TO OBSERVE DECORATION DAY

Monrovia he President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued a Proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 12, 2014, as Decoration Day and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a NATIONAL HOLIDAY. The Proclamation is in consonance with an Act passed on October 24, 1916, by the National Legislature declaring the second Wednesday in March of each year to be known as Decoration Day, and to be observed throughout Liberia as National Holiday. The observance is in recognition of the nations past heroes and heroines who have lived and died in the interest of their country. The Proclamation stated that it is befitting that a day be set aside to celebrate the memory of those blessed dead who have lived and died in the interest of their country, thereby keeping ever alive their deeds and invaluable contributions made to society and the state for onward march to progress. The proclamation has further ordered that the National Ensign be flown at half staff from all public buildings, military camps, and private residences from 12:01 Anti meridian to 5:30 post meridian.

DUKULY PRAISES SENATE FOR PASSAGE OF GENDER PARITY BILL

group of citizens from Southeastern Sinoe County has described the senator of the county, Mobutu V. Nyenpan as a 419 senator declaring a Vote of no confidence in his ability to represent the county and at the same time calling for his impeachment. At a news conference in Monrovia Monday, the group stated That upon the filing of this Vote of No Confidence, Mobutu V. Nyenpan be impeached from his post as Chairman of the Sinoe Legislative Caucus, member of ECOWAS committee and all other committees he is part of at the Liberian Senate; also base on his failure to provide better leadership that gears toward peace, reconciliation and development; that his bogus construction company called New venture which has not completed any projects be prosecuted by the government of Liberia; That an immediate audit be conducted so as to identify cause (s) for the misuse of the countys development funds by Mobutu Nyenpan and his antidevelopmental compliance; and subsequently; that Sen. Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan be impeached unconditionally from the House of Senate on grounds that he no longer enjoys the confidence of the people of Sinoe. The group under the banner Sinoe Youth and Student Consortium filed a vote of no confidence in Senator Nyepan in a twelve count statement indicating that their lawmaker has been referred to as a 419 senator in several quarters in Liberia. Mobutu Nyenpan also lie under oath by receiving motorbikes from the Putu Iron Ore Mining Company on grounds that these bikes were to be given to the countys educational and health workers

NEWS EXTRA F 419 SENATOR SINOE CITIZENS WANT SENATOR NYENPAN IMPEACHED
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Monrovia nternal Affairs Minister Morris M. Dukuly has commended members of the Liberian Senate for passing the Bill providing for Gender Parity in government. The Gender Parity Bill, formerly known as Gender Equity Bill was passed by the Senate on February 25, 2014. A release from the Internal Affairs Ministry quotes Minister Dukuly as saying that this Bill is timely for the country and in the interest of promoting democracy and peace. The Internal Affairs Minister called on Liberian women not to be contented with percentage accommodation, but to prepare for equity competition. In order to achieve this, he said, women must develop their skills and capacities to be more competitive in electoral politics. Minister Dukuly said the Bill is consistent with President Ellen Johnson Sirleafs agenda for the advancement of Liberian women and active involvement in the development of the country. According to him, the Internal Affairs Ministry is working with its Gender Ministry counterpart to explore possibilities that will create a new cadre of Liberian women leaders who will rise to the challenges and perform diligently in all aspects of governance of the country. The Internal Affairs Boss stressed a particular need for women to develop their debating and campaigning skills, so as to boldly face their male opponents, especially in electioneering and critical decision making.

cobank Transnational Incorporated today announced that it has set up a new committee to search for new Board members. The seven member search Committee consists of two former chairmen (Mr. Gervais Djondo and Chief Philip Asiodu), two representatives of the current board and three shareholder representatives. The Committee has been established as part of the detailed 51 point Governance Action Plan agreed by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at Ecobanks pan African Centre in Lom on Monday 3 March 2014. It will be assisted by an external search firm. The move to reconstitute the Board at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated follows recommendations made by West African regulators of the Stock Exchanges where Ecobank is listed as well as from a report by the Global Board Center of the renowned Swiss business school, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The IMD report by their Global Board Center followed a review of ETIs corporate governance, including the size and constitution of the Board, its procedures for managing related party transactions as well as its committee structures and incentive policies. The search Committee will recommend potential Board members to the shareholders of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated at their Annual General Meeting, to be held in June. At their Extraordinary General Meeting on Monday 3 March the shareholders agreed to limit the size of the Board to a maximum of fifteen people. It will comprise representatives of both majority and minority shareholders;

