Law & Order

TOP
EDITORIAL
pg 5
STORIES

pg 11

CHARGES AGAINST NOCAL

BRIBERY INDICTEES

UNEVEN JUSTICE

IN LIBERIA

DROPPED

Unlearned Lessons Of April 12

Hurting Post-War Progress

Prosecution Cited for Failure

To Prosecute On Time

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.74

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 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).

RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT ONE IN BONG COUNTY

ENDORSE BRUMSKINE PRESIDENCY FOR 2017

TAX SENSITIZATION MESSAGE

WWW.LRA.GOV.COM

TRUSTED AND TESTED

Members of the group drawn from the two political districts Kokoyah and
Kpaii who gave the endorsement in Kokoyah district, after a meeting at the
weekend, said Brumskine, is a committed Liberian who has all it takes to solve
the problems of corruption that has bedeviled the country for the past years.

County News- pg. 5

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 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, June 8, 2015

Page 2 | Frontpage

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

Monrovia The embattled and suspended Managing Director
of the National Port Authority(NPA), the subject of a major
investigation and damning report by the Liberia Anti Corruption
Commission(LACC) charging alleged fraud of more than
US$800,000, has reportedly left Liberia for the United States of
America, FrontPageAfrica has learned.
NOTHING HAS CHANGE

It is unclear who authorize travel for Parker who the government

had previously announced was under investigation an indictment
expected for some time now.
When FrontPageAfrica sought clarity from several officials of
government regarding who authorized travel for the accused
official, our inquiries were met with roadblocks although one
official speaking on condition of anonymity said Parker was
granted permission by the Ministry of Justice to travel for medical
checkup in America. She was granted permission from justice for
medical checkup in the U.S. but rest assure, nothing has changed.
The investigation is still ongoing and indictment forthcoming.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission whose report triggered
the presidents action against appear to be frustrated with the
slow pace of the Ministry of Justice in pursuing the indictment
against Parker.
CORKRUM SCENARIO FEARS

Cllr. James N. Verdier, Chair of the LACC who is currently out of

the country, told FrontPageAfrica via email when contacted the
embattled NPA bosss dilemma exposes the weaknesses of the
LACC Law: This is the weakness in the LACC law - submitting
report to MoJ and having to wait till 90 days. We are aware that
MOJ is dragging its feet on this. If nothing happens from the side
of the MoJ, LACC is definitely going to pursue this case after 90
days. However, it becomes more difficult, if not impossible, when
she's outside Liberia, USA or any where. The Ellen Cockrun case
is sharp reminder.
Corkrum was the former head of the Liberia Airport
Authority(LAA) who has been charged along with her fiance,
Melvin Johnson with economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy,
theft, and misapplication of entrusted property. Corkrum and
Johnson fled the country shortly after allegations of fraud and
corruption surfaced.
Corkrum is accused of awarding no-bid contracts for some minor
renovation at the RIA to two firms, SSF Entrepreneur Inc. and
Diaspora Consulting Engineering. An oversight committee later
found that her stated value for one contract by SSF Entrepreneur
was overstated by more than $300,000. The committee came
to the conclusion that the Diaspora Consulting Engineering
was a nonexistent firm, established as a front to defraud the
government. Supposedly New York based, it could not be found
at its address, and the US government didnt have any record of
its existence. Diaspora Consulting was to be awarded a contract
worth $255,000.
Corkrum and Johnson have since turned to routinely release of
explosive secret recordings of senior government officials making
claims that Corkrum and her beaus lives were in danger.
Parker was suspended in April by President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf along with her Comptroller, Christiana K. Pealay based on
what the Executive Mansion said at the time was findings of an
investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The report which unearthed the charges against Parker and
her comptroller was reportedly submitted to President Ellen

Johnson-Sirleaf which later ordered the Ministry of Justice move

for indictment.
Said Sirleaf at the time: Where it is established that Boards
have assigned emoluments to chairpersons and members that
are inconsistent with established policies of this administration,
it will be my pleasing duty to reverse all such resolutions. She
vowed that she will not hesitate to direct additional remedies,
should they be required, to cure such unacceptable actions,
wherever they are found to be practiced.
The LACC obtained by FrontPageAfrica recommended that the
NPA boss, along with Comptroller Christiana Kpabar Paelay, Dr.
Nathaniel Barnes (Board Chairman who signed the RSO MOU and
Morris Dukuly (Vice Chair of the Board who signed the Wreck
Removal MOU) be held liable for violating several provisions of
the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) Law, by
their failure to publish a notification of intent to award a contract.
The report further recommended that Parker and her comptroller,
Pealay be charged with Misuse of public money, property or
record: 15.81(a and c) and Theft and/or illegal disbursement and
expenditure of public money: 15.82(b) for knowingly, purposely
and willfully ignoring all procedures and processes in disposing
of eight hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$800,000) of
government money to an individual and a firm with no proven
record nor expertise in marine works and no clear evidence of
performance in both the Wreck removal and ISPS consultancy
contracts as agreed in the terms of the contracts.
According to 15.81. Misuse of Public Money, Property or record
states: A person is guilty of a first degree felony, if he: Knowingly
steals, takes, purloins, or converts to his own use and benefit or
the use of another; or without authority, sells, conveys, disposes
of any record, voucher, money or thing of value of the government
of Liberia of any Ministry, or agency therefore, or public
corporation, or any property made or being made under contract
for the Government of Liberia or any Ministry, agency thereof or
public corporation.(b) disposes of, uses or transfers any interest
in property which has been entrusted to him as a fiduciary, and in
his capacity as public servant or any other officer of an institution,
in a manner he knows is not authorized and that he knows to
involve risk of loss or detriment to the owner of the property of
the government of Liberia of other persons whose benefits the
property was entrusted.
According to documents in possession of FPA, the investigation into
the NPA management began in March 2014 when a whistleblower
addressed an anonymous complaint to the Executive Chairperson
of the LACC reporting what he dubbed Grand Corruption at the
National Port Authority.
A company called Denmar Enterprise, was charged under the
contract with the responsibility to provide security consultancy
services. The award of the security consultancy contract gave
credence to Denmar Enterprises and thereby presented it a
Recognized Security Organization (RSO) and, as such, it was
recommended to the International Ship & Ports Security (ISPS)
Department to be responsible for making decisions regarding
safety and security managements at the Seaports of Monrovia,
Buchanan and Greenville, and also to conduct Port facility security
assessment in consideration of the sum of US$300,000.00(Three
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
The suspended Managing Director of the National Port Authority,
Ms. Matilda Wokie Parker told investigators of the Liberia AntiCorruption Commission that concerns over the lack of readiness
of the Port of Greenville to allow vessels to dock prompted by
a letter from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and others were
driving forces behind the NPA management entering into

