RECAST LOOMS FOR CONTROVERSIAL OIL LEGISLATION IN LIBERIA

Legislative Beat TOP STORIES

CDC YOUTH CHAIR SUPPORTS JOHN MORLU LOFA SENTORIAL BID

In the wake of Reports That Liberia's Former AG John Morlu is Poised to contest the Senatorial Seat of Lofa County The youth league chair of the opposition CCDC, has declared support for Morlu's Candidacy

Politics

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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

Bolstered by recent national tour and feedbacks from citizens, House Speaker Alex Tyler Says National Conference is next on the agenda.

BUYING THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 , 2013 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 , 2014 L$83.00/US$1 L$84.00/US$1 L$84.00/US$1

SELLING L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00 /US$1 L$85.00/US$1

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014

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.

VOL 8 NO.513

2014 SENATORIAL ELECTIONS-KEY RACES TO WATCH

A CROWDED FIELD IN BONG

POLITICS Pg.9-12

PRICE L$40

Senatorial aspirants for the special election in Bong County have begun mobilization ahead of the October 2014 polls. Like other senators in Liberia, the seat of incumbent Jewel Howard-Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) will be up for grab when she completes her nine-year term in few months. Politics
Pg.6-8

See PG 2

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VOL 8 NO.513

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014

Sports

PAINFUL

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EXIT
Defending Champions Out of County Meet

Page 2 | Frontpage

Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

Monrovia n the wake of a decision by the Supreme Court of Liberia to suspend Justice Minister Christiana Tah from practicing law in Liberia for six months, the Executive Mansion announced Monday that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken note of last weeks decision, putting the career of her Attorney General and key legal advisor on hold. The Supreme Court also suspended for three months, Beyan Howard, a member of FrontPageAfrica's legal team in its Toe libel case. The Executive Mansion says the President is holding consultations with eminent lawyers and legal professionals, including former Chief Justices and former Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, to fully comprehend the implications of the Courts decision, especially as it relates to the executive powers of the President. The high court, last Friday suspended from practicing law for six months after finding her in contempt of court. In October, the court ordered Tah to explain why she should not be held in contempt for releasing FrontPageAfrica Managing Editor Rodney Sieh from prison. The court had jailed Sieh for failing to pay a $1.5 million libel fine to former Agriculture Minister J. Chris Toe. In its ruling, the court ruled that the respondents, Counselor Christiana P. Tah, Minister of Justice/Attorney General and Counselor Beyan D. Howard committed contempt against the judiciary. Their actions were not in consonance wit Section 34.20(1) of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia. The actions of the respondents were instead deliberately intended to proceed through the Executive Branch of Government and release a prisoner who had been imprisoned for contempt of

court without any reference to the Judiciary, in utter violation of the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution. Their actions are therefore punishable as such. The ruling continued: For her role in releasing Rodney D. Sieh from prison as well as her persistent affront to this court demonstrated in her refusal to reverse the action which formed the basis for the contempt proceedings, notwithstanding her Counsels promise to return Rodney D. Sieh to prison, corespondent Christiana P. Tah, Minister of Justice/Attorney General, is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the Republic of Liberia directly or indirectly for the period of six(6) months; while, for his role played in the release of Rodney D. Sieh from prison, Counselor Beyan D. Howard is suspended from the practice of law directly or indirectly for a period of three(3)months. The Clerk of this court is hereby ordered to communicate with the respondents informing them of the judgment of this court. It is so ordered. Tah said then that her decision to release Sieh on "compassionate" grounds was part of her duties as attorneygeneral. Tah is Liberia's chief prosecutor and legal advisor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Her suspension raises questions for the government. Will the president ask the court to reconsider its decision? How effectively can Tah carry out her responsibilities without her law credentials? In a Voice of America interview Monday, Information Minister Lewis Brown reiterated that Sirleaf is aware of the court's decision. "The Executive is aware of this ruling; the executive has received it; the executive recognizes its duty to enforce it. But, it is working in a way to find out what are its rights as well and, in the face of such action, what are the options available to it," he said. Lewis said the fundamental principle of the government is to

continue to build and strengthen Liberia's democracy around the rule of law. FrontPageAfrica reported in its Monday online edition that the Supreme Court's suspension of Tah "marked only the second time in Liberia's history that a sitting Minister of Justice, who also doubles as Dean of the high court and chief legal advisor to the President, had been dealt a severe professional blow". The only other time that this has happened was during the administration of the late President Samuel Kanyon Doe, when the late Chief Justice Emmanuel Gbalazeh suspended then Justice Minister Jenkins K.Z.B. Scott for reportedly referring to judges as 'unprofessional.' At the time, Doe "prevailed on Gbalazeh to reverse his decision and pointed out that the court's ruling to revoke Scott's license amounted to removing him from office, and that only the Head of State could remove government Ministers. Lewis would not say if Sirleaf would ask the Supreme Court to withdraw its decision to suspend Tah's license except to say that Sirleaf will continue to deepen the progress that has been made. "One thing you can be sure is that this President, as has been done in the past, will continue to respect the line of demarcation of the court, the independence of the various branches and the duty of the court to say what the law is," Lewis said. He said he was not sure whether Sirleaf can go for six months or even a week without a justice minister. "That is why she has availed herself to a wide range of consultations, including with legal scholars and luminaries in the country, those who have greater depth about what our constitution says. You know, the court can make a decision, but it requires the executive to enforce the decision," Lewis said.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

SPOT NEWS

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NUMBERS NOT ADDING UP MINISTRY OF FINANCE MUST BEGIN TO GET IT RIGHT

MONROVIA- RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT by the ministry of finance to other government entities to brace for another budget shortfall is something that is worrisome for an economy that is craving for recovery and needs to be looked at carefully. IN A FEW DAYS FINANCE minister Amara Konneh will be off to London to receive the prestigious 2014 Finance Minister of the Year award for Africa from the Banker Magazine, a media subsidiary of Financial Times of London. WITH LIBERIAS ECONOMY in the red for the third time, thanks to the US$47 million shortfall in the budget, it is time that the government begin to set its priorities right to avoid such recurrences. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR running that we are going through this financial crisis that cannot be worked out by our financial gurus. Budgets are estimates ,which every institution must work towards the realization of the figures embedded in this important document. FINANCIAL ACTORS IN the country have persistently assured that the economy is on the right trajectory going onward but in successive years the countrys budget has stumbled in shortfalls thereby resulting into recast. THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE has already notified heads of government ministries and agencies to tighten their belts for the long haul and this is contained in a communication submitted to the various heads of government, and signed by Finance Minister Amara Konneh. BUT THE MoF JUSTIFICATION that public investments intended to transform the economy are, however, threatened in the FY13/14 budget and that Only US29.6 million has been disbursed against US$456.1 million representing 46 percent of the budget. A 23 percent versus 46 percent execution rate raises an alarm for all of us. Productive economic expansion will not occur if this trend persists and continues for the next half of the fiscal year, THE CONSTANT INABILITY OF FINANCE authorities to march the financial projections with actual revenue collections points to the slow collection of revenue which is a common phenomenon. IT IS GLAIRING THAT the current collection regime in the country is very weak, lacking the zeal required to propel the budget of the country which has not even hit the one billion mark since the post war years. WITH COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES booming, the Ministry of Finance explanation for a budget shortfall is baffling and speaks volumes of the urgent need to reform the revenue collection to ensure taxes and other revenues are collected as required. COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD develop as a consequence of vigorous collection of taxes but for Liberia even the collection of revenue is politicized to the extent that businesses owned and operated by politicians do not pay taxes. Only those not connected in government pay taxes but in the end the taxes collected are used to cater for the welfare of these government officials. IN ADDITION TO A WEAK revenue collection regime, we believe budget politics are strongly impacting the shortfall crisis, as during deliberations at the National Legislature on the national budget there are always hullabaloos over allotments. Unnecessary allotments are made in the National Budget only to satisfy political desires; which further compounds the already existing revenue generation problem. WE BELIEVE IT IS TIME TO consider budget shortfall as a national crisis, which needs to be tackled urgently as it paints a negative image of our financial system. MORE BESIDES, PUBLIC corporations and other autonomous commissions are now used as cash cow for the power that be, as some of these entities generate income without making significant contributions to the National Budget. IT IS TIME THAT HEADS of our financial sector get things right and take the necessary measures to safeguard the national budget from constant shortfalls as these conditions have crippling effect on the implementation of projects and other development programs. HAVING A SITUATION THAT keeps popping up yet cannot be tackled is a sign of lack of performance by those at the helm of our financial sector. More needs to be done to end this and keep the wheels of our economy turning.

PCC MAYOR HOLDS READING SESSION WITH BEGINNERS LEARNERS, DONATES ITEMS
iss Cyvette Gibson Mayor for the City of Paynesville during the weekend conducted a one day reading session with beginner learners in at the T-Academy in the Neezoe Community in Paynesville.

The reading session according to Miss. Gibson was her own way of contributing to government reading campaign to improve the reading skills of Liberian students especially at the beginner level. Gibson said: Reading is primary, for one to develop and take interest in learning he must first have a strong phonic background you cannot go anywhere in the world if you cannot read because things everywhere in the world are done through signs which is reading. According to Mayor Gibson the Paynesville City Government in an effort to develop the City of Paynesville it was also interested in the learning environment and how. The Paynesville mayor as part of her reading time with the kids also donated several text books to the school and promised to continue to carryout similar gesture in other learning institutions in the City of Paynesville. The books according to the mayor were obtained from a University in the State of New Jersey the United States of America during her

recent visit. She expressed optimism that the Legislature will next budgetary year increase allocation made for Paynesville City in the National budget to allow the city effectively carry out its statutory mandate. Receiving the books Representative Thomas Fallah (CDC-District #5 Montserrado County) and CEO of the

T-Academy commended the mayor for the gesture and promised to continue to sustain the ongoing collaboration between the mayor office and the office of the Representative. Rep. Fallah promised to continue to advocate for more money in the National budget for the Paynesville City Government during hearings on the 2014/15 fiscal budget.