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED ANNOUNCES THE SETTING UP OF BOARD SEARCH COMMITTEE

to our almost surprise they vehemently diverted to his personal use; Nyenpan as a senior senator of Sinoe, one of the respected three original counties in Liberia has being classified as a skimmer and a 419 senator in the Republic of Liberia and at no time that he fulfill any portion of his political platform since 2005,the group indicated. The group said its action is a result of the Senators failure to adequately represent the people of Sinoe County on the National level and the many administrative and financial malpractices he has been engaged with since his ascendency as senior Senator. Amongst several things, the group accused their senator of not formulating any policy or program to benefit the people of his county, lack of political will and leadership ability to unite the people of the county and the organization of a bogus company called New Venture that robbed the county of over half a million United states dollars and failed to implement developmental projects. Since the ascendancy of Mobutu Nyenpan, there has been no time that he ever organized or initiated any developmental activities; Sen. Nyenpan, as the senior senator of the county, has failed to inform the people of Sinoe County about funding received from various concessionaires that are operating in the county and its parts adjacent (the Putu Iron Ore Mining Company US$, 525, 000, NOCAL US$200,000.00 and Gibio Logging US$ 99,000.00 annually etc), the group alleged. The youth group also accused the county senior senator of organizing a group of Ex-combatants in the Sinoe Rubber plantation and corrupted the

resources for a protracted period of time, which later resulted into arm conflict. They also claimed that their statement against senator Nyenpan is a consensus amongst women, elders and youth of the county and is free of political influence and he is the key focus of their press conference because he chairs the County legislative Caucus. We also want to be cleared that this vote of No Confidence herein meets the consensus of the people of Sinoe County. (Youth, women, elders and the students community) and is 100 percent independent, free from political influence and not intended to promote any politicians in and out of Sinoe County at the detriment of the ordinary people of the county. Any person or group of individuals that will play on the people of Sinoe and their development projects will meet the full resistance of the people through any means in accordance with the laws. We will no longer sit to see our scholarship and development funds been thwarted for personal benefit by those in authority. The statement was signed by Gabriel Baccus Panton, Secretary (Juarzon Statutory District), Sampson H. Kamayan, Spokesman (Kpayan Statutory District), Jackson Togba (Dugbe River District), Elder Peter Nagbe, Sr. (Jedepo Statutory District), Timothy Tue (Butaw Statutory District), Oliver Mennoh (Greenville Commonwealth District) and Matthew Swen (Jaedae Statutory District). When contacted, Senator Nyenpans mobile phone was switched off. He was said to be in Sinoe County during a visit to his office. A text message to Senator Nyenpan which registered delivered was not responded to up to press time.

executives and independent directors. In addition the reconstituted Board will reflect the geographical spread of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated as well as a more balanced gender and professional mix. Incorporated in Lom, Togo, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) is the parent company of the leading independent pan-African banking group, Ecobank. It currently has a presence in 35 African countries, namely: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic), Cte dIvoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Group is also represented in France through its affiliate EBI SA in Paris. ETI also has representative offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, London, UK and Beijing, China. ETI is listed on the stock exchanges in Lagos, Accra, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) the BRVM. The Group has more than 600,000 local and international institutional and individual shareholders. The Group employs 19,200 people from 40 different countries in 1,250 branches and offices. Ecobank is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals. Additional information may be found at:www.ecobank.com.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

WESTWOOD REASSURES BONG & LOFA CITIZENS

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COUNTY NEWS

FOR SALE
2006 NISSAN MAXIMA SPORTS EDITION

Frontpage

Page 11

Says Road Will Be fully rehabilitated

he Management of Westwood Construction Company has reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitating the road connecting Bong and Lofa Counties. Speaking to journalists over the weekend in Lofa, the company Project Manager, Jonathan Swaray said, his company has the ability to do the work, adding that the people of the two counties will obviously benefit from year round accessibility on their road, as was the case on the Zorzor to Voinjama corridor last year. Commenting on progress thus far, Manager Swaray told reporters that over 70% of clearing and light-grading has already been completed on the 104km road, citing regravelling as the only remaining challenges on the road, which according to him, can be achieved before the rainy season. We have done about 70% of clearing and lightgrading on this road. What is remaining now is regravelling which will be done before the rainy season, said the Project Officer. He said, given the importance of the road link which connects Liberia to Sierra Leone and Guinea, his company has deployed over 4 sets of road equipment to accelerate progress. Clarifying media report that his company lacks the ability

Black on Black Black Exterior with Black Leather Seats

to perform; the Westwood Project Manager said his company is one of the best local construction contractors that have good performance record with USAID, SIDA, EU and the Liberian Government, noting that his company has successfully completer over 20 road construction projects ranging from bridges, culverts and feeder roads and major

highways. He disclosed that Westwoods has more than 85 full-time professionals along with 59 support staff in its employ and that it remains fully committed to the rebuilding exercise of Liberia. Mr. Swaray further clarified that the company has more than 70 pieces of equipment, including compactor rollers, dozers,

front end loaders, Motor graders, Trucks, low-bed trailer, pickups and jeeps. Meanwhile, the Management of Westwood has thanked citizens of Lofa and Bong for their support and encouragement during recent propaganda against the company on the road work.