what has now been concluded to be a bogus agreement with a

makeshift company and a US$800,000(eight hundred thousand
United States Dollars) corruption scheme unearthed by the LACC.
The suspended NPA boss who co-signed the MOU with Mr. Deneah
M. Flomo to remove wrecks from the Port of Greenville in 2011
giving credence to Denmar Enterprises a Recognized Security
Organization (RSO) in 2012, responded in the affirmative when
she was asked whether she had any knowledge of the bogus
arrangement.
The LACC report states: Having been informed about the
allegations under investigation and questioned whether there
was existing need to remove wrecks from the Port of Greenville,
Madam Parker responded in the affirmative, adding that in 2010
the National Port Authority received written concerns about
the lack of readiness of the Port of Greenville to allow vessels
to dock(enter). She further indicated that because of such
concerns, in January 2011, the NPA was invited to the Economic
Management Team meeting to address the situation. At that
meeting, according to her, she informed the team that Buchanan
Renewable(BRE) was giving the task to remove the wrecks, but
was not performing and therefore needed to be replaced.
FrontPageAfrica would later learned that both Denmar Enterprises
and Mr. Flomo are not listed among the approved ISPS operators
by the U.S. government who has reportedly expressed concerns
that the port management was not forthcoming in its report to
the Homeland Security that both contracts were performed.
The ISPS was put in place shortly after the September 11, 2000
terrorists attack on the United States in a bid to detect, deter and
counter threats as early as possible. As part of the program, the
Coast Guard fosters strategic relationships with partner nations
and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
provides an international regime to ensure ship and port facilities
take appropriate preventative measures consistent with our
domestic regime under the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
According to the US Homeland Security website, through the
International Port Security Program, the Coast Guard conducts
foreign port assessments to determine the port security
effectiveness and antiterrorism measures of foreign trading
partners. Since the inception of the International Port Security
Program in 2004, Coast Guard personnel have visited more
than 150 countries and approximately 1,200 port facilities.
These countries generally receive biennial assessments to
verify compliance with the ISPS Code and U.S. maritime security
regulations, as appropriate. Vessels arriving in non-ISPS Code
compliant countries are required to take additional security
precautions while in those ports and may be boarded by the
Coast Guard before being granted permission to enter U.S. ports.
In specific cases, these vessels may be refused entry. It is unclear
how the NPA bogus scheme slipped through the cracks.
Amid the lingering mystery surrounding who authorized Parkers
departure from Monrovia in the wake of the still-fresh charges
hanging over her head lies more burning questions about
Liberias justice system.
WANTED: NPA DEPUTY, COMPTROLLER

Adding more fuel to the fire is the growing uncertainty over the
void at the port. Last week, the Civil Service Agency advertised
positions for several senior level positions at the port, including
the Comptroller but excluding Parker in a local newspaper.
The CSA placed positions for Deputy Managing Director for
Administration, Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Legal
Consultant and Comptroller.
It is unclear what was the nature of Parkers illness the prompted
the government to give her clearance to leave the country but
multiple sources have pointed to FrontPageAfrica that a similar
request by the suspended comptroller to travel abroad for
treatment has not been granted.
Even though Parker was under suspension, FrontPageAfrica
has learned that she was still using the companys vehicle and
security assiganed to her as MD for the port.
A senior administration official speaking to FrontPageAfrica
on condition of anonymity Sunday said Parker had promised
authorities that she would return to Liberia on June 19, 2015 but
with the memories of the Corkrum conundrum still hanging over
the governments head, political observers fear that with the lack
of political will and a Ministry of Justice moving at a snail pace, the
saga at the NPA appears unlikely to see an indictment any time
soon despite a strong order from the presidency.
Compounding the problem is the fact that Liberia is currently
embroiled in a major extradition pursuit of Corkrum with very
not results. Allowing Parker to leave leaves the government open
to further complications similar to Corkrum who has expressed
repeatedly that Liberia is very corrupt and that she fears for a
return as she will not get a fair trial.
The U.S. Department of State annual Human Rights report have
consistently lambasted the justice system in Liberia judges are for
the highest bidder suggesting that corruption is a human rights
issue making it difficult for Liberia to win extradition requests as
U.S. judges appear unwilling to extradition anyone to a country
deemed very corrupt by US Department of State.
Legal observers say unless Liberia repairs its corrupt justice
system, winning extradition could prove difficult as governmental
corruption continues to be one of the prime excuses used by
alleged perpetrators of corruption in Liberia and third world
countries.

Monday, June 8, 2015

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL GHANA SPENDS 70% OF REVENUE ON
v

Frontpage

Page 3

Commentary

UNEVEN JUSTICE PAYROLL, SO IS LIBERIA OR GREECE

IN LIBERIA T

Unlearned Lessons Of April 12

Hurting Post-War Progress
LIKE A FART IN THE WIND, Matilda Parker, the embattled and
suspended Managing Director of the National Port Authority
accused of a fraudulent scheme that robbed Liberia of nearly a
million United States dollars has left Liberia, raising questions
about the poor state of the justice system in Liberia.
A SYSTEM that repeatedly sets example on low level officials
while rewarding those accused of massive corruption an easy
way out of the system of justice.
NO ONE in government can say who granted parker a travel
pass to leave in the country in the wake of serious allegations
hanging over her head but it is becoming increasingly likely that
nearly a million dollars of government and taxpayers money
will go unaccounted for.
CLLR. JAMES N. VERDIER, head of the Liberia Anti Corruption
Commission when contacted about the NPA MDs flight in the
wake of his agencys report which raised the red flag, lamented:
This is the weakness in the LACC law - submitting report
to MoJ(Ministry of Justice) and having to wait till 90 days.
We are aware that MOJ is dragging its feet on this. If nothing
happens from the side of the MoJ, LACC(Liberia Anti-Corruption
Commission) is definitely going to pursue this case after 90
days. However, it becomes more difficult, if not impossible, when
she's outside Liberia, USA or anywhere. The Ellen Cockrun case
is sharp reminder.
CORKRUM, IT MAY be recalled is the former head of the Liberia
Airport Authority, accused of awarding no-bid contracts for some
minor renovation at the RIA to two firms, SSF Entrepreneur Inc.
and Diaspora Consulting Engineering. An oversight committee
later found that her stated value for one contract by SSF
Entrepreneur was overstated by more than $300,000. The
committee came to the conclusion that the Diaspora Consulting
Engineering was a nonexistent firm, established as a front to
defraud the government. Supposedly New York based, it could
not be found at its address, and the US government didnt have
any record of its existence. Diaspora Consulting was to be
awarded a contract worth $255,000.
CORKRUM AND JOHNSON have since taken to the airwaves and
the media to release a series of explosive secret recordings of
senior government officials making claims that Corkrum and
her beaus lives were in danger.
THAT OFFICIALS in this government would allow a managing
director suspended and linked to allegations of serious
corruption to leave the country, speaks volumes to the lack of
political will hurting Liberias post-war development and why
so many international partners are reluctant to put aid money
directly in the hands of the government.
PARKER WAS SUSPENDED in April by President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf along with her Comptroller, Christiana K. Pealay based
on what the Executive Mansion said at the time was findings
of an investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission
(LACC).
AT THE TIME of the suspension, the President ordered the
Ministry of Justice to push for indictment. Said Sirleaf at the
time: Where it is established that Boards have assigned
emoluments to chairpersons and members that are inconsistent
with established policies of this administration, it will be my
pleasing duty to reverse all such resolutions. She vowed that
she will not hesitate to direct additional remedies, should they
be required, to cure such unacceptable actions, wherever they
are found to be practiced.
AN LACC ON THE NPA recommended that the NPA boss, along
with Comptroller Christiana Kpabar Paelay, Dr. Nathaniel
Barnes (Board Chairman who signed the RSO MOU and Morris
Dukuly (Vice Chair of the Board who signed the Wreck Removal
MOU) be held liable for violating several provisions of the Public
Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) Law, by their
failure to publish a notification of intent to award a contract.
THE REPORT FURTHER recommended that Parker and her
comptroller, Pealay be charged with Misuse of public money,
property or record: 15.81(a and c) and Theft and/or illegal
disbursement and expenditure of public money: 15.82(b) for
knowingly, purposely and willfully ignoring all procedures and
processes in disposing of eight hundred thousand United States
Dollars (US$800,000) of government money to an individual