Commentary

Potential Game Changer: How Richard Tolbert Could Change The 2017 Race If He Decides To Contest
Meniapake Dumoe, Contributing Writer
fresh. This bad cards situation currently facing the cabinet could benefit a dark horse. Richard Tolbert could be that dark horse and fare really well in this kind of crowded field as someone with strong name recognition and an enviable credential especially as the leader of the opposition, George Weah continues to be unimpressive despite his newly acquired Masters Degree in Business Administration. There is also a William R. Tolbert nostalgia going on in Monrovia. This was demonstrated when popular radio talk show host Henry Costa ran a show on the legacy of President Tolbert that saw ordinary Liberians call in their number expressing love and admiration for the slain Liberian leader. One of them even said: I will vote for Tolbert toady if he was on the ballot. Now we all know Richard Tolbert is not President William R. Tolbert but it would be stupid to ignore the significance of the name-Tolbert and how it plays in favor of Richard Tolbert who is a nephew of the former President. Richard Tolbert who was also active in the private sector during the Tolbert (William R. Tolbert) years, could argue that he understood his uncle vision and can give Liberians another time in the global economic sunshine. International credibility The Wikileaks cables on Liberia revealed that the Americans see Mr. Tolbert as a credible contender for the presidency of Liberia 2011. Thomas Greenfield, the American Ambassador at the time, in her cable about potential successor to President Sirleaf in the run up to the 2011 polls, informed Washington that Richard Tolbert is well educated, intelligent and committed to the country. Here is a direct quote of relevant part of her cable on Richard Tolbert: as a potential successor of President Sirleaf 2012: High on the list is National Investment Commission chair Richard Tolbert, nephew of former President William R. Tolbert, Jr. (1971-1980). Tolbert is Harvard-educated, Intelligent, well connected both inside and outside Liberia, and truly committed to encouraging investment in Liberia. Many insiders believe it was because of such positive reviews that Richard was kicked out of Government before the 2011 elections. The influential Africa Confidential predicted that Richard and other top professionals in Madam Sirleaf cabinet were going to be fired before the 2011 polls as they were seen as threats. This clear show of respect for Mr. Tolbert coming from the Americans strengthens his image as a safe candidate. Not Bitter Richard Tolbert very good relationship with people like Nancy Doe the wife of former President Samuel K. Doe and other people blamed for the coupe that led to the death of his uncle (Former President William R. Tolbert) is remarkable. He (Richard Tolbert) could also sell himself, as reconciler and he will have a demonstrated record to back up such claim. A friend of mine who had attended an event in Monrovia recounted to me the healthy hug he saw exchanged between Richard Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe (Jnr.)and said he was really impressed. Not known to be a combative person, Richard Tolbert could bring his easygoing attitude to the national stage as the man for the job of national healing. There are also downsides to Richard Tolbert and these are: He is an Americo-Liberian, he stayed 25 years out of the country and would need to build a base anew and some of his critics say he is a ladies man. As a pundit I think Richard Tolbert would make 2017 a different race from the one anticipated by most analysts. I will continue to search out those unanticipated candidates that might show up and surprise in 2017. Richard is first and hope there are many more interesting ones out there.

hile he has done nothing to attract attention to himself after his time at the helm of NIC (National Investment Commission), Richard Tolbert is not to be forgotten in any sound analysis of who could contest and win in 2017. Richard Tolbert has a lot on his side he could use in a potential play for the presidency in 2017. Apart from having solid professional credentials, he also proved effective in attracting $16 billion dollars in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) during his time as head of the NIC. Richards ability to bring in the investors and effectively market Liberia has earned him a clear legacy on which he can lunch a Presidentail campaign.

Those who say that the $16billion dollars in investment has not translated in to jobs and opportunities for the poor cannot blame the man who attracted the investment but the system that was meant to manage the process after the investors arrived. In a sense, Richard Tolbert is like a surgeon who completes a successful operation; he (the surgeon) must rely on the ability of the nurses to manage the post operation care for the patient. Richard Tolberts critics will have a hard time explaining to the public the slow down in investment flows after his departure. With fears about the continuation of the countrys progress post Sirleaf, Richard Tolbert could sell himself as someone with similar academic and professional capacity as the president and therefore a safe candidate. He will be right if he did that as both he and the President hold Harvard Degrees, successful banking careers and significant experience at the very top of Liberian Government. Dr. Tolbert has over 30 years of both public and private sector experience that stretch from his native Liberia to Wall Street where he served as vice President one of the world biggest investment firms Merrill Lynch. His credentials towers all of the ones we have heard so far and it will be the first reason why the game will change if he enters as the nations safest option. The name that works The coming race for the Presidency may seem far away on your calendar but on the political field, 2017 is a year that starts in 2014. Monrovia is awash with rumors about who wants to President and discussions about who should or should not be. The pundits and gossips are having a field day with the question of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf succession. The President by law and her advanced age cannot re-contest the presidency. The Liberian Constitution is quite clear in Article 50 it says: The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President who shall be Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms. It is for the reasons stated above that anyone with ambition can be certain they wont have the unattractive task of fighting an incumbent for the seat in 2017. With a disorganized opposition and no clear chosen successor of the President yet, the 2017 race appears open to anyone who wants to fight for the most powerful position in the land- the Liberian Presidency. Although we hear a long list of cabinet Ministers fighting to be tipped by President Sirleaf for a 2017 or positioning themselves to take it on their own incase their looks somewhere else, most of said Ministers are under performing and suffering public rebuke. It will be hard any of them to attempt the presidency with the grievance of the people still so

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WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB

Send your letters and comments to: editor@frontpageafricaonline.com

YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!

The Reader's Page

Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE

THEY ATE MY MONEY: FRUSTRATIONS OF ANGRY FOREIGN INVESTOR IN LIBERIA
pleebocollins25 (signed in using yahoo) I am sorry for what happened to you but this is the state of affairs in our country. There is not one government official who is not corrupt. The president keeps appointing and rewarding these rascals and there is no political will to do any better. Fat swollen guts men in tight suits parade themselves in large vehicles calling themselves ministers and deputies and they do not have a single intelligent thought in their heads. Our country is in free fall because of these cronies and relatives of Ellen. Nothing will be done sadly. This is the nature of the game. George Slue Burnley, Lancashire I have similar problem with the Liberian Customs where a consignment sent to my niece in November 2012 is still been held since May 2013, though I have paid customs duty and all costs including delivery through a local shipping company (EHS). Arthur Barmole Abdullai of EHS Liberia and one Boimah at the Finance Ministry Customs department have been giving me the same "merry go around" tactics played on this poor investor. My email complaint to the Executive Mansion, Liberian Union In the UK and Liberian Embassy in the UK has failed so I also intend to do a documentary including documents and communications relating my case to be released to the public and on social media sites. Can you imagine an investor caring for Liberia and its people, while corrupt government officials don't give a damn - what a shame!! BJ DH Top Commenter yep, very common, I have friends over there that put the value of school products their relatives in LIB, and are getting charged almost 80 USD for 20 USD for school supplies. Cooper Kweme UMUC When Liberians say it, it is laughed off. When a Europen confirms it, people begin to listen. We are all rooting for the president and Liberia, the the news about corruption is just heartbreaking and discouraging. Edwin Bundoo ITT Technical Institute sir i understand your frustration but .you must understand that every one is entitle to their view i hope you understand Mr edwin is not the only person giving his view on this topic. to begin with every Liberian had their taste of the war and out of that every one had the time to learn from that war i hear this same song about corruption from tolbert .to doe etc . we always cry about these issue witch of course is truth but the worst thing to do as a civilized country is not being able to iron our own difference .instead allow every idiotic person from the out side to make full of us . create a scene for chiaous and war and sell arm to us because we never put our pride and country first . the reason is simple we are not nationalist . we may have issue but we don need outsider coming to us to make fool of us the insult is not ju... Sylvester Moses In defending herself against allegations of corruption during a 2013 interview with renowned journalist and broadcaster, Charles Snetter, President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf made the following startling confession: Close colleagues would say; Ok, we are not saying about you, we know youre alright, we know you dont steal but youre not coming down on the people around you who steal.Thats a different issue. But youre not coming down on the people around you who steal sums up one of the main causes for her inability to handle a manageable problem such as corruption. In addition, the removal of two assertive officials - John Morlu and Frances Johnson - Morris - worsened the problem because it provided

POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LBDI

The Editor, Please allow me the time and space to make a few observations about my recent experience at the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI). I would first like to thank the administration of LBDI for sticking with the Liberian people all through the years, especially during the civil war when other banks have failed. I would also like to compliment LBDI on the many branches that have been opened around the country. I recently visited the 9th street branch of LBDI and my experience at the bank was just mind boggling. I write not to criticize but to enlighten the administration on the experience of a typical customer during a regular business day. I had gone to the bank to withdraw about two thousand USD. According to bank procedure any amount over a thousand USD has to be verified by a supervisor (people sitting behind desk on the landing platform at the bank). I have no problem with verifying signature because it is best practice for the safe keeping of customers money. What I have problem with is the process of verification. When you approach the desk where the supervisor sits, you stand there with no time limit. They are either talking to their colleagues across from you or fixated at their computer monitors as if you were invisible. What is even more bothersome is the way you are finally approach. There are no pleasantries or greetings. They showed no smiling faces. After spending anywhere between 10-20 minutes for this verification, you go to the teller window. I arrived at the bank at about 12:00pm and was done after 2:30pm. I spent over 2 hours at the bank just to do a single transaction. I had chosen to go to the 9th street branch because I felt that it is the main office and services there would be much better and faster. I stood in line from 12:15pm to after 2 pm. There were people sitting on the few seats available after being tired standing. While you are standing in line, for no reason (at least know to you the customer) the teller walks away from his booth and be gone for up to 30minuntes. Some tellers are openly conversing on their cell phones with total disregard to the customers who are waiting in line for hours. And as if to put salt in the wound there is constant movement of other bank employees coming to the tellers either from the inside or just cutting right in front of customers first in line with other transactions. Why does it take more than 15 minutes for a teller to complete one transaction? Is it that the computers are from time far in the fast or is it because they do not really know what they are doing? After you finally get to the teller and are served, you have to take your bank book back to the supervisor at the desk to balance your account. Why cant a customer bank book be balanced right there by the teller doing the transaction. After all, he/she is the last person who has reviewed the customers account and his/her initial has to be written next to the transaction. The desk supervisor decides to balance your bank book or not. I witnessedand experienced a scene when a male customer asked the supervisor to write his balance in his bank book. This supervisor said, Ma man, just subtract what you took from the money, thats your balance. Really? The customer knows that. But I dont believe customers are allowed to write in their own bank books. The man tried to joke with the supervisor and begged her to write his balance. She totally refused. He said with a tone of rejection in his voice, I guess you are busy today I will come back next time. It would not have taken the supervisor more than 2 minutes to pull up his account and write the balance in his book. When it was my turn for my book to be balanced, not wanting to just walk up and sit in her chair or just show her the book, I patiently stood up waiting, after what seem like eternity she finally said sit down. When I showed her my bank book and asked her to write my balance in it, she hesitated for a minute and the expression on her face said it all. I had to say to her my nephew does most of my transactions so I want him to have a clear balance. She then scribbled my balance leaving out her initial, as if to prove a point. As I left the bank I wondered if the tellers or supervisors were aware that it is the customers that are the asset they have. After all if we did not put our money in there, they will not have business. I have had my account with LBDI prior to the war but what I witness that day really shook me to the core. This was not my first ugly experience but this bothered me so much that I decided it was time somebody said something. Services at the bank have deteriorated. It seems as though the people at the frontline meeting customers have a problem to smile or being polite. They all have their faces frown as if they dont want to be there and are being force. There is such an unfriendly atmosphere its just unbelievable. No one should have to know somebody working at the bank to get a good service. After all we the customers are the shareholders in this bank. To the administration of LBDI, I would like to say it may be time to retrain the tellers and supervisors about good customer service. People are not going to come to your bank if they are treated like they dont count. There is no reason why it takes so long to complete one transaction. If the tellers are leaving their booths because they have to take a break then there should be a substitute teller to take over to keep the service going. On behave of the many unspoken voices I say; to be treated like this is totally unacceptable. Mary Kieh salonemoore@yahoo.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, January 14, 2014

RECAST LOOMS FOR CONTROVERSIAL

Bolstered by recent national tour and feedbacks from citizens, House Speaker Alex Tyler Says National Conference is next on the agenda.

