War Crimes

TOP
pg
STORIES

TAYLOR PLEA
REJECTED
Former Presidents Application to
Appeal Decision on his Motion for
Transfer to Rwanda Denied

LETTERS

pg

AUDIT SAGA
EXPOSES
INCOMPENTENCE OF
EJS PRESIDENCY
- A Rejoinder to FPA Editorial
Political Madness!

FrontPage

www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.64

MONDAY, MAY 25, 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).
TAX SENSITIZATION MESSAGE
WWW.LRA.GOV.COM

HOW CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS WORK ON

FINANCIAL INCLUSIONS THROUGH LOANS

REDUCING POVERTY
VS POLITICS

Central Banks the world over are known as the Bank of Government with specific functions to help
the economy grow by providing empowerment for the locals mainly rural dwellers to enable them
have access to financial services but for Liberia such move has been seen as political

Banking & Finance - pg.

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING

SELLING

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

SATURDAY , MAY 16, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2015

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

Monday, May 25, 2015

Page 2 | Frontpage

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

Voinjama, Lofa County

s strange bedfellows go, the announcement by Vice
President Joseph Boakai in Voinjama last Friday that
he will contest the 2017 presidential elections sent the
political hemisphere in Liberia into high gear spurring
discussions on talk radio and jitters amongst the opposition
already scrambling for an alternative formula appealing enough
to woo voters into booting the ruling Unity Party out of office.
The Boakai candidacy gives the ruling party some breathing room
to repair existing friction within their ranks and an avenue to
begin making overtures toward other political players in hopes of
finding a suitable partner to pair up with Boakai.
Ironically, it was Boakai who in recent weeks has been working
behind the scenes to repair long-running feud between his boss,
the incumbent, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the party chairman
Varney Sherman.
Sherman endured a rocky run to clinching his senate seat from
his hometown in Grand Cape Mount County with some suggesting
that Sirleaf, fearing a Sherman victory could be a threat to her
final two years in office, worked behind the scenes to ensure that
he did not get elected. Both Sherman and Sirleaf have downplayed
the existence of a feud but Sherman was recently quoted in
the Daily Observer as saying that he believes that there was a
Machination to keep him off the President Pro-Tempore election.
Sherman was taken to court by rival candidate, Dr. Fodee Kromah,
of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) after the December
2014 poll results did not favor the opposition candidate. The High
Court then placed a Stay Order on the process and instructed
the Elections Commission not to the certify Sherman and several
others in a similar situation.
MERGER COMPLICATIONS

Sherman did however say he was unsure whether Sirleaf was

behind the plot. I dont know whether the President was the one
behind this or not, but Im the chairman of the party and if there
should be anything, I think the President should have supported
me.
But some political observers are also beginning to sense that the
Unity Party which formed a coalition with the Liberian Action
Party ahead of the 2005 presidential and legislative elections
could break out of that arrangement in a bid to distance LAP from
UP and some of the stigma of corruption and governance lapses
hanging over the ruling party.
Details of that merger have been sketchy.

Many believe that at signing, promises were made that have

been broken regarding succession. One of those suggested that
Sherman was penciled in to replace Boakai as vice president
somewhere in Sirleafs second term. But Sherman dismissed the
report in a 2012 FrontPageAfrica interview. No such promises
have been made. The assumptions come from this: In our article of
merger, it says that in the ensuing general elections, which would
be the 2011 elections, if the presidential candidate came from
one of the political parties, then the vice presidential candidate
should come from the other political party. The media picked it
up and carried it wide in this town that I was the presidential
candidate. The assumption was that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came
from the old Unity Party then it came to the deductive conclusion
that Varney Sherman from the old Liberian Action Party will be
the vice standard bearer but that is not what the Article of Merger
says, it could have been anybody.
Sherman explained further that it was a party decision that for
strategic reasons, that we would prefer continuity and continuity
and continuity means what? Continuity of the entire ticket. I think
that is justifiable reason and we did it and we won the elections.
So it was a good decision.
DISJOINTED OPPOSITION COULD BOOST UP

But in spite of those concerns, the Boakai candidacy in in effect,

forces the opposition into a wake-up call to put their acts and
egotistical tendencies aside and form a winning formula of their
own to upset the potential momentum, organization and financial
war-chest a Boakai candidacy could have if a formidable player is
tapped from amongst the opposition by the UP as a partner for
Boakais 2017 quest.
This is clearly the views international stakeholders are harboring
about the disjointed opposition in Liberia.
In 2012, a report by the Bertelsmann Stiftungs Transformation
Index (BTI), a global assessment of transition processes in which
the state of democracy and market economy as well as the quality
of political management in 128 transformation and developing
countries are evaluated made the following conclusion: While
newly formed opposition alliances remain fragile, they could pose
a significant challenge to the ruling coalition if their leaders are
willing to sacrifice their personal ambitions for the top position
in favor of a jointly chosen presidential candidate.
That appeared to be the case in 2011 when football legend
George Weah, a runner-up in the 2005 elections paired with
Winston Tubman who had ran under the banner of the National

Democratic Party of Liberia(NDPL) in the 2005 presidential

elections finishing an impressive fourth.
But an earlier merger in 2010 between Weah and Charles Walker
Brumskine of the Liberty Party did not materialize. At the
time many felt that both Brumskine and Weah would certainly
pose a significant challenge to the incumbent, given the public
dissatisfaction with the governments perceived failure to improve
the living standards of the broader population, the report noted.
In recent days, signs of a resurrection of that ticket has been in
the air although party insiders from both the CDC and Liberty
Party acknowledged to FrontPageAfrica Saturday that Boakais
selection of any of the prominent political figures could alter the
dynamics of the opposition play.
Sirleaf herself is a beneficiary of merger. In mid-2005, JohnsonSirleafs Unity Party (UP) boosted her coalition by merging with
the Liberia Unification Party (LUP) and the Liberia Action Party
(LAP).
BOAKAI OUT OF EJSS SHADOW

While many remain uncertain how effective a Sirleaf blessing of

Boakai would do to his quest, Boakai appears at least for now
to be putting his best foot forward in hopes of drawing a line in
the sand between what the Sirleaf-led government which he was
a part of, has done and what a government, with him in charge
intends to do, telling supporters and petitioners last Friday: I
believe in you and that together, we can build a strong Liberia
with our own wealth and resources. For all of these reasons and
your support that I can be an effective inclusive leader, I accept
without any reservation to be a candidate for President of Liberia
in 2017. Let me go forth from this day forward at every length and
to every clan in the remaining 14 counties, merge our voices, and
ask for their support.
For Boakai, the coming months could prove pivotal. Up until now,
the uncertainty over whether or not Sirleaf would give him her
blessing cast a dark cloud of uncertainty over his own political
future. For the foreseeable future however, political observers
believe Boakai will have to do more to convince voters that he is
his own man, a complicated but delicate proposition truncated
by the imposing presence of Sirleaf in whose shadows Boakai
could have a hard time walking while at the same time looking
to disengage in his quest for the presidency and establishing his
own presence on a skeptical voting constituency still a bit nervous
about giving the ruling Unity Party a third term.

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

Page 3

FRONTPAGEAFRICA NOW TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE NAMES

ALREADY IN THE AIR AS POSSIBLE RUNNING MATES TO BOAKAI.
WILMOT PAYE

THE LOWDOWN: It is no secret

that the ruling party has been
embroiled in a major internal
wrangle for months but only
reached boiling point in the
aftermath of the 2011 elections
which secured a second term
for Sirleaf.
Boakai has been
instrumental in mending fences
between partys chairman Varney
Sherman and the incumbent
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
This is where Paye, a son of Nimba
County and a vocal critic of the
standard bearer comes in. Paye
has youth on his side and could be used as the ice that bridge the
split in the party and steer the UP toward a united front as it seeks
a third term.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM? A Lofa-Nimba Combo sounds appetizing
but critics of the ruling party are quick to point out that Paye is no
Prince Johnson in the heartland.
ODDS: 3-1

POTENTIAL PROBLEM? Although Boakai has been instrumental

in mending fences between Sherman and President Sirleaf, the
impact of the long-running feud between the pair could be put to
test here.
ODDS: 2-1
AMARA KONNEH

THE
LOWDOWN:
The
controversial minister of Finance
is said to be Sirleafs preferred
choice to pair up with Boakai with
some aides suggesting a unifying
Christian-Muslim Ticket could be
just the recipe that takes the party
to a third term.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM: There
appears to be some strains
between Boakai and Konneh
which could rule the minister out
of the picture.
ODDS: 7-1

SENATOR GEORGE WEAH

THE LOWDOWN: The political

dealmaker still claims the most
popular status, which is always a
luring incentive for political blocs
looking to for partnership. The UP
realizing the uphill task it faces
to win a third straight term may
be looking for a jolt to take the
party over the top. Weah is said
to be on the radar and although
sources say he has not yet been
approach, it is a possibility the UP
may explore.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM: It is highly
likely that any approach to Weah
by the ruling party will be met by
strong resistance from the CDC youth wing who are insisting that
Weah is top of any political marriage involving the party.
ODDS: 2-1

HARRISON KARNWEA

THE LOWDOWN: A product of

the Liberia Action Party which
formed a merger with the Unity
Party that went on the win the
2005
presidential
elections,
Karnwea, a former Minister of
Internal Affairs and now head
of the Forestry Development
Authority(FDA) is an influential
figure in Nimba and has strong
business interest in the southeast
which put a lot of people to work.
Karnwea was seen together with
Sherman during
party chairman
the petitioning ceremony of Boakai and is said to be among the
mix for a running mate.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM? Karnwea is one of many figures on
a purported controversial list of war crimes targets from the
Charles Taylor era. But Karnwea has come out slamming the list
as wrongly reflecting the person he is. I did not participate in
any bloodletting activities or fight any war. I am not a murderer
and therefore I challenge anybody who is making such allegation
to put his or her evidence together to prove me guilty before a
competent court of jurisdiction. Karnwea says he is open to a
war crimes court for Liberia. I welcome any and all war crimes
inquiry or court for Liberia to investigate and bring to justice
people who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
I have always thought that such an enquiry will deter would-be
trouble makers.
ODDS: 5-1
SENATOR VARNEY SHERMAN

THE LOWDOWN: Love him or hate

him, the man considered the most
successful lawyers in Liberia to
date has been given a second term
at political life with his recent
senate victory. He enjoys the Vice
presidents ears and confidence
but many see him in a Dick
Cheney-like role in being involve
in the planning and selection of
Boakais running mate. If history
is anything to go by, Sherman
could pick himself.

and spend two weeks on a tour

of Lofa heightening speculations
that a ticket was in the making
for a future political play. Woods
is one of few ministers who kept
his independence while serving in
the Sirleaf administration. While
he did lose some points among his
die-hard supporters for accepting
a government job, many political
observers say he brings more
plus than minuses to the table and
could bring instant credibility to a
party hoping to convince voters

into a third term.
THE PROBLEM: Woods was never a card-bearing or touting Unity
Party member. His independence and reluctance to declare his
unflinching support to the party although he worked in Sirleafs
cabinet made him an enigma for many who did.
ODDS: 2-1
SENATOR PRINCE Y. JOHNSON

CHARLES WALKER BRUMSKINE

THE LOWDOWN: Talk of a deal

between the ruling Unity Party and
Liberty Party has been in the air
for months but nothing appears to
be set in stone. Brumskine who is
likely to be making his third quest
for the presidency is said to be on
the radar if such a deal materialize
although many political observers
say that may be a far stretch.
POTENTIAL
PROBLEM:
Brumskine has been one of the
rare opposition figures holding
Sirleaf-government to the
the
fire. Running as veep to Boakai may not go down well with his
supporters and some say could mark the political death of the
Liberty Party.
ODDS: 2-1
JOHN S. MORLU II

THE LOWDOWN: The war against

graft was a major component
of Sirleafs 2005 presidential
campaign trail. In Moru, some say,
the party could look take a radical
turn in the polarized Morlu to
ignite voter confidence that and
interest in a possible third term
POTENTIAL PROBLEM? Morlu
may be the last man the UP needs
to guard Sirleaf legacy. Some
107 audit reports currently in
the dustbin could resurface in
the courts and prosecution. But
more importantly, Morlu hails from the Lofa, as does Boakai. Two
candidates from the same county .
ODDS: 10-1
GOVERNOR MILLS JONES

THE LOWDOWN: The Central

Bank governor has been under-fire
for his much-touted microfinance
loan scheme which has gain
popularity amongst grassroot
marketers in several parts of
the country. His supporters say
the scheme is paying dividends
toward the governments Poverty
Reduction Strategy in that it is
providing opportunity for small
businesses. His critics say he is
using his position at the bank to
gain an
advantage on potential
2017 presidential contenders
although he has not publicly declared an intention to run. The
ruling party looking to
POTENTIAL PROBLEM? Jones international banking background
could be a minus as some unhappy with Sirleaf could point to this
IMF cred as a turnoff and draw similarity to the incumbent. But a
supporting role could eclipse the noise.
ODDS: 5-1
SAMUEL KOFI WOODS

THE LOWDOWN: Woods formed a strong bond with Boakai

during his time in the Cabinet and still does, according to aides to
both Woods and the Vice President. Both traveled to India in 2013

concern.
ODDS: 7-1

THE
LOWDOWN:
Senator
Johnson,
the
undisputed
kingmaker , thanks to his massive
popularity in vote-rich Nimba
County made the difference for
Sirleaf in the second round of
the 2011 presidential elections
in which Sirleaf won a second
term. He could make an intriguing
case for a Lofa-Nimba vote-rich
combo that could strike fear in the
opposition and possibly ensure a
third term for the ruling party.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM? Looming
speculations about a war crimes
push later this year with the Tom
Woewiyu case about the takeoff in
the U.S. could give the UP cause for