J. Yanqui Zaza, Contributing Writer

he news that Ghana is spending 70% of its revenue

on payroll, an economic arrangement associated
with Liberia, Kenya, Greece, etc., is disturbing.
PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC), a reputable Certified
Public Accounting Firm, stated in its analysis of the 2014
budget that if Ghana is to become prosperous, stakeholders
can't continue to spend 70% of its revenue on payroll. (www.
pwc.com.gh) Isnt the financial mismanagement troubling? On
the other hand, is the report of rosy economic performance by
Ghana an inducement to lure Ghana to borrow more money?
World Bank reported that Ghana, with a population of 25.6
million, is one of the freest market economic countries in
Africa. It has a minuscule unemployment rate of 4.5%. Also,
the Bank of Ghana reported on March 10, 2005 that Ghanas
privatization of the Ashanti Goldfield, Ghana Telecom, Social
Security Bank, and Harbors Authority benefited Ghanas
economy: improved productivity of the privatized entities,
employment shot up by 59% within the privatized entities,
increase in technology transfer, increase in the remittance of
taxes and dividends to governments coffer. (www.bog.gov.
gh)
Another good news about Ghana is contained in the 2015
Report of the National Educational Reform of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO). Ghana has made significant progress in students
enrollment, reaching the Millennium Development Goals of
Universal Primary Education.
However, another educational report, while in agreement
with Ghana's enrollment achievement report by UNESCO,
stated that Ghanaian students are not learning. In Ghana,
for example, 89 percent of 15-year-old-Ghanian students
did fail to pass a simple math test compared to 64 percent of
Brazilians and 24 percent of Americans, according to the 2012
Standard Test of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development.
Why should one care about education? This is because "...
an educated population is a critical precondition for broadly
shared prosperity-an essential tool for, for Ghana to manage
its diamonds, bauxite, and gold? Ghana is Africas secondbiggest gold producer after South Africa. Are more Ghanaians
failing because of the effect of the 12.5 million slaves traded
through the Trans-Atlantic slave trade? But why were
Africans conquered by a Caucasian race in the first place?
Was it because the Black race is inferior to caucasian race?
Is it because of inferior character that is making it likely for
African bureaucrats to spend 70% of their revenue on payroll?
There is no scientific evidence to support the myth that
one race is inferior to another, says Mr. Jared Diamond. Mr.
Diamond stated, in his book called "Guns, Germs and Steel:
The Fates of Human Societies," that "...head starts and local
conditions..." are partly responsible for human history. Or, if
climatic conditions were responsible for the advancement
of Caucasians, as argued by Dr. Ali Mazuri, then American
Indians should be prosperous since they are the original
inhabitants of North America before Caucasians arrived.
Better yet, how come Marori of New Zealand are not only
v

and a firm with no proven record nor expertise in marine works

and no clear evidence of performance in both the Wreck removal
and ISPS consultancy contracts as agreed in the terms of the
contracts.
IT IS ALSO UNFAIR for authorities to remain mute about the pace
of the prosecution or indictment.
JUSTICE MINISTER BENEDICT Sannor and Solicitor General
Betty Lamin Blamo appear to be moving at a snail pace since the
President instructed the ministry to push for indictment in the
case against Parker.
IT IS ALSO troubling to not that the Comptroller who was
suspended along with Parker requested but was denied
permission to travel.
ALSO TROUBLING IS the fact that the Civil Service Agency has
posted job vacancies for the comptrollers position and others
but Parkers position has not been advertised.
IS THE GOVERNMENT doing this with the hope of returning
Parker to her post?
WHILE THE NOTION that everyone is innocent until proven
guilty, we have seen numerous cases where lower-level officials
have been dismissed for lesser allegations than the NPA top brass
without being able to make their case before a court or a justice
system or even a chance to clear their name.
WHY IS PARKERS CASE SO DIFFERENT? What message is the
ruling government sending to the rest of the world and most

prosperous than the Moriori of Chathams, but they also slaved

the Morori years ago. The Marori and Morori, living 500 miles
apart, are both descendants of the Polynesian people. So, if "...
head starts and local conditions," and not inferiority, are the
components for substandard budgeting and mismanaging
resources, what is the way forward for Ghana? But before we
attempt to address such a question, let us visit the 2012 and
2013 Ghanaian Budgetary numbers.
Debt: Ghanas $7 billion debt was cancelled in 2005 as one
of the nineteen countries that benefited from the Heavely
indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt program, according to
Mr. Tim Jones (www.jubileedebt.org.uk/blog). Now, Ghanas
public debt at the end of September 30 was $19.2 billion and
$23.5 billion in 2012 and 2013 respectively. (www.pwc.com/
gh).
Ghanaian currency in million (GHc)
Deficit financing: Amount borrowed to make up for the
shortfall in revenue. In 2014, for example, Ghanas Total
expenditure and arrears clearance was GHc 34,972 million
versus Ghc 26,001million in revenue, requiring government
to borrow GHc 8,970.8 million. (www.mofep.gov.gh) Money
borrowed to make up for the shortfall in revenue in 2012 and
2013 was about the same as in 2014.
Taxes on Goods and Services and International Trade:
Revenue collected from consumers, including the unemployed
population was 42.73% (GHc 11,112 million of the total
revenue of GHc 26,001 million) of total revenue.
Interest expense: Ghanas interest expense was GHc 6,513
million, representing 17.7% of Ghanas total expenditure of
GHc 34,972 million.
Capital Expenditure: Sadly, Cedi 5,967 million representing
investment in capital expenditure was less than allotment for
interest expense or deficit financing.
Poor countries borrowing money and, or collecting a
significant portion of government revenue from citizens
to finance excessive budgetary items, as is with the case of
excessive payroll today, is not new. In the past, poor countries
became bankrupt because they did borrow huge money to
finance gigantic projects. Certainly, investors, including the
World Bank, seeking profits, will always search for new ways
in order to lure countries into borrowing more loans. That is
part of the reason why investors do not support candidates
who embrace anti-poverty programs.
How should countries counter the tactics of anti-peoples
investors? One of the democratic practices that might help
to disarm anti-peoples investors from undermining antipoverty candidates is to promote and propagate policies
and programs over individual candidates. More so, a country
should discourage recommendations such as the following
from the Bank of Ghana: to seek maximum input from
investors at legislation preparation stage; seeking significant
input from business before laws and regulations are adopted;
and limit the scope of suspicion and cause of dispute. All
programs, including those programs from investors should
be deliberated. As Mr. Diamond said, it is only through
community interactions that performance is improved.

importantly to the people they are governing?