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Page 12 | Frontpage

inoe County Senator Joseph Nagbe has confirmed media reports that the Finance Ministry is reneging on releasing funds to the County leadership to prepare for the upcoming Independence Day celebration expected to be hosted by Sinoe County. Speaking to reporters at his Capitol Building office Monday he said, discussions are still ongoing between the county leadership, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Minister of internal Affairs and the General Services Agency to conclude on projects that will be undertaken for the Independence Day celebration. Senator Nagbe Said: As I speak the county superintendent Mr. Milton Teahjay and his deputy Mr. Romeo Quiah are in Monrovia and holding discussions with the Internal Affairs Minister and we are optimistic that things will be on course very shortly. Responding to questions about rumors that Finance Ministry has refused to disbursed funds to the County due to their failure to provide budget performance report on previous funds allotted to the County under its social development component he said; I do not have sufficient information on that but what is being rumored is that one lawmaker of Sinoe County wrote a letter to the finance ministry raising a number of

FINANCE MINISTRY NOT RELEASING FUNDS TO SINOE COUNTY

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NEWS EXTRA

CODE OF CONDUCT BILL NO WITCH-HAUNTING SPEAKER TYLER

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

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LEGISLATIVE BEAT

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

- Senator Nagbe confirms FPA report

contribution made on the lives of people of Sinoe County. FrontPageAfrica last week reported of receiving credible information that the Ministry of Finance is refusing to disburse money to the leadership of Sinoe County for preparation for this years July 26 independence day celebration. According to the source with barely four months to July, 26 celebration slated for Greenville, Sinoe County projects earmarked for the celebration will not be completed because local authorities of the county have depleted the coffers of the County without no accountability. A Source close to Ministry of Finance informed frontpageafrica that in September of 2013, the Ministry disbursed an amount of US$ 575,000.00 to the county as part of its social development fund quota. The Cheque was also said to have been received by the County Development Superintendent Mr. T. Romeo Quiah and reportedly deposited at a local bank. Up on receipt of the over half million United States dollars the County Superintendent Mr. Teahjay and his Deputy were said to have gone on a spending spree and within two months the money was spent completely without completing any project in the county.

T
Gbarnga

issues. To my information the Finance ministry will do its investigation and take a decision thereafter. In response to query about how the delay could stall the successful holding of the Independence Day celebration he admitted and accused people calling for audit of the county leadership of lack of understanding on how government operates. What is happening to Sinoe is the lack of understanding of how government operates, in the middle of the fiscal period when expenses are taking place people should not make noise about how money is being used there will be an audit period that is government policy, sometimes I get confused and think people are being political. It is government policy that at the end of the fiscal year money disbursed to counties will be audited but we have not

Monrovia he Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) holds its 29th General Assembly from Thursday, March 13 thru Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Brewerville, Montserrado County on Theme: The Role of the Church in Fighting Hunger and Poverty with Scripture Text: 3 John 2. The Council in collaboration with other national stakeholders wants to use this assembly challenge the local churches and the general Christian community on the role they can play in the fighting hunger and poverty - and how such efforts can also contribute to sustaining peace, reconciliation and stability in the country. In order to actualize the vision of the churches, the Council also looks forward launching an AntiHunger Fund Drive during the formal opening ceremonies to capacitate member churches through resource allocation to complement national efforts to effectively reach out to helping rebuild personal and household economies thereby contributing attaining food security and to the overall growth of the national economy The Formal Opening program will begin at 10:00AM on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the same venue and will include: A. Keynote Address challenging the CHURCH RESPONSE TO FIGHTING HUNGER AND POVERTY IN LIBERIA B. An Honoring ceremony led by the President of the Council, Rt.

CHALLENGING LOCAL CHURCHES

Liberian Council of Churches Set for 29th General Assembly Thursday
Liberian Priest, Catholic Church in Liberia C. The Launching of an Anti-Hunger Fund Drive by the President of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other distinguished personalities of the Liberian society, to help capacitate churches to accelerate their response to fighting hunger and poverty D. Thanksgiving and Intercessory prayer for Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Liberia and the World, and E. Fraternal Greetings from World Council of Churches (WCC), AACC, Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa, Church World Service, and other Ecumenical Partners. Bishop Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, Secretary of the Conference of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and WCC Executive Committee member will represent the WCC based in Geneva and bring greetings from its general secretary, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit. During the assembly, two other presentations will be conducted to include Achievement of the Church towards fighting hunger and poverty A Historical Perspective by a representative of the church in Liberia, and The Fight against Hunger and Poverty- A National Perspective by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Florence Chenoweth.