SENATOR ARAMAH JALLAH

THE LOWDOWN: Jallah showed a

fighting spirit in his hard-fought
race to become President Pro
Temp of the senate. He is forming
a working bond with Boakai in
the Senate. During the petitioning
ceremony
Friday,
Boakais
supporters acknowledged that
Lofa cannot win the presidency by
itself and needed to reach out and
extend an open arm of acceptance,
collaboration, cooperation and
fellowship to citizens from
Gbarpolu and other counties
which could favor Jallah.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM: Jallah hails from a county which is fairly
new and only recently separated from Boakais hometown, Lofa
in 2001 and holds the title as Liberias youngest county. With a
population of just under 84,000 for the eleventh most populous
county in Liberia, the numbers may not work in the equation for
Jallah.
ODDS: 8-1
ALEX TYLER

THE LOWDOWN:
Speculations about the speakers own
presidential quest has been in the air for months now. But
it is unclear how the brains behind the Peoples Unification
Party(PUP) and the idea of fielding a candidate from the lower
house intends to fulfill his ambitions for the presidency. Tyler, a
product from the Liberian Action
Party is not as close as he used to
be with party chairman Varney
Sherman which could make his
case muddy to start with.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM: Despite
winning his Bomi County seat
twice, Tyler remains a political
novice but probably could be too
ambitious for a vice presidential
consideration.
ODDS: 10-1

Monday, May 25, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL FIGHTING
CORRUPTION, WHO ACTUALLY
STOLE PUBLIC MONEY AT LIPA?
v

Commentary

SIFTERING
PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINATIONS

SENATE MUST NOT ALLOW BAD APPLES

TO STIFLE CORRUPTION FIGHT
THE GOVERNMENT of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf might have
made some major interventions in the rebuilding efforts of Liberia but
fighting corruption undoubtedly remains the major Achilles haunting
the administration.
PRESIDENT SIRLEAF continues to take all the blame for the inability
of the government to take firm actions against corruption such as
prosecution to deter officials involved in the ugly act.
EVEN MEMBERS of the Legislature are on record for criticizing the
president for failing to fight corruption, even though they too are
largely at fault.
WHILE ALL THE TALKS about President Sirleaf failure to fight
corruption are ongoing, the Liberian leader is not all alone in getting
things done correctly even though the presidency is all powerful.
PRESIDENT SIRLEAF is blamed for recycling corrupt officials
dismissing some of these officials from one position in one agency of
government and appointing them to another.
BUT IN ALL, THE NATIONAL Legislature has a major role to play in
the overall governance of the country as the lawmakers have the
responsibility as per the constitution to carry out other major functions
for the smooth functioning of the state.
THE LAWMAKERS HAVE oversight of ministries, agencies and other
institutions under the Executive branch of government which is
headed by the president.
THE LIBERIAN senate has the responsibility to confirm presidential
appointees which puts the senate in the best position to decide the
officials serving in the Executive Branch of Government.
DESPITE THE POWER vested in the Senate, the body has not sufficiently
used this power to scrutinize appointees before confirming them to
occupy various positions in government, thereby proving that they are
in support of the President recycling practice.
LAST WEEK, IN WHAT could prove crucial in the fight against
corruption, a member of the Liberian Senate wrote the body requesting
that the senate puts on hold confirmation of appointees implicated
in reports from ant-graft institutions like the General Auditing
Commission of Liberia.
IN THE COMMUNICATION that is now causing stir amongst senators,
Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence stated
Knowing that Liberia has been labeled as one of the most corrupt
countries in the world, and we have a huge challenge to foster
transparency and accountability, it is very important that the senate
continue to be very supportive in the fight of corruption by ensuring
that all confirmation for people who are implicated in Audit Reports
or Audit indictees are put on hold until the PAC conduct public hearing
and make final recommendations for action.
AS GOOD AS THE COMMUNICATION looks, some members of the
senate opposed the idea, expressing anger why the communication
was allowed to appear on the floor of the Senate for discussion.
AMONGST THE ANGRY senators are those who prior to election into
the Senate stand accused of involvement in acts of corruption in their
previous jobs.
ALBERT CHIE (Independent, Grand Kru County), J. Milton Teahjay
(Unity Party, Sinoe County), Morris Saytumah (Unity Party, Bomi
County) were amongst the senators strongly opposed to the
communication.
SENATOR CHIE indicted by the state on three charges including
economic sabotage, bribery and criminal conspiracy angrily said: The
whole process of this letter is unconstitutional and illegal the GAC is
not a court, it has no authority to tell someone you are guilty or not
only the court of law in this country does that therefore you will be
stepping on the constitutional rights and liberty of your sole called
indictees until they are presumed guilty they have the right to occupy
any position at the will of the president with the consent of the senate.
AFTER A LONG PERIOD of deliberation on the letter, the senators
expressed themselves through vote with Senator Peter Coleman
(Congress for Democratic Change, Gran Kru County), Thomas Grupee
(NUDP-Nimba County), Francis Paye (NDC-River Cess), Geraldine Doe
Sheriff (IND-Montserrado County), Prince Johnson (NUDP-Nimba
County), Sando Johnson (NPP-Bomi County), Oscar Cooper (UPMargibi County), Steve Zargo (LP-Lofa County), Jim Tornola (PUPMargibi County) all voting infavor of the communication.
THE BAD APPLES in the senate also made their decisions with Senator
Dahn Morias (NPP- Maryland County) Moris Saytumah (UP-Bomi
County), Milton Teahjay (UP-Sinoe County), Daniel Naatehn (NDCGbapolu County), Conmany Wesseh (UP-River Gee County), Gblehbo Brown (IND-Maryland County), Alphonso Gaye (UP-Grand Gedeh
County) all voting against the communication.
AS USUAL, THE LETTER was sent to committee room, a place

By J. Patrick Kollie, pjkollie@gmail.com, Contributing Writer

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has also been

instructed to investigate if there are any other instances of similar
infringement of the Public Financial Management rules.
These are the quoted words of the official Press Release from the
Executive Mansion on March 27, 2015 on the dismissal of the three
officials of the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA) who were
recently reinstated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The three officials,
Mr. P. EmMerysn Harris Deputy Director General for Administration &
Management, Mr. Richard S. Panton Deputy Director General for Training
& Development and Atty. Harris F. Tarnue Deputy Director General for
Research & Consultancy, protested the reason for their dismissal. After an
exhaustive investigation which witnessed the production of relevant facts
and supporting documentary evidence, the three officials were declared
innocent and therefore their instatement directed by President Sirleaf.
The questions which analysts are now pondering are; was there
infringement of the Public Financial Management rules? If the three
officials have been exonerated, then who actually is liable for the
commission of this crime? What further steps are required to bring the
culprit to book? To find answers to these questions require an examination
of the events and information from the documentations available. We
like to take a recourse to the Frontpage Newspaper Friday, May 1, 2015
Edition under the caption Selective Salary Payments Sparked LIPA
Dismissal and the Voice FM 102.2 Talkshow of Monday, May 18, 2015
hosted by Woods Yonton.
The FrontpageAfrica Newspaper Report
I go forth to state that it is established by the findings of the investigation,
that the three officials did not violate any provision of the Public Financial
Management Act and Regulations as indicated as reason for their
dismissal. The three officials successfully challenged this reason and
won the case after the administrative hearing procedure. Referencing the
documentations cited by the Frontpage Newspaper page 6a, Mr. Oblayon
B. Nyemah, Director General of LIPA did get his compensation increased
from US$4,200 in June 2014 to US$7,500 in response to the letter written
by Mr. Richard S. Panton while serving as Acting Director General. This
may be considered an application for adjustment of compensation of the
LIPA officials to include the Director General and his three Deputies. The
story clearly shows that the Minister of Finance did selectively increased
the compensation of Mr. Oblayon Nyemah as Director General and refused
to adjust the salary of the three Deputies. It is mentioned that Mr. Oblayon
Nyemah did chaired a LIPA budget meeting in December 2014 when
reallocations were made to adjust the shortfall in his (Mr. Nyemahs)
compensation, adjust the three Deputies compensations in line with
the Cabinet Decision of January 2014 and also adjust the general staff
compensations. In January 2015 the adjusted compensations voucher and
payment request were sent to the Ministry of Finance and Development
Planning (MFDP) and payment was paid as requested. Then in February
2015, Mr. Nyemah and the Minister of Finance revoked and reversed
the payments made to the three Deputies on ground that they were not
entitled to the increment. The three Deputies restituted the one month
(January 2015) increment from their February 2015 salary. After this
event, Minister Amara Konneh submitted a report to President Sirleaf
that the three LIPA Deputies had unilaterally increased their salary in the
absence of the head of the entity. Following their dismissal announcement
by the President, the trio submitted a dossier of documentations which
necessitated the investigation and subsequent vindication by the findings
and instatement by the President.
The Voice FM 102.2 (Costa Show) Talkshow
On Monday May 18, 2015 the Costa Show host, Journalist Woods Yonton
subjectively dwelled on the reinstatement of the three LIPA officials
from the point that they should not have been reinstated because they
did violate relevant Public Financial Management laws. I will now
attempt to show the link to what relevant laws have been violated and by
whom. To show the link, lets analyze one of the letters of reinstatement
read by Mr. Woods Nyonton on the radio. The letter mentions that the
January 2014 Cabinet decision does not apply to the Liberia Institute of
Public Administration. What this means is that no official at LIPA was to
benefit from the Cabinet decision of January 2014. In other words, there
was no budgetary appropriation and allocation for LIPA in this policy.
Additionally, I have researched and found that the amount appropriated
for the execution of this Cabinet decision is entrusted to the Civil Service
Agency (CSA), but is being administered by the Ministry of Finance.
This confirms the content of the letter of reinstatement that the Cabinet
decision of January 2014 does not apply to the Liberia Institution of
Public Administration. Additionally, it is consistent with the report of the
Frontpage Newspaper cited above. Now, has there been any violation of
relevant laws in this LIPA dismissal saga? Yes, and in deed there has been
violation of laws bordering on the budget law and on the Penal Law of
Liberia. What are the specific laws violated here and who is the culprit?
What Laws have been violated in the LIPA Dismissal Saga?
Legislative Acts approving the budget of the Government of the
Republic of Liberia clearly provide for policy governing targeted
appropriations. Among these policies are monitoring of personnel and
payroll adjustments. The law requires that the head of entity, the CSA

and the Minister of Finance shall in consultation execute these policies

on monitoring of payroll and payroll adjustments. Have there been
compliance with the provision of this budget law as shown in the LIPA
dismissal saga? The Minister of Finance, Mr. Amara Konneh, increased
the salary of Mr. Oblayon Nyemah in July 2014 in line with the January
2014 Cabinet decision when that decision did not apply to the Liberia
Institute of Public Administration and that there was no appropriation for
such increment. This is a clear violation of the budget law, hence an act of
corruption by Minister Konneh. So, who has unilaterally increased salary
and thereby violated the Public Financial Management law? The three
LIPA officials, or Minister Amara Konneh as the fiduciary of public money
and his accomplice Mr. Oblayon Nyemah?
Under the Liberian Penal Law Subchapter F. Economic Sabotage Section
18.81 Misuse of public money and Section 15.82 Theft and /or illegal
disbursement and expenditure of public money, it is a first degree felony
for a person in his capacity as a public servant or official of an institution
to dispose of, use or transfer any public money which has been entrusted
to him as a fiduciary, in a manner he knows is not authorized
How Oblayon Nyemah pocketed USD$75,000 Ebola Money
In addition to the above violations by LIPAs Oblayon Nyemah and his
colleague, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Amara Konneh,
an in-depth investigation reveals that LIPA Director General cleverly
arrange and pocketed USD$75,000.00 in the name of Ebola prevention
and awareness. A voucher with the item description: Amount represents
payment of special operation fund for outstanding field services for Ebola
prevention and awareness activities in five counties in three regions in the
amount of seventy five thousand United States dollars (1120300-1-01001-000000-014900-1103-222109) was raised on Thursday, November
13, 2014 at about 2:53 Pm through the integrated Financial Management
Information System (IFMIS). This system is used to process vouchers at the
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The $75,000.00 voucher
security code is: 112-FY-13/14-11-V-000135 and can be traced at LIPAs
CBL account. For further verification purposes, the $75,000.00 voucher
number can also be traced at the comptroller and accounting services unit
at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
At the end of the well designed (never held) Ebola prevention and
awareness, LIPAs Oblayon Nyemah produced what appeared to be a
complete fake report thus further exposing him and his partners in
crime. A report dated January 6, 2014 and titled: end-Of-Ebola prevention
awareness report was submitted to ministry of Finance and Development
Planning (MFDP).
In an effort to justify the use of the $75,000.00, Mr. Nyemah wrote in his
fake report as the result of the ongoing Ebola crisis in Liberia, the health
sector got highly hit-exposing the weakness of the sector after many
efforts made to resuscitate and bring it to it pre war status through direct
budgetary appropriations and donor support. President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf in the National Health Policy stated that, for capacity building in
any area of our countrys recovery process to be truly sustainable, it must
be indigenous-it must flow from the people themselves. The report stated;
against this assertion, management Development Institutions (MDIs) of
the public sector are capacity building or training organizations such as
the Liberia Institute of Public administration (LIPA) that must provide
the lead role in campaigning and realizing governments development
agenda.
Is the above paragraph in any way a mandate from President Sirleaf
to authorize the withdrawal of USD$75,000.00 in the name of Ebola
prevention and awareness?
Thorough investigation of the report also shows that individuals, current
and former local Government officials names were placed on the list of
participants without their knowledge. For instance, Circuit Court Judge
Blamo Dixon, James C. Mulbah, Sr, (City Mayor of Voinjama), Augustine A.K.
Momo (Land Commissioner of Voinjama) among many others, attended
the LIPA Ebola prevention and awareness in Voinjama City from Monday
December 2, 2014 to Friday December 12, 2014. Multiple phone calls to
most of the participants on the list shows that hundred percent of those
contacted denied ever attending LIPA organized or sponsored workshop.
While the voucher was being processed, Mr. Oblayon Nyemah requested
a travel approval from President Sirleafs office to allow him to travel to
the U.S. State of Minnesota to attend to his wife who was scheduled to
undergo surgery.
On December 30, 2014, the office of President Sirleaf through the Minister
of State for Presidential Affairs, Edward B. McClain, Jr, approved Mr.
Oblayon Nyemas request (MOS-RL/EBM-COS/0971/2014. December 30,
2014).
The travel time was approved around the same time the voucher was
cashed out thus giving cause to analyze the potential intent of the travel.
Few days later, Mr. Oblayon Nyemah appeared in Minnesota. During
one of the Liberian old timers usual foot ball practices in Brookly Park,
Mr. Nyemah was reportedly seeing driving a new Honda Pilot that he
reportedly purchased for his wife. Efforts are under way to obtain the vin
number of the vehicle in question and run the number through DMV to
find out if the vehicle was bought cash or on credit.
Please read full commentary online. www.frontpageafricaonline.com

where legislative politics has shown over the years that important
communications are made to die, never resurfacing in plenary discussions.
NOW THAT THE COMMUNICATION from Senator Lawrence is in
committee room; we are challenging the Senate not allow a few bad
apples stifle the communication which if implemented will make the
senators make good names for themselves.
PEOPLE WITH TAINTED CHARACTERS must not impose their will on
others with good intention for the country as in the end history will judge
everyone individually despite the collective actions of all.
SOME OF THE SENATORS against the communication are already known
for their characters in Liberia-the likes of Saytumah whose time at the
Executive Mansion is replete with excesses. Teahjay is also in the GAC