PAGE RONT

LEGISLATIVE BEAT

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Page 5

OIL LEGISLATION IN LIBERIA

Monrovia controversial legislation targeting sweeping reform in Liberias budding oil sector will not be set in stone any time soon. The Speaker of the Lower House of the National Legislature, Alex Tyler, declared Monday that the next phase of the process of debating the legislation will shortly get underway and will including the holding of a round table stakeholders meeting and the compilation and harmonization of views and interventions emanating from consultations. Said Speaker Tyler in a speech marking the return to work of the national legislature: These synchronized views and proposed billswhich we intend to demarcate into two distinct bills, one specifically dealing with the local content and the other with the revenue management component, including the NATIONAL OIL COMPANY and the Petroleum and exploration bills forwarded to the House of Representatives by the Liberian Senate - will be presented at a National conference for the participation of all stakeholders, inclusive of political parties civil societies, the fourth estate and all interested persons. The speakers statement comes on the heels of a nationwide tour by lawmakers to gauge the views of citizens on the legislation currently being debated. The House of Representatives is currently reviewing the draft Petroleum Exploration and Production Act 2013 (Petroleum Act) and the draft National Oil Company of Liberia Act 2013 (NOCAL Act) in early 2014. A recent report by the watchdog group, Global Witness on the draft oil legislation raised concerns that there may not be insufficient political will within the Liberian Government to bring about the sweeping changes the sector needs. The report says while the controversial oil draft legislation contains some progressive and positive provisions, including requirements for the public disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owners of companies and strong transparency provisions, there are areas that need to be improved for

the country to fully realize the potential benefits of its emerging oil sector. GW concluded that the success of the laws in developing a petroleum sector that supports the country's economic development will be in part determined by the safeguards within the Revenue Management Bill which has yet to be developed. "Strong transparency, oversight and accountability provisions will be needed to ensure that any revenue from a potential oil find in Liberia can be effectively harnessed. The Petroleum and NOCAL Acts contain some progressive and innovative clauses on beneficial ownership and transparency of information. However, they fail to recognise and accordingly protect the land rights of all of those who may be affected by petroleum operations and do not require international competitive bidding in all cases." GW has challenged the Legislature to use this chance to revise the acts and ensure that sufficient safeguards are put in place to enable any potential income from Liberian's oil sector, in the absence of other sources of finance being available, to contribute to real development benefits. The GW report examined the strengths and weaknesses of the draft acts to support the Liberian House of Representatives (the House) in its ongoing review.

"There have already been significant weaknesses with the legislative and consultation processes for these acts. This raises concerns that there may be insufficient political will within the Liberian Government to bring about the sweeping changes the sector needs." On Monday, Speaker Tyler said the bill(s) will be presented on the floor for discussion, debate and consideration for passage. The leader of the lower house explained that the bodys decision to recast the oil and gas proposed laws is due to feedbacksreceived from onsultations from rank and file of our citizens across the country. As promised you, our citizens, in statements made to the media just before our Annual Break, we committed that upon our return, "we would not relent in our determination to improve the livelihood of our people by [enacting] appropriate legislations." Remarkably, we have a number of outstanding bills in Committee Rooms, before Plenary and with our sister Chamber, the Honorable Liberian Senate. Amongst which are the "Decent Work Bill," "The Code of Conduct Bill," "The Level Playing Field Bill," and the "The Petroleum, Oil and Gas Reform Sector Bill." We shall immediately recommence working on these, while not neglecting others before us, or exigent bills which should come before this Honorable Body.

The speaker said the problems which surround the bills named earlier were fully enumerated during our statement to the press a couple of months ago and can be obtained from the Legislative Press Office of the House, or my Chief of Office Staff, should anyone be interested in reviewing my comments, then. The speaker called for a new beginning; a beginning that will reflect a reciprocal approach of taking message from plenary to our people and bringing message from our people to plenary. That is what I thought could be part of the legacy of the 53rd Legislature and other actions that will strengthen our democracy. The speaker said lawmakers received a lot of positive comments from fellow citizens around the country about their visit, but will press on. We hosted the largest town hall meetings ever seen from the Legislaturefrom J.J. Roberts incumbency, excepting the Executive Councils of some of our Presidents. There have been a few detractors, notwithstanding. But we can take the criticism - we are politicians, after all, and always enjoy a healthy debate. This is called freedom of speech. But this freedom has attending responsibilities. (Recent issues in the press will bear me out.).

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Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

Taylors peers in the Bong caucus could make things almost impossible for the senator in her quest of being re-elected.

A CROWDED FIELD IN BONG

2014 SENATORIAL ELECTIONS-KEY RACES TO WATCH

term. Throughout her nine-year term, she spent heavily on free primary and secondary education while insisting that every child that attends public schools in the county writes and sings the national anthem. Howard-Taylors re-election could get a boost from the initiation of the Madam Suakoko Scholarship scheme. Partnering with now Liberias Ambassador to Washington Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, the scholarship scheme has helped to educate natives of the district since its initiation in 2006. Agriculture, the second most important focus of Howard-Taylors term, has received enormous supports from women of the county who in September 2013 cultivated over 500 hectares of land through irrigation. Howard-Taylor still appears to be riding on the popularity of her former husband, Charles Taylor as was evidenced during her county tour in August 2003. Howard-Taylor in one of her pre-campaign speeches spoke of the need to retain the Charles Taylors spirit in the county regardless of the past. Bong County people know what former President Taylor did for them so to show love for him, dont forget about the NPP in 2014, Senator Howard-Taylor said amidst cheers from citizens. Political pundits are predicting that if the Taylor factor stalks in Bong in October, the likelihood of Howard-Taylor being retained is inevitable. Most importantly, the gender factor could play in Howard-Taylors favor as evidenced by the emergence of scores of women groups in the county who have declared support for the senator. CHALLENGES: The challenges ahead of Senator HowardTaylor in October are enormous. While many see the Taylor factor as a political boost for the former first lady, political analysts are also predicting that the Taylor euphoria has lost its taste since Taylors 50 years sentence was upheld in 2013. Decision by ex-Taylors fighters in Bong to slam the re-election chances of the former first lady in August 2013 spoke volumes and indicative of a rugged re-election, according to many. The former Taylor fighters said their decision stemmed from the senators failure to rehabilitate her former husbands farm on the Gbarnga-Melekie highway as she promised in 2005. Mark Dowee, head of ex-Taylors fighters, said the reopening of the farm would have eased the constraints facing them. In fact, the reignited conflict in the NPP, according to political pundits if not resolved, could take a toll on Howard-Taylors re-election. Howard-Taylor and Rep. George Mulbah (NPP district 3) are embroiled in a rift over the senators decision to support the retention of party chairman Cllr. Theophilus Gould. As popular as Rep. Mulbah within the NPP and his district, political observers say if the rift persist, things could go difficult for the senator. As the only female senatorial aspirant, Howard-Taylor is also enmeshed in a row with prominent women in the county: Superintendent Selena Polson-Mappy, the only female Commissioner in the county, Annie Reeves, the only female paramount chief in the county, Lorpu Kollie and Rep. Corpu Barclay, the only female lawmaker from Bong at the Lower House. Political observers see these women as major stumbling blocks for Howard-Taylor, particularly Superintendent Polson-Mappy who has won the admirations of Bong residents since her appointment by President Sirleaf in 2012. Also, the emergence of splinter groups in the Bong legislative caucus with each member poised to support Howard-Taylors senatorial rivals shows to many that the former first lady could endure a tough re-election contrary to 2005. An example of the splinter member is Rep. Lester Paye, who could support Augustus Flomo. Paye is arguably Bong Countys

RANNEY BANAMA JACKSON (UNITY PARTY)

CHANCES: Jackson is a grass root mobilizer and a towering personality in Bong County politics. He has a large followership in the county. It is fair to say that Jackson left an indelible legacy when he served as Superintendent for Bong County from 2006-2010. Under his watch, the former Bong Superintendent, in addition to other development strides in the county he has taken as chief servant, articulated an economic development agenda targeted at transforming Bong County into one of the most developed counties by the year 2011. This aspiration was particularly in education, agriculture, health, infrastructural development and culture. Under Jacksons term as Superintendent Bong recorded unprecedented developments: the construction of the David Kuyoun Sports stadium in Gbarnga, rehabilitation of the superintendents compound and the rehabilitation of feeder roads across the county. These achievements have made Jackson popular among his kinsmen particularly in Sanoyea, Howard-Taylors native district. Jacksons main political life started as a senatorial candidate in 2005 which earned him a fourth placed finished with over 11,000 votes. He finished second in the 2011 election having garnered over 27,000 votes as a Unity Party candidate. His position at the Ministry of Internal Affairs as Deputy Minister for Operations has paid off significantly, contributing to the retention of his political followers as commissioners, paramount chiefs and Superintendents respect him. Political observers believe that the emergence of Polson-Mappy as superintendent of the county a former legislative candidate of Unity Party and Jacksons lead campaigner in district 5 in 2011 may tilt the balance in his favor in 2014. Analysts arrive at this conclusion because Polson-Mappy seems interested on who emerges as the next senator of the county to ease the tension that has characterized her leadership for the past two years. Besides, Jackson has a share of the splinter group in the Bong legislative caucus that has slammed incumbent Howard-Taylors re-election bid. Rep. Corpu Barclay of district 7 has declared support for the former superintendent. CHALLENGES: While many rate Jackson as arguably Bong Countys best superintendent in post-war Liberia, there were some bad legacies left by the former Superintendent. The former Bong Superintendent was suspended in 2009 by President Sirleaf for using the county development fund on personal travel to the United States of America. Though caucus chair Rep. George Mulbah was part of the trip that brought huge dividend to the county from a sister-state relationship with Maryland in the United States, Jackson was ordered by President Sirleaf to restitute the fund, which he did. The US$ 10,000 saga, which many believed was the factor responsible for Jacksons failure in 2011, may come back to haunt the former superintendents 2014 bid. Howard-Taylor has begun propagating the campaign against the former superintendent, calling on citizens not to vote for people who stole development fund. Some of those who want to contest stole your money, dont vote for them, Howard-Taylor said in August 2013. Besides, Jackson has some weaknesses. He does not seem to have

Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Gbarnga, Bong County enatorial aspirants for the special election in Bong County have begun mobilization ahead of the October 2014 poll. Like other senators in Liberia, the seat of incumbent Jewel Howard-Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) will be up for grab when she completes her nine-year term in few months. Bong is a strategy county in terms of location and politics as it is located in the north-central region of Liberia. It is one of 15 counties that comprises the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has thirteen administrative districts. Gbarnga serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 8,772 square kilometers (3,387 sq mi). In 2008, the Census placed the figure at 328,919, ranking it third in Liberia after Montserrado and Nimba. The main ethnic groups include the Kpelle, Mandingo and Mano. Named after Mount Bong in the southern portion of the county, it is bordered by Lofa and Gbarpolu counties to the north, Margibi and Montserrado counties to the west, Grand Bassa County to the south, and Nimba County to the east. The northeast part of Bong borders the nation of Guinea. Created in 1964, the County Superintendent is Selena Polson-Mappy. FrontPage Africa investigation has established that no fewer than two NPP aspirants are looking to succeed Senator Howard-Taylor. In other parties, there are also some aspirants eyeing the position. The NPP aspirants are basking in the euphoria of the power of incumbency. However, opposition aspirants have said that this will crumble during the election because there will be alternative routes for the voters to explore. In Gbarnga, the countys capital city, there are serious aspirants, the not so serious and the pretenders. Campaign offices are being set up. Structures are being fortified. The top contenders for the special senatorial election include Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor (NPP), Ranney Banama Jackson (Unity Party), Augustus Jonathan Flomo (Congress for Democratic Change), Dr. Henrique Flomo Tokpa (Unity Party), former Senator Franklin Obed Siakor (Liberty Party) and Benedict Sagbeh (Movement for Progressive Change). Today, FrontPage Africa continues the catalogues of counties, looking at the chances and challenges of aspirants in Bong.

JEWEL HOWARD-TAYLOR (NATIONAL PATRIOTIC PARTY)

CHANCES: With re-election at stake, Senator Howard-Taylor in recent months has concentrated a lot of attention and resources in the rural areas of the county. This has paid off as a number of feeder roads with help from the county social development fund have been built. An example is the road from Gbarnga-Kokoyah. In the past, anybody assessing the route had to go through other adjacent routes. All that is now a thing of the past, as the road have made travel more pleasant for commuters. With the help of the County Social Development fund, the Bong County Senator has helped negotiate for the upgrading of many junior secondary schools to the status of senior secondary schools. With funding also from the social development fund, Senator Howard-Taylor, formed part of the team that upgraded some dispensaries to rural health centers and others to general hospitals as a way of bringing health services nearer to the people, a move many say could increase her re-election chances. Education, to date, remains a pivotal program of Howard-Taylors

best performing lawmaker in the 53rd national legislature and is famous not only in his district but the entire county. Political observers are also saying that a gang up of Howard-

a deep purse to run an effective countywide campaign. Also, the presence of his brother-in-law, Tokpa, in the race may split Jacksons 2011 strong hold of Karyata in Suakoko district. Boy Ranney, as he is fondly called by supporters, appears to be battle weary these days. He seems to have slowed down. But his supporters insist that he is a crowd puller and a factor in Bong politics. But can Jackson still count on the supports of the chiefs who, in 2011, were regarded as his beacon of hope amid the emergence of Howard-Taylor? Only time will tell.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

him. Lower Bong residents seem not to be happy with the former senator for the little development carried in that area while as senator. senatorial election with minimal effort. But Bong County politics is treacherous and unpredictable. Besides, the Cuttington president enjoys cordial relations with District # 2 lawmaker and former Cuttington Universitys Procurement Director, Prince Kermue Moye. Analysts believe that Moyes support for Tokpa could be a major source of inspiration for the CU president particularly in his bid of taking hold on populated districts in the county. Challenges: Tokpas critics accuse him of arrogance, but he has persistently rejected the label, saying that his self-confidence has been uncritically confused with arrogance. Since Tokpa declared interest in the senatorial election in 2013, over 10 employees of the university who reportedly rejected Tokpas bid have given the boot. Among them is Mogana Flomo, father of senatorial aspirant Augustus Jonathan Flomo. Flomo was dismissed days after he publicly declared support for his son at the expense of Tokpa. The university through its Human Resource Director, Kelvin Fallah, insisted that Flomos contract had expired but FrontPage Africa investigation established that the suspension came before the expiration of Flomos contract. Since then Tokpa has been receiving a lot of bashing for allegedly using his influence as a university president to target lecturers of the university who have opposed his political ambition. Dismissed employees led by Jefferson Mulbah Lyeah, Mogana Flomo, Chris Sankolo and David Martor have vowed to vigorously campaign against Tokpa senatorial bid. Lyeah in conversation with FrontPage Africa Wednesday said. Tokpa cant survive in the election. We know more about him and Cuttington. We will campaign vigorously against him to ensure he doesnt win the election, he said. Tokpas senate bid appears to be confronted by an entrenched countywide political stigma. Residents of the county are accusing the CU president of being elite for a statement he reported made that bitter-ball sellers children were not needed at Cuttington. Though Tokpa has since rejected the embedded charge but it has taken a toll on Tokpas pre-campaign. Tokpa needs to apologize to the people of Bong County because his statement was humiliating to the locals, said Obediah Weahweah, a political commentator in Gbarnga. Besides, Tokpas senatorial ambition seems to be under threat by another public statement directed at Radio Gbarnga in 2009. Serving as a commencement speaker, Tokpa branded the Gbarngabased community radio station as cancer cell that needed to be dealt with. The station seemed prepared to fight back if Tokpa fails to apologize. Tokpa stands a little or no chance in October 2014.

Political observers say if Saybay fails to settle his differences with Sesay, his senatorial quest could come to a sad end as there are efforts to extend his suspension, FrontPage Africa has gathered.

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Cllr. Benedict Sagbeh: (Movement for Progressive Change)

Chances: This urban and unassuming politician hails from Kpaii district. He

Augustus Jonathan Flomo, (Congress for Democratic Change):

Chances: He contested the senatorial election on the ticket of Liberty Party in Bong County 2011 and came third with over 27,000 votes despite being a debutant. He is one of those angling for power shift to the younger generation in the county. He has no political godfather or cartel behind him and his independent minded nature projects him as one that cannot compromise standards on key issues. Flomo has made notable interventions in the area of development. In 2011, Flomo wrote a project for the Youth for Development of Progressive Action (YDPA) in Gbarnga, Jorquelleh District for US$53, 000.00 for agriculture and income generation for the youth and community members in Chief Compound area, which has since increased his population in the district. He is busy setting up campaign structures across the county. Flomo has boasted that the CDC will dislodge the UP and NPP in 2014. The die is cast between the CDC and NPP in Bong. NPP has failed and CDC is now the saving grace. He says it is only the CDC that can avert the disintegration of the Bong. Flomo, fondly called the Lion Heart of Bong, is an aspirant of the Congress for Democratic (CDC). With the CDC fever taking center stage in Bong, many believe Flomo could be a strong factor for the incumbent if he contest on the ticket of the CDC owing to the over 27,000 votes acquired in 2011. Challenges: Flomo could once again be haunted by his fathers legacy as he endured in 2011 election. Mr. Mogana Flomo, father of Augustus Flomo, is embroiled in the web of corruption over the failure of what was seen as the beacon of hope for residents of Chief compound, the Richard E. Fay School. Information regarding why the school has not progressed still remains scanty and is turning out to be a major hurdle for his sons political life as politicians exploit the situation. Flomos incorporation in the CDC started on a good footing when he was endorsed as an aspirant by CDC executives. But the unpredictability of the party is now becoming a tale for Flomo. Flomo is being secretly rivaled by his former principal, Benedict Sagbeh a closest friend to the partys political leader George Weah who is eyeing the CDC seat in the county. If the party snubs Flomo for Sagbeh, it could likely be the end of his senatorial bid in Bong.

contested the countys senatorial election in 2011 but lost out to eventual winner, Henry W. Yallah. Sagbeh, who is a seasoned lawyer, has been under pressure to contest this years election. He has the support of Methodist Churches in Bong, who openly endorsed him last year. Also, the Kpaii District Students Association has thrown their support behind him. He is said to have won the hearts of youths in Bong County because of his philanthropic gestures. He has offered scholarship to indigent youths in various fields, at Cuttington and University of Liberia. Even when he was not contemplating on politics, Sagbeh has done much to help the downtrodden. Not long ago, he was among the first individuals to donate relief materials to flood victims in Gbarnga. Sagbeh, who was the last person to declare intention four months to 2011 surprised many when he scooped over 18,000 votes as a candidate for the Movement of Progressive Change. Sagbeh, during his stint as principal of Williams V. S. Tubman Gray High School in Gbarnga, mentored scores of young people in the county some of whom have gone on to become prominent persons not only in Bong but Liberia. Some include: Lawmakers Edward W. Karfiah (New Deal district 5), Prince Kermue Moye (UP district 2) and Senator Henry Yallah (New Deal Movement). Others include senatorial aspirant Augustus Jonathan Flomo, Rural Empowerment Deputy head, Steve Mulbah and others. With the rumored emergence of Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine to contest the Grand Bassa senatorial race, Cllr. Varney Sherman eyeing the Cape Mount senatorial race with many others lawyers poised to contest, Bong residents appear to be relishing the prospects of Sagbeh with many saying that the position of a senator requires an experienced and seasoned lawyer who would help make laws in the interest of the county. Challenges: With less than one year to the election, political observers say Sagbeh has declared his intention late to make impact.