ON APRIL 12, 1980, a band of military outfits staged a coup detat
that ended decades of Americo-Liberian rule under the guise of
ridding Liberia of rampant corruption. Thirteen former officials
were killed in the coups aftermath and many forced into exile. A
year later scores were wounded and killed when a protest over
the price of rice went awry.
A CIVIL WAR commenced on Christmas Eve 1989 to rid Liberia
of a corrupt, nepotistic and abusive Samuel Doe led to more
than a decade of fighting which to the loss of more good Liberians
and exile for countless others.
LIBERIA AND LIBERIANS it seems have never learned anything
from its ugly past. This government has missed one opportunity
after the next to make things right with Liberians and the
international community disturbed by its lack of political will to
defeat corruption.
LETS NOT FOOL ourselves here! Had it been any other lowlevel person accused of corruption, there is no way in hell any
authority in this government would have allowed them to leave.
THE TRAVEL PASS to Parker is wrong for Liberia and sends the
wrong message not just about corruption and the uneven justice
system; but a slap in the face of the countless others who simply
cannot afford to travel outside Liberia to seek medical treatment.
But those with money and power do, even if they staring down
the barrel of serious allegations of graft.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE
ROBERT O. DAVIS TOP COMMENTER PRESIDENT & CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT LIBUSA
Veep Boakai for Liberia!

SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED

President Sirleaf is slow to declare for her number two because
she knows that the growing downtrodden who comprise the vast
majority are disgruntled with her ineffective, and unaccountable
governance to give UP a third term. Unfortunately, for him, the
coming presidential election is a referendum on the stewardship of
the country under his party. He has advantages of capacity, likability,
and potential availability of campaign funding sources, but could
lack electability in a peaceful, free, fair, and transparent presidential
election monitored by impartial external observers due to EJSs
negative domestic policy legacy.
Moreover, she would prefer to hitch her wagon to a horse thats a sure
winner for protection from the same corruption investigation and
detention she dished out to President Bryant. The Iron Lady enjoys
international gravitas, but should any new regime have probable
cause, and willing to indict her, there wouldnt be any help. A 2017
presidential hopeful needs across party appeal, not the ruse of a
PYJ coalition she got away with when the electorate was uninformed
about useless promises, and boldface lies. For now, the race is up for
grabs, and Ellen cleverly hedges her bets: dont blame her!
S KANDAKAI MASSALEY II INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
The President had previously suggested in a 2011 FrontPageAfrica
that both she and Boakai would leave the stage after her term is over
in 2017. We will both leave public office and turn it over to the young
people and go and rest ourselves. He will be with me right to the
end. Now if these statements are accurate, then VP Boakai should
get ready to pack his Satokas and leave the scene. The petitioning
ceremonies among his tribesmen was arranged to divert the public's
attention to the statements above. This act is in no way going to get
the endorsement of EJS under the canopy of daylight. It's time for
a change, it time to infuse some new and vibrant young blood into
steering the state of affairs of Mama Liberia. Right now VP sits at the
capitol that has no sanitary facilities, oh well!

ELIJAH BARNARD TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA

Montgomery Tamba Saah: From your post it looks like you know
many good things Boakai did during his years as a public servant.
Maybe it will be in Boakai best interest were you to tell us some of
the achievements of this nobel man. You might be able to change the
minds of many Liberians who believe this guy could be worst that
Ellen.
MAGGIE DC NIPPY
We will vote for u no matter how n I promise u, u will surely win. Just
d matter of time. God bless.

SAMUEL SAAH TAMBA SUPERVISOR AT BOYASAY SHELLOE INC/

PAE
Bravo the incoming president, my vote for you Joe.

MONTGOMERY TAMBA SAAH TOP COMMENTER DARBY,

PENNSYLVANIA
It's also best for more people who know about VP Boakai to begin to
talk. Most Liberians discuss issues and personalities on perceptions,
and not necessarily on facts. Can anybody discuss the past success
stories of the VP's past 37-year public service, and counting? We
are waiting to hear people talk the real TRUTH about Joseph Nyuma
Boakai (at CWA, LPMC, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LPRC, ETC).
Why was he twice "Minister of the Year" while at Agriculture? What
did he do at LPMC? I wish I had someone to tell us more about this
"Humble" servant of Liberia. More so, the Liberian President never
hid her likeness of his way of doing things, especially serving her as
Vice President for two 6-year terms. I believe I am right in supposing
that no Liberian know JOE BOAKAI than Madam Ellen JohnsonSirleaf; her being quiet at this time of their leadership does not
necessarily mean lack of interest in him or his ability to succeed her.
The fact also remains that most Liberians don't know Madam
Sirleaf's style of leadership SHARPE MALEKEBU TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED
I agree, the Vice-president 's responsibility is to assist and advice
the president. How about the loyalty to country? What efforts
has he made to reduce the depletion of our resources ,rampant
corruption in government, misuse of government 's property, lack of
accountability for embezzlement, poor public health, lack of quality
education, infant mortality and morbidity, exorbitant salaries for
some government officials? Do I need to list more?

DISCLAIMER

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

Send your letters and comments to:

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

THE CALAMITY OF DISSOLVING LPMC: THE

REALITY OF LIBERIAS FAILING FOOD SYSTEM

The Editor,

he Liberian food system is collapsing under extreme pressure

from impacts of land and forest degradation, growth in
population, rising prices of fuel products, competition for
land and urbanization, all of which significantly contribute
to climate change.
The caveats are clear, both globally and nationally regarding uneven
food prices, growing conflicts over land as a result lack of community
participation in negotiating various concession agreements.
Already the water from the recent outpoured of rain which signal the
rain season rendering vulnerable communities to floods, these are all
indications of a catastrophe that is likely to become evident should
the government failed to act effectively.
It is no secret that the Ebola disaster devastated the economy, during
that period food prices and even transportation increase by 70
percent, this which policy makers classify as inconsequential and was
due to the nation unpreparedness to manage the disaster, the Ebola
situation had no direct bearing on climate change though they are
interlinked, should climate change be considered price is predicted
to rise again doubling the Ebola era threshold and will greatly affect
disconnected counties.
Liberia is at a crossroad, the challenges are enormous both in terms
of human development and providing equal access to nutrition,
by designing strategies that will protect the environment, reduce
inequality, and end the cycle of abject poverty.
According to the World Bank, our national population as at 2013
stands at 4.294 million, with no clear CO2 emissions (metric tons per
capita) data since 2010. As our population increases considerably,
government have due obligations to the Liberian people by:
Developing strategies that will seek to minimize effects of
consumption within parameters that are sustainable, and
Reallocate feeding opportunities to the nations poorest, especially
those in marginalised counties, and those with little or no access to
roads and markets.
The Agenda for transformation and/or vision 2030 by this
government can only be achievable if we devolve the control of power
from the select minority to the poorest majority, from a minority
syndicates shares owner and partisan influential to the farmers in
the leeward counties who actually work day and night to ensure our
bread basket remains intact. Interestingly instead of government
focusing on production, they are dissolving the Liberia Produce and
Marketing Corporation, and other entities which they claim are at the
point of death.
We cannot move toward a developmental stage in our nation history
if we fail to consider those living in abject poverty, by providing
equitable access to basic nutrition and strengthening our institutions.
Our national food production must shift, we must empower
smallholder farmers, not those who evade the cost of negative
externalities such as pollution, and we must focus on robust farm
methods that are innovative and sustainable by providing subsidies
sufficiently to empower the poor.
We cannot afford a dispensation where government continued to
seek revenues from concessionaries, while ignoring the degradation
of the environment, a direct product which impact the livelihood of
poor communities. This circle of poverty must be broken.
Instead of dissolving the LPMC, we could be innovative and
resourceful, by stripping the regime's proprietorship and offer these
shares to poor Liberians, convert the LPMC into an independent
commercial company and let the transfer of ownership be from the
government to the private sector, that way we will be empowering
Liberians which clearly supports the Liberianization policy.
We need not be reminded that poverty, along resource waste and
mismanagement, including the inexcusable environmental impacts,
poor sanitation, lack of education, and empowerment, is a by-product

of our broken food system. A system assembled for a privileged few

purposely for profiteering.
We cannot, and should not continue in that direction, to improve
there are several challenges ahead, if the food system must be reform,
while protecting our evergreen environment.
Im optimistic about the future, it is possible, we can achieve a lot
before 2030, and we must work together, allowing professionals
to do the job over political protgs. The government must take
concrete actions to feed devastated families and prevent appalling
environmental impacts from destroying our future and those of
unborn generations. This is possible, only if we cooperatively stop
our inactions on national development and mismanagement of our
natural resources. We must transform from the mess of our system
to the best by bringing hope and opportunities to our compatriots
living in abject poverty and hunger in remote villages and towns with
no basic services.
Concurrently, we must defy the odds which impends our national
staples and the likely collision of our environmental systems for
the provision of livelihood and economic empowerment to meet
the middle income country status by 2030 and sustain our national
capitals (Economic, Social, Natural and Cultural).
Those in authority must now see the need for robust transformation
of the food system. By 2030, there will be approximately 6.533
million people in Liberia and demand for food will have increased
above the current threshold. Water scarcity as we all know is a major
threat, couple with land grabs, and the changing climate also affects
agriculture productivity. Demand for water will increase by 30% by
2030 globally according to the World Bank, are we prepared for yet
another food crisis?
The current inequities gaps must be closed, and we should now shift
to producing more food than we can consume. In Monrovia, the elites
throw much of it away. In the leeward counties, nearly the entire
citizenry within that region go without food as they live on less than
a dollar a day.
The concentration of abject poverty and starvation are the
disconnected leeward counties. As a solution model, we must unravel
the potential of smallholder farmers in these regions, they are the
strength of the food supply chain, when they are empowered; the
widow of opportunity for production will increase, food security will
be enhanced, and poverty will be reduce.
The food system is ever more fragile than it was in the 70s and
80s. We need not be told of the shocks from Iron ore and other
hydrocarbon prices. Possibly, what is even dismaying are the triggers
through the awards of concessions, rather than averting, increasing
food production and regulating food prices.
It is imperative that policies development must be modify from selfinterest and we must begin to fund renewable energy programs. We
must gage up our capacity to manage hazards and strengthen our
resilience to shocks and prepared for natural disaster.
The fight for a sustainable future for unborn generation should not be
ignore, because there are vast opportunity for those who are prepare.
We must now walk the talk and this government must intercede
immediately by directing this change.
Our community-based development processes need to be fostered
in order to enable the poorest and most vulnerable citizen to build
sustainable and climate resilient livelihoods and move out of chronic
poverty and food insecurity.
The challenges are numerous and unparalleled, but the reward is
even greater, a sustainable future in which every citizen has enough
to consume, natural resources are effectively managed and equitably
distributed, basic services are accessible, affordable and our
environment is safeguarded for generations ahead.
Alfred H. Wreh
alfredwreh@yahoo.co.uk

DITORIAL TEAM

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

077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com
Samwar S. Fallah, News Desk Chief, 0886-527
541, samwar.fallah@frontpageafricaonline.com
Danesius Marteh, Sports Editor, danesius.marteh@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
James-Emmanuel D. Cole, Jr, Graphics Designer
& Layout Editor, echange4life@gmail.com;
0886 211 390, 0777 027 030
Henry Karmo, Reporter, henry.karmo@
frontpageafricaonline.com
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frontpageafricaonline.com/0886971922

Al-varney Rogers, Reporter, al.rogers@

frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-304498
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frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781
Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.sombai@
FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
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Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753,
advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monday, June 8, 2015

Frontpage

TRUSTED AND TESTED

Page 5

RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT ONE IN BONG COUNTY ENDORSE BRUMSKINE PRESIDENCY FOR 2017
Kokoyah District, Bong County
everal residents of
electoral District One
in Bong County have
endorsed the political
leader of Liberty Party, Charles
Walker Brumskine, for the
presidential election in 2017.
Members of the group drawn
from the two political districts
Kokoyah and Kpaii who gave
the endorsement in Kokoyah
district, after a meeting at the
weekend, said Brumskine, is
a committed Liberian who
has all it takes to solve the
problems of corruption that
has bedeviled the country for
the past years.
Speaking on behalf of the
group, the head of the group
Derrick Benson while justifying
Brumskines
endorsement,
said Brumskine has proved
his worth and mettle in his
previous public service, a
quality which even his political
foes have admitted.
The citizens also said that they
do not want to be part of a
generation that does not refer
to history or be a people that
believe not in a better future
and will not exhibit personal
and moral responsibility to
make it so.
This, Benson explained is
because the 2017 election
will be about credible and
responsible change in the
national leadership of our
country, lamenting that for

Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

a long time, negligible but

powerful individuals had
opposed change.
While
expressing
dissatisfaction with the state
of affairs in Liberia currently,
Benson also pointed out that
Liberians need a president
with ideas and not the one
that will inundate them with
slogans, jingles and adverts.
Liberty Party influence grows
in Bong
The opposition Liberty Party
(LP) seems to be witnessing
good moments in the county
as key political figures are
romancing with the party.
Its emergence as one of the
major contending political
parties ahead of the 2017
presidential
and
general

elections
may
not
be
unconnected with internal
strife within other political
parties and the declaration of
Vice President Boakai, as the
likely candidate of the Unity
Party (UP).
Going down memory lane, the
LP came fourth in the 2011
presidential election in Bong
County despite luring a native
of the county, Franklin Siakor, as
its vice presidential candidate.
But LPs performance in the
2014 Senatorial Elections,
winning Grand Bassa and Lofa
counties, coming second and
third in the vote-rich counties
of Nimba and Montserrado,
respectively, might have given
LP a new lease on life.
And right now, the tide appears

DROPPED

to be changing, as some bigwigs

in the County, including some
UPs partisans and supporters,
are either covertly or overtly
expressing plans to embrace
the LP platform to launch their
political desire in 2017.
A current government official,
who spoke on anonymity,
said that Brumskines new
found
support
amongst
Liberians may be attributed
to a combination of things: the
growing dissatisfaction with
the current political leadership,
as well as Brumskines name
recognition, his consistency,
and not the least of which is
his past service as an elected
official of government, and his
integrity. The statement was
also an acknowledgement that

the relevance of the current

political
leadership
was
eroding because of its inability
to proffer solutions to pressing
social challenges.
To many in the county, images
of large crowds during
Brumskines private visits
must come as worrying
evidence of his rising profile
and popularity to other
politicians. While these large
crowds could only be counted
in the Gbarnga during the 2011
presidential election, today
they are a recurring spectacle
across the county.
Brumskines
growing
popularity in Bong, a threat to
PUP?
Whether
the
popularity
of Brumskine is the result

However, the governments

late-hour fight put out against
corruption by prosecuting nine
former officials of the National
Oil Company of Liberia
(NOCAL) on bribery charges
suffered a major blow Friday
at the Criminal Court C at
the Temple of Justice when the
court ruled to drop charges
against the indictees.
The ruling by the court comes
amid a motion filed by six
defense lawyers for the court
to drop charges against the
defendants because the state
had failed to prosecute the
defendants on time citing
section 4.2 of the Criminal
Procedure Law that states a
defendant that commits felony
has five years to be tried.
The nine indictees are accused
of withdrawing a little over
US$100,000 from the coffers of
NOCAL to bribe lawmakers of
the 52nd Legislature to ratify
two oil blocks.
In the motion the lawyers
claimed that the alleged crime
was committed between 20062007 based on the General
Auditing Commission (GAC)
report but the state failed to
prosecute the nine officials
in the period of five years as
required by law.
The law requires that when
felony of the first degree
is committed the state has
five years to prosecute the
defendants and two years after
the defendant leaves office
as a public official but in the
instant case the state failed to

do same said defense lawyer

Cllr. Frank Musa Dean.
According to the defense
lawyers since the
alleged
crimes
was
committed
between 2006-2007 the state
should have conducted a trial
from that time up to May 2012
to end the five years period as
required by law but this did
not happened and therefore
called on the court to dismiss
the charges.
State lawyers in resistance
told the court that they could
not have conducted trial
immediately based merely on
the GAC report and that it was
lately in 2011 that they were
able to discover the evidence
in the case therefore the court
should deny the motion.
Your honor we could not have
gone ahead to conduct trial
in this case at based merely
on the GAC report, we have to
look out for new evidence this
is why it took us that long said
Cllr Daku Mukbah
Following the pros and cons of
the argument presiding Judge
Peter Gbeneweleh Friday told
the court that the law was clear
on section 4.2 of the Criminal
Procedure Law that gives the
defendants five years to go to
trial following the commission
of a crime.
We also disagree with the state
that the commencement of the
prosecution can commence
only after the completion of its
investigation said Judge Peter
Gbeneweleh.
According
to
Judge

CHARGES AGAINST NOCAL BRIBERY INDICTEES

Prosecution Cited for Failure To Prosecute On Time
FPA Staff - Kennedy L. Yangian 0777296781

Monrovia nowing
that
corruption
was
prevalent
among
public officials in
government and the negative
impact it has made on the
lives of ordinary Liberians

over the years, Madam Ellen

Johnson Sirleaf told Liberians
and the world when she was
elected President in 2006 that
corruption could be public
enemy number one.
Since 2006 up to present many
Liberians have continued to

criticize the president for not

doing much to fight corruption
in government especially at
the time when the General
Auditing Commission (GAC)
continues to indict several
officials of corruption and are
yet to be prosecuted.

of growing confidence in
his proposed policies and
programs, or an indication of
growing disenchantment with
deteriorating social conditions
and the pressing security
challenges, is hard to ascertain,
but it tends to negate the
common assumption that his
popularity is limited to Grand
Bassa County.
Brumskine also appears to
have become more receptive
to the divergent opinions that
characterize Bong County
politics; time seems to have
worked magic on his persona.
The transformation from a
stern and uncompromising
figure who, some believed,
represented
ethnic
and
provincial and the Christian
religion
interests,
to
a
candidate whose avuncular
gait has become one of his
most endearing qualities, is
impressive.
Throughout his visit in the
county he has managed to
steer clear of controversial
statements that could be
interpreted as either inciting
or derisive.
These changes may be the
reason for his growing
popularity in the county, but
that is beside the point; the
prevalent opinion is that
Brumskines popularity is his
insistence on reconciling the
Liberia people, irrespective of
ethnic background or ethnicity,
and reforming the society
by tackling issues such as
corruption, which he speaks of
in discussing the four Rs of the
LP Reconciliation, Reform,
Recovery, and Rebuilding, the
mantra of his platform.

Gbeneweleh in the mind of

the court the foregoing facts
and circumstances in the
defense motion to dismiss the
indictment for the commission
of the crimes of economic
sabotage, bribery and criminal
conspiracy is granted and
ordered the defendants from
further answering to the
offenses as well as ordered
that the defendants criminal
appearance bonds be returned
to them.
State lawyer Cllr. Daku Mulbah
excepted to the judges ruling
and announced an appeal
to the Supreme Court in its
October 2015 sitting.
The nine defendants were not
in court for the ruling the ruling
but lawyers representing them
receive the ruling with smiles.
The court has ruled based on
the law, let not government
accused
people
without
prosecution on time now,
this case has taught state
prosecutors a great lesson
said defense lawyer Cllr.
Charles Abdullai.
Those cleared by the court
are: Clemenceau B. Urey,
Stephen Dunbar, D. Evelyn
Kandakai, Peter B. Jallah, Dr.
Fodee Kromah, Fulton Reeves
comptroller,
Timothy
G.
Wiaplah, Alomiza Ennos Barr,J.
Nanborlor F. Singbe.
The
defendants
were
represented by Cllrs. Frank
Musa Dean, Charles Abdullai,
James E. Pierre, Samuel
Clarke,
Emmanuel
James
and Vlama Blama while the
state was represented by
Cllrs. Theophilus Gould, Daku
Mulbah among others.