Sinoe County audit report and is held to account for nearly US$500,000 of
County Development Fund money meant for that underdeveloped county.
CHIE IS ALREADY facing court trial and Dan Morias is running Maryland
County like his farm with his construction company getting majority of
the contracts from the William V.S. Tubman University and other projects
in the county, meaning these guys will go all out to stifle the fight against
corruption since they are beneficiaries.
THE LIBERIAN SENATE as it is always referred to as the house of elders
must stand tall and ensure that the request from Senator Lawrence is
implemented; it must not allow a few bad apples thwart an effort meant
for the public good.

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE
SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED
After the dogged determination of John Morlu 11 to sniff out all the
corrupt deals in the crevices of the regimes cupboards, President
Sirleaf might have decided that putting the brightest and best at
GAC again was too much trouble on an administration that feels
entitled to rake every valuable thing out of Liberia; hence, her
nomination of average candidates. Lets admit it, the Iron Lady is
always one step ahead, folks; even the new vaunted senators are
now as cool as cucumber in her expert hands.
SAYKU KROMAH TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA
Madam President does not want any competency in her regime;
she craves and gets unquestionable loyalty to her personally.
Winsley Nanga, the Deputy is loyal to Liberia, while Madam Sirleaf
and her favored appointees are stealing Liberia blind. But as the
saying goes, one day for rogue, one day for master. Come 2017, they
will pay back every dime.
JERRY MWAGBE EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
These are some of the reasons why we Liberians who returned
from the diaspora to contribute our quota to the development of
the country are looked down upon by other Liberians. This is a real
life time drama-- I am awaiting ACT II.

TONY LEEWAYE TOP COMMENTER FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR AT GOLDBERR INVESTMENTS & MARKETING
CORPORATION INC.
What a national disgrace for our Nation and the leadership of
Madam Sirleaf.

CYRUS L GRAY TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

There are specific concerns raised in the GAC audit about
accountability of funds placed at the disposal of the Ebola Task
Force. They will do well to clearly address those concerns. This is
their best defense against any perception of impropriety on the
part of the task force. Accusing the GAC of violation of procedures
and what not is yet to address the concerns raised. Those concerns
are not going to go away because of the drama the task force is
creating. Any government, come 2018, will reserve the right to
follow these reports to their logical conclusion.

NYAN GORTOR AGM HIGH SCHOOL

I believe the audit report is true, indeed the auditees used the
situation as a ground to miss appropriate public fund that were
intended to save the lives of thousands of Liberians that were dying
on a daily basis from the deadly Ebola virus. My problem I have
is that, the GAC boss should have stand her ground to defend the
report that she sign, instead of shifting the blame on her deputy.
That shows the sign of weakness and the lock of professionalism.
JESSE FAHNGON TOP COMMENTER METROPOLITAN STATE
UNIVERSITY
Well, this is what you get when there is lack of "collectivism"
from the three branches of government to aggressively confront
CORRUPTION in Liberia. Let the showcasing continues. Let us
UNDO GAC and likes under this Administration until we are ready
for serious business - stop wasting public resources folks. We are
repeating ourselves and getting the same odd results: NOTHING.

RAYMOND SUMO
TOP COMMENTER CUTTINGTON
UNIVERSITY, LIBERIA
If I have worked as a Custodian Engineer in America for 25 years,
and I am seeking a position of Chief Engineer of Liberia or preferably
Minister of Public Works in Liberia in order to contribute my quota
to the development of Liberia, who do I contact to get my desired
position in Liberia? Do I need the right connections or my resume
is ok for the job? I need help!!
ALVIN JOHNSON UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
Wow, the drama continues. How could the senate possibly confirm
such a dumb headed person who does not control the Institution
she heads.
AUSTIN S. FALLAH TOP COMMENTER STAY AT HOME DAD AT
SELF EMPLOYED

None of you in that government will go free. You continue to subject

our people to poverty each day. Why, why, why????????
SAMUEL JACKSON TOP COMMENTER DIRECTOR AT
LIBERIAN IRON
Where do they get these people from?

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!

AUDIT SAGA EXPOSES INCOMPENTENCE OF EJS PRESIDENCY:

A REJOINDER TO FPA EDITORIAL POLITICAL MADNESS!

The Editor,

he attention of the Public Affairs Department of the Executive Mansion

has been drawn to FrontPage Africa Editorial of Thursday, May 21,
2015 pursuant to the caption above vis-a-viz a litany of mismatched
analogies coupled with labelling the Liberian President as incompetent.
Absolutely ludicrous! What was the intent of the diatribe and in whose interest
is such vitriolic propaganda tilted?
What FPA readers should appreciate is this that specific Editorial is precisely
a guest contribution as the verbiage, language, structure, context and style
contradict the trend of FPA-groomed editorial. The essence of trend analysis
in journalistic practice is critical to research that must inform the work of
journalists. In reality, FPA management opted to provide the platform motivated
by political trappings or possible inducements to provide space for an assault
on government.
Having scientifically laid the object of such editorial and what it seeks to achieve
at the expense of distraction, we will begin to succinctly examine arguments,
divorce ourselves from pettiness and deal with the substance of the issues
decisively as they so deserve. It is the style of one man who branded everyone
in Liberia as corrupt while he wore sinless garments.
Regrettably, in view of the baptism of responsible journalism, why would an
exchange of war-of-words become the basis for the practice of civilized trade?
Journalism has a duty to educate and inform; influence societal change, build
and connect traditions, cultures, reunite societies and transform lives.
But when journalism out of the ego and self-styled tendencies of journalists,
become the means to selfish aim then our society is bound for failure. This
is the crust of FPAs propaganda interest. The editorial bears the traits of
political infidels who once had an opportunity in government and squander it.
Yes, journalism is about critically informing the population about government
and society but facts, figures, and precision correct spellings are the crux of
responsible journalism.
Here we go again! This nation celebrates the world joins our country to
celebrate but FPA, that claims journalism divorced of nationalism is intriguingly
seem not to be interested in the greater good but the naivet and trivialities of
you say and I say cheapness when the real issues that will adequately bring
benefits to our country are being ignored.
When we present information to the public without stating the facts, a
newspaper makes itself wanting. In this part of the world whenever evidence
is demanded of requested, it becomes a crime.
If the culture of professional journalism should thrive on the legacy DIRTY
LAUNDRIES - being aired in the public domain, secret conversations between
so-called friends, all appointees of a sitting president have found its way into
a 38-page scolding indictment of the supreme auditing institution in postwar Liberia, the General Auditing Commission the face of good journalism,
public trust, and social responsibility must inform the borrowed niceties FPA
is supposedly adopting.
For some strangely propagandistic justification FPA has allowed itself to
welcome a guest-driven editorial with such bombastic verbiage: THE JURY IS
STILL out on the believability factor since the GACs release of an audit of the
National Ebola Trust Fund for the Period August 1 to October 31, 2014 which
unearthed that the Incident Management Team on Ebola headed by Assistant
Health Minister for Preventive Services Mr. Tolbert Nyenswah, Mr. James
Dorbor Jallah and Dr. Wede Elliott should be held liable for violating Section
66 (4) of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Act,
which regulates protocols for government procurement, contract and others
with the sole aim of demonizing patriotic Liberians who risked their lives to
save fellow Liberians in the name of a so-called politically motivated audit
as though these people would be seeking public office is treacherous and
inhumane.
FPA should brace itself for a dozen counter journalistic schooling extravaganzas
for subjecting the newspaper to the most irresponsible form of journalism that
allows politicians to become its paymaster instead of building a culture of
arguably searching for the truth.
An editorial that thrives on a stupor such as IN THE COURT of public opinion
when journalism as a scientific practice that borders on research and scholarly
work cannot be anchored on disjointed debates consumed in the marketplace.
If journalism is about talent and ambition, we have a responsibility to appreciate
that a candid disposition by Her Excellency to intellectualize the fearlessness,
patriotism, gallantry and determination of the Ebola team when even the
very FPA was calling for Trusteeship and outsourcing the fight against Ebola
because of the vulnerability of our health care system; the blame game about
the governments inability to manage a volatile situation and grotesquely a call
for regime change then who is goosing the gander after the battle has been
won with GACs gospel according to Puritanical doctrine. How could we have
achieved the call for outsourcing Ebola fight in the view of FPAs political actors?
Lets for argument sake place the cards on the table in this equation of some
obscurely cum poorly analysed statement made by the President when she met
journalists in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium? President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
did not address a foreign audience let alone foreign journalists. She spoke
succinctly but passionately. The President at no time justified anything next to
wrongdoing! All she did was to give a human face to the heroic zealotry, courage
and aggressive commitment to fight the deadly Ebola virus. We were dogged
by an overwhelming emergency situation at the time. Are we having reasons
to believe that FPA and its political allies were the only strangers in Jerusalem?
How could they have done it different?
Sheepishly, FPA political editorialist selects to ignorantly refer to the
rigorous PPCC and other processes at least when there was so much mass
confusion and the painstaking moment for strict adherence would have seen

more deaths than we could swallow but notwithstanding brings Sierra Leone
into the baseless analogy without supporting research arguments. All Liberians
might read the nasty and often vague politics from time to time but they have
scruples. FPA values establish norms nut when the Liberian Revenue Authority
(LRA) request strict compliance they cry wolf. They shouldnt since the laws
are on the books and should be implemented to the letter.
It is important Liberia understand our situation in a crystal and clear manner.
The challenge imposed on us as a result of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Our
nation was under attack by an unknown enemy and we could not sit supinely.
The President was appealing in the press revealing during the press conference
and not defending. What happened then? FPA in its usual subjective and neojournalistic style carried a banner headline, which portrayed that the President
was Shielding Corruption. Granted we had a situation of FPA offices set ablaze;
would FPA as directed in its Board (if one exists) sanctioned regulations wait
for boards approval to invite the Fire Service? We often talk about commonsense but it is not common at all.
Technically, an editorial presents a media institutions official position of
prevailing topical issue. It is not a political bone-picking column in any respect.
Conversely, to assume that AG Gaye allowed and encouraged members of the
Ebola Task Force to scold and query her about a report by the GAC bearing her
signature underscores a motive.
What is unkempt about the arguments presented by EBOLA Task Force
elements whom FPA is suggesting continue to herald the refrain that the
emergency situation? Is FPA or its political backers implying that we did not
have an emergency situation on our hands? Surely, that is the case. Laws exist
but there are rare, emergency and ad-hoc situations. Agree, Dorbor Jallah head
PPCC and so what prevents him from been called upon in a national emergency
crisis? The duality of his role to fight and combat Ebola is narrowly being
construed from the lens of political pettiness rather than the supreme national
sacrifice that culminated into tangible results.
It is important for avid readers to reckon there was a common feature in the
diction of the previous AG most often than, he was intrigued by the use of
regulatory quotes of all sort to express sometimes simple issues. Calling for
schooling in various Financial or Statutory Laws remain a non-issue. The public
that FPA and its collaborators are trying to impress ultimately care less about
defining the TOR of a sitting AG. It is just pointless!
FPA is implying that its PRIMARY cause for concern regarding the issue of
incompetence correlates with the poor choice of words and the condescending
tone members of the Ebola Task Force chose to belittle president Sirleafs
handpicked Auditor General, Yusudu Gaye. In its Editorial of May 20, 2015, FPA
termed the AG a CPA, which respectfully is not denigrating if you may. But to
suggest that she was handpicked is not just nit-witty but is indicative of a ploy.
Using FPAs puzzle-solving methodology; the only qualified Liberian to have
ever shown up at the GAC was John Morlu. No wonder why he has the newfound
Liberias so-called John the Baptist.
Contrarily, in the incongruence of this editorial leaves so much to be desire.
The previously advanced argument in FPA editorial referred to the AG as
handpicked but at the same time is coming to the defence of the same person
allegedly described as incompetent amid threats of court action by Ebola
lieutenants.
When the appointed John Morlu, did she have the slightest iota of assumption
that with less than three week on the job he would have preposterously and
unprofessionally announced: That the government was two times corrupt as
it successor? If we were to use FPAs allegory; THE TASK FORCEs label of the
GACs boss as incompetent is a reflection of the President who appointed her
to the position. Therefore John Morlu did not just become an embarrassment
to the President but an unprofessional bigot airing unscientific permutations.
He stayed on and concluded his tenure. How can Morlu claim professionalism
as FPA editorialist when he repeatedly compromised professional standards by
leaking unadulterated draft audit reports to the media?
How could the same acclaimed CPA earlier referred to, is now in FPAs
summersault lacks the requisite qualification to head the GAC? Something is
gone amiss! It is now obvious that Deputy Nanka who produced the Ebola
Fund Audit report, in this latest construct is the architect behind this obtaining
gimmick as FPAs Editorial is claiming: it means Nanka is more qualified than
the AG. Propaganda is a tool but putting a spin on what us self-evident will not
simply escape all minds.
Here we go, as the editorial is suggesting that: the President and the legislature
have sufficient reason to have this incompetent Auditor General removed
to protect the professional image of the GAC and to avoid a disgrace like her
predecessor Robert Kilby. How did poor Kilby come into the picture after hes
been long gone?
While we democratically welcome all those including the FPA who would
responsibly keep the Presidents feet to the fire on critical national issues the
culture of decorum and a deep sense of respect for our leaders should not elude
our sensibilities. FPA should not turn a blind eye to reality. The likes of Citi Bank,
UNDP, IMF, World Bank would not employ a professional that is incompetent.
Someone selected along with other Eminent persons from around the world to
head investigate the genocide cannot be called incompetent. The irresponsible
politics of the day in this country should not at any point erode our commonsense. Allowing people with political motives to increase distrust in the type of
work you should do is a mindless preoccupation.
Instructively, the business of governance and its operationalization are not run
through newspaper pages especially when there is a complete lack of ethical,
moral, professional and patriotic sense of duty whatever.
Department of Public Affairs
Executive Mansion