Martor Kparngbai, Unity Party:

Chances: Kparngbai seems to have entrenched himself in almost every district in the county as his foot soldiers will always spring to his

Franklin Obed Siakor, (Liberty Party):

Chances: To his credit is the infrastructure development and revolution that took place while he was senator of Bong County for six years. He is the most loved politician in Gbarnga and he knows how to steal the show at all times. No doubt, he is popular. Siakors fight against corruption is one aspect that has sustained his popularity and political relevance not only in Bong County but Liberia. It is on this pedestal that Siakor remains a force and a very strong factor in the October election. Siakor has a superior numerical strength in upper Bong County and, if the teachers who are in vast majority in the county support him, political observers say he will shake the county in October 2014. Challenges: The political class, especially members of the Bong caucus seem not to be comfortable with Siakor as an aspirant for 2014. In recent time, Rep. George Mulbah (NPP district 3) slammed the re-election of Siakor, saying: Siakor has an independent mind. He doesnt agree to anyones view besides his, for that reason I dont feel pleased working with him. Like Rep. Mulbah, members of the Bong caucus allege that Siakor does not keep to agreements hence they may work against

James K. Saybay, (Independent):

Chances: Another notable contender is Saybay, who currently represents one of the populated districts in the county. His political antecedents may be an advantage to his ambition. A grass root politician, his age and wealth of experience in politics speak well for him. Apart from being in constant touch with his constituency through his grassroots-oriented projects, Saybay is well visible in Bong County politics. Challenges: Saybay is a radical Liberian attorney who is serving a one-year suspension by the Supreme Court of Liberia for acts incompatible to the body. Saybays senatorial ambition received a hit when he was suspended in 2011 which reduced his countywide donation Many say, a major challenge Saybay has to surmount is his rift with a famous entrepreneur in Gbarnga, Ansu Sesay. Saybay, through a man only identified as Dr. Mark reportedly dubbed Sesay and the situation is said to be taking a toll on his political ambition in Bong County.

defense wherever and whenever his name is mentioned. He seems, to many an unbiased analyst, to be manifestly the only man who has the capacity and clout to wrestle incumbent senator Howard-Taylor to the ground. Kparngbai is perceived in Bong as a fine and successful gentleman who made his mark during his stint as Deputy Minister of Education especially in the area of enlisting unpaid teachers from Bong on governments payroll. Kparngbai seems not to have come to terms and is impatient with the workings and tenets of the senatorial race and politics in Bong. Challenges: Political observers say Kparngbai needs to make himself more visible as well as expand and strengthen his political and precampaign structures if he still hopes to make any impact.

Page 8 | Frontpage

Monroviaiberias highest institution of learning as it is known and often referred to as the microcosm of the larger society has been a venue of protest and strike actions for the past two to three months instead of been the bastion of knowledge for a post war country lacking behind in human capacity. Already under par, not ranked amongst top African universities, the university doors has been shut down indefinitely following students protest which the faculty later joined, the two group of protestors calling for the resignation of the University provost Dr. Wede Brownell who they consider as the problem at the institution. Many lecturers, who said they have been sacrificing at the university for 20 years or more, complain that Dr. Brownell does not respect lecturers and teaching staff, accusing her of insulting them at will. One lecturer said, Dr. Brownell has introduced a process where lecturers and teaching staff pay LD 500 for change of grades and they have been placed on record for that. Pretty tell me how can you deal with over 200 students in a section and cannot make mistake at time, the lecturer said. The relationship between Brownell and lecturers has been a cat and mouse relationship and the problem has been ignored by the administration. While it is true that in working relationship, there has to be cordiality, the persistent bickering at the University is further harming the education of students many of whom have aged as they could not complete undergraduate education due to the prolong civil war. It is unarguable that some lectures sell grades to students, as the entire country continues to be rated as one of the most corrupt countries in world, a menace that spans across all sectors of the country with universities been no exception. The need for a complete overhaul of the University cannot be understated as lectures who should be role model for students are seen engaging in acts that do not present a true picture of their status, for instance lecturers openly drinking at student center along with students they teach. On the other hand, it is a fact that there are some intelligent, honest and hardworking professors but the question is why all of these lecturers and professors are having problem with Dr. Brownell which raises more questions than answers and warrants the need for Dr. Brownell to rethink her mode of operations. On the other hand, while Dr. Brownell stay and the way she interacts with the others may not seem good to some she must be credited for introducing changes at the University. Dr. Brownell has been instrumental in bringing some

EDUCATION DOWNTURN - UL CLOSURE HARMS STUDENTS

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EDUCATION

Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

changes at the university for example in the past to register it took a student weeks from one department to another department to get his/her control sheet signed but Dr. Brownell has changed that system restricting students to only his/her department to sign and plan courses. The Provost instituted a policy to have monitors in classes to ensure that lecturers are on time and are not absent from lectures but that lasted a short while. Through her instrumentality students who normally stand on long queues to deposit their school fees before running on campus to obtain receipts, that headache has been reduced through the introduction of a program with the consent of the faculty senate were commercial banks come on campus to serve the students. But after a semester the University noticed shortage in the expected amount for fees resulting into a change of trend. Nowadays theft in banks is common as some unscrupulous tellers took advantage of the manual deposit and defrauded the university. That process was put to a halt implying that students will go to status quo ante meaning they will have to stand on long lines at various banks to pay their fees. Those students paying fees will deposit their money and return on campus and wait for a week or two before getting U.L receipt to continue the registration process something that brought serious delay for many students. The next complicated issue at the University of Liberia is the issue of scholarship and financial aid; statistics have it that over 75 percent of students at the U.L depend on scholarship. Every year county association usually provide scholarship but this year county association found it difficult due to the delay in the passage of the budget resulting to students been placed on the

student council government scholarship listing. The student government this year launched their scholarship fund drive a day to the end of the registration process, which did not yield the expected result in terms of money, needed to pay fees. The student government collected hundred dollars from over five thousand students giving them the assurance that their fees will be paid when in fact the council had not generated any money. It is a known fact that individuals or institutions who provide scholarships seek scholars, what is firstly done is that they launch the scholarship fund drive and know how much they have before they decide to give scholarship based on grade point average but that is not done at the U.L as it is rather the opposite and what is more baffling is that the Dean of Student Affairs sits and watch as students do what they feel is right. Remember the University of Liberia is where manpower needed for the Liberian job market are grown, if responsible, honest, hardworking and time conscious individuals are not grown by the University, than where are we heading as a nation. Instead of bickering, the Dean of Students Affairs should work with the students in planning and managing this scholarship issue rather than sitting in a tight office to wait for student complain. If the dean was working with the students he will help them to set a date for the launch of their scholarship which will be in time with the registration period not to wait for things to happen before taking action and he should be able to detect potential conflict and solve them. Not even realizing the exact amount generated, the students went ahead to publish their scholarship listing, while administration sat idly. Students names were presented and accepted by the

Vice president for Fiscal Affairs Wilson Tarpeh, and after the commencement of registration after two weeks BFO staffers began refusing students who names were on the scholarship the vice president for Fiscal Affairs endorsed listing that. The decision by the University Administration to halt the process was based on claims that the student community is already indebted to the university in millions Liberian Dollars and the amount provided this semester could not settle their debt before going ahead to register students for the current semester. This decision to put a halt to registration angered several students, which led to the disruption of classes by those angry students; of course the university administration was perhaps in the know that their action could result into some protest or disturbance. In a week or so the process was reopened, the University agreed to accept those students following violent protest but that the registration process should take less than a week, something that seem difficult

for over 12,000 students with few BFO staffers. What was observed is that the student council government was not sincere to students who money they collected as the council failed to disclose to the students its indebtedness to the university. Some students believe leaders should be honest at all level not only in national government, the troubling part of this story is why did the vice President for Fiscal Affairs approve the listing knowing that the student government is hugely indebted to the University. When midterm was announce the student leadership engage the administration to see reason to delay midterm but their plead yielded no result so the students began to do what they know best by tearing down schedules, stopping some lecturers from giving midterm, locking classes prompting the faculty to call a meeting, designating the Faculty Association Secretary J. Wiles Manning to meet with the provost to discuss the matter. According to ULFA the provost

insulted them and refused to listen and rather insisted that the exam continues but many lecturers claimed they were afraid of the students action as most of them refused to administer test despite the provost insistence. With lecturers already having problem with the provost, ULFA called a meeting in which they came down with 14 counts amongst them calling for the resignation of Dr. Brownell threatening to disengage from all lectures until the provost resigns. Some students grew wild when they head the pronouncement from ULFA and began parading with caskets they said was bearing portrait of Dr. Brownell calling for her resignation. With all rigmarole, the University of Liberia President Dr. Emmet Dennis was out of the country so, it was the hope of many that upon his return the crisis will be resolved but up till now things still seem farfetched. The university administration calls for the resumption of classes, and have not find a common ground with the lecturers. It is time that Dr. Dennis, alumina and the board act swiftly to save the university; this is the time that U.L president [Dr. Dennis] needs to rise to the occasion. National government should not sit and watch the university in crisis and pretends like nothing is happening, history has proven that major revolution begins from the university and the over 35,000 students should not be overlooked. It is time national government address this crisis and not to pretend that all is well; an idol mind is the devil workshop. Thirty-five students staying home should concern any serious government, especially when Liberia needs human capacity for its forward march.

