County News

TOP
pg
STORIES

DECADES
SEARCH
Bong Town Still facing
Water Woes

EBOLA

pg

ORIGINAL PAYMENT
RECEIPTS MISSING
In PUP Case, Two
Logging Companies
Executives Declare

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.58

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

PRICE L$40

PLEASE PAY YOUR

REAL ESTATE TAXES ON
OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2015
TO AVOID PENALTY
AND INTEREST.
ANY PAYMENT MADE AFTER
JULY 1, WILL ATTRACT
PENALTY AND INTEREST.
(SECTION 2002 LRC).

CHINA DECOMMISSIONS EBOLA TREATMENT UNIT,

AMBASSADORS HAILS CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

TAX SENSITIZATION MESSAGE

WWW.LRA.GOV.COM

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
We made our contribution in the fight against Ebola in West Africa just because our good African friends,
brothers, partners are badly in need. From its very beginning, the China-Africa friendship has long been
expressed by deeds instead of just by words. This relationship is clearly highlighted by President Xi Jinping as
Sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith. Chinese Ambassador to Liberia H.E Zhang Yue

News Extra - pg.

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
BUYING

SELLING

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

MONDAY , MAY 11, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

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

Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank

Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 2 | Frontpage

Rodney D. Sieh, Rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia
report last week by the investigative online
journal Pro Publica, that the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation has for the first time acknowledged that
the investigation of the 1992 killing of five American
nuns in Liberia is again part of an active case, is resurrecting
fears and speculations that several prominent figures of the
civil war are being eyed for war crimes prosecution.
The nuns were: Sisters Barbara Ann Muttra, 69, Shirley
Kolmer, 61, Kathleen McGuire and Agnes Mueller,62.
Over the past few months, various variations of lists naming
several Liberians who may have had ties or viewed as having
strong contacts with warring faction leaders during the civil
war have surfaced. But many of those on the list have been
challenging the lists authenticity, suggesting that because
the International Criminal Courts stamp is not on the list,
that it may be the makings of political forces looking to
eliminate potential contenders from the 2017 presidential
and legislative elections in Liberia.
According to the Pro Publica report, the FBI which had earlier
promised to provide a copy of its file on the slayings of the

nuns and was even preparing to release the file, never did
indicating that the case which was declared close is once again
reopened.
The FBI, according to the report, now says the Catholic nuns
killings remain relevant to a "pending or prospective law
enforcement proceeding." Releasing the information, the FBI
says, "could reasonably be expected to interfere" with that
proceeding, the Pro Publica reported.
The report says it is the first time the FBI has publicly stated
the case is anything other than over.
Christopher Vambo, a former Taylor commander known as
General Mosquito denied killing the sisters but acknowledged
that men under his command may have done so.
The five nuns were killed in October 1992 during brutal fighting
in Liberia's civil war. The FBI mounted an investigation, but no
one was ever arrested, and the case was considered closed.
The May 2014 arrest of Mr. Jucontee Thomas Woewiyou,
who served as Defense Minister of Charles Taylors National
Patriotic Front of Liberia(NPFL)followed by the rejection of
figures from the three branches of the Liberian government
from entering the United States of America around the same

time heightened speculations that a push for a war crimes

tribunal in Liberia was on the horizon.
Then in November, 2014, Alieu Kosiah, a former commander
of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy
(ULIMO), a rebel group that fought against Charles Taylors
National Patriotic Front for Liberia (NPFL) in Liberia's first
civil war, was picked up for his alleged implication in war
crimes committed between 1993 and 1995 in Lofa County,
Liberia. A Swiss judge decided on 13 November 2014 that Mr.
Kosiah will remain in detention for at least three months.

Kosiahs arrest marked the first time a former ULIMO member

had been charged with international crimes committed during
Liberias civil wars and the arrest came only a few weeks after
a NPFL Front Line Commander, Martina Johnson, was arrested
in Belgium for her alleged role in wartime atrocities. The
investigation and arrest were possible under Swiss law as Mr.
Kosiah was residing in Switzerland.
Hassan Bility, Director of the Monrovia-based Global Justice
and Research Project (GJRP) which documents crimes
committed during the wars by all warring factions and find

CRIMES & PUNISHMENT

A look at recent action taken against some major players in the Liberian civil war by the U.S. and the international community

50 Years For Taylor

The former President was

found guilty in Leidschendam
on April 26, 2012 by the
Special Court for Sierra Leone
which unanimously ruled that
he was guilty of all 11 counts
of "aiding and abetting" war
crimes and crimes against
humanity. He is currently
serving a serving a 50-year
sentence after his appeal was
rejected, with the court ruling
that his guilt had been proved
beyond doubt.

97 Years For Chuckie

The son of the former President

was sentenced in January
2009, to 97 years in prison in a
landmark torture case stemming
out of a U.S. investigation into
arms trafficking in Liberia.
''Chuckie'' was convicted in
October of leading a campaign
of torture against people
opposed to his father's rule.
Although he wasn't charged
with killing any of them, his
indictment alleged that he
killed at least one of the seven
victims.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Frontpage

avenues for accountability, said recently: We are unbiased

in our documentation of war crimes and we believe that
former commanders of all rebel factions who committed
crimes during the wars in Liberia need to be held accountable,
without exception. Even though Liberia is struggling with
Ebola, the victims yearning for justice cannot be silenced.

In contrast, some political observers say

Liberia should take the route of Ghana
and South Africa and let bygones be
bygones. Efforts to prosecute people
is a harebrain effort, a member of the
ACDL, pondered to FrontPageAfrica on
condition of anonymity recently. The
source continued: The Liberian people
developed a framework for the resolution
of issues connected with the War. It
is called the TRC. Let us pursue the
recommendations of the TRC.

But it is the Woewiyus case in the U.S. many say will prove
the biggest test for the pursuit of Liberias war crimes figures.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI), according to Pro
Publica trumpeted Woewiyus arrest last May. A press release
under the letterhead of the FBI labeled: An "Alleged War
Criminal Arrested, detailed that Woewiyu was charged with
seven counts of perjury, two counts of fraudulently attempting
to obtain citizenship, four counts of fraud in immigration
documents, and three counts of false statements in relation to
naturalization.
According to the indictment, Woewiyu was residing in the U.S.
when he formed the Association for Constitutional Democracy
in Liberia (ACDL) to advocate against the regime of Master

Sergeant Samuel K. Doe in Liberia. Woewiyu, and others,

also formed the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) a
military organization committed to the violent overthrow
of the Doe government. The ACDL provided funding to the
NPFL. In 1990, a splinter group captured and executed Doe.
The NPFL, however, persisted with a brutal campaign for
control of the country. An attack in October of 1992 by NPFL
forces left scores of residents of Monrovia dead. According
to the indictment, Woewiyu presided as NPFL minister of
defense during a brutal military campaign during which
perceived adversaries were tortured, civilians were executed,
girls and women were raped and forced into sex slavery, and
humanitarian aid workers were murdered.
In his application for U.S. citizenship, Woewiyu responded that
he had not ever advocated for the overthrow of any government
by force or violence and that he had never persecuted any
person because of race, religion, national origin, membership
in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Woewiyu faces a maximum possible sentence of 110 years
imprisonment if convicted, a $4 million fine, not more
than three years supervised release, and a $1,600 special
assessment.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorney Linwood C. Wright, Jr.
The FBI made it clear that an indictment or information is an
accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and
until proven guilty.
The FBI, according to the Pro Publica notified the dead nuns'
Illinois-based order, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, also
known as ASC about Woewiyous arrest. The agent said the
FBI hoped to file human rights charges against Woewiyu
that included the killing of the nuns, according to Cheryl
Wittenauer, the order's spokeswoman, quoted by Pro Publica.
Wittenauer told FrontPageAfrica via email last September
that the organization is monitoring the recent developments.
Were aware of the war crimes charges against Ms. Johnson
as well as investigations of other persons of interest. We
prefer not to comment as the cases work through the system.
However, we are watching with interest as the truth unfolds.

Page 3

Wittenauer, according to Pro Publica, summarized her

conversation with an FBI agent in an email, which was obtained
by ProPublica and Frontline. "Apparently, Woewiyu did not
give the order to kill the ASC sisters, but he is implicated in
that the killings were accomplished under his command,"
Wittenauer wrote to her supervisors.
The Woewiyu arrest was preceded by the trial and guilty verdict
of his former boss, former President Charles Ghankay Taylor.
Taylor was found guilty in Leidschendam on April 26, 2012 by
the Special Court for Sierra Leone which unanimously ruled
that he was guilty of all 11 counts of "aiding and abetting" war
crimes and crimes against humanity. He is currently serving a
serving a 50-year sentence after his appeal was rejected, with
the court ruling that his guilt had been proved beyond doubt.
Taylors son, Charles Chuckie Taylor was sentenced in
January 2009 to 97 years in prison in a landmark torture
case stemming out of a US investigation into arms trafficking
in Liberia. ''Chuckie'' was convicted in October of leading a
campaign of torture against people opposed to his father's
rule. Although he wasn't charged with killing any of them,
his indictment alleged that he killed at least one of the seven
victims.
In March, 2012, George S. Boley, the former leader of the
Liberian Peace Council (LPC) who committed human rights
abuses during the civil war in the 1990s, was deported to
Liberia from the U.S. capping an effort by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) to investigate the case and win
the
former warlord's removal from the United States. Boley,
64, was the first removal order obtained by ICE under the
authorities of the Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008,
which added the recruitment and use of child soldiers as a
ground of inadmissibility to and deportability from the United
States.
Then came the high-profiled embarrassing turns for members
of the three branches of the Liberian government: Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Kabineh Janeh, Lenn
Eugene Nagbe, Minister of Youth and Sports and Senator
Geraldine Doe-Sheriff.
All three officials were reportedly victims of international
sanctions and travel restrictions after they were prevented
from entering the U.S. FrontPageAfrica has also reported
that Mr. Jonathan Mason, who was nominated by the rebel
Group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) as
Lands, Mines and Energy Minister in the Bryant-led interim
government, also had his visa cancelled upon arrival in
Brussels last year.
Associate Justice Janeh and Nagbe were forced to return
home after visas were canceled upon arrival at their separate
destinations, Nagbe upon arrival in the U.S. and Janeh upon
arrival in France during a stopover on his way to USA.
But opponents of a war crimes court in Liberia say targeting
organizations such as the ACDL may not be in the national
interest and must be resisted.
In the absence of a broader target of separate periods of
Liberias history, historians point to the 1980 coup which ended
decades of Americo-Liberian rule, the 1985 failed Quiwonkpa
invasion, the civil war emergence in 1989, the Octopus 1994
and 2003. What would become of those associated with LURD,
MODEL, PRC, etc?
In contrast, some political observers say Liberia should
take the route of Ghana and South Africa and let bygones be
bygones. Efforts to prosecute people is a harebrain effort,
a member of the ACDL, pondered to FrontPageAfrica on
condition of anonymity recently. The source continued: The
Liberian people developed a framework for the resolution of
issues connected with the War. It is called the TRC. Let us
pursue the recommendations of the TRC.

CRIMES & PUNISHMENT

A look at recent action taken against some major players in the Liberian civil war by the U.S. and the international community
George Boley
George Boley, 64, the former
leader of the Liberian Peace
Council (LPC) who committed
human rights abuses during
the civil war in the 1990s, was
deported to Liberia from the
U.S. in March 2012, capping an
effort by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) to
investigate the case and win the
former warlord's removal from
the United States.

Alieu Kosiah,

MARTINA
JOHNSON
The NPFL Front
Line Commander
in
Belgium
for her alleged
role in wartime
atrocities.