EDITORIAL TEAM

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

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

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frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
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& Layout Editor, echange4life@gmail.com;
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com
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com, 0886-304498
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sombai@FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
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Page 6 | Frontpage

Monday, May 25, 2015

REDUCING POVERTY

HOW CENTRAL BANKS GOVERNORS WORK ON FINANCIAL INCLUSIONS THROUGH LOANS

Monrovian recent time a massive

program spearheaded by
Central Bank of Liberia
governor, J. Mills Jones
has seen the CBL chief reaching
out to the rural communities,
providing loans to people in
several counties.
From
establishing
local
banks and giving out loans
to marketers, Jones has now
made himself known across
the 15 political sub divisions of
Liberia but his critics say he is
using the resources of the CBL
to make political gains.
Supporters of Jones on the
other hand are arguing that
the process is legitimate as it
is provided for in the act that
established the CBL mandating
the bank to reach out to the
population in terms of financial
inclusion through loan.
Some argue that giving out
loans does not require huge
publicity stunt with t-shirts
printed bearing the image of
Governor Jones, large crowd
paraded in the capital cities of
counties visited and political
speeches instead of quiet
loaning program.
Jones in his own defense once
said Whose money am I
wasting? The Liberian people
own money? If building a
strong private sector is a waste
of money, I say no to that.
The CBL chief loan program
and the manner in which he
is handling the program has
led to widespread criticisms
and made him one of the most
discussed individuals in recent
time prompting a push by the
House of Representatives for
an audit of the CBL.
Central Banks the world
over are known as the
Bank of Government with
specific functions to help the
economy grow by providing
empowerment for the locals
mainly rural dwellers to enable
them have access to financial
services but for Liberia such
move has been seen as political.

HOW
IS
ELSEWHERE?

IT

VS POLITICS

Central Banks the world over are known as the Bank of Government with specific functions to help
the economy grow by providing empowerment for the locals mainly rural dwellers to enable them
have access to financial services but for Liberia such move has been seen as political

(L-R) Dr. J. Mills Jones, Governor, Central Bank of Liberia; Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor, Central Bank of Malaysia
banks towards innovations
an activities aimed at getting
more people involved in the
financial inclusion process.
In one of the countries in
the world now considered a
booming economy, Malaysia,

developing a micro finance

institutional
framework,
establishing special funds
and financing schemes, and
improving
outreach
and
awareness.
In the Asian country of

DONE

While the debate in Liberia

regarding Jones handling of the
CBL loan program continues,
FrontPageAfrica now looks at
how Central Banks in other
countries are proceeding with
their empowerment programs.
According to investigation,
Central Banks in several
countries including countries
with booming economiesMalaysia, Nigeria and others
have similar program Central
Bank Governor undertake
regular travels to the rural
areas and implement loan
programs for the rural
communities.
In Nigeria, for example, the
Governor of the Central Bank,
Dr. Sanusi Lamido Sinusi has
amongst others been able to
enhance the rural banking
scheme to support rural
agriculture and mobilization of
savings in the rural areas.
Governor Sinusi has also
provided credit for the growth
of the small scale business
entrepreneurs; and promote
balanced development and
achieve eventual reduction in
the rural-urban migration.
The Governor of Nigeria as
part of the highlights of his
work has also engaged private

Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor, Central Bank of Bangladesh

Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Central
Bank Governor of that country
is carrying out similar policydevelopment of systems to
serve the underserved by
providing access to highquality and essential financial
services; increased financing to
small and medium enterprises
by 39%.
Dr. Aziz as part of his work is
also required to establish a
comprehensive
mechanism
to ensure small an medium
enterprise have continued
access to financing including
establishing
institutional
arrangements, strengthening
financial services providers,

Bagladesh,
Central
Bank
Governor, Dr. Atiur Rahman
introduced a subsidy program
where financial assistance
was provided to rural dwellers
particularly farmers with
different amounts going to
marginal and small farmers
and mi-level farmers all
intended to provide access to
finance to the rural population
and improve rural economic
activities.
Dr. Aziz has also been able to
enhance access to finance to
the rural poor by introducing
a system where officials of the
Bank have been visiting rural
communities and providing

Open
field
distribution
of agricultural loans and
subsidies to improve the
agricultural sector and the
rural economy.
The Governor of the Central
Bank of Bangladesh also
routinely takes road trip to the
rural villages where he takes
along the presidents of the
commercial banks to meet and
discuss with villagers.
In
neighboring
Ghana,
Central
Bank
Governor
Henry Akpenamawu Kofi
Wampah has been doing the
same reaching out to rural
communities to ensure that
financial services in available
and affordable in the rural
areas.
Professor Njuguna Ndungu,
Governor of the Central Bank
of Kenya is another Bank
Governor has been focusing
much attention on the rural
parts of Kenya.
He has ensured financial
services are accessible in the
rural parts of that country and
Kenya is one country where
financial services is available
to the rural parts.

measure.
Governor Jones has also
conceptualized and began
the implementation of the
Rural Community Finance
Institutions
project,
a
community banking system
to bring banking service to
counties without banks and
to expand banking services to
other underserved counties.
Like other countries, Governor
Jones has created opportunities
for Liberian small and medium
businesses to access finance to
improve their businesses and
be able to compete with nonLiberian owned businesses
as a practical step towards
Liberian taking charge of the
Liberian economy.
Governor Jones has provided
financing to Liberians for home
construction, home renovation
or completion and financing
to the microfinance sector for
Liberians at the lowest tier

of the financial pyramid to be

able to start or improve their
small businesses and enhance
business in rural Liberia
benefiting ordinary Liberians
and spurring rural economic
activities.
Other
achievements
of
Governor
Jones
include
working with donors to bring
about the modernization of the
Liberian Credit Union Sector
which has materialized with
four regional credit unions
delivering savings and other
financial services to these
areas, positioning Liberia as
a member of the Alliance for
Financial Inclusion showcasing
Liberias achievements in
advancing financial inclusion.
Despite change in the financial
sector by the CBL Governor,
he continues to come under
sharp criticisms mainly from
politicians who fear that
his initiatives are intended
to make him gain fame for
possible run as a presidential
candidate in 2017.
Jones is yet to publicly declare
his political ambition but
as the debate continues,
observe believe it is clear
that politics versus finance is
overshadowing the growth
of the financial sector of
Liberia as similar initiatives
by Central Bank Governors of
other countries are viewed
differently in Liberia.
Should Jones declare that he
will contest as a presidential
candidate in 2017, one thing
that is certain is that he will
not have the power to undo
the essential financial services
that have been extended across
Liberia including the opening
of rural banks, loans and other
initiatives.

HOW IS JONES DOING IT?

In Liberia Governor Jones is

taking financial services out to
the rural counties, Gbarpolu,
Sinoe, Grand Kru and all the
counties.
Banks have been opened and
operational in places like
Bopolu and other places where
people had to travel for hours
in the past to have access to
banking services.
The CBL through Governor
Jones has been able to conduct
a national Baseline survey
to identify key barriers to
financial inclusion in Liberia
and collect baseline data
from which achievements
in financial inclusion can be

Professor Njuguna Ndungu, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

MONROVIA CITY COURT ORDERS AFL

Page 7

SOLDIER DETENTION ON MURDER CHARGE

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

Monroviamember of the restructured Armed

Forces of Liberia
(AFL),
Gansee
Winn has been duly charged
with murder by the police
and ordered detained at the
Monrovia Central Prison
pending prosecution by the
Monrovia City Court at the
Temple of Justice.
The court charged the
defendant Thursday after a
brief appearance following
the end of an investigation
by officers of the Liberia
National Police (LNP).
The defendant is accused
of killing a motorcyclist
identified as Nelson Cuput
in the Thinker Village
Community
along
the
Robertsfield Highway on
April 15, 2015.
The police charge sheet
in
the
possession
of
FrontPageAfrica states that
on the day of the incident
the
motorcyclist
had
just completed counting
his money and took the
defendant to be passenger
waiting for vehicle to go
home as the victim usually
picks up passengers late at
night for which he is known
by the nick-name Take it
late.
The police quoting a witness
stated that the victim decided
to approach the defendant to
drop him home but when the
lights from a passing vehicle
zoomed on the defendant the
victim noticed bruises and
blood stain on him.
According to the witness,
the victim decided to ask the
defendant what was blood
doing on his clothes and who
could have done such to him
but while trying to inquire,
the defendant pulled out a
flash light which he used to
attack the victim.
The witness continued that
while the defendant was
attempting to hit the victim
with the flash light, the victim
was moving backward to
avoid being hit but his legs

TAYLOR PLEA REJECTED

Former Presidents Application to Appeal Decision

on his Motion for Transfer to Rwanda Denied

hit against a light pole and

he felt to the ground and the
defendant took a plant from
the table and began to assault
him.
Again, the witness (name
withheld) narrated that the
victim ran from the defendant
but the defendant kept
running after him until they
entered the corner between
a shop and a house and kept
assaulting the victim on his
head with a plank until it
broke into pieces.
According to the same
witness
the
defendant
took a 2/4 plank which he
continuously used to beat
the victims head until the
victim went completely
unconscious.
A second witness revealed
that the defendant was seen
around Thinkers Village
turning point around 22hrs
with bruises on his face and
blood stain on his clothes
and he was behaving like
someone who was drunk or
abnormal running after the
motorcyclist while wearing
military booths.
The witness said that when

the defendant was assaulting

the victim in the corner with
the 2/4 plank on the head
they could hear the heavy
hitting sounds, but were
afraid to approach him in
the dark corner something
that prompted them to start
calling for help until the
sound from the corner seized
and the place became quiet.
We accordingly saw the
defendant coming from
the corner with the plank
containing blood in his hand
and he uttered the word
who next said the witness.
Also the witness furthered
that fortunately for them
a fellow who was later
identified as a senior military
officer in person of one 1st
Sgt Kargo was stopped by
the group who recognized
the defendant as a military
personnel while still in
possession of the blood
stained plank.
The witness continued that
when the senior officer called
the defendant name Winn,
he became calm and dropped
the plank and saluted the
superior officer.