Page 6 | Frontpage

Monday, June 8, 2015

A CULTURE OF READING
Youth Crime Watch Of Liberia Open Doors Of Its First Physical
Street Library For Access To Children And Other Readers

I HAVE NOT
SAID THAT A
Konneh Tightlipped on Presidential ambition
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviainance Minister Amara Konneh has declined to comment

on whether or not he has ambition to contest for the
Presidency of Liberia in the 2017 presidential and
General elections.
Responding to inquiry from journalists during his appearance
at the Capitol building Thursday, the Finance and development
Planning Minister said; I have not told anybody that.
He maintained the same response after almost three questions
from three reporters on the same issue.
Minister Konneh made the disclosure when he had gone to face
the Liberian senate in secret session about his alleged comment
in the USA during a community meeting with Liberians where is
believed to have said that there could be a repeat of the infamous
1989 April 14 rice riot that plugged Liberia into fifteen years of
blood share.
I DID NOT SAY THAT

On the issue of the senate invitation to the finance minister about

his alleged comment about April 14 he denied saying that Liberia
could witness a repeat of the April 14 rice riot.
I did not say that, I said that had we not taken policy measures
on the economy during the Ebola crisis to make sure that
the exchange rate remained stable, to make sure that we had
enough commodities on the market we would have had a crisis
proportional to April 14 that was different from what was
reported, Minister Konneh said.
He further explained The second clarity I provided to the senate
had to do with the use of government resources. I said that our
wage bill was increasing beyond proportion. I drew parallel to
what was affording in the mighty Nigeria when Nigeria had to
borrow to pay civil servants, when Ghana had to borrow to pay
civil servants we have not borrowed to pay civil servants.
The Finance Minister said during his meeting in the US he told
the gathering that, his Ministry during the Ebola crisis had to
work to ensure that the wage bill remained under control as they
diversified the Economy to grow it, raised money to carry out
more development and referencing the current budget before the
legislature as a testimony.
It is not a bad thing for the wage bill to be big in an economy that
is not producing more job in the private sector however we have
to keep taking deliberate policy measures to ensure that we keep
it under control so we are not compelled to borrow to finance the
salary of civil servants thats what I said so those were the three
issues that were misreported in the media and since the senate
invited me I was happy that they did and I provided the clarity,
the Finance minister said.
It was reported that Defense Minister Samukai frowned on the
alleged statement made by Minister Konneh and called on people
in government and criticizing to get out but when asked about
what he made of Samukais assertion about his statement he said
he did not listened to Minister Samukais comments.
I was not here and did not listen or read Minister Samukais
comments but Samukai and are I good colleagues on the Cabinet
I am a key alphabet for the policies of this administration I will
never divorce myself from that for the rest of my life. He also
denied rumors about him writing letter of resignation from the
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Government, Minister Konneh noted.
The Finance minister appearance before the senate was
predicated upon a communication written by Senator Sando
Johnson (NPP-Bomi County).

Monrovia fter
months
of
preparation,
and
exploration
for
resources,
Youth
Crime Watch of Liberia open
the doors of its first physical
Street Library for access to
Children and other readers.
For some, books seem to be
a thing of the past but here
in Paynesville, there couldnt
be a greater need. As the
world starts to transition into
digitalizing everything, there
are still many places that do
not have the luxury of 24/hour
current (power). This puts a
limit on those who seek access
to information and educational
resources.
The ACP Street Library Liberia
bridges the gap of traditional
reading environments, by
taking books outside where
everyone, no matter the level
of education, age, or comfort
(with
specifically
design
programs for children); can
have access to not only the
great works of the world but
especially of Liberia and Africa.
We help deliver African folklore,
tradition and history into the
hands of beneficiaries. The
Open Digital Street Libraries
supports the development of
culture by digitalizing cultural
artifacts, promoting cultural
discussions, creating new
Street Libraries and promoting
culture of reading in Liberia
and Cameroon, and updating
the existing ones in Ghana,
with support from European
Development Fun through ACP
Group of States.
In Paynesville, Youth Crime
Watch
Liberia
launched

the first Street Library;

the concept is to provide
access to information and
technology. The closest library
to Paynesville is located in the
city of Monrovia, which is far
too time consuming and costly
for those wishing for access to
that information. We have the
books, volunteers and time. We
received book donations from
We Care Library and United
States Peace Corps in Liberia.
There would later be available
Smartphones and Tablets for
children to access contents
online using an App that is
currently been developed in
partnership with Microsoft
Portugal.
On Monday, 18th of May, we
had launched active activities
where children and parents
could come and see the Library
in action. It was an exciting
time, to have children sit in
groups reading through the
various titles that are available.
We had quite a gathering of
over 150 parents and students

looking to see when the

reading sessions were taking
place. The reading sessions
are set up based on the childs
reading levels not on their
age or grade, this way everyone
is starting on the same page.
The students will develop their
reading skills with the aim for
each student to progress to
the higher levels of reading
throughout their time with us.
Here we bring the books to
you, outside the Youth Crime
Watch Liberia office the public
is encouraged to come during
our Independent Reading
times.
Tables are set up at the
physical Library, with books
where anyone is welcome to
grab a book and a seat to read
during those set times. Thanks
to our International Volunteer
Laura Rocoski and her local
Team, our volunteers are all
teachers, who are energetic
and enthusiastic to be working
with the children in their
community, Paynesville. This

week, after seeing the teachers

in action it is safe to say their
passion is what fuels this
library and we would not be
in the position we are today
without their hard work and
dedication.
The volunteers have taken
initiative through the beginning
stages of recruiting over 226
potential students, with about
144 sign up over eight different
reading
sessions.
After
much anticipation from the
community and the volunteers,
we are happy to say our doors
are open.
Now over the past couple
of weeks we have run into
challenges, much like any
other new program. As we
enter into rainy season we
are starting to understand
that attendance can be a bit
difficult to maintain but there
are students who, despite the
rain, continue to pursue their
goal of building their literacy
skills. Through the course of
time, we are confident that
these outcomes will change
due to the determination
of the children involved in
these programs. We are a
small organization aiming to
provide this vital key of access
to resources and information.
Currently, we are starting to
engage with stakeholders and
collaborators on potential
partnerships.
The more people hear about
the program, the more requests
we receive to bring this
program to their community.
We have found that it is not
just here in Paynesville that
lacks these resources and we
are putting our best efforts
into developing our expansion
strategy.