A former commander of the United Liberation

Movement of Liberia for Democracy
(ULIMO), a rebel group that fought against
Charles Taylors National Patriotic Front for
Liberia (NPFL) in Liberia's first civil war
was arrested November 2014 for his alleged
implication in war crimes committed between
1993 and 1995 in Lofa County, Liberia. A
Swiss judge decided on 13 November 2014
that Mr. Kosiah will remain in detention for
at least three months. It marked the very first
time a former ULIMO member has been
charged with international crimes committed
during Liberias civil.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL VICTORIOUS LIBERIA!
v

Commentary

MEASLES
OUTBREAK T
ANOTHER
DANGER
LURKING

How A Resilient Nation Overcame The Worlds Deadliest Ebola Virus

By: Nat Bayjay (nbayjay2010@gmail.com/ +234 818 179 9737 & +234 813 074 8979)

Abuja-

LIBERIA WAS ONLY declared free of the deadly Ebola

virus on Saturday, May 9 after 4,716 people died from
the virus according to the World Health Organization
(WHO) data.
WHILE LIBERIANS ARE still celebrating the milestone
achievement, another danger is lurking behind the
scene; the outbreak of measles with cases reported in
10 of the 15 counties.
VICE PRESIDENT JOSEPH Boakai launched the start of a
nationwide immunization against measles for children
0 to 5 years late last week and in urban cities and towns
mothers have been turning out with their children to be
administered the vaccine.
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED that the nationwide
immunization campaign will last from May 8 to the 14,
a period that looks short to enable the immunization
process reach out to inaccessible remote towns and
villages across the country.
THE MEASLES VACCINE is being administered at a time
Liberians are recovering from Ebola with many still
relishing the fear of the deadly virus and some parents
shunning the measles vaccine mistaking it for a trial
Ebola vaccine.
AS IT IS always the case, in urban areas, people have at
least access to nearby health centers although poorly
equipped where they can easily be attended to but
in rural counties, the situation is terrible and beyond
human imagination, where the sick have to walk for
sometimes up to three hours before reaching a health
facility.
IN KPOGBLEM CLAN, District Four, Grand Bassa County,
more than 20 children are seriously infected with
measles in what is feared to be an alarming outbreak of
the disease in the area.
THESE SICK CHILDREN and their parents have no
medical facility nearby and are only living by the mercy
of God with the children visibly struggling to cling unto
their lives.
FROM THE INDICATIONS and the look of things in
Kpogblem Clan if nothing is done urgently to reach
the sick children within the next couple of days, things
might become worse.
WITH THE NATIONWIDE immunization period
expected to be completed on Thursday, May 14,
Kpogblem Clan is likely to be neglected; as of Monday
May 11, the immunization team was nowhere near the
Clan where over 20 children and some parents are at
risk of succumbing to measles.
AS THE MEMORY from the deadly scourge is still fresh,

he number 14 is probably that number that Liberians

should always look forward to in times of turmoil:
14 years of civil upheaval and now 14 months of
experiencing the worlds deadliest outbreak of the Ebola
Virus Disease. That is why two sets of dates will remain deeply
chronicled in Liberias modern history: December 24, 1989 to
August 11, 2003 and March 23, 2014 to May 9, 2015.
While the former reflects 14 years of civil war that carried with
it over 230,000 Liberians, its the latter that will remain on the
minds of Liberians in and out of the country as it has a tag of a
14-month relatively short but deadly journey that brought our
nation to its knees, claiming the lives of over 4,000 compatriots.
The two periods resemble a movie series of two seasons (Parts
I & II), probably to be dubbed The Number 14 Vs Resilience.
Sounds of sirens throughout the streets replaced the sounds of
bullets in a seeming sequel of the Ebola crisis to the civil crisis.
Both nationally and internationally built structures and tents
as Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) throughout the capital and
other parts of the country replaced those of camps for internally
displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee camps built in Liberia
and host countries respectively. Fears of bullets and armed men
were replaced in the Second Season with much more fears of an
invisible enemy-an enemy that made every living soul a suspicion
of carrying the virus to the extent that wives avoided husbands
as much as possible as were sisters and brothers avoiding each
other. Worst of all, even the most-caring mother couldnt afford
to cater to a dying child! This even made most Liberians to have
a little bit of positive grading of the 14 years civil war over the
14-month health crisis.
But resilience is that key word that matters in ending the scourge
of what would have been worst, thanks to God Almighty! The
resilience of the national government took no time in replicating
itself in a group of people who were determined in ensuring that
what seemed like a pre-determined climax (to borrow the words
of Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan) to our national
tragedy was not shot for whatever movie that was being filmed.
When the US-based Center for Disease Control (CDC) in
September of 2014 predicted in a report that the combined
cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone would hit a record high of 1.4
million in four months, given the pace of the transmission, it was
Liberians, inspired by the motivational leadership of President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who didnt only say a big NO to that predetermined climax of a movie in motion, but also showed in all
aspects of strength, unity and focus that we were tired of losing
more of our compatriots.
Ranging from various mechanisms put in place by the Government
including the declaration of a three-month State of Emergency
which followed the declaration of a Public Health Emergency
by the President, to the compulsory closure of all schools, the
quarantining of worst affected areas to the institution of a
compulsory sanitized hand-washing and temperature taking of
everyone at private and public buildings, checkpoints and homes,
it was the Presidents decision of ensuring that she was not
only grounded at home to personally oversee the fight but also
made it a policy for all officials of the Executive to also remain
on the battlefront with a few exempts that helped to propel that
resilience among her compatriots.
That resilience resulted into a nation greatly unified, probably for
the first time in some many years where politics and selfishness
were replaced with unity among politicians and those from the
political divides while deep patriotic concern resonated among
the citizenship.
Now, the Government and people of our great nation can once
v

the Government of Liberia must act swiftly by ensuring

that the measles vaccine is administered all across the
country, reaching out to inaccessible rural towns and
villages.
LOGISTICAL CONSTRAINTS MUST serve as an excuse
for not reaching out to all Liberians during the ongoing
vaccination process. The Ebola outbreak witnessed
donations of cars, motorbikes and other logistics which
can all be directed towards preventing another health
crisis.
IT IS BETTER to have these vehicles move to the towns
and villages around the country and vaccinate the
targeted population as quickly as possible to avoid

again smile and thank God for ending the transmission of the
virus that also affected the countrys economy greatly.
Its obvious that the commemoration of the event brings about
mixed feelings: those of joy and grieve as lots more of our
compatriots will reflect on the loss of their loved ones either
directly or indirectly to the virus. The World Health Organization
(WHO)s latest report put the number of persons who died from
the virus from Liberia and her two Mano River Union (MRU)
neighbors of Sierra Leone and Guinea at 11,005 out of which
over 4,000 of this number were our compatriots for whom we
inevitably have to dedicate our celebration in their memorial.
Everyone is aware of the laundry list of sacrifices made to get
to this point: losing medical personnel (almost 200 of Liberias
health workers account for about 40% of the total of 507 that
died in the three worst affected countries), missed opportunities
for Liberian students to study abroad and Liberian professionals
missing out on lucrative international contracts, mass exodus and
or closure of companies leading to job loses, the entrapment of
Liberian travellers at international airports and stigmatization
of Liberians in some parts of the world, a huge societal burden
of a large number of Ebola-made orphans (authorities say 4,500
Liberian kids were orphaned by the virus of whom, 3,000 lost
either one or both parents ), economic loss, and so forth.
Yes, its true that the battle was initially met with a challenge of
denial. But when Government stepped up its publicity, backed
by its international partners, the battle continued unhindered.
Thus, the HipCo group, SoFreshs ever popular Health Ministry
sponsored anti-Ebola song The Tin Na Com, The Tin Na Show
FaceEbola in Town which sent strong preventive messages
even played on international radio stations and networks which
the VOA continues to play to date.
While we even grapple to complete the compilation of a
comprehensive list of Ebola-heroes and heroines, led by
Montserrado County Saah Joseph, Mr. Tolbert Nyensweah and
his team, national and foreign health workers (alive and dead),
Liberian musicians and comedians use of various platforms to
carry messages, Ebola survivors who returned to aid in the fight,
and others, we will never forget the international communitys
contribution to arriving at this point.
Though fewer than 20 new cases were reported from Sierra
Leone and Guinea from the last week, according to the UN Special
Envoy on Ebola David Nabarro, our resilience must remain intact,
saying no to complacency and keeping an eye on our neighbors
Ebola freedom which the WHO hopes will be latest June.
True to the Presidents defiance against a projected 1.4 million
transmissions, true to her strong leadership (which the WHO in
her declaration of Liberias Ebola Freedom describes as the first
decisive factor), and true to us Liberians determination to follow
the instructions of a leader very much resolved on ensuring
that the worst affected Ebola nation became the first Ebola-free
nation, resilience, like the Love of Liberty, brought us here with
God above.
About the Author: Nat Bayjay is a Media Consultant/
Communication specialist. Doubling as a PUL Best Investigative
& Best Environmental Journalist in 2011, Bayjay uses his
journalistic profession to always highlight issues in the country
including political, economic and socio issues through in-depth
articles and news analyses. He was recently appointed as the
Minister Counselor For Press & Public Affairs at the Liberian
Embassy accredited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja.
Hes reachable on: nbayjay2010@gmail.com/ (+234) 818 179
9737 & (+234 ) 813 074 8979.

another scenario like the Ebola.

THE MINISTRY OF Health and Social Welfare must cut
short the big celebrations after defeating Ebola which has
gone for more than three days now and get back to work
dispatching community health workers to mobilize and
get people out for the measles vaccine.
EBOLA HAS LED to shortcomings in other aspects of
health in the country including the fight against malaria,
tuberculosis and other diseases for more than one year
which puts the country at risk of any outbreak of disease.
THE MEASLES OUTBREAK is another danger lurking
over the country and must be treated with high level of
urgency.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE

LIBERIAS ANTI-GRAFT
BODY DISOWNS US$800K
PROBE REPORT

J WESLEY JOHNSON TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF

LIBERIA
If the "report" wasn't authentic why where the two ladies
"suspended"?

SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED

Until we demistify the presidency, and make the vast majority
understands that it is just a job, and the performance of the
occupants ought to be evaluated, quacks would think that they
have divine rights. EJS can't be trusted, period. No God gave her
the chair, she lied, begged, and bribed for the people to ensure
that, and she failed shamefully. Nothing surprises many about her
chameleon ways.
LIGORI MUSIOH SEKAJIPO TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT
FIRESTONE - LIBERIA
Like we say in Liberia, "what money can't do?"
SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED
Mr. Emmanuel Jackson, I concur with you that fanning a Congau Country divide is counter - productive to our collective aspiration
for reconciliation, stability, and long term peace. We don't have an
hegemony of Congua in Liberia, we have the domination of selfish
and greedy elites. Former Senator Wortorson, Beyan Kesselly,
Amara Konneh, Tyler, Nyeahbo and the other liars can't be called
Congua.
SHANA IER TOP COMMENTER
Very, Very true!!! I do not agree with this congau/country divide. It
makes no sense and it perpetuates division.

JESSE FAHNGON TOP COMMENTER METROPOLITAN STATE

UNIVERSITY
Why conduct an investigation when you said FPA publication is not
LACC's report? Just move on once it is not your report Cllr. Verdier.
We know you find yourself in a hot spot with all the overnights
phone calls and visits.
ROBERT O. DAVIS TOP COMMENTER PRESIDENT & CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT LIBUSA
SMH in disgust. Just thought he was a man of principle. After all,
this too is EJS's Liberia.

EMMANUEL JACKSON TOP COMMENTER KNOXVILLE

BUSINESS COLLEGE
This congau connection syndicate, is the problem to this land
freedom and development. Sorry, to say but troubles are
culminating, for next instability. God, is interested in kindness,
justice, and righteousness. If these tenets are not practice in any
nation, God withdraw his support.it is sad this land call Liberia fails
to live up to these expectations. The secret sensitive nature over
God's people is an abomination. Sorry for being harsh but its the
truth.
MICHAEL PAH FORSTHER WORKS AT FROGN KOMMUNE
Oh! Yeah ba! This Oldma na hauled this guy ears too and spoke
those corrupt words in them instead of anti-corruption words.
So nobody can really stand against corruption in Liberia without
being corrupted? What a shame mehn!
MENKER CASEY TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Working in the lion's den isn't fun at all because it's remotely
controlled by the Lion king
SHANA IER TOP COMMENTER
hehehe! TRUE!

ANSU OPA DUALU TOP COMMENTER COALITION OF

CONCERNED LIBERIANS
LIB, it's not for children! Anything is possible. you thought Parker
's House USA house was worth $750k before. Her next will cost
nothing less than $12m

DISCLAIMER

The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and
bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica

Page 5

Send your letters and comments to:

editor@frontpageafricaonline.com
YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!