The accused attempted to

get the on motorbike of
the superior officer but the
bystanders stopped him
and told the senior military
officer that he (Winn) had
assaulted somebody in a
corner whom seems to be
dead.
According to the witness
the senior military officer
walked to the corner where
the victim was lying and met
him lying in a pool of blood
unconscious and while in that
process the police arrived
and arrested the defendant.
During their investigative
findings the police stated
that there was no previous
interaction,
quarrel
or
misunderstanding between
the victim and the defendant,
which may have resulted to
such a gruesome attack on
him.
Defendant Gansee winn now
disrobed has been charged
by the Liberia National
Police (LNP) with murder
in violation of Chapter 14,
section 14.1 of the penal code
of the Republic of Liberia
awaiting prosecution.

harles Taylor, the convicted former President of Liberia,

will serve the remainder of his 50-year prison sentence
in the United Kingdom after RSCSL President Justice
Philip N. Waki denied his application to appeal.
On 30 January 2015, a special Trial Chamber convened by Justice
Waki dismissed Taylor's motion asking that he be transferred to
Rwanda where other SCSL convicts have been imprisoned.
In his decision, Justice Waki upheld the Trial Chamber's decision
on Taylor's "Motion for Termination of
Enforcement of Sentence in the United Kingdom and for Transfer
to Rwanda". At the same time, he denied Taylor's "Application to
Appeal Decision on Motion for Termination of Enforcement of
Sentence in the United Kingdom and the Transfer to Rwanda"
filed on 6 February 2015.
The Defence had argued that the wording of Rule 73(B) on
interlocutory appeals implied it was applicable to special Trial
Chambers empaneled by the President. They argued further that
they had met the conjunctive tests of "exceptional circumstances"
and "irreparable prejudice" prescribed by the Rule. The
Prosecution argued that Rule 73(B) applied only to motions
arising in the course of judicial proceedings, and not "in the post
administrative designation of place of confinement."
Justice Waki, citing SCSL jurisprudence, ruled that Rule 73(B)
was inapplicable. "Even if was permissible to seek leave to appeal
against the decision of the special Trial Chamber in this case, which
it is not, I am not satisfied that the Defence has demonstrated the
existence of 'exceptional circumstances' or 'irreparable prejudice'
which are the standards upon which the application for leave
would be considered," Justice Waki wrote.
"I have carefully examined the record compiled by the Honorable
Judges who sat in the special 'Trial Chamber' which I set up on the
Motion for Transfer, and I am satisfied that they dispassionately
gathered and evaluated the information placed before them,"
Justice Waki said. "I have further considered the reasoning of the
Honorable
Judges on the material placed before them and I concur with, and
adopt, the final decision made by the Trial Chamber."
This is the final decision on the two motions filed by Charles
Taylor.
Charles Ghankay Taylor was found guilty in April 2012 of eleven
counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious
violations of international humanitarian law. The Court found
that he had planned, and aided and abetted, crimes committed by
RUF and AFRC rebel forces during Sierra Leone's civil war. In May
2012 he was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with credit given for
time served in detention since March 2006.
His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Appeals Chamber
in September 2013, and he was transferred to Frankland Prison
the following month.

representing unwarranted
two percent royalty deduction
to
plaintiff,US$45,900.00
representing
debt
not
incurred by the plaintiff and
US$65,516.51 representing
illegal
deduction
from
plaintiff on account of the
defendants
employees
shortages.
The payment of damages by
Total grew out of a 20-count
petition of compliant for
action of damages for wrong
filed against the company
by the Princess Transport
INC, represented by its Chief
Executive Officer, Praise O.T
Lawal.
Princess Transport Inc. in
its complaint alleged that
upon the request of Total/
defendant imported into the

country 14 tanker trucks

that were manufactured
and designed according
to qualifications of the
defendant corporation but
the defendant took four
months to deploy the vehicles
into its fleet after the arrival
into the country which the
plaintiff to loss substantial
income from the non-usage
of the tanker trucks.
The plaintiff further alleged
that when the defendant fully
elected to deploy the trucks,
it deployed only eight out of
the 14 tanker trucks leaving
the six sitting idle.
According to the plaintiff who
further alleged that he relied
upon the agreement with
the Defendant Corporation
/Total and secured a loan

from the Liberia Bank for

Development and Investment
(LBDI) of US$3.75 m to
import the tanker trucks and
at the time of the hearing
of the case the loan has
accumulated interest and
stood at US$5,650,858.60
The Princess Transport Inc
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Lawal also stated that he
did not protest against the
non-usage of the remaining
tankers to the defendant
because these tankers were
built to the specifications of
the defendant corporation
and that they could not have
been used by any other
company.
As part of complaint the
plaintiff alleged that for
the eight tankers that were

deployed by the defendant,

the defendant made illegal
deductions from the income
without the consent and
approval of the plaintiff
against repeated protest
from the plaintiff.
Following the end of the trial
recently the court under
the gavel of Judge Johannes
Zlahn stated that despite
these limitations on the
use of the plaintiffs trucks
coupled with the fact that
the trucks were designed and
manufactured according to
the defendants specification
which places further barrier
on the use of the trucks
the defendant unilaterally
terminated the contract
rendering the trucks idle.
Refusing to use the

ADJUDGED LIABLE -TOTAL LIBERIA TO PAY OVER 4M IN DAMAGES

Kennedy
L.
Yangian
kennedylyangian@
frontpageafrica
.com
0777296781

Monroviaollowing months of
trial the Civil Law
Court at the Temple
of Justice has brought
down Total Liberia, one of
the dealers in petrol products
on the Liberian market liable
to pay general damages of
US$ 4,500.00 to the Princess
Transport Inc.
The court has also ordered
Total to US$,650,858.60
representing
loan
and
interest,
US$165,233.60
representing
unjustifiable
deductions
for
alleged
shortages,US$12,
459.50

tanker trucks which were

manufactured according to
the defendants specifications
and
which
carry
the
defendants emblem and
logo, and as such cannot
be used by the plaintiff or
any other business entity
therefore the defendant is
adjudged liable Judge Zlahn
ruled.
The plaintiff was represented
by Cllr, Theophilus Gould
and Cooper Kruah while
the defendant represented
by Johnny Momo and
Luther Yorfee excepted and
announced an appeal to the
Supreme Court sitting in its
October 2015 term.

VEEP BOAKAI ACCEPTS NOMINATION TO SEEK PRESIDENCY

Monday, May 25, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

LIBERIAS VICE PRESIDENT TO CONTEST

2017 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

I ACCEPT
With your support that I can be an effective inclusive leader, I accept without any reservation to be a candidate
for President of Liberia in 2017. Let me go forth from this day forward at every length and to every clan in the
remaining 14 counties, merge our voices, and ask for their support. With one voice, Victory is Certain!

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

Voinjama City, Lofa County -he guessing games

and
speculations
regarding the ruling
Unity Party and
President Ellen JohnsonSirleafs plan for
2017
became a lot more clearer
Friday as Vice President
Joseph Boakai threw his hat
in the ring for the presidency,
expressing confidence of
scoring a victory and succeed
Sirleaf as President.
I come before you today,
humbled by a vision of
a brighter future for our
country; mindful of the
enormous challenges of
our moment in history; and
determine to act boldly
and collectively on behalf
of all Liberian to accept
your petition to contest the
presidency of our country
in 2017. I believe in you and
that together, we can build a
strong Liberia with our own
wealth and resources, Boakai
told teeming supporters at
the Voinjama Town Hall.
Veep Boakai said his
growing up experiences
as
a
challenged
and
underprivileged child, should
inspire me to a government
policy that lifts people
everywhere out of poverty.
Farmers will own their own
land and crops; and they
will be able to sell it at fair
market price. Inflation is an

evil because it eats away the

middle class.
Vice President Boakai said
Good will come out of evil
and that after 14 years of
carnage, we need to heal deep
seated wounds, reintegrate
everyone back into society,
reunify ourcountry, and make
it whole again.
The Vice President added:
What I see is that all of the
concessions in our economy
have a combined 40%

footprint on our land mass;

in in other words that is an
equivalent of $19 Billion
investment is in our economy.
In a bid to address those
concerns, Boakai said: We
will form partnership with
concessionaires and engage
in integrate development
planning to that all of us
use the same services that
long after the concessions
are gone, those services will
sustain our way of life.

He further added that

under his government, they
will jointly plan with the
concessionaires to meet
our collective needs for
training and a skilled work
force for the public and
private sectors. Along with
concessionaires, we will
jointly develop an energy
infrastructure that meets our
collective needsprivate and
public, including water and
sanitation services sharing,

roads and railways services

sharing, modernization, and
expansion of our ports of
entry, and development of
our trade in services sector.
Holding
Each
Accountable

Other

Boakai further added: We

will leverage the presence of
concessions in our economy
to develop our domestic
private
sector,
promote
value addition, diversify
our exports, and achieve
inclusive growth.
He averred that too much
government planning for
everyone means too much
government power; and too
much government power
over the economy destroys
freedom, and reduces people
to a life of poverty.
He said he hopes to implement
a
comprehensively
decentralized Liberia that
rolls back some powers to
you the chiefs and the local
communities to make the
hard decision on the future
ofyour communities.
Added Boakai: If we hold
each other accountable,
take responsibility for our
own development, act with
honesty, and dignity; no
Liberian, rich or poor will
have to ever fear poverty,
unemployment, ill health, or
old age.
By sharing Lofas examples
with other counties, the 2017
presidential hopeful said,
the country can strengthen
food production in every
county, and feed ourselves
end the danger to our
and
food security the chronic
reliance on imported food
commodities.
He also said that a strong
Educational system that
will produce the labor force
for 21st century markets;
development of a functioning
and adequate healthcare
system for all; and a healing
of our country from our past
woes.
He envisioned a wellstructured society, with

predictable
systems,
organized and vibrant urban
and
rural
communities
that support family life and
advances opportunity for
all as well as an IT savvy
business and public space,
schools and libraries with
internet connectivity all
across Liberia.
The Vice President also
envisioned a secure and
stable Liberia at peace
with itself, that values
and
practice
inclusion
and remains a conducive
environment for businesses
to thrive; opportunity social
and upward mobility; and
a Liberia that is an active
member of the comity
of
nation;
promoting
international
cooperation,
peace, and global security.

Bokai: Victory is Certain

For all of these reasons, he said

he is accepting the petition
to contest the presidency.
With your support that I
can be an effective inclusive
leader, I accept without any
reservation to be a candidate
for President of Liberia in
2017. Let me go forth from
this day forward at every
length and to every clan in
the remaining 14 counties,
merge our voices, and ask
for their support. With one
voice, Victory is Certain!
Earlier petitions including
superintendents,
chiefs,
zoes, elders, women and
youth groups prevail on Vice
President Boakai to contest
the presidency. First and
foremost Mr. Vice President,
Liberians are aware that you
are a God-fearing leader who
has Liberia and its people at
heart, an apostle of peace,
a committed Christian and
devoted husband, married to
Madam Kartumu Boakai, for
over 40 years, and a dedicated
family man. You are indeed
an unquestionable believer
in dignity and equality for
all and a good politician
who plays by the rules of
democratic tenets and equity.

Monday, May 25 2015

VEEP BOAKAI ACCEPTS NOMINATION TO SEEK PRESIDENCY

Frontpage

Page 9

sister counties Bomi, Bong,

Gbarpolu,
Grand
Bassa,
Grand Cape Mount, Grand
Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland,
Margibi,
Montserrado,
Nimba, River Cess, River Gee,
and Sinoe.
Brumskine-Weah Back On?

Liberians know that you are

a man of integrity, and your
public service records spans
over 35 years with stellar
accounts of information
that bears true testament to
history.
Liberia has never had a
president from Lofa County
but has produced two vice
presidents; Boakai and the
late Harry Moniba, who
served as vice president to
Samuel Doe.
The citizens said they were
optimistic and hopeful that
Boakai would be victorious
in 2017. Many years ago,
a son of Lofa County, Dr.
Harry Fumba Moniba, was
chosen to serve the second
highest constitutional office
of our country. Today, you,
Joseph Nyuma Boakai, have
diligently served our Country
as Vice president for the

past nine years. Mr. Vice

President, you are one of our
distinguished sons, and you
embody all of the qualities
Lofa County represents
hardworking, effective and
inclusive tradition, loyal and
reliable ally.
Boakai was born in the
remote village of Worsonga,
Foya District, Lofa County,
on November 30, 1944, just
before the end of World War
II, and at the birth of the
Open-Door Policy.
The petitioners recalled
that because Monrovia did
not extend any opportunity
to Worsonga, for young
people to improve their lives,
Boakai was forced at a tender
age, to leave his parents
in pursuit of an education.
You defied your familys
poverty, and never gave in
to its vices, nor allowed it to

prevent you from achieving

your goals. You became
the first out of Worsonga
to graduate from college.
Many of the challenges you
encountered and overcame,
is a demonstration of your
endurance through poverty
and hardship. Your story is
a profile of the experiences
of the larger underprivileged
population of Liberia.
Boakai A Capable Manager,
Petitioners Say

The petitioners described

Boakai as a capable manager,
who has the expertise of
skillfully controlling and
managing the affairs of
our nation & people; and
possesses the potential to
grow our national economy
from the bottom up. As
an entrepreneur, you have

empowered your people by

expanding opportunities in
the agricultural sector and
the extractive industry, and
by organizing businesses
with considerable initiatives
and best practices. As an
astute politician, you have
been battle tested time after
time, and passed with proven
track records; and, as a career
agriculturist, Liberians have
compelling reasons to believe
and unequivocally state
that under your leadership,
Liberia will be self-sufficient
in food production and enjoy
food security.
The
petitioners
said
Liberians are quite aware of
the Vice presidents peaceful
co-existence with everyone,
and that includes citizens
from all walks of life as
well as expatriates. Yours
is a very humble life style

that lacks strife or bitter

disagreement over issues.
You are considered a gentle
giant, who speaks your
truth quietly, clearly, and
confidently. You are always
reminding people about
the importance of being on
good terms with all people,
without compromising ones
integrity. You strongly believe
that everyone, including the
poor, rich, old and young
people have their stories to
tell and they deserve concern
ears.
The
petitioners
acknowledged that Lofa
County alone cannot produce
the next president
and
extended an open arm of
acceptance,
collaboration,
cooperation and fellowship
to compatriots from all
the villages, towns, clans,
and chiefdoms of all our

The petitioners said they

are proud and confident
that the vice president
has been tried and tested,
and is prepared to provide
national leadership for the
people of Liberia. When
we unite to elect Joseph N.
Boakai as the next president
of Liberia, whether that
fight is in Maryland, Grand
Gedeh, Nimba, River Gee,
Grand Kru, Sinoe, Rivercess,
Gbaporlu, Bomi, Grand Bassa,
Montserrado, or Cape Mount
counties, by joining the fight,
it is our values and way of
life we are protecting: rule of
law, state sovereignty, peace
and security, individual
human rights and dignity,
food security and national
development.
Despite the optimism that
greeted Boakais petitioning
gala Friday, the ruling party
faces an uphill battle to win
a third successive term but
many political observers
say early signs of fragments
within the opposition could
give the ruling party an edge.
The first of what many
say would be many more
coalitions fell apart before it
even got off the ground last
week.
The coalition idea brought
together the Congress for
Democratic
Change(CDC),
the Peoples Unification Party
and Senator Prince Johnson at
a highly-publicized meeting
in Gbarnga, Bong County. But
not too long after the meeting,
some of those in attendance
became angry that some CDC
officials declared that the
meeting was aimed at finding
a running mate for George
Weah. Wilfred Bangura,
official spokesperson Senator
Prince Johnson for President
2017 was adamant that CDC
had dampen the plan. What
we know is that the meeting
was meant for discussion on
the possibility of forming a
merger it was not meant for
finding a standard bearer.
They are prejudging the
outcome of the meeting and
we are becoming increasingly
disturbed by that, if that was
the reason why Weah called
us, than there was no need
for a meeting.
FrontPageAfrica has learned
that officials of both CDC
and Liberty Party are
holding behind the scenes
discussions to resurrect the
failed pairing of Weah and
Charles Walker Brumskine
in hopes of giving Boakai and
the UP a run for their money
although many say the
likelihood of the pair putting
their egos aside is for the
time being highly unlikely.