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reach to that point, he added. He frowned on those attempting to hold the county hostage financially and said; one Sinoe citizen whether you are a senator or Representative cannot hold the county hostage. Nagbe openly disclosed his support for superintendent Teahjay senatorial candidacy in the upcoming Senatorial election. Superintendent Teahjay is currently undergoing investigation by the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC) on allegations of misappropriation of development funds allotted to the County. Meanwhile a group under the banner the Banner Gabriel Baccus Matthew Lecture Series has awarded a certificate of appreciation to Senator Joseph Nangba for what they described as his level of

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alex Tyler, has said the recent passage of the Code of Conduct bill is in no way a ploy to deny certain Liberians the right to contest public positions as it is being rumored. The Code of Conduct bill was submitted by the Executive branch two years ago to the national legislature requesting the resignation of individuals with political ambitions in government to resign before contesting public positions. The senate adjusted the timing to one year before the House of Representatives amendment of three years priorto its passage last week. The passage of the bill has been greeted with mixed reactions with many Liberians describing the move as a clever attempt to deny certain people from seeking public positions. But Speaker Tyler speaking to journalists in Gbarnga Saturday said the move is in line with the

UREY NOT WRONG

CIVIL SOCEITY GROUP COMMENDS FORMER NOCAL BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH.

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POLITICS

consistent nature the House of Representatives has adopted with regards to article 77 (b) of the Liberian constitution. This is in no way a ploy to deny people as claimed by many but in furtherance of the consistency of article 77 (b) of the constitution of Liberia, he said. He said the bill is important in the running the country as it discourages people with political intentions from lavishing government funds to accomplish their selfish political interests. The bill is meant is to save the country most especially the cash-driven syndrome that is being adopted by most Liberian politicians, he said. Asked about his rumored presidential bid, the Bomi lawmaker said he is currently serving his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives and will not like to discuss the future. I hate to discuss the future. I was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives and would like to discuss issues relative to my position not the future, he said.

By: Al-Varney Roger, 0886 304 498

A
Monrovia-

Rev. Dr. Jonathan B. B. Hart, for Founding Leaders and Distinguished Personalities of the Liberian Council of Churches who have served the State, Church and Humanity for 50 or more years in and/or through the Gospel Ministry fighting for the ENHANCEMENT of the ordinary people. Those to be honored include: 1. Archbishop George D. Browne* - First President, LCC and Former Archbishop, Episcopal Church of Liberia 2. Archbishop Michael K. Francis* - Former President, LCC [Founding First Vice President, LCC] and Former Archbishop, Archdiocese of Monrovia, Catholic Church in Liberia 3. Bishop Arthur F. Kulah Former President, LCC [Founding

Second Vice President, LCC] and Former Resident Bishop, Liberia Annual Conference, United Methodist Church 4. Rev. Dr. Jeremiah D. Walker Former President, LCC and Former President, Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBMEC) 5. Archbishop William Nah Dixon, Sr. Former President, LCC and Archbishop, Don Stewart Christ Pentecostal Church 6. Rev. Dr. Walter D. Richards Former First Vice President, LCC and Former President, Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention 7. Rev. Father Dr. Robert G. Tikpor Former Executive Member, LCC and First Ordained

head of the appearance of the National Oil Company former board Chairman Clemenceau Urey before the Liberia AntiCorruption Commission to answer questions on his latest revelation for payment of US$ 50,000 to the National Legislature for lobbying, a civil society group says Urey committed no crime but rather acted in good faith. We like to commend Mr. Urey for admitting to the 53rd National Legislature for the payment of US$ 50,000 to the 52ndlegislature as lobby fees for the ratification of past concession in the country emerging oil sector, KorvaJorgbor said. The head of National Alternative Voice of the Voiceless KorvaJorgbor said, that the fifty-thousand lobby fees paid to the 52nd Legislature was in the best interest of the country. Today hundreds of Liberians have benefitted and are benefitting from NOCAL scholarship. Today, NOCAL is contributing to the national budget, he added. According to Jorgbor, a document in their possession reveals that President Sirleaf on September 2, 2006 commended Mr. Urey for his lobbyist effort for the ratification of oil concessions. He said that Ureys presence at NOCAL brought numerous changes ranging from contract ratification to increase in revenue for the entity. According to our research, NOCAL balance account in 2006 was US$ 250.00 when the former chairman took over the entity account balance was increased from US$250.00 to US$ 31 million, Jorgbor said. Jorgbor said, the increment in

NOCAL account indicates that the former board chairman performance over the years was excellent. Jorgbor refuted claims made by Representative Eugene FallahKparkar that the act carry out by former NOCAL chairman was bribery, he added that it was lobbying and that lobbying is not a crime. Jorgbor said: If Honorable Kparkar consider lobbying as a crime, then the legislature had committed a crime under the laws of Liberia, reason being that heads of ministries and agency lobby with members of the legislature in order for their budget to pass. Jorgbor said, his group is calling on the National Legislature to invite the former president of NOCAL and the Vice President for finance Mrs. Mary Parker to make clarities on payments of lobbying fees. They were fully or directly responsible for the day to day administrative activities of NOCAL not the board chairman, Jorgbor said.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Secure Risk Bldg., 4 Floor Broad & Lynch streets Monrovia, Liberia.
th

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VEGA Liberia DCA Program Statement of Work: IBEX Enterprise Development Specialist Position: IBEX Enterprise Development Specialist Program: Liberia Investing for Business Expansion (IBEX) Program Location: Monrovia, Liberia Duration: 2.5 years Target Start Date: April 2014

Executive University degree in business anagement, accounting, finance or related field; International Service Corps 1900m M Street NW Ste 500 Washington, DC 20036 202.589.2600 iesc.org Previous experience conducting training or capacity building; Strong organizational, writing and communications skills; Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize work, and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines; Ability to travel throughout Liberia; Prior experience working on a donor-funded development programsespecially USAIDwould be a plus.