WEAK LEADERSHIP
LED TO EBOLA DEATHS

The Editor;

fter 4,700 Liberian lives unnecessarily wasted

because of a weak leadership in President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, what lessons have we learned as a
nation and government about a neglected healthcare
system? In a country where the President has never had her
blood pressure checked in any government funded medical
facility, but runs to the United States of America every year
for the best in healthcare treatment and paid for by Liberian
tax dollars, it is just a matter of time before the next health
epidemic strikes and it will be back to square one again.
Before Ebola, President Sirleaf had gloated about the rundown
healthcare in Liberia in speeches across America, including at
Harvard University when a life-size statute of her was unveiled,
and another one in Puerto Rico. Love abroad but hated at home.
Then there was the 2013 surgery on her hand in the United
States for arthritis. God help Liberia if the hospitals in Liberia
are unable to perform surgery on our President's hand for
arthritis, let alone other major surgeries. This is the dilemma
facing the Liberian healthcare system.
At the peak performance of the Liberian economy from the late
1970s to tgr early 1980s, African Heads of State on official visits
to Liberia sought and got medical treatment at the US built John
F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia. Around the same
time the number of medical doctors exceeded 400. The A.M.
Dogliotti College of Medicine at the University attracted students
from around the world and put out medical doctors. Thanks to
Ellen Johnson Sirlesf and other power hungry Liberians for
their sponsorship of the 14-year genocidal holocaust, and now
you can't even take your dog to a government funded medical
facility and expect it to get good treatment. "Level the Executive
Mansion/Monrovia and we will rebuild it" was the famous
statement all Liberians will never forget that was issued by
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to her war frontline rebel General Charles
Taylor. Taylor complied and meticulously executed her order;
hence, a ruined healthcare system that is yet to be rebuilt.
No wonder the country is in such a mess after 10 years under
Ellen presidency for a candidate who promised to restore
electricity and safe drinking water in her first 150 days in office.
So much so for our Harvard University educated " economist "
President. That our President has not been able to live and work
and out of her of official residence, partly gutted by fire on July
26, 2006 also speaks volume about her checkered leadership,
despite after nearly $10 million had been allocated to renovate
The Executive Mansion. That money also went up in smoke.
So President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf leaves office in less than
1000 days after squandering nearly 4000 days on the job with
nothing to show. According to the regime's Bureau of Labor
Statistics and Geo Information Services announcement in 2012
at the Ministry of Information by its director, a Dr. Liberty,

unemployment went from 85 percent in January 2006 to 3.7

percent in 2012, setting a new global record, or what I call
ELLEONOMICS or voodoo economics, but certainly not Harvard
University economics. That was the regime's first and last
unemployment data. But our President supposedly major in
economics at Harvard.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is among the highest paid third
world leaders in terms of salary and benefits. Her yearly salary
is about $72,000.00, and then you add an extra $2 million for
"presidential office use" and another $3 million for "presidential
overseas travels." But most medical doctors, healthcare workers
and teachers barely earn $200.00 a month in Liberia.
Elsewhere in the government, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Senate Pro-Temp each gets yearly
about $800,000.00 for office use. Senators and Representatives
earn about $15,000.00 a month plus other benefits. The higest
paid official would be the Maritime Bureau Commissioner who
earns over $400,000.00 a year or over $20,000.00 a month.
Others are National Bank Of Liberia Governor Mills Jones who
takes home about $19,000.00 a month plus benefits.
Then there is the diverted Maritine money in the hundreds of
millions of dollars into ponzi public relations lobbying scams
with a few powerful Washington, DC, law firms. All of this
money could have upgraded the healthcare system, attract
more qualified Liberian doctors and healthcare workers.
But because of greed, Ellen and company have also hijacked
NOCAL and have set up phony companies only to re-sell those
companies with controlling interests and shares with reputable
international oil giants.
For these reasons, the 2017 presidentual elections will be
rigged infavor of Ellen's handpicked crony. But if there is
a united oppostion, Ellen and company will be singing the
Blues and then we can undo the damage she has done to the
country. The 107 GAC audits and presidential commissions
of investigation all belong to the government and they will be
open for prosecution. I dread the sight of a fomer president
being prosecuted and standing before a jury on corruption
charges. Don't bet your last dollar.
Ebola is gone in Liberia but not in neighboring Guinea and
Sierra Leone. With such porous borders, hope we are not
celebrating prematurely. But our traumatized people deserve
to celebrate this good news, even if just for now. We salute all
the the healthcare workers in Liberia. Has the government
completed the promised payment of $5000.00 to the families
of each of the over 100 heathcare workers who died fighting
Ebola?
Jerry Wehtee Wion,
Journalist and Political Commentator,
Washington, DC

EDITORIAL TEAM

Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;

077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com

Danesius Marteh, Sports Editor, danesius.marteh@

frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
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& Layout Editor, echange4life@gmail.com;
0886 211 390, 0777 027 030
Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.
com
Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.
com, 0886-304498
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@
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0886257528
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frontpageafricaonline.com

Page 6 | Frontpage

Zota District, Bong Countyn 1985, the head of a

town in Zota district,
Bong County had a
flash of inspiration. He
decided to migrate with his
people from Belefania, the
districts capital where they
had settled for many years,
to another location. Access to
water was a major factor that
informed his decision. Since
the only source of water in
the town had dried up, the
existence of the people was
severely threatened.
And that was how the people
passed
through
rugged
terrains till they chanced
upon a stream not far from
Belefania. Today, the new
settlement built around
the stream is called Yarlele.
Yarlele shares border with
neighboring Guinea.
Almost two decades after,
the Yarlele stream remains
the main source of water
for residents of the Malayai
town, a stark contradiction
with the thousands of United
States dollars that is allotted
to Zota from the Bong County
Social Development fund
annually.
Many residents of the town,
who cant afford to patronize
boreholes, depend on the
greenish water for survival.
The town chief of the town,
Ezekiel Fahn, who narrated
the history of his town and
the water challenges faced
by his people, explained that
the situation has not changed
in the past 24 years, as many
households still depend
on the stream for bathing,
drinking and laundry.
Laundered clothes, he added,
were often stained by the
dirty water and, according
to him; many town members
have suffered diarrhea and
other water-borne diseases
as a result of the poor water
source.
Fahn said his family used to
drink from the source but
that they now patronize
water vendors. He said the
family, comprising two wives
and four children, spent
about 100 Liberian dollars
(LD) on water daily.
We used to drink the water
and many people have come
down with one disease or
the other from taking it. But
we no longer drink from it;
we use it only for washing.
We need pipe-borne water
in this community and
good roads. I am often
invited to meetings at the
Bong County Development
County Council sittings and
I have complained about the
condition of my people to the
county leadership including
our lawmaker, Rep. Lester
Paye. But nothing has been
done so far, he said.
The stream, which appears to
be drying up, snakes through
a rocky terrain and makes
its way down a hill where it
disappears in grass.
At the point where the
stream
intersects
an
untarred road, two men were
recently sighted washing
their motorcycles. They had
removed their trousers and
shirts, which they placed on a
rock. At this point, the stream

DECADES SEARCH
Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Bong Town Still facing Water Woes

By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

is not better than a pond;

it is regularly muddied by
traversing vehicles.
A few meters away lies
the deepest portion of the
stream quiet, green and
frightening. A little breeze
rustled the bush and swayed
the trees, cooling the warm
air with a drought. The eerily
quiet
environment
was
intermittently
punctuated
by the splashing of water
by an elderly man who was
bathing at the shallow end
of the stream. He did not
glance in the direction of
our correspondent who
mumbled a greeting to him.
At Malayai, the water crisis
poses a serious challenge
to the residents who rely
mainly on vendors for their
daily needs. For many house
wives who find it unbearable
to spend as much as 100 LD
on water daily, doing laundry
at a water spot along the road
is a good way to save money.
The water spot is formed by
a fountain of water gushing
from a culvert.
A female resident known
as Madam Rebecca said she
does her washing at the
spot regularly because she
could not afford the cost of
patronizing vendors. She
stated that the water was
not good for other uses but
laundry.
As you can see, the water
is not good for drinking; we
dont even know the source,
yet we use it for washing. We
use it to wash our clothes;
and it serves those who have
many children with lots of
dirty clothes to wash, she
stated.
Residents of Zota district
in Bong County occupy the
lowest rung of the social and
economic ladder. While most
of them are artisans, menial
workers and petty traders,
the Malayai indigenes are
farmers eking out a living
from the unyielding rocky
soil around the town. Like
weather-beaten cacti in
the desert, rows of shops
squatted along the dusty,

uneven road that leads to the

community.
The reek from a makeshift
stall where bean cakes are
fried soaked the dusty air
as our correspondent drove
at a snail speed on the road
punctuated with gullies and
ridges.
Another stall dispenses
herbal mixture nearby, and
beside it is a shop displaying
signage of pharmaceutical
products of unknown origin.
Anyone not fussy about the
environment and qualify of
foods on offer could always
find something to satisfy his
rumbling stomach, and his
thirst.
A resident of the area,
summed up the experience
of the people, saying there
is a little or nothing for ablebodied men to do other than
farming. Though he is a
mason, Stephen said he did
not get much job to do except
he travelled to the Guinea
border another budding
community, where he scouts
prospective employers to
hire him for construction

jobs.
He said, As you can see, there
is nothing else to do in this
community than farming.
There are no factories here,
no government presence
whatsoever. The only way
to survive is going to the
Guinea border to look for
construction jobs. Though I
am a mason, I dont usually
get jobs unless I go to sites
at border. I live here because
the rent is affordable and it is
not far from the border.
And while Malayai residents
could boast regular water
supply, those living along the
Liberian-Guinea border are
left to cater for their needs.
Despite being the closest
settlement to Guinea, Lakpala
residents of the bordering
community have no access to
water.
Like a child denied parental
affection,
the
Lakpala
area does not have any
infrastructure to show that
it is a part of Guinea. Its
only adornment is ugliness,
which could be seen in its
dusty and gutted roads, dirty

streets, wretched buildings

and frustrated looks on the
residents faces.
Yet the sprawling settlement
offers cheap accommodation
to thousands of residents.
Its affordability makes it
attractive to individuals that
do not have the deep pockets
the area landlords seek.
Home to thousands of
people, the majority of whom
are farmers, students and
artisans, the Lakpala area
has a little going for it as a
growing satellite town. The
community is no better than
its cousin, which is itself a
densely populated residential
town with narrow streets,
unplanned houses, and open
drains with mosquitoes and
garbage.
Churches
and
mosques
that cater for the spiritual
needs of the residents are
not in short supply. The
economy of residents in the
area is poor, with most of
the artisans and other selfemployed individuals living
by bootstraps.
But, of all the infrastructure

challenges facing residents,

water scarcity appears to be
the most grievous, and it has
made living painful.
Beatrice Daniel, who runs a
mini baking business, said
access to water would make
her life easier and cut her
expenses by half. Sitting
on a veranda and waiting
for customers to patronize
her donut and soft drinks,
Daniel said she spent 150 LD
on water daily.
The middle-aged woman
could not fathom why the
area, which is by a water
treatment
plant,
lacked
access to water, said, I am
very angry as you see me.
Why is government finding
it difficult to lay pipes and
connect us to the water plant
located about two kilometers
away.
According to her, she buys
water from a borehole every
day. She added that the
discouraging part of this was
the long queue she endures
and the insults received from
others waiting for their turn.
During the dry season, when
water is very scarce, we go to
the nearby village across the
road to fetch water. There is a
burst pipe from which water
from a dam gushes out; that
is where we fetch water,
when the situation gets more
drastic, she said.
The
mother
of
three
complained that her children
had suffered diarrhea a
number of times from
drinking water sourced from
vendors.
Sometimes I boil the
water before giving it to my
children. But I dont when I
am very tired. So, the children
had been down with diarrhea
several times, she explained.
Another
resident,
Miss
Susan Samuel, said running
a restaurant had been a
herculean task, as she spent
LD 400 on water every day.
Samuel, who has been living
in the area for three years,
decried the quality of water
from the boreholes, saying
she, sometimes, boiled it
before drinking.
She said, There is no tap
water in Lakpala. In fact, you
cant say this place is part of
Liberia. If there is anything
the government can do,
they should connect us to
the dam. I have been living
here for three years and it is
has not been easy without
water. Sometimes, I go to a
village to fetch from a burst
pipe, particularly during dry
season.
Located near Lakpala, is
Jorwah town. At the entrance
to the community is the water
source, a spring. Around it,
the villagers have smartly
built a block of bricks to make
it easy to scoop the precious
liquid. The water gushes out
of the pipe ceaselessly, and
flows quietly down a narrow
furrow into the nearby bush.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 7

RETIREMENT IN POVERTY-JUDGE
BEMOANS LOW INCENTIVES
Frontpage

It is regrettable to note that our colleagues never had adequate retirement package, and were retired in poverty
after rendering sacrificial services to their country and its people and we are doing the same and might also retire in
poverty if there is no Legislative enactment on our retirement package.-Judge Peter Gbeneweleh, Criminal Court C

Bettie Johnson/betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

the United States and no funds

have been provided to him
neither his family from Central
Government.
COMMIT YOURSELF

Monroviahe Judge of Criminal

Court C at the Temple
of
Justice,
Peter
Gbeneweleh
fears
judges in the country risk
retiring in poverty due to low
incentives.
Speaking during the opening of
the May Term of Court he said
though the Judiciary has seen
infrastructural development
and the improvement of
working conditions but more
needs to be done to help Judges
live a decent and dignified life
in accordance with judicial
Canon Six.
Judge
Peter
Gbeneweleh
expressed
dissatisfaction
over what he described as the
manner and form in which
judges are mistreated by the
Liberian Government.
We applaud the Government
and the administration of
the judiciary for the level of
infrastructural development
and the improvement of the
conditions of the judiciary thus
far, however, more needs to be
done for judges of subordinate
courts to live a decent and
dignified life in accordance
with judicial canon six, Judge
Gbeneweleh declared.
Canon Six, one of the
statures that guides judiciary
workers states the judge is
a government paid official
and must be paid adequately;
he holds an exalted position
which prevents him from
engaging in any business
pursuit, therefore he must be
provided with the necessities
of life and with every means
by which he must be provided
with the necessities of life and
with every means by which
he will be able to perform
his judicial duties effectively,
efficiently and speedily.
Canon Six also provides The
judge must be encouraged
and given the incentive to live
a decent and dignified life
that would prevent financial,
domestic worries and enable

him to repel temptation which

is susceptible to human life; as
priest of justice, a judge should
not be given the cause to be
corrupted in the performance
of his judicial duties so as to
be justified for any disciplinary
action taken against him
if found deficient in those
qualities.
Judge Gbeneweleh said a
careful perusal of the Canon
means judges should be paid
decent incentives.