FRAUD OR PLOT?

Monday, May 25, 2015

Page 10 | Frontpage

CONTROVERSY OVER REINSTATEMENT OF SUSPENDED DEO IN GRAND BASSA

Buchanan,
Grand
Bassa
Countyresident Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf has continually
described
Liberias
education sector as
a mess. In her last State of
the Nation Address, she again
averred that the system is
improving in quantity but not
quality, another comment,
observers say, was candid and
intended to usher alterations
at the helm of the sector. But
discrepancy is still visible in
the system with an ongoing
saga in Grand Bassa County
involving outgoing Deputy
Minister for Instruction at the
MOE, Hawa Goll-Kotchi.
Theres now mounting tension
over the reinstatement of
one of the countys District
Education Officers (DEO)
which has left many educators
criticizing the move and the
Chairman of the Countys
school board describing the
move as an affront to the board.
Some Members of the County
Legislative Caucus including
Senator Jonathan Kaipay and
Representative Byron Browne,
FrontPageAfrica has gathered,
are also concern about the
situation.
Rosanna Cole was suspended
in June 2014 by the countys
school board for allegedly
issuing fake documents to
some teachers in District Three
after she was investigated
by the board. According to
The Boards Chair, Moses
B.K Sawaye, following the
investigation
the
board
recommended the transfer or
dismissal of Madam Cole.

ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI, alpha.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

When the investigation was

done and we found out that she
was guilty because evidence
was
established,
(fake)
documents were presented
and living testimonies from
teachers involved and based
on all this we recommended
that she (Cole) be transferred
from the county or dismissed,
Mr. Sawaye explained.
Goll-Kotchi Ignores Board

He said a second investigation

was again conducted by MOE
former Assistant Minister
for Student Affairs, T. Wilson
Gaye, which also gathered
facts
and
corroborated
them with findings from the
previous investigation. Since
then, the board chair claimed
neither the ministry nor the
outgoing Assistant Minister
Goll-Kotchi has responded to

GODS GIFT
Feed the Future Director
Overjoyed by donation
Bettie Johnson /
betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviaoverty
and
food
insecurity are high
across the country
and particularly acute
in Liberias rural areas.
The government-led 2012

Comprehensive
Food
Security and Nutrition Survey
(CFSNS) found that every
fifth household in Liberia
is food insecure, with the
highest rates found in Bomi
(55 percent), Grand Kru (46

their suggestion only for the

Deputy Minister to order the
reinstatement of the DEO.
When contacted the County
Education
Officer,
Edwin
Kwakpah, insisted that he
wouldnt give any detail about
the reinstatement of the DEO
but confirmed that he was
instructed by Madam GollKotchi to restore Cole to the
position. Also, the CEO has
refused to serve a copy of
the letter from the Assistant
Minster to the board which
means, the board is being
kept in the dark, something its
Chairman sees as an offense.
If she didnt ignore the board
or undermine the board, she
would have written the very
letter to us that she sent to
the CEO instructing him to
reinstate the woman, Sawaye
said.
He insists that the board will

percent) and Rivercess (45

percent) counties a World
Food Program report states.
Food insecurity and poverty
are strongly correlated, as poor
rural households with informal
livelihoods tend to be the most
food insecure. The report also
indicated that the chronic
malnutrition rate remains high
nationally (36 percent), and
infant and young child feeding
practices are poor.
Despite these challenges,
the government continues to
demonstrate a commitment
to national recovery efforts.
The first Poverty Reduction
Strategy (PRS I), which
articulated the governments
vision for sustainable growth
and development, is currently
in
the
implementation
phase. PRS II, now under
development, will cover 2012
- 2015 and builds on the
achievements of PRS I.
The head of a nonprofit
organization Feed the Future
Madam Josephine Salee says
her organization remains
committed in feeding primary
school children in the country.
She said not many primary
students get a dime from their
parents for lunch and her
organization is geared toward
feeding the future.
Madam Salee spoke when
her organization received
a donation of several items
including stove, solar panels
among others.
We say thanks for the gift

do everything to revoke the

reinstatement of Madam Cole
saying:
If I see this lady in
the district, Im going to cause
noise, Im serious about
it and I know it will get the
attention of President Sirleaf.
Liberias
2011
revised
education act gives counties
school boards the power to
make calls relating to the
operation of schools in the
county.
The act states that the school
board
functions
include:
facilitate,
monitor
and
oversee the operation of all
schools in the local county
school system in accordance
with the guidelines, policies
and regulations promulgated
by the ministry. The law
also provides that the school
board shall work along with
the CEO who is charged with
the management of the daily

because this is what we need.

It is a gift from God because
he knows how much we have
suffered when it is raining and
we dont have money but we
have to find way to find fire
coal. Now we can use just a
little bit less than what we have
been spending on coal and
wood so this is a development
for us, she added.
Salee continued: A lot of the
time the women come to work
and say they are tired because
of the heat they experience
from the coal pot and with the
stove we really appreciate and
it will carry us a long way.
She said the donation of the
items is like a graduation day
for the organization because
there were times the cooks of
the organization had to cook
under the rain.
Today is graduation day we
are leaving the coal pot and
we are very happy. Gods gift
because we have given all we
have to this project and we
want to say thank you.
Speaking earlier, Royston
Gbelia CEO of SJEDI Green
Energy said We are here to
donate an institutional stove to
Feed the Future the reason is
giving back to the community
is one of the things and the
good work done by Feed the
Future getting no funding and
no assistance to feed schools
and using their own money
during the Ebola time and after
the crises.
He continued: we taught that

operations of the school system

under the contract direction of
the board.
FPA exerted efforts to obtain
comments from Madam GollKotchi but to no avail.
Plot against DEO?

Meanwhile, Rosanna Cole has

told FPA that all the allegations
against her are unfounded
describing it as a plot to thwart
her measures to nullify ghost
names she discovered on the
MOE payroll in the district.
All of those people that are
expressing their dissatisfaction
towards my reinstatement they
know what they have been on,
she asserted. During the time
of the investigation, I had all
evidence that I presented to
the independent committee.
Cole says all the adversaries
against her are intended to
sabotage her good work in the
district and she also confirmed
to FPA that she has resumed job
in the district despite protest
against her reinstatement.
She disclosed that her
reinstatement was on the
basis of a report from the
second investigation done by
an independent committee
established by the MOE.
Witnesses View

The boards investigation

disclosed that over 10
teachers testified against
Madam Cole with the District
Education Secretary, William
Jorkor saying that during the
investigation, he also testified.
He told FPA that the DEO
issued several documents to
teachers including C and B
certificates to people who did
not merit it.
She was the one who issued
them
those
documents
because they never went to
a particular school to obtain

it is commendable for our

children mainly the youths
because not lot of children
can afford to give their
children lunch so we taught on
partnering with them so that
they can be empowered in the
community.
Mr. Gbelia disclosed that the
organization has institutional
stove, residential stove and
solar lights.
We have institutional stove,
residential stove and solar
lighten as you in my back its
one of our residential stove
that take any household pots
using 50% coal as compared
to the regular coal pot it dont
smoke therefore it can be used
in doors and you dont have
to worry about the ashes or
inhale toxic admission, he
states.
The Green Energy boss said
The stoves will last for five
years, we are assembling
these stoves in Liberia, we
have partners with Mercy
Corps hiring the youths our
contribution to the community
continue to grow. Also even
those who cannot afford this is
affordable.
On his challenges Mr. Gbelia
added there has been some
challenges especially bringing
something new and mainly
for Liberians they dont get
used to new things, trying to
incorporate the new improved
charcoal stove on the market
but not withstanding we have
been doing this since 2009.

the documents and during the

investigation they (teachers)
said it was true that she issued
them those documents and
they pay her money, claims
Jorkor.
Amos Telo, the principal of the
only High School in the district,
also confirmed that teachers
testified against Madam Cole
during the investigation adding
that the situation, which
has attracted much concern
from people in the county, is
bad for the education sector
referencing President Sirleaf
description of the sector as a
mess.
Mess to Best

MoE
Minister-designate,
George
Werner,
recently
during confirmation hearing
at the Liberian Senate swore
to overhaul the Liberian
educational
system
from
mess to best. Mr. Werner
said once confirmed, he would
rely on political support even
though he has experience as an
educator himself.
"It is not just about money;
sometimes
it
is
about
commitment, identity and
leadership and that is where
the political leadership comes
in", Werner told the Senate
during his hearing.
With fiasco like the one in
Grand Bassa dogging the
already squishy education
sector, observers say, it must
be sorted meticulously to
establish the fact in accordance
with the best practice. A
principal of a private school
in Buchanan speaking to FPA
on anonymity said if the major
actors in the education sector
cannot ensure credibility, then
the system will continue to
worsen.
Also speaking the board of the
Feed the Children, T. Henry
Richardson said it is important
that the lives of the people be
sustained through electricity.
We know that LEC will
not get there even in our
grandchildren life time; Our
charity Feed the Future we
feed primary school children
for free, we are in discussion
with the Government of
Liberia to feed up to 5 or 6,000
primary school children in
the Montserrado County, he
disclosed.
Richardson continued: we
are hoping to finalize those
discussions, we are awaiting
decisions from the government
policymakers but we think
it is very important because
without a nutritious meal the
children dont learn anything.
The 2007 Liberia Demographic
and health Survey report
states Childrens Nutritional:
According to the 2007
LDHS, 39 percent of children
under five are stunt-ed, or
too short for their age. Onefifth of children are severely
stunted. This indicates chronic
malnutrition. Stunting is more
common in rural areas (43
percent) than urban areas (31
percent). Stunting ranges from
30 percent in Monrovia to 45
percent in South Eastern B.
Eight percent of children are
wasted (thin for height), and
19 percent of children are
underweight.

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

Page 11

Re-Advertised Invitation for Bids (IFB)

IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA NOTICE

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

Attention: All Taxpayers and Real Property Owners

Tax Evasion Scheme Discovered in Lease Agreements

National Competitive Bidding

Procurement of 1000KVA Generator

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;

PSA/LRA-022
April 15, 2015

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) alerts that it has come across lease
agreements and received whistle blower(s) information which confirm that
some real property owners and individuals are structuring lease agreements for
private property(ies) to avoid and evade the lawful rental withholding tax and
thereby wrongly calculating the withholding tax due the Government and people
of Liberia.

Item
Description QTY
Delivery
1.
1,000 KVA Diesel Generator with silencer 1
Immediately
upon contract signature

Leases are being constructed into parts wherein the larger percentage of the
actual gross rent amount to be paid by the lessee is assigned to furnishing
and provision of security, etc., while a smaller percentage is stated as the rent
amount. The withholding tax on rent is then calculated only on the rent amount
instead of the actual gross rent amount which includes the rental fee for all other
accommodations.

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

Additionally, some other property owners or individual(s) are preparing separate

lease agreements; one agreement for the purported rent and another to cover the
other accommodations some of which are cited as examples above.

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.

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

The sole purpose of said practice is to minimize the withholding tax on rent. This
practice is tantamount to a tax evasion scheme designed purposely to reduce the
tax revenue due the Government and people of Liberia.
Section 905(d) of the Revenue Code of Liberia stipulates A payer who makes a
payment to a resident of rent is required to withhold tax at a rate of 10 percent of
the amount of each payment if the total amount of rental payments made during
a 12-month period is expected to be $70,000 or more.
Section 10(w) of the Code defines rent The term "rent" means periodic payments
received for the use of real or personal property under a lease agreement whether
written or oral. The term "real property" includes buildings or structures fixed to
the land and the term "personal property" includes structures that are not fixed.
Section 90 of the Revenue Code of Liberia (LRC), states A person who willfully
evades or attempts to evade tax imposed under this Code commits a felony. Upon
conviction, in addition to any other sanctions that may be provided by law, the
person is subject to a fine of not more than $200,000; imprisonment for not more
than 5 years; or both.
Additionally the new penal law of the Republic of Liberia Section 15.80(a)&(c )
titled, Fraud on the Internal Revenue of Liberia provides A person is guilty of
a first degree felony, if he: (a) Knowingly conspires or colludes to defraud the
Government of Liberia; (c) Does or omits to do any act with intent to enable
another to defraud the Government of Liberia;
Effective immediately, real property owners, individuals, advisors, comptrollers,
consultants and others who unlawfully calculate the rental income tax only on
a portion of the actual full rent amount and or purposely craft the withholding
provision or design leases with the intent to evade the lawful withholding tax as
enshrined in the LRC are advised to PLEASE forthwith desist.
The gross amount of a lease in accordance with the LRC is the rent amount on
which the withholding tax on rent must be calculated and this includes all
associated accommodations, real and personal property(ies).
Effective hereafter, the lessor of any lease agreement which stipulates that the
withholding tax shall be withheld only on a portion of the full rent amount and
not on the full rent amount shall be accused of tax evasion by the LRA and shall
accordingly be prosecuted consistent with the Laws of the Republic of Liberia.
All existing leases with the withholding provision(s) unlawfully crafted should
be amended on or before June 30th 2015 to conform with the law so as to ensure
that lessees withhold the lawful taxes on the full rent amount and accordingly
pay same to the general revenue account as required by law.
This TAX Law Enforcement Action takes immediate effect.