IESC the International Executive Service Corps is a US based not-for-profit with a focus on supporting private enterprise in developing countries. We have worked in partnership with local people in 130 countries - mainly with the generous support of USAID - designing, implementing, managing and evaluating a wide range of market driven solutions along the entire value chain of a company or industry. We are proud that we have helped create more than one million jobs throughout the world, leaving behind a legacy of increased economic stability and skills, burgeoning private businesses, and strengthened public and private institutions where they are needed most. In Liberia, IESC implements the Investing for Business Expansion (IBEX) program. This four-year program is funded by USAID through a Leader with Associate Award under the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA). The program works with commercial banks and SMEs to facilitate increased access to commercial finance. Under this program, IBEX is seeking an Enterprise Development Specialist (EDS). This is a ful l -time position based in Monrovia and anticipated to last through the end of 2016. Under the supervision of the Chief of Party (COP), the Enterprise Development Specialist will work with organizations and enterprises from five new sectors, infrastructure, construction, general merchandise/Trade, transportation, and hospitality chains. The EDS will conduct outreach to educate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the role of credit in growing businesses and cultivate a pipeline of SMEs that would benefit from debt financing. Working with these SMEs, the EDS will provide counseling and technical assistance to improve their credit readiness and develop their loan application and supporting documentation. The Enterprise Development Specialist will be responsible for keeping accurate records of their activities and reporting them to the programs Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist. The EDS will also follow up with IBEX clients through periodic visits to their business to assess progress and identify potential impediments. Qualifications Fluency in English; At least five years of professional work experience in one or more of the following th Secure Risk Bldg., 4 Floor Broad & Lynch streets sectors: infrastructure, construction, general merchandise, transportation, and Monrovia, Liberia. hospitality chains; At least two years of business management experience;

Statement of Work: IBEX Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Liberia Position: IBEX Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Program: Liberia Investing for Business Expansion (IBEX) Program Location: Monrovia, Liberia Duration: 2.5 years Target Start Date: April 2014 IESC the International Executive Service Corps is a US based not-for-profit with a focus on supporting private enterprise in developing countries. We have worked in partnership with local people in 130 countries - mainly with the generous support of USAID - designing, implementing, managing and evaluating a wide range of market driven solutions along the entire value chain of a company or industry. We are proud that we have helped create more than one million jobs throughout the world, leaving behind a legacy of increased economic stability and skills, burgeoning private businesses, and strengthened public and private institutions where they are needed most. The International Executive Service Corps (IESC) is seeking a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist for its Liberia Investing for Business Expansion (IBEX) program. IBEX facilitates access to credit among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Liberia through conducting outreach and providing technical assistance to banks and SMEs. This is a full-time position expected to last until April 2016. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the IBEX Chief of Party (COP), t he Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for ensuring accurate collection and timely reporting on IESCs IBEX program activities and results. The M&E Specialist will take the lead on all aspects of program monitoring and evaluation. Specific duties will include: Executing the revision of results framework, performance management plan, and performance indicator reference sheets (PIRS) for the USAID-IBEX Project in concert with IESC HQ and Liberia Monitoring and Evaluation Program (L-MEP); Strengthening and developing monitoring and evaluation tools and processes, incorporating feedback from data quality assessment results; Providing training and technical support to program staff regarding sound M&E International Executive Service Corps 1900 M Street NW Ste 500 Washington, DC 20036 202.589.2600 procedures; iesc.org Ensuring the chief of party and project staff understand their roles and responsibilities for project monitoring and evaluation including data collection and data analysis; Developing procedures that seamlessly integrate M&E efforts into regular management and technical activities Contributing to the development of program deliverables, including annual workplans and quarterly reports;

How to Apply: Please submit a detailed resume and a brief message summarizing your interest and qualifications to IBEXCOP@gmail.com or jobs@iesc.org with IBEX Enterprise Development Specialist in the subject line. Only finalists will be contacted. th Secure Risk Bldg., 4 Floor Broad & Lynch streets No phone calls please. Monrovia, Liberia. IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. VEGA Liberia DCA Program

Entering quarterly ata into erformance Indicators atabase System (PIDS); InternationalExecutive Service Corps p rogram 1900 M d Street NW P Ste 500 Washington, DCD 20036 202.589.2600 Ensuring reliability and accuracy of programmatic data; and iesc.org Overseeing the identification and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices. Qualifications: Fluency in English; University degree, preferably with a focus on economics, international development, statistics, or social science research methods; At least five years of experience working on donor-funded development programs; At least three years of prior experience performing monitoring and evaluation for USAID-funded programs; Strong organizational, writing and communications skills; Strong writing, quantitative, analytical, and research skills; Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize work, and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines; Ability to travel throughout Liberia; Working knowledge of geographic information systems would be an asset; Previous experience with Environmental Mitigation & Management Plans (EMMPs) would be a plus. To Apply: Please forward a letter of interest and current resume to IBEXCOP@gmail.com or jobs@iesc.org, with M&E Specialist in the subject line.