our family members. Judicial

Canon six mandates that
judges must be provided
with necessities of life and
incentives to live a decent and
dignified life but judges do
not have judicial residential

provision or policy for judges

to seek medical attention
abroad at the expense of
Government, while other
Government officials have
been and continue to seek
medical treatment abroad on

quarters when there are

compounds for commissioners
and superintendents within
the executive, he added.
Judge Gbeneweleh said it was
regrettable that there is no

Government expense.
He commended the National
Trial Judges for the continuous
support given to ill judges
especially Judge Geevon Smith
who is said to be critically ill in

NO POSITIVE RESULT

The criminal Court C judge

disclosed that judges have
continuously expressed their
concerns but no positive
results.
It
is
unthinkable
and
unbelievable for judges to
live a decent life consistent
with judicial canon six when
judges do not have retirement
package, and it is regrettable
to note that our colleagues
never had adequate retirement
package and were retired
in poverty after rendering
sacrificial services to their
country and its people for
many years the Judge said.
Judge Gbeneweleh continued
we have been and are still
rendering sacrificial services
to our nation and its people
without adequate retirement
package, and may most
likely be retired in poverty
when there is no Legislative
enactment for our retirement
package.
He further disclosed that
the National Association of
Trial Judges is helping to
retire Judge William Ware
because the judge retirement
in Liberian dollars is not
adequate to underwrite his
financial expense and medical
bills.
Our
current
insurance
policy is very limited, thus
constraining us to incur other
financial expenses because
said policy is not inclusive of

Montserrado County Attorney

Daku Mulbah called on judges
to remain committed to
their crucial role despite low
incentives.
We also like to call on you
despite
these
challenges,
we urge that you should not
allow yourself to be sway
from your duties, commit
yourself because this is a noble
profession, said the County
Attorney.
He disclosed that the Ministry
of Justice has a monumental
task including the number
of pretrial detainees that are
lavishing behind bars at the
Monrovia Central Prison.
We like to call upon you (your
honors) to join the fight in
reducing the large number of
inmates at the Central Prison
that is to assign more cases
and leave the temptations of
lawyers. You have the authority
and if such is done there will
be a decrease in the number of
inmates he added.
He urged Magistrates to
transfer cases which they
have no trial jurisdiction over
as soon as possible so that an
indictment can be drawn.
The
Montserrado
county
Attorney said there have been
many complaints against court
staffers that they demand from
parties in the cases something
he described as extortion.
Everything about the court
is money so they get afraid
because they can say I cant
come because I dont have
money, so dont scare away
the parties or else the cases
will remain on the docket, the
County Attorney said.
Cllr.
James
C.R.
Flomo
Coordinator of the Public
Defenders
cautioned
the
magistrates to stop delaying
the cases; something he said
is increasing the number of

pretrial detainees.
Also responding to the judges
charge, Cllr. Theophilus Gould,
President of the National
Bar Association said your
honor you talked about the
inadequacies of your insurance
policy; I dont see how elevated
lawyers; lawyers with distinct
qualities
would
submit
themselves to a policy that they
have not participated in and I
called on the president of the
Trial Judges for the revision of
the policy.
Cllr. Gould continued I
think the burden of pretrial
detainees primarily rest on the
Magistrates, the magistrates
should not leave the insurance
of writ with the clerk, let the
summary of facts be presented
to you by the prosecutorial
attorneys and you determine
the elements are criminal or
civil, because more likely than
that you will have a situation
where the prisons will be
overcrowded.
For his part, Judge James Jones,
President of the National Trial
Judges in an angry tone said
the Government sees members
of the Judiciary as third class
officials but that cannot be
accepted by the Association.
The judiciary is the bedrock
and foundation for peace and
stability in the country, that is
when the people know that the
judiciary can be trusted and
handle cases professionally
makes us feel proud, Judge
Jones said.
Speaking on the medical issue
of Judges, Judge Jones disclosed
that there were times when
judges are ill and have tried to
get medical attention abroad
their families are rejected and
told that there are no available
for their illness.
As per law circuit courts in
Liberia are to open every
second Monday after three
months of hearing cases. The
circuit courts of Criminal Court
A, B, C, D were been officially
opened Monday.
The opening of the courts
brought together lawyers,
Students of the Louis Arthur
Grimes
School,
incoming
jurors, Magistrates, court staffs
and other judges of specialized
courts.
At the same time as the courts
in Montserrado are opened
all circuit courts within the
country are also said to be
opened for 42 days.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

TERMS OF REFERENCE
LIBERIA USAID GEMS PROJECT

RESEARCH CONSULTANTS
RAPID ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OF
DECENTRALIZED TAX PAYMENT WINDOWS

The USAID Governance and Economic Management Support Program

(GEMS) is a five-year technical assistance program to improve
performance through strengthening public sector capacity in Liberia,
utilizing in-depth assessments and performance improvement
methodologies. One of USAID-GEMS objectives is to support the
Government of Liberia to establish tax collection windows through
a process of decentralization. While the benefits of opening more
avenues for tax payment may appear obvious, the actual size of
these benefits needs to be estimated. Further, their performance as
measured by tax payers satisfaction is also important. To determine
the level of performance, satisfaction, current and potential impacts
of decentralized windows, a rapid survey of these decentralized
windows will be conducted.
Three research consultants, working closely with Liberian Revenue
Authority (LRA) and under the direction of the USAID-GEMS
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor, will be required for the
following tasks;
(i) Conduct structured exit interviews with tax payers at decentralized
windows and at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
(MFDP)

(ii) Conduct open-ended key informant interviews on issues,

benefits, and challenges of decentralized windows.
(iii) Work with LRA Tax Information System Department to extract
tax revenue data relevant to the Study indicators.
(iv) Conduct data cleaning.

(v) Participate in quantitative and qualitative statistical data analysis

The period of performance is between May and June 2015, with each
consultant utilizing 15 work days. Most of the work will take place in
Monrovia and nearby areas.

The required consultant should have five years proven experience

in conducting research and undertaking surveys and statistical data
analysis. S/he must have a bachelors degree in statistics, finance,
mathematics, information technology, or related area. A masters
degree in any of these areas will be an advantage.

To Apply: Please send your CV & Application to careers@gemsliberia.

com. Please include information about your availability in your
application. IBI appreciates all applications, but only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.
For full consideration, please apply no later than: Thursday May 14,
2015 2
For more information about IBI International,
please visit www.ibi-usa.com.

IBI International is an equal opportunity employer.

3 Years Term Appointment

Location: Liberia
The Africa unit of the Public Integrity and Openness (PIO) Department of GGP seeks to
recruit a highly organized, energized and experienced professional, capable of operating
effectively in a very demanding fragile, post conflict and capacity constrained environment
to serve as the Country Office Senior Procurement Specialist. This position is geared to
assisting the World Bank staff, Liberia Government and other agencies in implementing
World Bank-financed programs by providing critical procurement advice and support. The
ideal candidate would combine a deep understanding of project procurement in different
sectors with a considerable knowledge of the budget execution issues in Liberia.
Key Responsibilities

The Senior Procurement Specialist will:

Help implement and further develop GGODR activities in Liberia with regard to Public
Procurement;
Work across countries/sectors; be responsible for reviewing and handling the technical,
commercial and legal aspects of procurement at all stages of the project cycle, including
analysis of systemic and other procurement issues, procurement planning, design,
implementation and management, and training.
Provide operational advice to clients and Bank staff on concepts, policies and procedures
for international and local procurement;
Participate in the countrys procurement assessment, prepare background analysis,
collaborate on developing appropriate public procurement legislation and practices and
tailor instrument to meet specific client needs;
Negotiate and resolve difficult procurement issues with Borrower agencies and handle
questions/complaints from senior officials and contractors on bidding and award issues;
Selection Criteria

MA/MS (An advanced degree with a major in relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Law,
Procurement, Finance, Business or Commerce).

8 years state-of- the-art knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices which
govern international procurement, the contracting of consultants services, technical
specifications in design, engineering and construction of facilities, the development of
public procurement policies, etc.
Seasoned knowledge and specialized command of all major facets of Bank procurement
policies and practices as applied across a wide range of Bank lending operational at all
phases of the project cycle, and ability to address broader issues at sector/country level;

In-depth understanding of Bank operational policies and practices related to projects/

sector work;
Knowledge of developing country conditions generally and of procurement-related
legislation, systems and practices;

Good understanding of critical linkages and relationships among clients business

drivers, business operations and objectives and Procurement processes;
Applications:

For the full position description and complete selection criteria and required competencies,
qualified candidates are requested to submit an on-line application at www.worldbank.
org/careers. Click on > Current job openings > Job Type > Professional & Technical > Job
Family > Procurement > Job # 150797. The World Bank is committed to achieving diversity
of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities
are equally encouraged to apply. Closing date for receipt of app

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Frontpage

Page 9

RENOVATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF

LIBERIA HOUSE IN ACCRA, GHANA
Contract Identification No. IFB No: RL/MFA/FM-ACCRA/RB/001/14/15
1. The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has apportioned funds for the purpose of renovating and
refurbishing the Liberia House in Accra, Ghana: IFB No. RL/MFA/FM-ACCRA/RB/001/14/15.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs now invites interested applicants to submit sealed bids for the performance of said works
(Renovation and Refurbishment of the Liberia House in Accra). Bidding will be conducted through Restricted Bidding (RB)
Procedures as specified in the Amended and Restated Public Procurement and Concession Act (PPC Act), and is opened to
all eligible and qualified bidders. These applicable procurement procedures are consistent with the REPUBLIC of LIBERIA
Amended and restated PPC Act published and approved: September 18, 2010.
3. Qualification requirements include but not limited to the following:
Current Business Registration Certificate (Registrar General);
Current Tax Clearance Certificate with Tax Identification Number (TIN)) (Internal Revenue Service);
Minimum average turnover of 100,000 USD within the last 2 years of operation;
Be a valid member of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG); and the Engineering
Society of Liberia
Capacity to do at least 30 (thirty) days pre-financing of project;
Experience as a prime contractor in the construction of a similar project within the last three (3) years; and an
Audited financial statements for the last 2 years.

4. A complete set of bidding package including the scope of work may be purchased by qualified and eligible bidders at the
address below upon payment of non-refundable fee of USD$200.00 or equivalent amount in Liberian Dollars). Bid security
must be submitted together with bid document, and must be 10,000.00 USD or its equivalent in Liberian Dollars of the bid
price in Bank Guarantee or Bond.
5. Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from 09:00 to 16:30 hours and also inspect bidding documents
at the address specified below beginning May 4, 2015 :
6. Submission must be clearly marked, signed and sealed in an envelope, including other requested information as follows:
Embassy of Liberia, Accra,

7. Ghana, CONFIDENTIAL BID- for the renovation and refurbishment of Liberia House, Year 2015/2016 and addressed
to:
The Deputy Minister for Administration
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia

8. Questions concerning this Project should be submitted in writing and directed to, by E-mail:
Mr. Boakai Kollie
Civil Works Consultant
Ministry of Foreign, Republic of Liberia
E-mail: bokollie@yahoo.com
Phone: +231880636925/+231777339339

9. Bid must be submitted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on or before Monday May 18, 2015 on or before 14:00 GMT
(Electronic Bid would not be accepted). Bid Opening will be done promptly after closing at 14:30 GMT in the Ministrys
Conference room in the presence of bidders representative or those who choose to attend.
10. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserves the right to reject or accept any bid submitted and to annul the entire process at
any time without incurring any liability and without assigning any reason thereof.
Signed:

Wede Elliott-Brownell, PhD

Deputy Minister for Administration

Approved: Honourable Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan

MINISTER

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 10 | Frontpage

Print Rate Sheet

Re-Advertised Invitation for Bids (IFB)

National Competitive Bidding
Procurement of 1000KVA Generator

FrontpageAfrica Newspaper Advertisement Rates

Size

Dimensions

Color

Black/White

Center Spread

Center Pages

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$700.00

Full Page

11"x16"

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Deliver AD copy in person to the offices of the Front Page Corporation in Congo Town,
Monrovia or via email at advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com.
Ask our AD Executive for a volume discount if you also place your AD on
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consecutive periods.
We accept payments via Paypal, wire transfers, checks and money orders. Frontpageafrica
reserves the right to reject any advertising.

Telephone Numbers: Liberia (+231) 088-630-4178 / USA +1-484-410-6024

WANTED URGENTLY
Part Time
The below positions are available for qualified,
experienced applicants:

1. Part time experienced COOK to prepare early

continental Breakfast and Grill foods, four (4) times per
week.

2. Guests Services Assistants for three (3) days,

and one (1) night, per week. Ability to operate a stand by Generator.