Taxes Bring Development!

Signed: LRA MANAGEMENT

Monday, May 25, 2015

Page 12 | Frontpage

MINISTRY OF LANDS, MINES AND ENERGY

Notification of contracts awarded by ICB
Project Name: LIBERIA ACCELERATED ELECTRICITY EXPANSION PROJECT (LACEEP)
Country: LIBERIA
Project Number: P133445

Bid/Contract Reference No: ICB/LEC/ Bid/Contract Reference No: ICB/LEC/

LACEEP/01/2014 Lot 1
LACEEP/01/2014 Lot 2
Scope of Contract: Demolition of old LEC Tanks and pipeline, Removal Scope of Contract: Construction of New Facilities for HFO handling and
of Debris, Cleaning and Preparation of Site
Storage for LEC Power Plants at Bushrod Islands, Monrovia
Duration of Contract: 2 Months
Duration of Contract: 6 Months
Evaluation Currency: Liberians Dollars (L$)
Evaluation Currency: Liberians Dollars
Awarded Bidder
Name: China Harbour Engineering Company
Address*: Beijing, China
Bid price at bid opening: USD539,915.00
Evaluated Bid Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 45,622,817.50
Contract Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 45,622,817.50

Evaluated Bidders
Name: International Energy Services Limited/SEVAN Consultants (JV)
Address: Abuja, Nigeria
Bib price at bid opening: USD 1,242,100.00
Evaluated bid price (in evaluation currency): USD 104,957,450.00
Name: Lutech Engineering & Project Management Consultants
Address: Dubai, UAE
Bid price at bid opening: USD 2,485,250.00
Evaluated bid price in (evaluation currency) L$ 210,003,625.00
Name: City Construction Inc.
Address: Monrovia, Liberia
Bid price at bid opening: USD3, 208,327.50
Evaluated Bid Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 268,308,625.00
Name: Semoh Group of Companies Inc. (JV)
Address: Monrovia, Liberia
Bid price at bid opening: USD3,208,327.50
Evaluated Bid Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 271,103,673.75
Name: New Makes Engineering Limited
Address: Lagos, Nigeria
Bid price at bid opening: L$15,697,516.00
Evaluated Bid Price (in evaluation currency): L$15,697,516.00

Rejected bidder(s)
Name: Brandstor Operations
Address: USA
Bid price at bid opening: USD 20,410,000.00
Reason(s) for rejection: Substantially non repressive bid, letter of bid
not signed, did not provide
Power of Attorney
Name: Global Construction Afrique
Address: Burkina Faso
Bid price at bid opening: No Bid read out price
Reason(s) for rejection: Bid was substantially non repressive, No Bid
Form, No Bid securing Declaration

Awarded Bidder
Name: China Harbour Engineering Company
Address*: Beijing, China

Bid price at bid opening: USD 7,041858.00

Evaluated Bid Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 595,037,001.00

Contract Price (in evaluation currency): L$ 595,037,001.00
Evaluated Bidders

Name: International Energy Services Limited/SEVAN Consultants (JV)

Address: Abuja, Nigeria

Bib price at bid opening: USD 7,353,086.00

Evaluated bid price (in evaluation currency): L$ 621,335,767.00

Name: Lutech Engineering & Project Management Consultants

Address: Dubai, UAE

Bid price at bid opening: USD 7,234,534.00

Evaluated bid price in (evaluation currency) L$ 611,318,123.00

Name: Tristar (Liberia) Inc.
Address: Monrovia, Liberia

Bid price at bid opening: USD 14,258,096.00

Evaluated bid price in (evaluation currency) L$ 1,204,809,112.00

Rejected bidder(s)
Name: Brandstor Operations
Address: USA

Bid price at bid opening: USD 30,080,000.00

Reason(s) for rejection: Substantially non repressive bid, letter of bid

not signed, did not provide Power Attorney.
Name: Global Construction Afrique
Address: Burkina Faso

Bid price at bid opening: No Bid read out price

Reason(s) for rejection: Bid was substantially non repressive, No Bid

Form, No Bid securing Declaration

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

Invitation for Bids

Invitation for Bids

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Through the Voluntary Partnership Agreement Support Unit

(DAI/VPASU)

National Competitive Bidding for the Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning
of 350KVA Diesel Generator Set with Lightning Resistor

IFB No.: DAI/VPASU/NCB/FDA/02/15

1. The Government of Liberia and the European Union entered into a voluntary partnership
Agreement (VPA) with the aim of improving Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and
Trade (FLEGT). Under this bilateral arrangement, DAI/VPASU services have been secured
by the British Government Department for International Development (DFID) to help with
the implementation of this agreement with specific responsibility of building the capacity
of those stakeholders linked with the VAP implementation. Among these stakeholders is
the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
2. The DAI/VPASU intends to apply part of its project funds to fund eligible payments
under the contract for the Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning of 350 KVA
Diesel Generator Set with Lightning Resistor for the Forestry Development Authority.

3. The DAI/VPASU now invites sealed bids for eligible and qualified bidders for to be
delivered to the Forestry Develop Authority, Whein Town Mount Barclay, Monrovia,
Liberia. Interested eligible bidders are to meet the following qualification/criteria a).
Financial Capability and b). experience and Technical Capacity. Additional details are
provided in the Bidding Documents.

Lot No.

Description

Supply, Installation, Testing, 1

and Commissioning of one
(1)350 KVA Diesel Generator
Set with Lightning Resistor

Quantity

Page 13

Delivery Period

4weeks after
contract signature

4. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures

specified in the PPCA and approved by PPCC, and is open to all bidders from Eligible
Source Countries as defined in the Guidelines.

5. Upon submission of written application to the below address, interested and eligible
companies may pick up a complete set of Bidding Documents from the office of the
VPASU,17th Street Sinkor, Monrovia-Liberia from May 25 29,2015, from 9:00AM to
4:30PM daily.
6. Qualifications requirements include:
Registered within the Republic of Liberia
Registered as per the Income Tax of Act of Liberia
Experienced as prime contractor in the construction of at least three works of similar
value, nature and complexity in the last five years;
Average annual amount of construction works performed during the last five years of
US$150,000.00.
Evidence of Access to Financial Resources of US# 75,000.00
Detailed qualifications requirements are stipulated in the Bidding documents.
7. Bids must be delivered in person by the authorized representatives participating
companies on the day of the opening ceremony , slated as follow:
a. Bids opening ceremony: June 16, 2015 at 10:00am in the conference room of the VPASU,
17th Street Sinkor, Monrovia-Liberia.

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Through the Voluntary Partnership Agreement Support Unit

(DAI/VPASU)

National Competitive Bidding for the Construction of External Water

Supply System for the Forestry Development Authority

IFB No.: DAI/VPASU/NCB/FDA/01/15

1. The Government of Liberia and the European Union entered into a voluntary partnership
Agreement (VPA) with the aim of improving Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and
Trade (FLEGT). Under this bilateral arrangement, DAI/VPASU services have been secured
by the British Government Department for International Development (DFID) to help with
the implementation of this agreement with specific responsibility of building the capacity
of those stakeholders linked with the VAP implementation. Among these stakeholders is
the Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
2. The DAI/VPASU intends to apply part of its project funds to fund eligible payments under
the contract for the construction of an External Water Supply System for the Forestry
development Authority Main Office Complex and Annexes, located in Whein Town,
Mount Barclay, Monrovia, Liberia.
The construction period is thirty (30) calendar days
3. The DAI/VPASU now invites sealed bids for eligible and qualified bidders for the
construction of an External Water Supply System to be delivered to the Forestry
Develop Authority, Whein Town Mount Barclay, Monrovia, Liberia.
4. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures
specified in the PPCA and approved by PPCC, and is open to all bidders from Eligible
Source Countries as defined in the Guideline.

5. Upon submission of written application to the below address, interested and eligible
companies may pick up a complete set of Bidding Documents from the office of the
VPASU,17th Street Sinkor, Monrovia-Liberia from May 25 29,2015, from 9:00AM to
4:30PM daily.
6. Qualifications requirements include:
Registered within the Republic of Liberia
Registered as per the Income Tax of Act of Liberia
Experienced as prime contractor in the construction of at least three works of
similar value, nature and complexity in the last five years;
Average annual amount of construction works performed during the last five years
of US$150,000.00.
Evidence of Access to Financial Resources of US# 75,000.00
Detailed qualifications requirements are stipulated in the Bidding documents.

7. Bids must be delivered in person by the authorized representatives participating

companies on the day of the opening ceremony , slated as follow:
a. Bids opening ceremony: June 16, 2015 at 10:00am in the conference room of the VPASU,
17th Street Sinkor, Monrovia-Liberia.

8. Electronic bidding is not permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be open
physically in the presence of the bidders representatives.

8. Electronic bidding is not permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be open
physically in the presence of the bidders representatives.

10. All bids should be accompanied by Bid Security in the amount equivalent to US5,000.00,
using the form provided in Appendix 3 to the to the Bidding Documents. The Address
referred to above are:

10. All bids should be accompanied by Bid Security in the amount equivalent to US5,000.00,
using the form provided in Appendix 3 to the to the Bidding Documents. The Address
referred to above are:

9. A site visit is scheduled for June 4, 2015 at 11:00am.

The Team Leader

VPA Support Unit
17th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia
Republic of Liberia

9. A site visit is scheduled for June 4, 2015 at 11:00am.

The Team Leader

VPA Support Unit
17th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia
Republic of Liberia

Page 14 | Frontpage

IN BRIEF

DUTCH IMMIGRANT KIDS

TAKE TO STREET DEMANDING
'WHITE' CLASSMATES

Amsterdam (AFP) aced

with
an
increasingly
segregated
education system,
Dutch immigrant children
have taken to the streets
of their ethnically mixed
Amsterdam neighbourhood
seeking "white" pupils to
attend their schools and
help their integration.
Around 100 schoolchildren
-- Arabs, Turks, Africans,
Moroccans -- accompanied
by their parents and
teachers, wore provocative
dazzling white T-shirts
emblazoned with "Is this
white enough for you?".
Dutch native Annelies, 10,
and immigrants' daughter
Aminata, 11, have been
friends since kindergarten
and are also wearing the
shirts, which have "All
children have the right to
integrate" written on the
back.
They "want more white
children in the school to
learn about each other's
cultures," said Aminata,
her smiling face framed
by dangling African braids
during Friday's protest.

BOTH SIDES SAY

IRELAND HAS VOTED TO
LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE

DUBLIN (AP)
eaders on both sides
of
Ireland's
gay
marriage campaign
say advocates of
legalization have won a
resounding victory with the
ballot count still underway.
Senior figures from the
"no"
campaign,
who
sought to prevent Ireland's
constitution from being
amended to permit gay
marriage, say the only
question Saturday is how
large the "yes" side's margin
of victory will be from
Friday's vote.
An Irish Cabinet minister,
Leo Varadkar, who came
out as gay at the start of the
government's campaign, says
Dublin looks to have voted
about 70 percent in favor
of gay marriage, while most
districts outside the capital
also were reporting strong
"yes" leads. Official results
come later Saturday.
Varadkar said: "We're the
first country in the world to
enshrine marriage equality
in our constitution and do
so by popular mandate. That
makes us a beacon, a light
to the rest of the world of
liberty and equality. It's a
very proud day to be Irish."

PAGE

RONT

WORLD NEWS

Monday, May 25, 2015

NIGERIA PRESIDENTIAL
INAUGURATION 2015

President-Elect Buhari Slams Jonathan's

Outgoing Administration Over Power Transfer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) op aides to former

U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton
fretted over how she
would be portrayed after the
2012 Benghazi attacks that
killed the U.S. ambassador
to Libya and three other
Americans, emails released
on Friday showed.
The emails also showed
Clinton received information
on her personal email
account about the Benghazi
attacks that was classified
"secret" by the FBI just prior
to their release.
Clinton, the frontrunner for
the Democratic presidential
nomination in 2016, has come
under criticism for using
a personal email account,
hosted on a private server
in her New York state home,
instead of a government one
for messages she sent and

received as secretary of state.
The move by the FBI to
classify some of the material
could further fuel criticism
that she handled sensitive
information on her private
email.
But
State
Department
spokeswoman Marie Harf
told that the information
classified
by
the
FBI
amounted to "less than two
sentences."
The email and the
information in this email ...
was not classified at time it
was sent, Harf said.
The emails released on
Friday did not appear to
support
for
Republican
accusations that Clinton
was involved in efforts to
downplay the role of Islamic
militants in the attacks on a
U.S. diplomatic compound
and CIA base in Benghazi.
Nor did they indicate that
Clinton
was
personally
involved in decisions that
resulted in weak security at
the Benghazi outposts.
But the correspondence did
offer a glimpse into how
Clinton's team was concerned

WASHINGTON (AP)
batch of Hillary
Rodham Clinton's
emails from her
time as secretary of
state show her corresponding
with a longtime adviser about
the Libyan rebellion against
Moammar Gadhafi and the
Benghazi attack.
The set of messages, which
were published Thursday
by The New York Times,
focus on the 2012 attacks on
the U.S. diplomatic post in
Benghazi, Libya, that killed
four Americans, including
U.S. ambassador Christopher
Stevens.
The emails many of which

are marked "sensitive
but

unclassified" show the role

played by Sidney Blumenthal,
a longtime Clinton family
confidante, who was working
for the Clinton family
foundation and advising
a group of entrepreneurs
trying to win business from
the
Libyan
transitional
government.
Blumenthal,
who was not an employee
of the State Department at
the time, repeatedly wrote
dispatches about the events
in Libya to Clinton, who often
forwarded them to senior
diplomatic officials.
Clinton has faced months of
controversy after revealing
that she used a private email
address while working as

secretary of state, rather

than a government address,
and failed to preserve all of
her messages. This week,
a district court judge ruled
that the agency must set
a timetable to release the
55,000 remaining pages.
The portion of the emails
about the events in Libya
have already been given for
review to a special House
panel
investigating
the
attacks. They are expected
to be released by the State
Department in the coming
days after months of delay.
Clinton had initially been
expected to testify this
week on the attacks, but her
testimony was put off after
panel chairman Rep. Trey
Gowdy, R-S.C., complained
that he lacked the necessary
State Department documents
to thoroughly question her.
Speaking after a campaign
stop in Iowa this week,
Clinton urged the agency to
make her emails public as
quickly as possible.