A NEW BEGINNING
Full Text of Speech Delivered by House Speaker Alex Tyler at the resumption of work by the 53rd National Legislature on Monday, January 13, 2014.
MADAM ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA; HON. JOSEPH N. BOAKAI, VICE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA AND PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; SENATOR MILTON GBEZOHNGAR FINDLEY, PRESIDENT PRO-TEMP AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE; HON. HANS BARCHUE, DEPUTY SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; MR. CHIEF JUSTICE AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT; MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DEAN AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, THE DOYEN AND MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORP, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS; HEADS OF POLITICAL PARTIES, HEADS OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, HEADS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; HEADS OF BUREAUS AND AUTONOMOUS AGENCIES; PRELATES AND MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY; CHIEFS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS; MEMBERS OF THE FOURTH ESTATE; DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FELLOW LIBERIANS; On the occasion of our resumption of duty, on this second working Monday in January in obedience to Constitutional warrant and, in compliance with statutory mandate and custom, I am very pleased to welcome you all back to the Capitol - the people's Palaver Hut - to begin anew our responsibilities of doing the people's business. It is a pleasant task, to express to you my joy in visiting your various constituencies around our beloved country and across the fifteen counties, where I ate, slept and fellowshipped with you, in your homes. Your kindnesses and generosities shown me - and other Colleagues traveling with us - will remain fond memories in my heart for the rest of my life. Although we said thanks then to your constituents and fellow citizens, I now ask that you re-convey to them our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for their love and tender loving care during our stay with them. The chickens, goats and cows have been slaughtered and consumed; but the lasting souvenirs we carry in our hearts will always be their graciousness, their honesty, their love. Now, returning from your much deserved break - which involved visits with family and friends and constituents - (although I myself know that a large part of your break was a working break), we have some outstanding issues from the last session (which we intend to tackle head-on), along with new ones which will present themselves for this Third Session of the Fifty Third Legislature. Allow me, Honorable Colleagues, to begin by saluting you for ably organizing your various Districts for the much touted consultations of reforms in the oil and gas sector. Let me quickly note, that after all the debates, discussions, challenges and consensuses, we arrived at a course which can now serve to provide the template and or guidelines, going forward. Oil and Gas reform consultations In phase one of the oil and gas reform consultations, we dealt with the solicitation of citizens views and participation which included a tour of the fifteen counties interacting with them in palaver huts, atayee shops town halls and other fora and in colloquia which involved the analysis of the issue. And, which I might add this phase was very successful and rewarding. The next phase which will shortly get underway is the holding of a round table stakeholders meeting and the compilation and harmonization of views and interventions emanating from these consultations. These synchronized views and proposed billswhich we intend to demarcate into two distinct bills, one specifically dealing with the local content and the other with the revenue management component, including the NATIONAL OIL COMPANY and the Petroleum and exploration bills forwarded to the House of Representatives by the Liberian Senate - will be presented at a National conference for the participation of all stakeholders, inclusive of political parties civil societies, the fourth estate and all interested persons. And, the bill(s) will be presented on the floor for discussion, debate and consideration for passage. Our decision to recast the oil and gas proposed laws has been informed by feedback we got in consultations from rank and file of our citizens across the country. As promised you, our citizens, in statements made to the media just before our Annual Break, we committed that upon our return, "we would not relent in our determination to improve the livelihood of our people by [enacting] appropriate legislations." Remarkably, we have a number of outstanding bills in Committee Rooms, before Plenary and with our sister Chamber, the Honorable Liberian Senate. Amongst which are the "Decent Work Bill," "The Code of Conduct Bill," "The Level Playing Field Bill," and the "The Petroleum, Oil and Gas Reform Sector Bill." We shall immediately recommence working on these, while not neglecting others before us, or exigent bills which should come before this Honorable Body. The problems which surround the bills named earlier were fully enumerated during our statement to the press a couple of months ago and can be obtained from the Legislative Press Office of the House, or my Chief of Office Staff, should anyone be interested in reviewing my comments, then. In my closing statement of the second session, I called for a new beginning; a beginning that will reflect a reciprocal approach of taking message from plenary to our people and bringing message from our people to plenary. That is what I thought could be part of the legacy of the 53rd Legislature and other actions that will strengthen our democracy. We have gotten a lot of positive comments from fellow citizens around the country about our visit, but we do not intend to rest on our laurels. We hosted the largest town hall meetings ever seen from the Legislaturefrom J.J. Roberts incumbency, excepting the Executive Councils of some of our Presidents. There have been a few detractors, notwithstanding. But we can take the criticism - we are politicians, after all, and always enjoy a healthy debate. This is called freedom of speech. But this freedom has attending responsibilities. (Recent issues in the press will bear me out.) As intimated before, the decision to tour the country was a decision reached by Plenary, the highest decision-making body in the House of Representatives, whose mandate can never be slighted by anyone in or out of the House. Plenary mandate was therefore enforced. And, I must reiterate that the visit was both successful and rewarding: successful in that we achieved our objective in dialoguing with our citizens throughout the land; and rewarding in that we saw and experienced what could only be learned, being at ground zero - living, eating, sleeping and travelling in the way and manner that people do. And moreover, this action of ours constitutes "participatory democracy" wherein the views of the people are factored into the "end products," the decisions to be reached by their Representatives and the actions to be taken there from by the Government on their behalf. All of which brings me to the next three (3) cardinal conditions we encountered during the tour, especially into the rural parts of the country: 1. The deplorable roads and bridges cry desperately for attention; 2. Poor health sector needing a fix - even a band aid would do; and 3. Schools lacking the most basic facilities which would qualify them to bear the name - school. Fellow Colleagues, as you may bear me out, some of the conditions of the places visited were so appalling that the plight of the people could not go unnoticed. I can openly confess to you, having toured throughout the towns and villages during the Consultations for the oil and gas sector, that, in my candid opinion, previous budgets, in which appropriations were made for infrastructure - i.e, schools, roads, clinics - those budgets, have not significantly impacted the rural parts of the country. From this point, Hon Ladies and Gentlemen, we propose that all such appropriations for infrastructural development (including roads, schools, clinics etc.) shall be approved in a ballpark figure; and, implementation of each such project so identified, be clearly and specifically vetted on a project-byproject basis and approved by the Legislature before final appropriation and implementation can be made. We further propose for Plenary approval and the Liberian Senates concurrence that an amount of seventy three million United States Dollars (US$ 73,000,000.00) be placed in the 2014/2015 National Budget for direct district impact projects. This is separate and distinct from the County Development Fund. When one imagines that Gboe-Ploe Administrative District in Lower Grand Gedeh County now represented by the Hon Alexander Grant has never ever experience a motor road, makes this proposal belated. This is one of the ways we believe that the much needed development can reach and impact our people in rural Liberia. Another essential caveat which I like to sound out is the following: in the 2013-14 Budget, Five Million United States Dollars (US$5M) was appropriated for "District direct impact projects," to be implemented through the Executive, for the benefit of the people; some whom, I dare say, have never before in their entire lives, felt the influence of their Government, going as far back as 1847, with the founding of the Republic. These projects are essential to the welfare of our People, and we shall employ our diligence and energy in every waken hour to see each project to its completion. That we are prepared to work with the Executive Branch of Government and our Senate Colleagues to ensure a scrupulous implementation of the remaining half of Fiscal Year 2013-2014, is our raison d'tre: (our justification for existence) in our political sojourn. Henceforth, Madam President, Hon. Vice President, Hon. Pro-tempore, Hon. Deputy Speaker and Fellow Colleagues, the National Budget should be a marriage of the Legislative, Executive (and I might add) Judicial priorities, ensuring that each side is protected in the exercise of its mandateno less, its Constitutional mandate. (Repeat) Our responsibilities - just to refresh our memories - are to provide representation, law-making and oversight and, falling short of which, we need to exit! As we sail through this third session fellow citizens it is our profound wish to maintain cooperation and collaboration with the Executive and Judicial Branches of government. To this end, we send a message of assurance to Her Excellency Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia and to His Honour Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. We also assure the public at large, the fourth estate, civil society organizations and political parties that as your representatives, we will remain available for dialogue and constructive engagements at all times. So, Honorable Colleagues, I welcome you back to the Capitol, aware of the great expectations of our people, the heavy burden of crafting the laws which will promote justice, equity and peace amongst our people and of creating that noble and blessed society, in which we shall regard each other as brothers and sisters, respect one another as fellow Liberians. And may the love of country, service to the nation and the ideals of our government always keep us together with everyone putting hands on deck for the task of lifting our beloved, "Mama Liberia." In union strong, success is sure. We cannot fail.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

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Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

INVITATION FOR BIDS FOR THE SALE OF 2 USED GENERATORS

THE WORLD BANK LIBERIA

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The World Bank Liberia intends to sell two (2) used generators listed below to any interested bidder. The items are to be sold on the basis of as is and the World Bank will have no further liability after sale. The World Bank now invites sealed bids for the purchase of the following:
CAIRO (AP)

A
Interested bidders may inspect the generators at the World Bank former office (Bright Building, Mamba Point, Monrovia) from January 14-20, 2014 from 10am 2 pm The Bids should clearly state the Lot number and Capacity for which the bid is submitted and, the bid price in United Sates dollars and payment terms. The evaluation of bids shall be per Lot, mainly be based on price, subject to acceptance of payment terms. The method of payment will be by certified check and payment instructions will be given to the successful bidders. The best evaluated bid(s) shall be the highest priced bid and shall be recommended for award of contract, subject to any reservations regarding failure to meet the official valuation or reserve price. Bids clearly marked Sale of Generator must be delivered by hand to the address below on or before Monday, January 20, 2014 at 3:00pm. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders representatives who choose to attend in the World Bank Conference Room at 3.01pm on the closing day. Late bids shall be rejected.

political party led by a prominent Egyptian Islamist said Monday it would boycott this week's referendum on the country's new constitution to protest the arrests of people campaigning against it. The announcement by The Strong Egypt party of AbdelMoneim Abolfotoh came on the eve of voting on the charter, the first step in a militarybacked transition road map put in place after the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in a popularly-backed coup last July.

(CNN) --

LIBYAN GOVERNMENT MINISTER SHOT DEAD IN GADHAFI HOMETOWN

anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the media. State news agency LANA said al-Darouei was shot several times. Nearly three years after the start of the popular uprising that ended Gadhafi's 42-year rule, Libya is still plagued by violence and targeted killings as a myriad of armed groups often do as they please. Country awash with weapons With plentiful weapons left over from the 2011 war, militias, former rebel fighters and militants often resort to force to impose their demands on the weak central authorities. Prime Minister Ali Zeidan's government, weakened by political infighting and fragile state security forces, is struggling to impose law and order. For nearly six months, the

The charter had been drafted in 2012 by an Islamist-dominated panel under Morsi, but was suspended after the coup and heavily amended by two panels under the interim government. While limiting the role of Islamic law in legislation, the charter consolidates military privileges such as the ability to try civilians in front of military tribunals in specific conditions. The Jan. 14-15 vote provides the country's increasingly popular military chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, with a first electoral test since he ousted Morsi. A comfortable "yes" vote and a respectable turnout would be seen as bestowing legitimacy, while

Consuela Marie Buttram, Plaintiff v. Clifford A. Harmon, Defendant The above Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Absolute Divorce (with the Circuit Court for Howard County, MD Case No.: 13-C-13-096887) in which she seeks a divorce from CLIFFORD A. HARMON. The Plaintiff was married to the Defendant on September 7, 1992, and the parties separated on September 30, 1992. The Plaintiff alleges that there is no reasonable hope or expectation of reconciliation between the parties.