3. Guests house Supervisor For four (4) times per

week - to supervise the House-keeping, Supervise the
Cook and Front Desk Receptionist; must have at least one
(1) experience with reputable entities.
Applicants must include at least three (3) references with
telephone numbers, two recent passport photos.
Forward all application to the below address:
Mokos Bed & Breakfast
19th Street
Payne Avenue, Sinkor
Tel: 0777-96262

Ref: IFB No. LRA/NCB/001/014-015

1.The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has received funds from the Government of Liberia
through budgetary allocation and intends to use portion for the procurement of Generator.
2.The LRA now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply and
delivery of one 1000 Kva Generator as indicated below;
Item
Description QTY
Delivery
1.
1,000 KVA Diesel Generator with silencer 1
Immediately
upon contract signature

3. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures
as specified in the PPC Act and is open to all eligible bidders.
4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from
Walter J. Dean,
Liberia Revenue Authority
Ministry of Finance
First Floor
LRA Logistics Section
Tel: 231-(0886) -517-891
Email: walter.dean@lra.gov.lr
5.

Qualifications requirements: All bids must be accompanied by;

A bid security (in the form of Manager Check)
Current tax clearance, current business registration
Proof of similar goods supplied
Proof of manufacturer authorization
Proof of availability of spare parts & repairs

6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before June 10, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.

7. Bids will be opened on June 10, 2015 at 12:00p.m., in the presence of bidders
representatives who choose to attend, at the address below.
Liberia Revenue Authority Headquarters,
NASSCORP House
ELWA Junction
Paynesville, Liberia
8. A complete set of Bidding Document in English may be obtained by interested bidders
upon payment of a non-refundable fee of 50.00 USD to the LRA Budget & Finance Office at
the Ministry of Finance, First Floor, between 9:00 am & 3:00 pm daily.

9. All bids must be clearly marked with the address indicated below.
10. Electronic or late bids will not be accepted.

11. The address is:

Procurement of Generator, Ref: IFB No. LRA/NCB/01/14-15
Liberia Revenue Authority
NASSCORP House
ELWA Junction
Paynesville, Liberia
Tel: 231-(0886) -517-891
Email: walter.dean@lra.gov.lr

Note: This IFB and other LRA related information are also available at www.lra.gov.
lr and Liberia Revenue Authority Facebook page.

Oliver N. Rogers, II
Deputy Commissioner Adm. Affairs
Walter J. Dean
Procurement Manager

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Monroviabout three days

after
the
World
Health Organization
declared
Liberia
officially free of the deadly
Ebola virus, the Chinese
constructed modern Ebola
treatment units, one of the
best treatments facilities in
Liberia during the outbreak
was decommissioned Tuesday.
At a formal program marking
the official decommissioning of
the Chinese Ebola Emergency
Training Unit (ETU) Chineses
Ambassador to Liberia H.E
Zhang Yue hailed Chinese
medical personnel of the
Chinese Peoples Liberation
Army for standing up to the
task.
Ambassador Zhang Yue said:
My salute goes firstly to the
men and women of the Medical
team of the Peoples Liberation
Army of China. You guys have
got the mission accomplished
with honor.
The Government of china
was amongst one the first to
respond to Liberias Ebola
outbreak by providing one
million United States dollars
worth of Personal Protection
equipment (PPE) to the
Liberian government when
there was shortage of PPEs in
the country.
A 4x4 cargo jet plane landed
at the Roberts international
Airport with equipment and
drugs to respond to the Ebola
virus that had claimed the lives
of a little over one thousand
people at the time. The gesture
was described by many as
timely and welcoming in the
spirit of partnership.
As was done with the
equipment
the
Chinese
government also dispatched to
Liberia more than a thousand

Frontpage

China Decommissions ETU, Ambassadors Hails Chinese Medical Team

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

personnel most of whom

were medical professionals to
help the local health workers
combat the virus.
During the last six months
the Chinese medical team
rendered medical care to
hundreds of patients and saved
6 lives from the Ebola virus.
Ambassador Yue also said, 6 of
the 10 confirmed Ebola cases
received at the ETU survived
with training provided for
over 6,000 locals including
professional health workers.
The Chinese diplomat also
paid homage to Liberia Coworkers in the Chinese ETU,
describing their cooperation
and support to the Chinese

team as something that made

their work to be carried out
smoothly and named them as
the true heroes who helped
themselves to be the final
winner of the Ebola war.
Though the decommissioning
of the ETU comes days after
Liberia was declared Ebola
free by the World Health
Organization,
Ambassador
Yue in his remarks described
the construction of the ETU
as a miracle that was seen as a
good showcase of China speed
and quality.
Today we are here to hand
over China ETU as a whole to
the Government of Liberia.
This ETU is of 20 rooms with

100 beds and well equipped

with more than 1,500 kinds
of medical instruments and
materials. The whole package
consists of more medical
instruments and materials, he
said.
According to him the entire
clinic consist of more than
920,000 units with a total
value of around 7 million U.S
dollars which according to him
is a good asset for recovery
of the countrys Public health
system.
We made our contribution
in the fight against Ebola in
West Africa just because our
good African friends, brothers,
partners are badly in need.

From its very beginning, the

China-Africa friendship has
long been expressed by deeds
instead of just by words.
This relationship is clearly
highlighted
by
President
Xi Jinping as Sincerity, real
results, affinity and good faith,
Ambassador Yue said.
He
also
said,
the
decommissioning is not only
the end but the beginning of
a journey to future rebuilding
of the countrys health
sector in the post-Ebola era
something he said is top
priority on the agenda of the
Government of Liberia and as
a reliable partner and friend
his
government
remains

constructively adding that

it is the role of civil society
organizations to help.
It is the role of the civil
society to help shift the
country, opposition politicians
engagement
toward
government is not in any way
undermining development,
Mayfield said.
Mayfield asserted We want
to thank you for your role
played if we have four or five
politicians like you things will
be straight in this country.
According
to
him
any
individual
his
institution
honors it closely follows the
track records before giving out
such prestigious award.
Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine,
the honoree said he received
the certificate for his five
grandchildren adding that they
are the reason for him to be
who he is today.
I received this certificate for
my five grandchildren, they
having to be the selfish reason
for me being who I am, Cllr.
Brumskine said.
He added It is often for
someone like me to be
honored. Im glad you are not
honoring me during election.

Cllr.
Brumskine
thanked
health workers, international
partners and the government
of Liberia for the fight against
Ebola.
We are glad our country is
Ebola free, I said in July that
all of the opposition should
come together and help the
government fight Ebola, Cllr.
Brumskine added.
Cllr. Brumskine continued: I
was the first opposition leader
to go out of Monrovia during
the heat of the Ebola, I went to
Gbarnga.
He said, the honor by the civil
society group will provoke
him to do more adding that

MOST ENGAGED POLITICIAN

-Brumskine Recognized for Stance on Issues

Monroviaiberty Party Political

Leader Cllr. Charles
Brumskine has been
honored as the most
engaged
and
interactive
politician of the year by a local
civil society organization.
Over
a
decade
you
[Brumskine]
have
been
actively engaging government
to make sure that the people of
Liberia welfare are addressed.
It is against this background

Page 11

and the vetting committee

findings that you were selected
for this prestigious award
Mayfield Copson, head of the
Pro-democracy civil society
group known as Society for the
Promotion of Peace said.
Mayfield said, every year his
institution awards individuals
who have made outstanding
contributions
to
the
transformation of Liberia.
Every year as an institution
we set up an assessment

committee to gather name

of individuals who have
been contributing and are
contributing to the growth
and development of Liberia,
Mayfield said.
He continued: The committee
came
up
with
Charles
Brumskine as the most
engaged
and
interactive
opposition political leader of
the year 2014/2015.
Mayfield added that opposition
should engage government

committed to continually
stand by Liberia in the process
as usual.
Time to bring back football
As part of the decommissioning
program
the
Chinese
Ambassador also launched the
start of renovation work on the
Samuel K. Doe Sports Stadium
especially the pitch of the
stadium that has played host
to the Chinese logistic clusters.
The
SKD
stadium
was
constructed in the 1980s and
rehabilitated few years after
the election of President Ellen
Johnson first term of office but
according to the ambassador
the construction of the stadium
is a symbol of China-Liberia
friendship.
Madam President, Ebola
has gone and football must
come back to life that is the
soul and spirit of the Nation.
We will work hard side by
side with Liberians people
for the day new kick-off, he
said as he launched the start
of renovation work on the
stadium.
Also speaking at the program,
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
recognized China as one of the
first countries to come to the
aid of Liberia during the Ebola
crisis.
She thanked the Chinese
Government for the assistance
and asked them to remain with
the country as the country goes
through the recovery process
of its health sector.
President
Sirleaf
also
admonished
the
young
Liberians who had the
opportunity to acquire new
knowledge or advance their
skills to utilize their skills and
make better of their lives.
reconciliation is key to Liberia
forward match.
If you honor me today, you are
only provoking me to do more,
there will be a time that we will
speak truth where it belongs,
Cllr. Brumskine added.
Liberty Party Vice Chairman
for
Administration
Rugie
Barry thanked the group for
honoring the party eminent
partisan.
Barry said, the group made
no mistake by honoring the
Liberty party political leader.
We thank you for the
certificate for recognizing our
eminent partisan you are not
making a mistake he has lived
up to the expectation of the
Liberian people and he will
continue to do good work,
Barry added.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Page 12 | Frontpage

IN PUP CASE, TWO LOGGING COMPANIES EXECUTIVES DECLARE

ORIGINAL PAYMENT
RECEIPTS MISSING
Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

Monroviahe trial of five

former employees
of the Forestry
Development
Authority (FDA) for allegedly
issuing illegal Private Use
Permits to several logging
companies took a dramatic
stage Tuesday at the Criminal
Court C when two state
witnesses
claimed
that
receipts for payments they
made to the FDA have gone
missing.
The two executives one
from the Universal Forest
Corporation and another
from the Forest Venture
all operating as logging
companies were subpoena
by the state to produce
the original copies of cash
payments they made to the
FDA.
The cash receipt according
to state prosecutor dated

Monrovias the Unity Party

leadership
count
days to leave power
after two terms in
power it seems it is not only
critics of the Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf administration who
are disappointed in the kind
of leadership provided as
some partisans of the ruling
party are also expressing
frustration.
Like many other critics Ms.
Mondayma Padmoore, who
said she is partisan of UP told
FrontPageAfrica that she was
encouraged by Unity Party
former Chairman Mr. Charles
Clarke to join the party and
ensure that Madam Sirleaf
wins.
Ms. Padmoore said she
accepted the invitation but
according to her it has not
yield results of her support
for the Unity party.
She told FPA in an exclusive
interview that she like
other partisans of the Unity
party have been constantly
mocked at in her community
for her role in the campaign
that brought Madam Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf into power.
Ms. Padmoore said since
2005 she has had nothing
substantial to show as a
result for her vote to benefit
the future of her children
especially
keeping
her
children in school.
Ms Padmoore said: People
are laughing at us in our
community; I have tried to
get the president attention
through her son Fumba
Sirleaf because we live in
the same community but it
has been difficult. We are
suffering it is too much we

January 11, 2012 claimed to

be issued on the letter head
of the FDA to the Universal
Forest Corporation under
the signature of John Kantor
former Deputy Director
for Technical Services at
the Forestry Development
Authority (FDA).
When questioned by the
prosecution
about
the
original copy of the receipt,
Edward Slanger Managing
Director UFC openly told the
court that the receipt has
gone missing.
The oringinal copy of said
receipt is lost, said Salnger,
a statement that prompted
the prosecution lawyer to
ask the court to allow it
place a mark of identification
on the duplicate copy by
the prosecution as subject
instrument.
Slanger also said We have
not found the original copies

of the unamed subpoena

witness.
During the trial on Tuesday
prosecution
also
made
request to the Cavalla
Forestry Company for receipt
of payment but the Sheriff of
the court said he was unable
to serve writ of summon on
the company.
At the same time the
prosecution has asked the
court to summon the FDA
Internal Audit Division which
was endorsed by Judge
Gbeneweleh to appear on
Wednesday, May 12 to testify
to the financial internal
control manual with respect
to payment of money from
logging companies to the
FDA for demarcation of field
validation.
In continuation of the trial
on Tuesday, the prosecution
seventh witness in person
of Subah Kponeh took the

stand.
Witness Kponeh told the
court that he lived in Bodi
Clan,
Voigima
District
Lofa County and served
as Chairman of the Bodai
Community
Forestry
Management body.
According to the witness
the Bodai Community had a
dispute between the PUPs
number one with Mary
Kpotoe/Ecowood and the
issue was brought to the
attention of the FDA former
Managinf Director Moses
Wogbeh who took off some
of his staff and visited the
Darbu Town and gave them
the assurance that every
one will get their benefit
and recommended that a
company called South East
Resource will do the other
side of the forest and we
agreed.
Kponeh continued after the

following week they saw one

William Pewood a staff for
Lofa County who came to the
town that and introduced
that the people came to do
business with them and
on their second visit of
the representative of the
company who presented a
PUP that the people said was
not they subcribed .
He continued that the
town resident arranged
for community forest on
that document that had a
letter hand written by one
Kebbeh Wilcor along with
the document there was a

land deed in the name of the

Voinjama District deeded
forest land.
I recognized that our
subcription to the community
forest did not require that
we obtain a deed, if the
community had deed, the
community would submit it
to the South East Resource
but not the company to
submit deed to us said
witness Kponeh.
The defense counsel will have
to cross examine the witness
as the case was adjourned
due to time by the Judge
Peter Gbeneweleh.