Page 14 | Frontpage

LIBYA ORDERS MILITARY FORCE TO 'LIBERATE' REBEL-HELD PORTS

IN BRIEF

TRIPOLI (Reuters) ibya's parliament has ordered a special force be sent within one week to "liberate" all rebel-held ports in the volatile east, officials said on Monday, raising the stakes over a blockage that has cut off vital oil revenues. The conflict over oil wealth is increasing fears that Libya may slide deeper into chaos or even splinter as the fragile government fails to rein in dozens of militias that helped oust Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but now defy state authority. The rebels, who have seized three ports and partly control a fourth in the OPEC member country, said they had dispatched forces to central Libya to deal with any government attack. The two sides seem to be heading for confrontation after a North Korean-flagged tanker finished loading crude worth $30 million at rebel-held Es Sider port despite a government threat to bomb the ship.

RUSSIA FLOATS OWN SOLUTION TO UKRAINE CRISIS

PRETORIA (Reuters) - Track star Oscar Pistorius, on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, wept and vomited into a bucket in a South African courtroom on Monday after hearing graphic details from her autopsy. Pathologist Gert Saayman was interrupted several times by the 27-year-old Paralympic and Olympic athlete's sobbing and retching but the defense team argued against an adjournment, saying a break would not improve his state of mind. Earlier, Judge Thokozile Masipa imposed a broadcast blackout on Saayman's testimony out of respect for Steenkamp's family and to prevent children from accidentally hearing its contents. "Broadcast would compromise the privacy of the deceased, hurt the interests of the Steenkamps and be against the morals of society," Saayam said when he took the stand to ask for a temporary broadcast blackout of a trial that has so far been shown in its entirety on live television. Masipa, who has been presiding over the week-long trial, extended the ban to live reporting on Twitter. Pistorius, nicknamed "Bladerunner" for the special prosthetics he wears in competition, admits he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, but argues that it was a tragic case of mistaken identity and that he thought she was an intruder who had broken in to his luxury Pretoria home. In his testimony, Saayman confirmed that Steenkamp was hit in the head, arm and hip by three shots fired through the locked door of a toilet cubicle. A fourth round fired by Pistorius missed. Saayman also disclosed

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WORLD NEWS

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Pistorius was using 'hollowpoint' rounds, ammunition designed to disintegrate on impact with tissue to cause maximum damage. Her right upper arm was shattered, the hip wound could well have been fatal, while that to her head would have incapacitated her immediately, he added. No blood was found in her airways, suggesting

PISTORIUS VOMITS IN COURT AT STEENKAMP AUTOPSY DETAILS

she breathed only a few times before dying. In between bouts of sobbing and retching, Pistorius sat with his head bowed, covering his ears with his hands and a white handkerchief in an attempt to block out Saayman's testimony. Saayman is the first expert to testify at the trial, which has so far heard several witnesses who reported hearing a woman screaming before a volley of shots in the early hours of February 14 - Valentine's Day - at Pistorius' home. The killing stunned South Africa and the millions of Pistorius supporters around the world who admired the athlete as a symbol of triumph over physical adversity. He had his disabled lower legs amputated as a baby

but - running on carbon fiber prosthetic "blades" - made it to the semi-final of the 400 meters at the London 2012 Olympics competing against able-bodied sprinters. If found guilty of murder, he faces at least 25 years behind bars.

Moscow (AFP) ussia said Monday it will unveil its own solution to the Ukrainian crisis that runs counter to US efforts and appears to leave room for Crimea to switch over to Kremlin rule. The unexpected announcement came as Ukraine's new proEuropean leaders raced against the clock to rally Western support in the face of the seizure by Kremlinbacked forces of the strategic Black Sea peninsula and plans to hold a referendum on Sunday to switch its allegiance from Kiev to Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat to invade Ukraine after last month's ouster of a pro-Kremlin regime by pro-EU leaders has set off the most explosive crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War. US President Barack Obama and his European allies are urging Russia to call its Crimean troops back to their barracks and launch immediate negotiations with a Ukrainian leadership that Putin claims rose to power thanks to an "unconstitutional coup".

EILAT, Israel (Reuters) rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, displaying on Monday what Israel said were seized, Iranian-supplied missiles bound for militants in Gaza, urged the West not to be fooled by Tehran's diplomacy on its nuclear program. Last week the Israeli navy captured a ship in the Red Sea carrying arms that the military said included forty M-302 surface-to-surface rockets manufactured in Syria and capable of striking most of Israel from the Gaza Strip. Along with the missiles, some 180 mortar shells and 400,000 rifle rounds were laid out in neat piles on a pier in the southern port of Eilat. A navy missile boat that took part in the raid was docked behind the display. Netanyahu was briefed by intelligence officers during a live broadcast on the weapons and shipping documentation that connected the stockpile to Iran.