CLINTON EMAILS SHOW CONCERN

ABOUT IMAGE AFTER BENGHAZI

about her image immediately

afterward.
A senior adviser to Clinton,
Jake Sullivan, forwarded
an email from a State
Department official about
positive media coverage of a
statement she gave on Sept.
12, 2012, the day after the
killings.
"Really nice work guys," State
Department official Matthew
Walsh wrote in an email to
other staffers, which linked to
a story on the Slate news site
praising Clinton's comments
about Benghazi as "her most
eloquent news conference as
secretary of state."
Sullivan, Clinton's deputy
chief of staff, passed the
email on to her with the
letters "FYI."
In another email from
September 2012, Sullivan
assured the secretary of
state that she had used the
correct language to describe

the lead-up to the Benghazi

attacks.
U.S. officials' exact wording of
the attackers' motivation had
become important because
the Obama administration
initially said the assaults
were a spontaneous protest
against an anti-Islamic film
posted on the Internet.
The U.S. ambassador to the
United Nations at the time,
Susan Rice, drew heavy
criticism from Republicans
for making this claim on
several Sunday TV shows,
even though intelligence
indicated within hours after
the attacks that they had been
the carefully planned work of
Islamist militia members.
Sullivan assured Clinton
that her language when
discussing the attacks in
public had been correct.
"You never said spontaneous
or characterized the motives,
in fact you were careful in

your first statement to say

we were assessing motive
and method," he wrote in an
email.
A number of the emails
to Clinton, some from
high-ranking officials, are
flattering to the former first
lady.
After
Clinton
appeared
on television the day
after the Benghazi attack,
Liz
Sherwood-Randall,
a White House official,
sent a message to her via
Sullivan which described
Clinton's performance as
"emphatic and unflinching
and inspiring; she was wise
and steady and strong. My 80
year old mother called from
LA to say, 'She was like our
rock of Gibraltar.'"
Long a focus of Republican
investigators in Congress,
accusations that Clinton
was negligent on Benghazi
are putting her under more

intense scrutiny now that she

is running for the Democratic
Party nomination in the 2016
presidential election.
Republicans say the Obama
administration was lax about
the security of U.S. personnel
in Libya and then misled
the public about the nature
of the attacks, but various
congressional probes have
produced little damaging
evidence.
State
Department
spokeswoman Marie Harf
said that the 296 emails
released on Friday "do not
change the essential facts
or our understanding of the
events before, during or after
the attacks."
They
were
the
first
installment of a rolling
release of 55,000 pages of
emails from her time as
secretary of state between
2009 and 2013 that are due
to be released in the coming
months.
Clinton or her aides have
deleted another 30,000
emails which she has termed
as personal from the same
private account, causing
Republicans in Congress to
accuse her of picking and
choosing what she wants to
make public.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, the
Republican who heads the
Benghazi probe in the House
of Representatives, said
the emails made public on
Friday "continue to reinforce
the fact that unresolved
questions and issues remain
as it relates to Benghazi."
He also complained that
there was a significant gap in
the emails between late April
and July 4, 2012, a period
when threats from militants
in Benghazi were being more
regularly reported.

Monday, May 25 2015

Frontpage

Sports

THREE QUALIFY FOR PRESIDENTS

CUP QUARTERFINAL

C
Monrovia-

aptain Vitalis Sie

header in the 69th
minute
against
newly
promoted
LFA second division 10 men
side Joy Conquerors helped
his side FC Fassell to reach
the quarterfinals stage of the
ongoing 2015 President cup
tournament.
Captain Sie scored after he
received a splendid cross from
teammate and striker Alogusius
Simujla and wasted no time but
headed it at the back of the net
against his own little brother
Vision Sie making it 1-0, goal
that proved to be the only goal
in the game.
Sie received yellow card
after he was booked for foul
he committed against his
opponent.
Fassell goal came just fiveminutes
after
defensive
midfielder Lawrence Tugbeh
of Conquerors was red carded
in the 64th minute for the
second bookable foul that led
to his second yellow card after
he brought down an opponent
far away from his territory.
Both teams started the game
mounting
pressure
with
several shots on goal, as they
maintained the momentum
until the first half ended
goalless.
The entire game changed
against after the goal, putting
Conquerors under constant
and serious pressure from
the midfield and forward line
of Fassell until the full 90
minutes.
The two teams kept their attack
against each other missing
several
scoring
chances
until the 50th minute when
midfielder Garec Sossa of
Fassell kicked a powerful shot
from 20 yard but was denied by
goalkeeper Sie from scoring.
Eddie Wulue could have put his
side Fassell in front in the 60th
minute but missed the goal post
an inch through a terrific shot
from the 35yard.
George Weah of Conquerors
came close to scoring for his
side in the 63rd minute after he
took a powerful shot but was
denied by goalkeeper Sampson
Galiddies of Fassell.

A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai121@gmail.com

SPORTS

CASILLAS: REAL
MADRID SHOULD
SIGN DAVID DE GEA

eal
Madrid
goalkeeper
Iker
Casillas
has
welcomed
the
club's interest in David
De Gea, insisting that the
Santiago Bernabeu side
should sign the Manchester
United star.
Casillas has suffered heavy
criticism in recent seasons
following a number highprofile mistakes and there is
mounting speculation that
the Liga outfit are ready
to axe their captain this
summer.
But despite suggestions that
De Geas potential arrival
could signal the end of his
spell in the Spanish capital,
Casillas still feels that Madrid
should move for the 24-yearold shot-stopper, who has
thus far refused to sign a new
contract at United.

PEREZ IS MAKING ANOTHER

BLUNDER' - REAL MADRID
FANS WANT ANCELOTTI
AND NOT BENITEZ

Midfielder Sossa of Fassell

made another attempt through a
prolific shot in the 68th minute
but the ball travelled wide.
Striker
Simujla
provided
another true pass in the 72nd
minute that could have resulted
in to his side second goal but
none of his teammates was
there to finish.
The game only scorer Sie
made a tactical move in the
opponents defense and gave
a brilliant pass to Kesselly
Kamara in the 80th minute
but he missed the ball to an
opponent and in the 83rd
minute Dieda Sossa came close
to making it 2-0 for his side but
was denied by the goalkeeper
Sie.
Kamara also made several
scoring attempts in the 20thand
38th but all of his shots
travelled over the cross bar.
Alyosius Torpleh almost gave
his side Joy Conquerors the
lead in the 23rd minute but sent
the ball an inch from the post

and his teammate Daniel Weah

kicked a powerful shot over the
bar in the 30th minute from a
free kicked.
The captain of Fassell and
goal scorer Sie told journalists
that he was happy for his team
qualification to the quarterfinal
of the tournament and that
they were to score more goals
but most of their attempts did
not materialized because they
were denied by the opponents
goalkeeper his own little
brother.
I am very thankful to God for
our victory and I now calling
on my teammates for us to
better prepare ourselves for our
next match against whosoever
we are going to face not only
in the quarterfinal to come
but until we reach and lift the
trophy, said Sie.
The Captain of Joy Conquerors
told FrontPageAfrica that even
though his team is now out of
the tournament, their excellent
performance is a clear

indication that they are ready

for the LFA 2015 national
league season.
Harrison Nah explained that
their match against Fassell is
their first major football clash
in the club history and people
took them for granted but they
showed to them that they are
going to be counted among
the best football teams in the
country especially in the field
of play.
We played to expectation
against our opponents and one
of the popular football teams
in Liberia because we were
headed by one of the best and
popular coaches in Liberian
football Coach Erick Thomson
alias Christian Cole and we are
convince that we will finish
the national league among
the first two teams which will
automatically qualify us for the
first division.
Both teams made several
change all in the second half
with the winning side Fassell

replacing with Kamara, in the

77th minute. Momom Golafaly
replaced James Walatee while
Varney Dukuly going in for
Chris Jones all in the second
half.
Conquerors
brought
on
Jerry Ponngay who replaced
Lawrence Wilson, Weah was
substituted for Ericson Nah,
and Nelson Gray went in Austa
Kamara.
Earlier in the day, second
division side Barrack Young
Controllers (BYC) II defeated
NPA Anchors 2-0 in the
opening match at the ATS
after first division side Nimba
United dumped Holder FC 2-0.
Eratus Wee and Terry Sackor
were on target for BYC
in the 1st and 65th minute
individually.
Nimba United goals came
through Patrick Singbah and
George Allison in the 68th and
89th minutes respectively.
In Saturdays game, Jubilee FC
overpowered ELWA 3-2.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE OVER BUT DOXXBET OFFERING MORE

Page 15

ith the end of football

season
coming
in
Europe
soon,
all
Doxxbet customers are
using one of their last chances to bet for
their favorite teams this season.
Since most of the leagues finish this
month, plenty of customers, who Bet
small and win big with Doxxbet

become worried.
However, Doxxbet management assures
them:
Even during June and July, we will
deliver the widest offer of sport bets,
including, but not limited to football,
tennis, basketball, cricket and martial
arts. You can find more than 20 different
sports in our betting options.

Again, we will be the only one offering

the option to bet on the games after it has
started. Our customers will definitely be
satisfied.
There should be plenty interesting
games with stars like Messi, Neymar or
Higuain, since Copa America South
America national team championship starts soon.

As for the company plans for the next

months, management replied:
We will be working hard to bring the
best odds, the biggest offer of the games
and the newest technology for our dear
customers says the management of
company, which is establishing fast
as the premium betting company in
Liberia.

eal Madrid fans

want
underfire coach Carlo
Ancelotti to remain
at the club and are unhappy
about Rafa Benitez emerging
as favourite to succeed him at
the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti brought the club
their long-awaited tenth
European crown last season,
but Goal understands that
he faces a battle to survive a
campaign in which he failed
to retain the Champions
League or win La Liga.

CHELSEA BLOCKED DE
BRUYNE'S DORTMUND
MOVE DUE TO ANGER OVER
LEWANDOWSKI REJECTION'

orussia Dortmund
CEO
HansJoachim
Watzke
has revealed that
Chelsea were unwilling to
sell Kevin De Bruyne to the
German club after after
Robert Lewandowski refused
to move in the opposite
direction.
Belgium international De
Bruyne left Stamford Bridge
to join Wolfsburg in 2014
and has gone onto become
one of the most highly rated
attacaking midfielders in
Europe.
Watzke admits he was
hopeful BVB would be able
to sign De Bruyne in 2013,
but Chelsea were unwilling
to do business after failing
to lure Lewandowski to west
London, with the Poland

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

Sports

FOOTBALL GREENLIGHT
VOL 9 NO.64

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

PRICE L$40

Ebola-free Liberia allowed to host internationals

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) iberia can host international

soccer matches again after being
declared free of the deadly Ebola
virus, the Confederation of African
Football (CAF) said on Friday.
This follows a further exchange of
correspondence between CAF and the
World Health Organization (WHO). The
latter confirmed that Liberia was officially
declared "Ebola Free" on 9 May 2015, and
hence advised CAF to allow the possibility
to host football matches in the West African
country which was hit by the epidemic
over a year ago.
"However, the WHO confirms that the
situation of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea
and Sierra Leone requires that CAF keeps
its precautionary principle, and asks the
concerned teams to organise their matches
on a neutral ground,"
CAF, however, said the bans on Guinea and
Sierra Leone would remain in place.
Liberia was earlier this month declared
Ebola-free
by
the
World
Health
Organisation (WHO), who wrote to CAF to
suggest international football could safely
resume.
The decision to lift the ban on playing
international matches in the country
comes just weeks before the start of the
2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers.
Liberias first home qualifier is scheduled
for September when they play Tunisia.
Guinea and Sierra Leone will still be forced
to play their home games outside of their
respective countries with new cases of the
disease still being discovered.
WHO confirms that the situation of the
Ebola epidemic in Guinea and Sierra Leone
requires that CAF keeps its precautionary
principle, and asks the concerned teams
to organise their matches on a neutral
ground, CAF said in a statement.

Liberia and Guinea have been drawn together in a twolegged qualifier for the 2016 African Nations Championship,
a competition open only to players who ply their trade in
their domestic league.
Liberia's first home match is set to be when they host
the second leg in early July. The venue for Guinea's home
fixture two weeks earlier has not yet been set.
Sierra Leone played their home matches in the qualifiers
for the 2015 Nations Cup in Democratic Republic of Congo,
Cameroon and Ivory Coast, while Guinea went north to
Morocco.
According to WHO, more than 11,000 people have lost
their lives in the Ebola outbreak in west Africa since the
first reported case in March 2014, with Liberia suffering
the most deaths.

VISIT UNCLE ZEH'S LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING SERVICE ON

CROWN HILL, BROAD STREET WHERE THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

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