Libyan minister was shot dead in the first assassination of a transitional government official since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was ousted from power nearly three years ago. Gunmen driving a car opened fire on Deputy Industry Minister Hassan al-Darouei, killing him instantly while he was visiting his hometown of Sirte, a Libyan defense ministry official said. The unknown men fired on the minister near a market on Saturday evening in the Mediterranean city some 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the coastal capital Tripoli. His body has since been moved to a morgue, the defense official said on condition of

North African country has seen crude oil production and exports slump due to protests and blockades of oil fields and ports, hurting state coffers. In the eastern city of Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 uprising, there has been a string of killings targeting security officials. Sirte was the last bastion Gadhafi's fight to hold onto power after the capital fell to rebel fighters. He was found hiding in a drain pipe and was killed on October 20, 2011. Al-Darouei was a member of the National Transitional Council, the political wing of the 2011 rebellion against Gadhafi's rule. He held the office deputy minister for industry since the transitional government was set up.

CAIRO (AP)

ISLAMIST-LED PARTY TO BOYCOTT EGYPT VOTE

coup last July.The charter had been drafted in 2012 by an Islamist-dominated panel under Morsi, but was suspended after the coup and heavily amended by two panels under the interim government. While limiting the role of Islamic law in legislation, the charter consolidates military privileges such as the ability to try civilians in front of military tribunals in specific conditions. The Jan. 14-15 vote provides the country's increasingly popular military chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, with a first electoral test since he ousted Morsi. A comfortable "yes" vote and a respectable

political party led by a prominent Egyptian Islamist said Monday it would boycott this week's referendum on the country's new constitution to protest the arrests of people campaigning against it. The announcement by The Strong Egypt party of AbdelMoneim Abolfotoh came on the eve of voting on the charter, the first step in a militarybacked transition road map put in place after the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in a popularly-backed

turnout would be seen as bestowing legitimacy, while undermining the Islamists' argument that Morsi remains the nation's elected president. To secure the vote from possible disruption, some 350,000 police and army troops including special forces and paratroopers backed by armored vehicles and helicopters are to be deployed in the streets across the country.Morsi's Brotherhood, which fell from power and is now branded as a terrorist group, has called for a boycott of the vote as well.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

PAINFUL EXIT
A.

Sport

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Defending Champions Bows Out of County Meet

Macaulay Sombai

RONALDO NAMED BALLON D'OR WINNER

T T

he 2012/2013 defending champions of the National County Sports Meet Grand Cape Mount County are out of the on going 2013/2014 edition of the competition falling at the hands of Bong County. Cape Mount went out of the competition on Monday after suffering a 4-2 defeat in an entertaining post match penalty kicks, after regular and extra time ended 0-0. Bong also defeated Cape Mount 3 to 1 home runs in kickball and

DISABLED LIBERIAN RECEIVES GIFT FROM GERMAN CLUB BAYERN MUNICH

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 077296781

Nimba conquered Grand Bassa 4 to 3 home runs. Bong County now awaits the winner of the match between Sinoe and Grand Grand Bassa Counties which is Grand 1-Sinoe 0 and second half into the game. Nimba County will face Grand Gedeh County in the second football semifinal on Wednesdy. In the Kickball version, Grand Kru will battle against Margibi while Nimba meet Bong in the second kickball semifinal.

he love for European games and teams is gradually wining the minds of several soccer fans in Liberia since the decline of sporting activities in the country. One person who is not only involved in the watching of the games but sees soccer as his hobby is George Hassan a disabled Liberian, currently a resident of the Antoinette Tubman Chesire Home on the 10th Street in Sinkor. According to Hassan he has never sat in classroom in pursuit of formal education but is only benefitting from his Gods-given smartness which has caused him to compete with others who have attended school, disclosing that sports entices him, mainly European soccer. Like other Liberians who love and watch European teams and games George says he loves the German team especially the German current league champions, Bayern Munich and his favorite striker is Frenchman Frank Ribery. I love the German team because they are strong and can produce the needed result

he Real Madrid talisman's achievements saw him surpass Hugo Sanchez in his club's scoring charts and equal Portugal legend Pauleta at the top of his country's list with 47 in 109 games. Fourteen of his goals came in the Champions League as Madrid reached the semifinals before being beaten by Borussia Dortmund -- and that total eclipsed the record of 13 achieved in the season before by the shortlisted Messi. His 2013 goal tally has overshadowed those of his two Ballon d'Or rivals, Messi and Franck Ribery, and he is the top scorer in all of Europe's biggest leagues. Ronaldo, accompanied by Florentino Perez, Zinedine Zidane, Emilio Butragueno and Sergio Ramos, flew to the Zurich ceremony from Madrid after training on Monday morning. Speaking as he received the award, a tearful Ronaldo said: "Thank you to everyone, my teammates, the national team and my family, to everyone here. Eusebio and Mandela were very important for me, I can't speak." Voting was done by national team captains and coaches, plus selected journalists, in FIFA's 209 member countries who chose their top 3 preferences. In a tight race, Ronaldo received 1,365 points, Messi had 1,205 and Ribery got 1,127. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann voted Ribery first, followed by Gareth Bale and Radamel Falcao, while American captain Clint Dempsey had Ronaldo first followed by Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Paul Kennedy of Soccer America voted Ronaldo first, followed by Messi and Ribery. Pele, after a dramatic pause and smile, read out Ronaldo's name. The Madrid star rolled back his head and closed his eyes, grinning, then kissed his girlfriend, model Irina Shayk, before going up to the stage.

CHAN 2014: GHANA BEAT CONGO TO MAKE WINNING START

when ever their fans need it. Sometimes I feel sad of my condition as a disable but I feel happy and forget about my disability when I watch Bayern Munich wins says Hassan. Hassan did not know that his love for Bayern Munich could one day yield him a benefit until lately last week when he received a consignment of post card of all of the players and postal of the team posted to him by the team through the kid courtesy of Heinrick Ketclaer a senior Police Advisor working with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

According to Mr. Ketclar the donation by the team follows a visit by him (Ketclar) and wife to the Chesire Home sometimes this year where George expressed interest and love for Bayern Munich. Delighted by Hassans interest for the German team, Mr. Ketclaer indicated that following the meeting with the disable man he immediately decided to contact the team through e-mail where he told the club of his interest. Today from our meeting I was able to contact the club and the team responded by sending

you these items which I hope you will love said Ketclaer. Receiving the items smiling Hassan said he was very happy for the donation from the German Club and also Mr. Ketaclaer for making the donation possible. Please extend by thanks to the team for the donation but tell them that I want to be the first Liberian to establish the Bayern Munich Fan Club in the country Hassan said with smiles as the items were handed over to him.

heophilus Anobah scored the only goal of the game to give Ghana victory over Congo in their opening match at the African Nations Championship. On 34 minutes Anobaah struck a shot, which took a deflection off the back of a defender and went over the keeper's head. Congo responded well and hit the bar twice in the space of as many minutes as they pushed for an equaliser. There were fewer chances after the break and Ghana held on comfortably. The result puts Ghana top of Group C, with Libya and Ethiopia set to play each other in Monday's late match. Congo will hope the presence of Claude LeRoy, who was appointed as head coach in December and is at the tournament to support CHAN team coach Sebastian Migne, can help them improve in their remaining group games.

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he youth league chair of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change, Jefferson Koijee has declared support for the senatorial bid of Liberias former Auditor General John Morlu, II. Says Koijee The CDC is overwhelmed about John Morlus interest in becoming a senator of Lofa, the CDC thinks that Morlu is a semblance of transparency and probity and the CDC will rally its support for him. The CDC official continues I see no reason why the people of Lofa will not want to have a man like John Morlue; I absolutely see no reason why? Koijee asked. Koijee said if the article published by FrontPage Africa is true, the CDC will like to attract bright minds like Morlu to the party. The CDC youth League Chair said that the former Auditor General represents transparency and accountability. John Morlu has been marketing the virtue for which

CDC YOUTH CHAIR SUPPORTS JOHN MORLU LOFA SENTORIAL BID

Al-Varney Rogers alrogers2008@gmail.com 0886304498

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Tuesday, January 14 , 2014

the CDC stands for. Morlu fight at the GAC was not a personally fight, Koijee added. Koijee said the young people of CDC are supportive of Morlu bid adding that the party is opened to primary. I want to send a caveat that we the young people are excited and zealous to hear this kind of name [Morlu]. According to Koijee, Morlu is not just a

candidate to market in Lofa alone but the entire country adding that the former AG has live an exemplary life. Koijee said the former Auditor Generals association with a grassroot movement like the CDC and his outstanding performance at the GAC means his election is a done deal. I want to call on some of our friends

NEW CORPS OF OFFICERS

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

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to step out of the process and save their money. An attempt to go into the process with a Morlu is a waste of time and fund says Koijee. Koijee furthered: The CDC will remain restless and come all out to ensure that its son who represents transparency and accountability becomes victorious, Those of our friends like Alhaji Kromah,

Zargo and Kupee must now packed their load and choose this opportunity to save their money, the CDC youth leader warned. If Morlus bid for the senate is true, he will be joining Ambassador Weah who has declared his intention for senate, follow by the CDC Secretary General Nathaniel McGill. Morlus indelible records established during his stint at the GAC in exposing corruption have brought him to the limelight not only to Lofa but the entire country. It this known fact that the Congress for Democratic Change is pressing for Morlu to consider running in Lofa. The CDC youth wing leader said, that his party is scouting the mind for senate adding that this mission is for the party bid for 2017. I want to use this as a clarion call not only to John Morlu but the likes of Jerome Verdier, Aloysius Toe, Massa Washington and all those people who believe in fighting for this country, Koijee said.