NETANYAHU, SHOWING SEIZED ROCKETS, SAYS IRAN FOOLING THE WORLDPORTS

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

EYEING SILVERWARE
Fassell meet NPA in LFA Cup finals on Wednesday at the ATS
Vitalis Sie, who scored 11 goals in the just ended league, will be the danger man to his former club along with Eddie Wulue and Sam Kollie, who got a brace against Oilers. And they can become only the second club, after BYC II, from division two to win the FA Cup with victory over NPA. But the Port Boys will be no pushovers although they narrowly beat Watanga FC 2-1 in the last tie. NPA, who were promoted to the first division last season, are seventh-placed on the 12team table with 27 points from 19 matches. Wednesdays game should have taken place on Sunday but was rescheduled due to the involvement of Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) and Red Lions in continental action on Sunday. The postponement became

Sports

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Page 15

NO COMPLACENCY FOR BAYERN, BARCA IN CHAMPS LEAGUE

SPORT BRIEF

C Fassell and NPA Anchors will meet in the grand-finale of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) Cup at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Wednesday. Fassell are riding on the crest of a wave following their promotion to the first division. And the second division group B winners will even be confident of picking-up their first silverware of the season, having needed extra time to beat first division league leaders LPRC Oilers 2-1 in the semi-finals on March 5 at the ATS. Fassell ended the league with 27 points (from 14 matches), six more than secondplaced Aries FC and await a championship play-off decider with Nimba United, who topped group A with 47 points from 18 matches, at a date to be announced. Captain and talismanic striker

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

P
unavoidable with LFA president Musa Bility and sports minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, having accompanied BYC to Abidjan for the first round, second leg tie. BYC lost 0-1 (3-4 on aggregate) to Sewe Sport in the Champions League while Lions lost 0-2 (0-3 on aggregate) to Club Sportif de Constantine of Algeria in the Confederation Cup respectively. Both teams are due in Monrovia on Tuesday.

MONROVIAhe Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) will on Thursday, open a book of condolence in memory of Sports Journalist Ena Harmon at the PUL headquarters on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 11 am. In a statement issued today, the PUL and SWAL said the book is meant to recognize the courage of Journalist Harmon in entering a field that was previously handled only by men. Ms. Harmon died in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on March 2, 2014. PUL President Abdullai Kamara said Enas courage to enter strange terrains, as evidenced by her pioneering role in reporting sports, laid the groundwork that has today led many other ladies to follow sports reporting. The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), on the other hand described the death of Ms Harmon as a big blow and irreplaceable loss to the Association and the sporting sector at large. Madam Harmon was indeed a veteran in sports writing and a pioneer of female participation in sports writing in Liberia, SWAL President Roland Mulbah lamented. Prior to her demise, journalist Harmon also ran the One Girl Foundation, a local NGO based in Freetown. She returned home in January and served as co-moderator of the February 7, 2014 SWAL elections debate that ushered in the current leadership of the Association. She previously served as media officer of the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) under Borbor Gaye and Clemenceau B. Urey, and also worked for the former Liberia Track and Field Federation (LTFF), now Liberia Athletic Federation (LAF) under Atty. Hector Hilton. Ena covered the Sydney 2000 Olympics in Australia and the World Athletics Championship in Edmonton, Canada as a sport journalist. In another development, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has expressed deep regret over the death of Journalist Jerome Toe, Publisher of the New Nation Newspaper. Toe passed off Sunday night (March 8) at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital. The PUL described the death of the enterprising journalist as another serious blow to the journalism profession in the country. Kamara described Jerome Toe as one dedicated to journalism, as he was prepared to work both in print and electronic journalism, noting that his absence leaves a great vacuum in the media of our country. Prior to opening his own media outlet, Toe worked with the stateowned Liberia Broadcasting System.

PUL OPENS BOOK OF PROMOTING GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL Sirleaf foundation donates to Saye CONDOLENCE FOR FALLEN Town-based Cece United SPORTS REPORTER THURSDAY

he Robert A. Sirleaf Foundation (RASF) have donated two sets of jersey and t-shirts worth L$16,000 to Cece United Football Academy (Cufa) in Saye Town, Third Street, Sinkor. According to a March 4 press release, the donation was made on behalf of Sirleaf, who is BYC chief executive officer, by BYC vice president for finance Prince S. Jaiblai on February 28. Jaiblai congratulated Cufa for their immense efforts in raising young and talented football kids, who will soon represent not only their families, but Liberia. He advised the kids to seriously consider their academic lessons and try to be good examples to others in their various communities. Receiving the items, Cufa general overseer Pawala Janyan thanked RASF for the contribution and its continuous efforts in reaching out to ordinary Liberians of all sectors. Janyan also used the occasion to appreciate other institutions and individuals, who have and continue to render assistance of all kinds to Cufa and other grassroots initiatives, especially the LFA, Nocal, Soccer4Hope, FC Fassell and BYC. He also praised Coaches Kasumu M.Sillah and Ansumana Keita for their technical support and called on them and others to do more so as to help improve football in Liberia. About Cufa Cufa, a registered NGO, was established in August 2012. It is a mini grassroots football academy, which is free to all children regardless of race, gender and religion. Cufa seeks to educate young and talented kids about the game and helps parents in bringing up their