CLARKE PUT ME IN MESS

UP Partisan Frustrated Over Party leader False Promise
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

have children our children

suffering Clarke put me in
this mess.
Causal laborer for 10 years

Madam Padmoore is among

over 120 casual laborers at
the Ministry of Youth and
Sports who according to her
since 2008 was sent to the
Youth and sports Ministry
by president Sirleaf after
election with the hope of

being employed full time but

said since then under three
ministers she along with
others continue to work as
causal workers.
We been at this ministry
for long Ellen should look
in our faces we are women
we have children since
Minister Etmonia Tarpeh
administration we have been
promised many times that
we will be fully employed as
cleaners, but nothing, she

lamented.
She added We are always
here
especially
during
county meet; we clean feces
during the Ebola crisis. We
were made to stay here when
people were given leave but
still it has become difficult for
them to employ us, we want
to meet the president to tell
her our problems,.
The group accused Minister
Eugene Nagbe administration
and past administration of

bringing new people and

employing them over them
despite their scarifies.
It will be painful to see
Ellen leaving power and we
have nothing to show for
our support to her I want to
enjoy too people are making
mockery of us, she said
Ms padmoore on behalf of
the other 120 causal workers
said, the three thousand
Liberian dollars promised
them monthly by the ministry

comes once a while with no

other extra benefits attached
to them especially health and
death.
She said every time they
request increment in their
income they are informed
by the ministry that they are
not being budgeted for by
government.
Elasa Wisner is another
UP partisan but for her she
comes from the Port City of
Harper in Maryland County.
She said in 2005 she was a
mother of a six month old baby
but because of her passion to
ensure that candidate Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf is elected she
sometimes left her baby with
relatives to go in faraway
villages to campaign.
She too like Padmoore
wants
attention
from
Madam President especially
during her last two years of
administration
something
she said will give them

confidence.
Elasa said she has been at the
Ministry of Youth and Sports
as causal worker and wants
permanent employment.
The women granted the
interview with FPA minutes
after
President
Sirleaf
gave them a handout after
official programs marking
the decommissioning of the
chines ETU.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn
ndignations
and
cries
for
justice
overshadowed
the
requiem for Barway
Collins,
as
hundreds
converged on the Shiloh
Temple
International
Ministries to bid him
farewell.
We will always remember
the name called Barway,
said Pastor Sarah Kendema,
as she delivered the eulogy
last Saturday. Children are
the ones that we all should
care for, but Barways life
was cut short, Pastor
Kendema said, referencing
the 10-year-old Crystal boy
whose body was found last
month in the Mississippi
River three weeks after he
was reported missing.
The Shiloh Temple church
was packed to capacity
including
the
mini
auditoriums designed to
hold a little over a hundred
each, with mounted giant
sized television screens that
let the audience monitor
the programs. In the main
auditorium, hundreds of
mourners stood calmly in
hallways and the back area
for hours.
Outside of the churchs
edifices, members of the
Emergency Medical Team
(EMT) stood ready to deal
with any emergency medical
situation. In one instance, a
middle aged woman shouted
before she collapsed as a
farewell poem was read by
Barways former teachers.
A group of ushers rushed
to her aid while some ran
outside to notify EMT
personnel.

FINAL FAREWELL TO
BARWAY COLLINS
Frontpage

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi | The AfricaPaper

Page 13

said.

Community Child

attendance were city, county

and state officials including
Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim
Wilson.
Barways mother, Louise
Karluah, who had traveled
from Liberia to Minnesota,
was also in attendance.
And from the Liberian
community, people came

into the search for Barway,

Crystal Police declared Mr.
Collins a suspect in the boys
disappearance, an allegation
he persistently denied.
Few weeks later, Barways
body was found in a
reservoir in the Mississippi
River in Minneapolis. Police
have charged Mr. Collins

many of the people who

encountered Barway prior
to his tragic death told
memorable stories about
him mostly centered around
love and care for other
children, whether at home,
school or in church. In his
church, he is said to have
paid close attention to his
spiritual duty and would
collect Bibles and neatly repack them after service.

Another
poem
entitled
WHEN WILL IT STOP?
was read by Evergreen
Elementary
Schools
principal, Sheryl Ray: Not
being with my family, when
will it stop? People hurting
people, when will it stop?
Starving children, when

Pastor
Sarah
Kendema
described Barway as a
community child. Our
hope, and our future, she
said Justice will come to
Barway, she added.
Pastor Kendema further
stated that Barway had
vision, hope, dreams and
a purpose for his life but
said those dreams, hope
and purpose were never
achieved. She called on
the congregation to help
Barway achieve his dreams,
vision and purpose in life.

Despair and Tears

Security
Beneath the churchs huge
podium, Barways body lying
in state in a beautiful white
coffin, and for every 30
minutes or so, fully-attired
guardsmen and women from
states paramilitary and
community groups swapped
positions, almost similar
to the daily changing of the
guards in Allenton, Virginia.
In addition, there was a wide
range of security personnel
including the local police
and state troopers, all
strategically positioned in
and outside the church.
Many Minnesotans who
couldnt make it to the
funeral
watched
the
occasion on television from
homes and workplaces. In

from all corners of Minnesota

and beyond. They came as
sympathizers, friends and
associations to pay tribute
to a young boy whose family
tragedy has no doubt turned
him into a national icon. One
such Liberian association
present at the event was
the Association of Liberians
in Milwaukee, WI, led by
its secretary general Musa
Konneh and the groups
president,

Missing, and Found Dead

Barway Collins who left
Liberia at the age of 5, to
live with his dad and attend
school in the United States,
was first reported missing
March 18 by his father
Pierre Collins. However, days

with Second-degree murder

in connection with his
sons death. He remained
in Hennepin County jail
awaiting trial.
In spite of his short lifespan,

Adults of the various

Minnesota
communities
werent the only people
devastated by the tragedy.
Classmates and friends of
Barway were also troubled
by the loss of the 4th grader
and each struggled in his
or her own way to express
their griefs through letters
and poems. One of Barways
classmates, Jenna from
Evergreen
Elementary
School wrote: I am so
sorry you die. If I could, I
would bring you back to
school. Everybody misses
you and care about you,
Barways teacher, Gayle
Nelson read the poem to the
congregation.

will it stop? People getting

stolen, when will it stop?
When kids lead for a better
life, when will it stop?
The poem had scores of
mourners gnashing their
teeth in total despair and
tears.
Barway
cared
deeply
about his classmates and
teachers, said Principal Ray,
quoting one of Barways
teachers. He was a great
friend, always trying to find
passages,quoting another
teacher, Classmates found
him to be a funny and
warm caring friend, she
said. According to Ms. Ray,
another teacher described
Barway as someone who
was fascinated by words and
people around him. We will
always remember him in our
school community, Ms. Ray

Pastor Kendema referenced

a book entitled, WHERE IS
GOD? written by James C.
Nyemah, a Liberian preacher.
The book she said described
our changing world.
We will never forget that
day Barway was taken from
us, she continued. We will
never forget when we heard
on the news that Barway
was found in the Mississippi
River. We will never forget!
It seems that all hopes had
been gone when Barway was
taken away from us.
Reassuring Mourners

Pastor Kendema compared

Barways life to that of Job in
the Holy Bible. Job, she said
was blameless and upright,
and one who feared God and
shunned evil, she said.

Page 14 | Frontpage

IN BRIEF

PAGE

RONT

WORLD NEWS

ANOTHER MAJOR QUAKE RATTLES

NEPAL, KILLING AT LEAST 42

KERRY MEETS PUTIN TO

GAUGE FLEXIBILITY ON
UKRAINE, SYRIA

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) .S. Secretary of

State John Kerry
met
President
Vladimir
Putin on Tuesday to probe
Russia's willingness to curb
its involvement in Ukraine
and its backing of Syria's
president.
Kerry met Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov for
more than four hours before
he sat down with Putin in the
Black Sea resort of Sochi in
what was the highest-level
U.S. visit to Russia since the
Ukraine crisis began in the
autumn of 2013.
While they were expected to
discuss issues including the
Iran nuclear talks, Yemen
and Libya, the trip appeared
designed as much to maintain
contact as anything else given
that U.S.-Russian relations
are at their lowest ebb since
the Cold War.

ALONG WITH SAUDI KING,

MOST GULF RULERS TO
SKIP US SUMMIT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

(AP)
t is not just the Saudi king
who will be skipping the
Camp David summit of U.S.
and allied Arab leaders.
Most Gulf heads of state won't
be there.
The absences will put a damper
on talks that are designed
to reassure key Arab allies,
and almost certainly reflect
dissatisfaction among leaders of
the six-member Gulf Cooperation
Council
with
Washington's
handling of Iran and what they
expect to get out of the meeting.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)

major earthquake
hit
a
remote
mountain region of
Nepal on Tuesday,
killing at least 37 people
while triggering landslides
and
toppling
buildings
less than three weeks after
the Himalayan nation was
ravaged by its worst quake in
decades.
The magnitude-7.3 quake
centered midway between
the capital of Kathmandu

and Mount Everest hit

hardest in districts northeast
of the capital. It terrified
a nation already shellshocked and struggling after
a more powerful quake on
April 25 killed more than
8,150 and flattened entire
villages, leaving hundreds of
thousands homeless.
Information was slow to
reach
Kathmandu
after
Tuesday's quake, but officials
expected the death toll to rise
as reports arrived of people

being buried under rubble,

according to the U.N.'s Office
for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs.
Nepal's
Home
Ministry
reported at least 42 deaths
but later lowered the toll
to 37. Meanwhile, it said
at least 1,139 people had
been injured in Nepal. In
neighboring India, at least
16 people were confirmed
dead after rooftops or
walls collapsed onto them,
according to India's Home

Ministry. Chinese media

reported one death in Tibet.
In Nepal, at least three people
had been rescued in the
capital, while another nine
pulled to safety in the district
of Dolkha, the government
said.
Rescue helicopters were sent
to mountain districts where
landslides and collapsed
buildings may have buried
people, the government
said. Home Ministry official
Laxmi Dhakal said the
Sindhupalchowk and Dolkha
districts were the worst hit.
Search
parties
fanned
out to look for survivors
in
the
wreckage
of
collapsed
buildings
in
Sindhulpalchowk's town of
Chautara, which had become
a hub for humanitarian aid
after the magnitude-7.8
earthquake on April 25,
Nepal's
worst-recorded
quake since 1934.
Nepal was left reeling by
the April 25 quake. The
impoverished
country
appealed for billions of
dollars in aid from foreign
nations, as well as medical
experts to treat the wounded
and helicopters to ferry food
and temporary shelters to
hundreds of thousands left
homeless amid unseasonal

forest, near the border with

Cameroon. Analysts say there
may still be several thousand
militant fighters, but caution
that accurate estimates are
unavailable.
Nigerian troops pushed
along a dirt road into the
forest last month but were
forced to retreat. A soldier
and three members of an
accompanying local civilian
defense unit, probably acting
as scouts, were killed when
their vehicle hit a mine,
according to Nigerian news
media and unnamed military
officials. The densely forested
area off the road was also
heavily mined.
Military spokesman Chris
Olukolade said in a statement
last week that the army
continued to encounter land

mines and booby traps. Some

Boko Haram fighters have
been killed, he said, although
he did not give a number.
The forest is about 60 miles
from the village of Chibok,
where 276 schoolgirls were
kidnapped last year. Rumors
abound that some of the
girls, who are believed to
have been split up and
married off to fighters or
forced into slavery, may be
prisoners in Boko Haram
forest camps, but there's no
evidence, analysts said. None
of the Chibok girls have been
among those freed so far.
Nigerian
President-elect
Muhammadu Buhari, due
to take office at the end of
the month, damped hopes
recently when he said the
girls may never be found,
though he vowed his
government would do all it
could.
"As much as I wish to, I
cannot promise that we can
find them," he said.
Nigeria's national security
advisor, Sambo Dasuki, said
last week that Boko Haram
would be cleared from the
forest before Buhari takes
office. But the government
has a record of declaring
military deadlines that are
not met; for example, officials
vowed to crush Boko Haram
and capture its leader before
the March 28 presidential

NIGERIA'S PUSH INTO BOKO HARAM'S

FOREST STRONGHOLD FRAUGHT WITH RISK

JIMMY CARTER CUTS

GUYANA TRIP SHORT
AFTER FALLING ILL

Georgetown (Guyana) (AFP) ormer US President

Jimmy
Carter
on
Sunday cancelled plans
to
observe
general
elections in the South American
country of Guyana after falling ill,
his organization said.
The 90-year-old Carter left the
country for the city of Atlanta in
his home state of Georgia, The
Carter Center said.
The nature of his illness was not
disclosed.
"President Carter was not
feeling well and has departed
Guyana to return to Atlanta
today. The Carter Center election
observation mission in Guyana is
continuing its work and will keep
him informed of developments,"
a statement read.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

ooby traps, tunnels,

mines and dense
woodland
cover
thousands of miles.
The Nigerian military's push
to invade the Sambisa Forest,
the last stronghold of the
Islamist militant group Boko
Haram, capture its leader
and wipe the group out is
delicate, highly dangerous
and unlikely to be completely
successful, analysts said.
Government forces have
taken over numerous Boko
Haram bases in the forest
in
Nigeria's
northeast,
rescued hundreds of women
and children and released
aerial images of terrorists
retreating, but it has yet to
capture the top leaders of the
group or many of its fighters.