Moore gets overwhelming mandate to lead new Acemdal leadership

he Authorized Cemenco Distributors Association of Liberia (Acemdal Incorporated)has elected G. Varmah Moore of the Gbarpolu Investment Corporation as its new chairman. Moore beat Richard B. Dapaye of Dapaye Group of Companies by 58 to 14 votes in Fridays elections, which took place at the Liberia Cement Corporation (Cemenco). For the position of secretarygeneral, James S. Walker of Assaunta Business Center defeated Julius N. Brown of Unity B & F by 57 to 16 votes while Vamuyan S. Sheriff of Mayanly Business Center beat Cecelia P. Kollie of Mary Y. Bundoo Business Center by 49 to 24 votes for the treasurers position. K. Idee Ragland of Bit By Bit Business Center, Jerry Monly Dougbe of Regee Sons Enterprise, S. Marcus Roberts of SMR Business Center,A. Adam Sesay of Virginia Investment Company and G. McArthur David of Eli Business Center were elected unopposed as cochairmen for administration

and operations; financial and assistant secretaries and chaplain respectively. By the power vested in me as chairman of the adhoc elections commission and on behalf of my co-workers, I now declared Varmah Moore and the rest of you duly elected for the positions you contested for, said Patrick Komoyan. He said his commission spent more than US$1,000 to conduct the weeklong process and was pleased with the level of corporation from the candidates and their supporters. We received a total cooperation from all of our members. They were willing [to participate]because they wanted to see a change. So they cooperated to the fullest.And as you can see, there is a massive turn-out of people in this compound. Normally at 2:00PM, this place can be like graveyard but it is 6:00PM and people were in high gear to hear the results of the winners, said Komoyan. In Liberia, there is no small or big election and Komoyan believes the product was a reflection of hard work and determination.There were other people who thought that this was a childs play. Beyond

that, they have seen that the issue was very transparent. And they have seen the competencies of my corps of officers and they now believe that we can deliver beyond what we did, Komoyan added. For his part, Moore said he intends to bring all the winners and losers under an umbrella to work for the good of Acemdal. This is a democratic process and somebody has to win. During the debate, we assured our opponent, Mr. Dapaye, that we had a place for him. And according to our constitution, we have a place for the chairman of the board of advisors and we can assure him that hell get that position. My first priority will be to ensure that our people are more organized. And firstly our target will be our customers. We want to ensure that their moniesare protected and they receive quality services from the distributors who serve as the eye of management to ensure that they have safe delivery and better quality, Moore outlined. Seventy-seven (77) persons were qualified to vote but only 73 voted.The adhoc elections commission printed 380 ballots with 95 for the four contested positions. There was an unused 22 ballot papers per category, bring the total to 88 with two invalid votesEight observers, including two from Cemenco, watched the entire proceedings. Central Bank of Liberia executive governor Dr. Joseph Mills Jones is being earmarked to serve as keynote speaker and induction officer in early February.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Monrovia he attention of the authorities of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been drawn to statements from Honorable Edwin Snowe of District # 6 on national radio and newspapers, claiming that past authorities at the Revenue Department of the Ministry of Finance had raised more money than the current team. These statements are unfounded, baseless and untrue and clearly demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding and appreciation of the national budget, its formulation process and intricacies. The authorities of MoF would like to inform the general public that available records show quite to the contrary that revenue has instead increased every year since President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became President from Fiscal Year (FY) 2006/2007 to present (FY2013/14). Here are the facts: FY06/07 - $148.9 million; FY07/08 - $207.7 million; FY08/9 234.9 million; FY09/10 288.0 million; FY10/11 387.9 million; FY11/12 477.2 million; and FY12/13 - $554.2 million. Therefore, for anyone to make the kinds of statements made by the honorable lawmaker without first doing some fact checking, demonstrates a clear design to bring the MoF and its officials into public disrepute. The authorities note that on perfunctory review, any

ON THE DEFENSIVE
Liberias Finance Ministry Slams Rep Snowe Over Economy Criticism
reasonable person would have known these numbers before making such embarrassing statements in regards to governments efforts to raise much needed revenue to rebuild our country. We encourage all Liberians to pay keen attention to these numbers and not be swayed by uninformed comments by politicians or their surrogates. The Ministry notes further, that contrary to misguided and erroneous statements about revenue generation by some politicians, it isexpenditure that has been increasing every year, therefore placing serious pressure on the national budget. The current expenditure demand from all public agencies is US$2 billion on a revenue envelop of $582.9 million. The Ministry would like to further inform the public that nowhere in the world is revenue performance measured by expenditure pressure and citizens should expect their public officials, especially those they elect, to understand that. Our budget is very open and the Open Budget Initiative is intended to keep the Liberian people informed about how much money their government is collecting and spending on their behalf. Just because public officials want to spend more than the country can afford does not mean revenue generation is hurting. The government must live within its means. On the issue of what Mr. Snowe termed as the alarming financial situation in the country, especially the increase in the exchange rate between the United States and Liberian dollars, the authorities wish to inform the Liberian people that the Liberian dollar depreciated by 15 percent against the U.S. dollar during 2013, after having remained broadly stable since 2010. This depreciation isn't unlike that experienced in other countries. In the case of Liberia, three factors have played a role: 1) the Governments effort to de-dollarize the Liberian economy, which resulted in a large net injection of Liberian dollars (LDs) in the economy; 2) the expansionary fiscal stance of the government, leading to a wider current account deficit, driven in large part by increase in public investment programs to rebuild economic infrastructure. The current account deficit is driven not only by capital goods imports but also by an increase in food and other consumption items; and 3) efforts to rebuild reserves. Reserves remained virtually unchanged between December 2012 and

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June 2013, and the reserves accumulation target under the International Monetary Funds Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-supported program with the Government of Liberia was missed by US$14 million. Concerted efforts by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia have increased reserves by US$24 million between September and December 2013, owing in part to the sale of additional US Dollars to CBL by MoF and lower amounts offered at the weekly CBL foreign exchange auction (declining from US$2.25 million to US$750,000 per week on average since end-August). The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank are concerned about the exchange rate situation and are working very hard on policy options to stabilize it. The authorities urge all public officials across the government to work together in 2014 to rebuild Liberia by playing less politics and doing more to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Liberia.

MUTUAL RESPECT
Sirleaf Commits to Support and Interaction with Other Branches of Government
implementation of each project identified be clearly and specifically vetted on a project-by-project basis and approved by the Legislature before final appropriation and implementation is made. He further proposed, for Plenary approval and the Senate concurrence, that US$73 million be placed in the 2014/2015 National Budget for direct District/County Impact Projects which, he said, should be separate and distinct from the County Development Funds.Speaker Tyler said the proposals were necessary because of what they (lawmakers) saw and experienced during their tour of the country when they had the opportunity, during their agricultural break, to consult on the oil and gas proposed laws with citizens across the country. He indicated this is one of the ways that much needed development can reach and impact the people in rural Liberia. The deplorable roads and bridges cry desperately for attention; poor health sector needing a fix, even a band-aid would do; and school lacking the most basic facilities that would qualify them to bear the name schools, Speaker Tyler observed during the tour of rural Liberia. He emphasized that some of the conditions of the places visited were so appalling that the plight of the people could not go unnoticed. I can now openly confess having toured the country, towns and villages during the consultations, that in my candid opinion, previous budgets in which appropriations were made for infrastructure, those budgets had not significantly impacted the rural parts of

Monrovia resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is calling on all three branches of government to commit to mutual respect, support and interaction as they collectively work to improve the lives of the Liberian people and the image of the country. As you commence today the arduous task of being responsive to your constitutional mandate, and particularly in these challenging times, I trust and I commit that we will have mutual respect, support and interaction by all three branches of government as we collectively work to improve the lives of our people and the image of our country, the Liberian leader said, urging all branches to commit to these principles as they go forward. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the brief comments at the formal opening of the 3rd Session and the 3rd Sitting of the 53rd Legislature held at the Rotunda of the Capitol Building on Monday, January 13.President Sirleaf reminded the 53rd Legislature that in two weeks, the fourth working Monday in January, she will back at that August venue to present to them the Executive Branchs proposed Legislative Agenda and to report on the State of the Nation in keeping with the Constitution. In his remarks earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Honorable J. Alexander Tyler, is proposing that appropriations in the National Budget for infrastructural development, including roads, clinics, among others should be approved in a bulk -pack figure and the

the country, Tyler said.Another caveat Speaker Tyler mention was that in the 2013/2014 National Budget, US$5 million was appropriated for District Direct Impact Projects to be implemented through the Executive for the benefit of our people, who in their entire life have not felt the influence of Government. These projects are essential to the welfare of our people and we shall employ our diligence and energy to see that each project reach its completion, Speaker Tyler stressed, noting that the House of Representatives is prepared to work with the Executive Branch and Senate colleagues to ensure a scrupulous implementation of the rest of fiscal year 2013/2014. Speaker Tyler stressed that henceforth the National Budget should be a marriage of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial priorities ensuring that each branch is protected in the exercise of its Constitutional mandate. He promised to maintain cooperation and collaboration with the Executive and Judicial Branches of Government. To this end, we send a message of assurance to Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and to His Honor Francis Korkpor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he said and also assuring the public, media, civil society organizations and political parties that as their representatives, they will remain available for dialogue and constructive engagements al all times. Welcoming his colleagues back to the Capitol, he reminded them of the great expectations of the Liberian people the heavy burden of crafting laws intended to

promote justice, equity and peace among all peoples and creating a noble and blessed society in which all Liberians should regard each other as brothers and sisters and fellow Liberians. He said returning from their much deserved break, there are a number of outstanding issues from the last Session which they intend to tackle including new ones which will present themselves. On outstanding bills in committee rooms, before Plenary and with the Senate, Speaker Tyler named the Decent Work Bill, Code of Conduct Bill, the Level Playing Field Bill, and the Petroleum Oil and Gas Reform Sector Bill.President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Honorable Gbehzongar Findley, for his part, urged his colleagues to put aside the bickering, jealousy, and deceit among themselves if they intend to improve the lives of the Liberian people. We are not here by our choice but by the choice of our people and that choice is to pass laws, exercise oversight responsibility, and constituent responsibility to improve the lives of the Liberian people, he said. Senator Findley challenged his colleagues to work together to pass laws that will improve the lives of the Liberian people and that those laws in respective committee rooms should be expeditiously handled at the earliest to bring relief to the people of Liberia. President Pro-Tempore Findley, who admitted to challenges, urged his colleagues to respect one another and understand the duties and responsibilities of the two Houses. Only then can we have a vibrant Legislature; only then can we make the dreams of our people for a peaceful Liberia, a loving Liberia, a Liberia with hope for a future for generations to come, he said.Also speaking Vice President, Dr. Joseph N. Boakai thanked all those who attended the program suggesting that it is an omen of a good beginning for a year that will no doubt be one of challenges but also interesting interactions as well.He thanked Liberias partners for the previous year, and assured all Liberians that the Legislature will support every endeavor to make this country what it should be as they were elected by them to do.The chairperson on Executive of the Senate of the 53rd Legislature, Senator Clarice Jah welcomed the guests to the Capitol Building and wished them a pleasant stay.