LONDON (AP) rotecting 2-0 leads from their last-16 first legs, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are huge favorites to advance in the Champions League this week when they play return matches at home. Yet there's enough evidence to suggest Europe's two heavyweight teams still have plenty of work to do. Barcelona has lost three of its last six matches in the Spanish league, giving Manchester City renewed hope the twogoal deficit may not be too much to bridge. Arsenal, meanwhile, heads to Bayern having won 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in a round-of-16 second leg last season. In this week's other second legs, Atletico Madrid leads AC Milan 1-0 and Paris SaintGermain is 4-0 in front against Bayer Leverkusen. Here is a lookahead to the games in Europe's top knockout competition on Tuesday and Wednesday: BAYERN MUNICH vs. ARSENAL Bayern is heeding the lesson learned from losing to Arsenal at home in the last 16 last season, when only away goals ensured progress before it went on to win the title. Another 2-0 loss on Tuesday would level the aggregate score.

MANCHESTER UNITED SET TO BID $50 MILLION FOR SOUTHAMPTONS STAR DUO

kids with good moral disciplines as well as making high emphasis on their academic studies and solicits help for dropped out school-going kids, amongst others. The program targetsbetween six to 15 years and currently consists of more than 100 school-going kids in Sinkor and various communities around Monrovia. With our friendly and approachable staff, who players and parents can relate to, we aim mainly to offer professional football training sessions and develop the technical abilities of young kids through our programs. Cufa allows children to have a will, experience and build a sincere and honest appreciation to football and also their regular studies, which will eventually lead them to be successful and meaningful members of the society. Moreover, Cufa have and continues to undertake academic, civic, football and other capacity building initiatives for the kids such as spelling bees, academic challenge and clean-up campaigns, etc. Also, Cufa provides an avenue for all talents and seeks to use football as a tool to transform

society by ensuring that these kids become useful and acquire formal education as well as using football to preach peace throughout Liberia. Since its establishment, the academy is yet to benefit from any permanent external support as funds for logistics and other expenses are normally shouldered by its officials thru weekly due payments. Presently, Cufa is in dying need of technical and logistical assistance such as coaching manuals, balls, socks, youth jerseys, shin guards, gloves, nets, boots, practice wears, cones as well as classroom and program materials. Kids in Liberia often play football barefooted or in rubber shoes, kicking around plastic bottles or tin cans, just to play a ball. To help eradicate this, a little bit can go a long way for these kids and every donation makes a big difference! Our heartfelt gratitude goes to benevolent individuals and institutions such as Nocal and Soccer4 Hope, who have contributed immensely to our cause and grassroots football as a whole.

s David Moyes continues to reconstruct Manchester Uniteds squad ahead of a title charge next season, the Red Devils boss is eying two England internationals from Southampton. According to reports from the Daily Express, amongst others, United are set to bid 30 million ($50 million) for Saints academy products Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw. Saints captain Lallana, 25, has dazzled for England since bursting onto the scene for the Three Lions in recent months. Able to operate in a variety of attacking midfield roles on the left, right and in the center, Lallanas box of tricks constantly bamboozles opposition defenders. As for Shaw, the 18-year-old made his full England debut last Wednesday against Denmark and looks made for the international game, with solid defending and marauding runs forward from left back.

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Fassell meet NPA in LFA Cup finals on Wednesday at the ATS

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014

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4X4 JEEP GUTTED BY FIRE ON CAPITOL HILL
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Monroviairefighters could not manage to rescue a vehicle that was gutted by fire in Monrovia on Monday March 10, 2014. The incident on Capitol Hill caused traffic jam at a very busy intersection and cross walk that is frequently used by students from the University of Liberia and the Stella Maris Polytechnic and others who go to the e Foreign Ministry for work or business. Students and other pedestrians including working people were all seen gathered in their numbers witnessing the flames of a burning car and amazed by the efforts made by firefighters to rescue the vehicle from burning to scrap. Some eyewitnesses who spoke to FrontPageAfrica said the fire that had the vehicle burning stated from the car engine and while some blamed it to carelessness on the part of the driver of the vehicle. One of them said: the driver of the car is not a trained driver these are some of the consequences of just giving your vehicle to anyone to drive. As a trained driver the first thing to do is to know the water and oil level of your vehicle because the lack of any of the two could lead to what we just witnessed.