Until the military clears the

vast forest of militants, Boko
Haram's deadly raids on
roads, villages and towns will
continue, with more lives lost
and no end to the paralysis of
transportation and trade in
the region. The group, fighting
to establish an Islamist
state in Nigeria, has killed
and abducted thousands of
people, although estimates of
casualties vary widely.
Nigeria's military, criticized
for much of last year for
running away in the face of
Boko Haram attacks, has
recently retaken dozens of
villages and towns seized
by the group, including
Gwoza, the headquarters of
its self-declared caliphate.
The militants have been
driven back into camps in the

rains.
Tuesday's quake was deeper,
however, coming from a depth
of 18.5 kilometers (11.5
miles) versus the earlier one
at 15 kilometers (9.3 miles).
Shallow earthquakes tend to
cause more damage.
The Tuesday quake was
followed closely by at least 10
strong aftershocks, according
to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Early reports indicated at
least two buildings had
collapsed in Kathmandu,
though at least one had been
unoccupied due to damage it
sustained during the April 25
quake. Experts say the April
25 quake caused extensive
structural damage even in
buildings that did not topple,
and that many could be in
danger of future collapse.
Frightened residents in the
capital, who had returned to
their homes only a few days
ago, were once again setting
up tents outdoors Tuesday
night with plans to sleep in
empty fields, parking lots
and on sidewalks.
"Everyone was saying the
earthquakes are over ...
Now I don't want to believe
anyone," said 40-year-old
produce vendor Ram Hari
Sah as he searched for a spot
to pitch the orange tarpaulin
his family would shelter in.
"We are all scared, we are
terrified. I would rather deal
with mosquitoes and the rain
than sleep in the house."

election.
An expert on Boko Haram,
Yan St-Pierre of the Berlinbased security analysis group
MOSECON, said Nigeria's
military had announced its
planned attack on the forest
10 days in advance. That gave
Boko Haram had the chance
to spirit away its leader,
Abubakar Shekau, other key
figures and hostages, he said.
"We know they have tunnels
in the Sambisa Forest," StPierre said. "It's a big place.
Boko Haram has been there
for a while. They've had
time to set up camps, build
tunnels, booby trap the area,
set up fortifications and make
it very difficult for anybody
wanting to attack them.
"Boko Haram has set itself up
properly," he said. "It's a big
problem."
"They have returned to
classic guerrilla tactics; they
have spread their forces out.
If you are going not going to
bomb the whole area, you
need very precise, surgical
attacks," St.-Pierre said.
Nnamdi Obasi, an analyst on
Nigeria with the International
Crisis Group, said driving
Boko Haram fighters out of
the forest would be much
more complex and difficult
than retaking towns and
villages.
"It's a vast area. It's rugged
terrain. It's dense foliage,"
he said. "This looks like
the last major camp of the
insurgents. If the military is
able to overrun it, it will be a
significant achievement.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Sports

Frontpage

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: BAYERN

MUNICH 3-2 BARCELONA (AGG 3-5):

Neymar's first half double

proved crucial for the
visitors as they saw off the
challenge of Pep Guardiola's
side

arcelona
progressed to the
Champions League
final on Tuesday,
despite losing 3-2 to Bayern
Munich in Tuesday's secondleg.
A 3-0 lead from the meeting
in Camp Nou last week gave
Barca the advantage heading
into the clash at the Allianz
Arena and, with Bayern
netting three on the night, a
double from Neymar proved
crucial in his side progressing
to the next stage.
The evening started well for
the hosts as Mehdi Benatia
opened the scoring early on
with a header, but Neymar
appeared to wipe out all
hopes of a comeback when
he levelled matters shortly
afterwards.
The
Brazilian
attacker
then put his side on top on
the night, slotting home

BARCA IN FINAL

MESSI & CO REACH FINAL DESPITE DEFEAT

comfortably
after
Luis
Suarez's square ball.
Robert Lewandowski gave
the home side new life in the

second half when he made

it 2-2 with a fine finish, with
thomas Muller adding a third
for Bayern with a superb

strike from the edge of the

box.
It was a positive display from
the Bundesliga champions,

but it was not enough to

see them reach the final, as
Barca's hunt for the treble
continues.

tweeted Gyan,
who played
under the coach at Liberty
Professionals in 2003.
The Ghana FA (GFA) also paid
tribute to a man who served
as a vice-president of the
organisation in the 1980s and
1990s.
"Attuquayefio's contribution to
football in our country touched
the lives of many people not
only in Ghana but also in many
countries in Africa," read a
statement
signed by GFA
president Kwesi Nyantakyi.
"The GFA is immensely
hurt by the loss of such a

talented footballer, coach and

administrator who shaped
the lives and careers of many
Ghanaian footballers."
Ghana defender Jonathan
Mensah also made his tribute,
writing that Ghana has lost one
of its leading thinkers about
the game.
"One of the Brains in Ghana
Football left us. Rest In Peace
Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio.
Yes Sir. #legend"
Attuquayefio guided Ghanaian
side Accra Hearts of Oak to their
first continental title in 2000,
beating Tunisia's Esperance in
the final, before then beating
Egyptians Zamalek to the CAF
Super Cup.
He returned to guide the
same club to the first ever
CAF Confederation Cup title in
2005, beating Asante Kotoko in
what was the first continental
final between two clubs from
the same country.
His time with Ghana's Black
Stars was less successful after
they failed to qualify for the
2002 World Cup under his
control.
His spell will be largely
remembered for dropping
the Black Stars' big-name
overseas-based players for a
crunch qualifier against Nigeria
in protest at what he called
their lack of commitment to
represent Ghana.
The Black Stars came away
with a draw from that game.
He enjoyed more success in
Benin, leading the Squirrels to
their first Nations Cup in 2004.
As a player, Attuquayefio won
the Nations Cup itself, scoring
twice in the group stages
before starting the 1965 final
as Ghana beat Tunisia 3-2.

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN FOR GHANA'S

CECIL JONES ATTUQUAYEFIO

By Michael Oti Adjei BBC

Sport, Accra

ormer Ghana and

Benin coach Cecil
Jones Attuquayefio has
died at the age of 70,
following a long battle with
cancer.
The former international died
in an Accra hospital on Tuesday
morning, triggering tributes
from Ghana's leading football
figures, including Black Stars
captain Asamoah Gyan.
Continue reading the main
story

The Ghana FA is immensely

hurt by the loss of such a
talented footballer, coach and
administrator
Ghana FA president Kwesi
Nyantakyi
Attuquayefio
represented
Ghana as a player and won the
Nations Cup with the Black
Stars in 1965 but it was during
a
distinguished
coaching
career that he made his mark.
He led Ghanaian side Hearts
of Oak to the 2000 African
Champions League title, as
well as qualifying Benin to
their first Africa Cup of Nations

in 2004.
Attuquayefio was assistant
coach as Ghana won Africa's
first Olympic medal in 1992,
when the Black Meteors took
bronze, while he also coached
the Black Starlets to third place
in the 1999 Fifa Under-17
World Cup.
On Twitter, Gyan wrote 'a
legend goes home' and went on
to praise the coach's role in the
early stages of his career.
"Sad day.... my great coach and
inspirer... he handed me my
first chance... Rest in Peace
Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio,"

Page 15

SPORTS

TIM NICOT: TRIBUTES

PAID TO LATE WILRIJKBEERSCHOT DEFENDER

he father of Tim
Nicot has thanked
Wilrijk-Beerschot
for organising a
tribute the 23-year-old, who
died following a cardiac
arrest.
More than 2,000 wellwishers attended a service
for Nicot held at the Belgian
club on Monday, many laying
flowers and signing a book of
condolence.
"This is overwhelming,"
said Alain Nicot. "Tim was
incredibly proud that he
played for this club."
Nicot was playing in a
tournament in Hemiksem
when he collapsed on
Saturday.
The defender was placed
in an induced coma and his
club confirmed his death on
Monday.
Nicot's parents and siblings
along with players, staff and
academy youngsters from
the fourth-tier club also
joined the mourning at the
Olympic Stadium in Antwerp.

'JUVE NEED FRESH LEGS' ALLEGRI CASTS DOUBT ON

POGBA FACING MADRID

espite the France

international
having scored in
the
Bianconeri's
1-1 draw with Cagliari,
his coach admits he must
consider which of his players
will be at their fittest
Massimiliano Allegri has
cast doubt on Paul Pogba
being handed a starting
berth against Real Madrid
by
insisting
Juventus
need fresh legs in their
Champions League decider
on Wednesday.
The holders were beaten 2-1
by the Serie A champions last
Tuesday without the highlytalented French midfielder,
IVORY COAST GOVERNMENT
INVESTIGATES UNPAID BONUSES

vory Coast's ministry

of interior affairs has
launched an investigation
into unpaid bonuses which
should have been given to the
country's victorious 2015 Africa
Cup of Nations squad.
Players and officials were
promised
a
substantial
financial reward by the Ivorian
government for winning the
tournament in Equatorial Guinea
in February.
There has been a lengthy delay
in the money reaching some
squad members, prompting
both coach Herve Renard and
midfielder Serey Die to question
why.

Page 8a
16 | Frontpage

Monroviahe President and CEO

of the Child Fund
have called on Ebola
survivors to be strong
and stop seeing themselves as
victims.
Madam
Anne
Goddard
speaking at her welcome
ceremony in Margibi County
said she was overwhelmed
over the partnership between
her organization and Aid for
Needy Development Program.
I am happy to meet you and
I appreciate the partnership
and we are very pleased; we
appreciate the partnership
with your organization, we
know with partnership we can
do more, she said..
She further said The memory
will be part of your life forever
and dont think of been a
victim but a survivor who is
strong and making a good life
for yourself.
Madam Goddard continued:
I know this is not the end,
I know that many lives have
been affected that will not go
back to normal, and we know
that it will take a lot to bring
people, children, families and
communities back on the path
towards the future.
Also speaking one of the
partners Augustine Musah;
President of ANDP said he was
glad that he was a part of the
running of the Interim Care
Center where several children
were kept for observation
during the Ebola crises.
He said we worked with
affected children and children
who come in contact with
affected persons who are
quarantined by a result of an
outbreak; we moved in and
collected the children and
brought them and admitted
them in the center for the
period of 21 days under
observation.
After 21 days and no signs
and symptoms we discharge
them with 250 USD for each
child to be integrated in their
communities, so if during their
stay in the ICC if they begin to
show signs and symptoms ;
because when they are here
they go through monitoring
and their temperature are
checked three times a day
because we have nurses
and qualified staffs working

BE STRONG
Wednesday, May 13, 2015

CHF CEO encourage Ebola Survivors

Bettie Johnson /betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

with them and once they are

showing signs we isolate them
and then we called on the team
from the ETU to pick them up,
He disclosed.
Mr. Musah said there have been
several cases passed through
the ICC, We have the number
of 15 cases that went through
this center where we had the
last outbreak at that time we
just establish this center in
Gakpab town following a death
of a man and his wife who got
affected.
He continued: we move in
there and we brought them
in, during their stayed here
two of them came down with
the virus they were isolated
and was turn over to the ETU
for monitoring; Working in
closed partnership with the
Government arm especially the
county health team.
The Child Specialist at CHF
Rashid Bangurah said the ICC
was established during the
first and second outbreak.
During the first and Second
outbreak we notice that many
children were left uncared for;
though there were contacts
and there was a need for them
to be observed, at the Child
protection cluster we decided

that the children should not continued We give them real

go to the ETU where they have care and we were concern
not been tested positive so we of providing the regular
establish the ICC in breaking monitoring supervision for
the chains of transmission, He symptoms and also providing
said
psychosocial
support
to
Mr. Bangurah We arrived at children who are there and
ICC to care for children who are some are there who parents
contacts and who do not have went to the ETU and passed out,
primary care giver so a child so the support did not just stop
parents/ parent can be taken at the ICC but we also followed
to the ETU and the children are the children throughout their
left home without attention communities.
so in order to provide care Like now where we are we
for them we take them in and have 9 children who were
observed them for 21 days.
taken from this village because
The CHF Child specialist It was quarantined and they

legislative proceedings and

was later escorted to his seat
by the sergeant at arms of the
House of Representatives.
Zahnwea was announced
victorious in the County ByElection after tallied results
shows that he accumulated
1,583 votes which accounts for
24.6% percent of the total vote
cast two percent over his main
rivalry Wally Matthews of the
opposition Liberty Party (LP).
The
National
Elections
Commission (NEC) released
tallied results of the April
21, 2015 Representative ByElection in Electoral District
Number 2 Rivercess County.
Tallied results of the ByElection from all of the 42
polling centers in the district
were released at the NEC local
office in Cestos City, Rivercess
County.
On January 22 this year,
the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Alex Tyler,
informed the Commission

of a vacancy in the House

occasioned by the election
of
Rivercess
County
Electoral District Number 2
Representative Francis Paye as
Senator during the December
20, 2014 Special Senatorial
Election.
The Letter which constituted
the legal authority of the
National Elections Commission
to conduct a Representative
By-Election
in
Electoral
District Number 2, Rivercess
County is a requirement of
Article 37 of the Liberian
constitution, which, in relevant
part, states that In the event
of a vacancy in the Legislature
created by death, resignation,
expulsion or otherwise, the
Presiding Officer shall within
30 days notify the elections
Commission thereof. The
Elections Commission shall not
later than 90 days thereafter
cause a By-election to be
held..

came in contact an Ebola

patient and they were under
observation but later return to
their community, He said.
Taywah Gborbor, Grandmother
of three of the children who
were released from the ICC
explained that her daughter
brought her husband to the
house and he died and their
home was quarantined by the
County Health team but was
later free after their 21 days of
observation.
She commended CHF and
partners for the support given
her grandchildren on ground

that they returned to her safely

and healthy.
One of the Orphans at the
ICC Josephine Dolo-12 years
said My father died from
Ebola and, I am not in school
since my father died I have
no support and I really want
attend School.
She disclosed that only her
father died from the sickness
and she live vai Town in
Margibi County, I have spent
three weeks here in the ICC
and here they take care of me
fine, they washed my clothes,
bath me, I expect to go back
home soon; they taught me
how I should keep watching
my hands and I shouldnt touch
dead bodies.
Mammie Singbe a survivor
and caretaker at the ICC said
we lose lot of children, our
husband; first all we say thank
you because since I came from
the ETU, I came and I met job
here and I am very happy for
the help given to me from CHF
and ANDP.
She disclosed that presently
she has over 10 children living
with her as the result of her
family members who left their
children behind.
Like now we have nothing
to do because Ebola finish,
so we begging your to please
allow this work to continue at
least; we must be on the field
helping people because whole
lot children who parents died
from Ebola are still vulnerable
they are roaming the street
here, we want your help us so
that we can be on the field to
sustain our families, She said.
Madam Singbe continued: I
can tell you in this county we
still experience stigmatization
from our people here because
they can say we get Ebola so
they dont even help us and for
me I have 10 children living
with me.

NEW RIVERCESS REPRESENTATIVE INDUCTED

Monroviayron
Wehgbiah
Zahnwea has finally
been inducted in to
the plenary of the
House of Representatives
to complete the remaining
two years of his predecessor
Francis Paye who created
the vacancy as a result of his
election as senator of Rivercess
County during the 2014 special
senatorial election.
Representative Zahnwea of
the opposition Movement for
Progressive change (MPCDistrict#2 Rivercess County)
became
victorious
with
more than 300 votes over 9
other candidates, including
the Congress for Democratic
Change and the Liberty Party
candidates.
As normal proceeding depicts
he was official inducted
into plenary by the House
of Representatives Deputy
speaker
Hans
Barchue
in keeping with normal

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

DONT VILIFY KONNEH

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Frontpage

FOR
PRESENTING
FACTS
Civil Society group defends Finance Minister
T

Monroviahe head of a Civil

Society group, the
Patriotic
Alliance
of Liberia (PAL),
has lauded Finance Minister
Amara Konneh for revealing
the economic reality of Liberia.
The Executive Director of
PAL Korvah Jorgbor said
that an important element
of accountability is full
disclosure.
The issue therefore as to
whether Amara Konneh is
wrong about pronouncements
regarding a US$3.1B disclosure
is a non-issue, Jorgbor said.
Jorgbor furthered, The
Public Financial Management
act of 2009 has established

various compliance measures

aimed at ensuring that heads
of
government
agencies
comply with standard financial
management practices.
He continued In satisfaction of
this law, government agencies
are now submitting financial
reports that meet international
standard. These reports include
performance report, income
statements, balance sheets,
etc.
Jorgbor added that for political
or personal reasons some
Liberians
are
attempting
to make it appear like the
ministers assertion is to seek
relevance.
People fail to know that
the Minister was addressing

Liberians who are out of

the country and have very
little information about their
country, Jorgbor added.
Realities in Liberia
Jorgbor
said,
Minister
Konnehs interaction with
Diaspora Liberians sought to
inform them about the realities
in Liberia.
The truth, which many
Liberians hate, is causing some
of them to paint him otherwise.
Factually, the Minister did
nothing strange! All he did was
to gather relevant information
that is already available in the
public domain, Jorgbor added.
PAL
Executive
Director
said, all financial and fiscal
reports of the government are

Page 8b
17

published annually on various

agencies websites.
Shouldnt we as a nation
embrace it? Rather than
questioning the integrity of this
disclosure which is a new thing
in Liberia? Jorgbor said.
The Civil society activist
questioned Is it not the truth
Mr. Konneh was able to raise
US$3.1B revenue from 2006
up to present? Is it not a fact
that this is the first time in the
history of Liberia that a finance
minister is making such a bold
disclosure, Jorgbor asked.
He averred that the Ministers
action is in line with the Public
Financial Management Law of
Liberia.
In spite of the noise going
around, the challenge for the
critics has been, for anybody
to prove Minister Konneh
wrong, he added.
PAL
Executive
Director
said that there is no need for
argument adding that Minister
Konneh assertion is a reality of
the day.
Sixty percent of US$3.1B
raised from 2006 up to present
was expended on salary and
allowances for a workforce
size of forty thousand (40,000)
Employees, Jorgbor added.

RAPE AND VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS MUST

STOP, SAYS PLAN INTERNATIONAL

M
Monrovia-

ore must be done

to combat rape
and gender-based
violence in schools,
child rights organisation Plan
International has said.
The charity is campaigning to
make gender-based violence
more present in the global
sustainable
development
agenda.
Plan believes it is as a major
barrier to allowing girls to
finish their education.
School-related
genderbased violence (SRGBV) is a
global phenomenon affecting
millions of children and young
people around the world, said
Nigel Chapman, CEO of Plan
International.
It harms their education and
undermines the prospect of
achieving gender equality in
schools.
The organisation has been
working with girls in West
Africa who have experienced
rape and other types of genderbased violence while at school.
Aissatou*, 15, fell pregnant
after her teacher raped her. She
says more needs to be done to
end such atrocities.
I dont want what happened
to me, to happen to others, she
said.
Parents need to stand up for
their children and understand
that they are going to school to
learn. The government should
also help students in terms of
security, especially in public
schools.
I dont want this to happen
to any other girl. The only
message I have is that schools,
especially public schools, need
to have more security in place.
Some teachers are good, some
others not so good.
In many societies, unequal
power relations between adults
and children, as well as gender
stereotypes and roles, leave
girls especially vulnerable
to sexual harassment, rape,
coercion, exploitation, and

discrimination from teachers,

staff and peers.
School-related gender-based
violence can occur in any school
area, or during travel to or from
school.
Diara*, a 15 year-old girl from
Sierra Leone, described to
Plan how teachers in her town
demand sex for good grades.
Some teachers will advise you
on your education. Others will
always try to have sex with you,
or maybe they will ask you to
have sex with them for grades.
A safe school for me as a girl,
would be that I wasnt being
harassed by the male teachers,
and for the school environment
to be properly arranged, and
for the teachers to teach well in
class.
Latrines, empty classrooms
and corridors are all potential
spaces where violence can
occur.
Outside school walls, millions
of girls and boys are at risk
of bullying, rape, unwanted
touching, and unprovoked
sexual advances in transit to
and from school, along walking
routes, at bus stops and at taxi
stands.
When I was staying in my
village, the distance between
my house and school was very
far and when I went to school,
said Diara.
I was always late. So one time
I was going to school and there
was a man standing on the road
and he said, please come, I have
something for you.
He said, I have some lunch for
you. But when I went there the
man just grabbed me and raped
me.
Plan aims to underline the issue
at the World Education Forum
in Korea next week.
Chapman said: At the World
Education Forum in Korea
next week, the international
community will have the
opportunity to set out concrete
steps to address gender-based
violence in and around schools,
and ensure that every child can

learn without fear.

A protective environment for
children includes a safe school
environment and is the right of
every child.
Violence in schools including
gender-based violence has a
profound effect on childrens
health, education and physical,
psychological and emotional
wellbeing, he added.
It jeopardises the achievement
of universal education goals by
contributing significantly to
pupil under-performance, low
attendance and drop-out rates.
Preventing and addressing
school-related gender-based
violence is essential in order
for all children boys and
girls to be able to realise
their right to education and to
learn in a safe and supportive
school
environment,
free
from violence or the threat of
violence.
MILLENNIUM
CHILDREN
SPEAK OUT ABOUT GENDERBASED VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS

Children born when the

Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) were introduced have
been speaking out about the
high levels of gender-based
violence in schools.
The so-called Millennium
Children, all of whom were
born in the year 2000 and are
age 15, describe incidents of
rape by teachers, sex for grades,
violence and harassment at
school or on their way to school.
Child rights organisation Plan
International has been working
with the children to highlight
the issue of gender-based
violence in schools.
School-related
genderbased violence (SRGBV) is a
global phenomenon affecting
millions of children and young
people around the world, said
Nigel Chapman, CEO of Plan
International.
It harms their education and
undermines the prospect of
achieving gender equality in

schools.
The organisation wants the
issue to be highlighted in the
Sustainable
Development
Goals, set to replace the MDGs
this year.
We need more security, and
people need to be mindful
towards students and make
sure they know the purpose of
going to school, said Salimata*,
15, from Senegal.
Salimata was 13 when she
was raped three times by
her teacher while attending
evening classes.
People need to understand
that theyre going to school in
order to learn. Parents should
also pay more attention to their
children.
Other girls in Sierra Leone say
they experience harassment as
they walk to and from school.
Some words men say to you
are my honey, darling, my baby,
my sweetie, my heart to heart,
said Diara*, 15.
When coming to school, youll
see boys hanging around the
streets calling you all sorts of
names.
[At school] some teachers will
advise you on your education.
Others wont advise you on
that. Theyll always try to have
sex with you, or maybe theyll
ask you to have sex with them
for grades.
Plan International will be
advocating for gender based
violence in schools to be
made a priority in the global
development agenda at the
World Education Forum in
Korea next week.
Chapman said: At the World
Education Forum in Korea
next week, the international
community will have the
opportunity to set out concrete
steps to address gender-based
violence in and around schools,
and ensure that every child can
learn without fear.

RESCUING POOR
DEFENDANTS
Public Defendants Form New
Association To Defend Indigent Clients
Kennedy L. yangian Kennedylyangian@
frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

Monroviaublic defenders working within the Judiciary responsible

to defend indigent clients have announced the formation
of a new association.
The association founded after the end of the group justended one week training in the port city of Buchanan has been
named and styled the National Association of Public Defenders
of Liberia (NAPDOL).
At the close of the first quarterly training session held last week
in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, a new corp of officers were
elected to steer the affairs of the new organization for the next two
years said the statement.
According to the association those elected have been named as
Atty. Elisha T. Forkeyoh, Sr. (Montserrado County) President,
Atty. Joseph Debblay (RiverGee County) Vice President and Atty.
Edwina Edjerah Barchue (Montserrado County) as Secretary
General
In the statement signed by the interim secretary Att. NyonKpao
Daye of Grand Gedeh County it states that the (NAPDOL) is
composed of 29 public defendants who primary goal is to provide
legal advocacy for indigent criminal defendants to enhance access
to justice on one hand and other to advance the well-being of
public defenders.
Public defense program was established by the late Chief Justice
Johnnie N. Lewis in 2009 as an organ of the judiciary with specific
duties to represent indigent defendants.

major test run exercise was

carried out by Starbow Airline
on Monday, May 11, 2015 at the
James Spriggs Payne Airport in
Sinkor, Monrovia.
The test run exercise coincided with the
official declaration of Liberia as an Ebola
free nation which is a major step in the
countrys economic recovery drive.
Mondays exercise was witnessed by
the Managements of the Liberia Airport
Authority, Liberia Civil Aviation Authority,
Liberty Aviation Group and Starbow Airline.
Starbow is a privately owned Ghanaian
Airline based in Takoradi Ghana.
Starbow operates a four engine BAE -146
Aircraft with ninety four (94) seating
capacity.
Meanwhile, the management of the Liberia
Airport Authority is currently ensuring
that minimum International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) standards are met in
order to obtain the approval of the Liberia
Civil Aviation Authority for Starbow to
officially commence flight operations on
June 1, 2015.
Starbow is expected to fly from Monrovia to
Accra five days a week.

Starbow Airline begins flight operations at the

James Spriggs Payne Airport on June 1, 2015.

VISIT UNCLE ZEH'S LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING SERVICE ON

CROWN HILL, BROAD STREET WHERE THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

CALL: 0775 149 376, 0775 149 161