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Monday, June 8, 2015

ILLICIT FINANCIAL FLOWS

REPRESENT MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
FOR WEST AFRICAS DEVELOPMENT
AND ECONOMIC NEEDS
OSIWA/Dalberg report provides
recommendations for improved governance

Dakar, Senegal
apital flight and illicit financial flows
represent missed opportunities for
generating state revenue desperately
needed to finance key sectors of West
Africas economy, tackle poverty and invest
in social protection and safety nets. Though
the exact amount lost annually is debated, the
deficit is significant and undermines economic
governance, financial development and fiscal
transparency throughout the region, according
to a joint report released June 3rd by OSIWA
and Dalberg. This report estimates that between
2012 and 2018 ECOWAS governments could
raise up to US$56 billion dollars in tax revenue
by implementing effective transfer pricing
regimes.
This report serves as a call to action to the
entire ECOWAS region, as 2015 is an election
year for many countries, explains Dr. Ibrahima
Aidara, OSIWAs Economic Governance Program
Manager. This period marks a real opportunity
for governments to re-examine their economic
policies in favor of more coherent and structured
tax policy and transfer pricing.

Madji Sock, Dalbergs Regional Director for

Africa, explains: Transfer mispricing deprives
West Africa from badly needed domestic
resources for transformative social and
economic projects. At the same time, regional
policies need to continue to promote foreign
direct investment, which aligns with best
practices for intra-company transfers.
The key issue addressed in the report is the
importance of taxation to work for West Africas
developmental prospects.
Taxation incentives and transfer mispricing are
two key challenges that must be tackled from both
a local and regional governance perspective. The
report focuses on improved regional integration
to facilitate better coordination of economic
policies to avoid negative cross-border impacts.
It also advocates for the formation of regulating
bodies and strengthening the technical experts
at the regional level to support governments as
they make improvements.
This is not solely an African problem. It is one
of global governance, explains Abdul Tejan Cole,
OSIWAS Executive Director. Weve seen time
and again how developed countries participate
in and benefit from Africas outflows through tax
havens and sophisticated accounting practices,
due to the fragility of our control mechanisms.
It is past time for us to improve collaboration
amongst finance ministers, revenue agencies,
and support more citizen oversight, to address
the economic development needs of the region.
It is as much an economic question as one of
basic rights.
The report suggests that the ECOWAS
Commission looks at systems in the EU, UK and
other African economic communities (SADC/
EAC) and adapts the appropriate best practices
for implementation in the region. Overall,
the report calls for more cooperation and
harmonization between tax incentive regimes to
reduce vulnerability and a race to the bottom. It
also suggests that countries entrench automatic
information exchanges; that they adopt
country-by-country reporting by companies;
that ECOWAS sets up a regional coordination
and advisory unit on transfer pricing; and that
they explore the use of unitary taxation models.
The report also recognizes the critical role
that transparency, accountability and citizen
involvement can play in tackling these issues.
OSIWA/Dalberg report looks at cases in Cote
dIvoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Togo.

LIBERIANS GET TOP GVL POST

Monrovia -s part of its employment drive in Liberia,

Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) on
Thursday hired three young Liberians
to occupied three top management
posts at its oil palm farm in Grand Kru. Based
in South East, the three top GVL officials include
Jennifer Matthew, a registered nurse who is to
managed and operate GVL Wedabo clinic; Dave
Nyema, Administrative Assistant to the GVL
Grand Kru Regional Controller and Winifred
Saliboah, Finance and Control Clerk.
The new hired puts the total number of
employees in the area at 77- four of which
are managers and another set being Liberian
engineers trained by GVL in Indonesia. A release
from GVL, said the move is in fulfillment of
previous commitment made towards the hiring
of at 1,000 Liberians this year at both farms in
Sinoe and Grand Kru counties.
Currently GVL has in its employed over 3,800
Liberians with over 64 senior Liberian managers
both in Sinoe and Grand Kru. The release quotes
the company Spokesman Stephen Binda as
saying; it would employ over 35,000 to 40,000
Liberians during the course of its operation in
the country. In furtherance of such commitment,
the company has also completed medical
exercises for additional employment of 59 locals
from Middle Town, Water-side and Big-Town in

Po-River - Garraway Administrative District in

Grand Kru.
The 59 locals will shortly be recruited
following nomination by residents of Po-River
Communities in keeping with a Memorandum of
Understanding incorporating Social Agreement
(MOU/SA) signed on 22, August 2014 with the
communities of Po-River Chiefdom in Garraway
Administrative District and Golden Veroleum
Liberia.
As part of the agreement, GVL agreed that as
land preparation continues in the area, it would
increase its employment based analysis based
on available hectares enshrined in the MOU/SA
of the Po-River Communities. Over 200 persons
are expected to be employed in said area as
ration to 3009.16 acres of land that was freely
given to GVL for oil palm development by the
communities.
Spanning over three years, GVL has employed
close to 2,000 local Liberians in Sorroken,
Wedabo and Garraway Trehn and Wedabo/
Grandcess Statutory districts.
GVL remains the largest employer in Liberias
South East, with wages that are five times of
national average and other companies, the
release quoted Binda as saying. As part of its
benefits, GVL also offers free housing, medical,
education plus a 50kg unsubsidized monthly
rice ration for employees among others.

eHealth

Frontpage

Page 7

AFRICA

INVITATION TO BID
Issue Date : June 8, 2015
RFP Title
: Request for Bids/Proposals for the provision of six to twelve (12)
Land Cruisers (Jeep)
RFP NO :

eHA/RFP/JUN-01/2015

RFP Submission Address: eHealth Systems Africa Liberia,19th Street and Warner
Avenue (beach side, first avenue intersection house and fence with cream color
and brown gate), Monrovia, Liberia. ONLY hard copy in the tender box at the office
will be considered.
eHealth Africa is a nongovernmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to improving health
care in developing countries through strengthening health workers and the system that
support them. ehealth Africa works towards this goal by creating sustainable eHealth and
mhealth systems, providing technology infrastructure, performing training and capacity
building workshops, publishing research on our works in Africa, and by providing
consulting and support for other organizations working on healthcare in Africa. Based in
santa Ana, California, in the United States, eHealth Africa main office is located in Kano,
Nigeria.
In order to achieve its goals and objectives, eHealth System Liberia has secured funds
from its partners for the continuation of these operations in Liberia. eHealth Africa
Systems Liberia is seeking bids/proposals for the provision of six (6) to twelve (12)
pieces of the below specified vehicles:

Toyota Land Cruiser 76 4WD 52 (Jeep)

Interested and suitable qualified manufacturers or suppliers may request complete

tender information from eHealth Systems Africa Liberia office located at:

19th Street and Warner Avenue

Monrovia, Liberia
Contact Person: Logistics Manager
Cell #: +231880512714

Offers to supply this vehicle will not be accepted after close of business 4:00PM on
MondayJune 19, 2015.

We greatly appreciate your participation and look forword to reviewing your submission.
Approved:________________________
Ernie Herzig
Acting Country Director
eHealth Systems Africa Liberia

WANTED URGENTLY Part Time

The below positions are available for qualified, experienced

applicants:
1. Part time experienced COOK to prepare early continental
Breakfast and Grill foods, four (4) times per week.
2. Guests Services Assistants for three (3) days, and one
(1) night, per week. Ability to operate a stand - by Generator.

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

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

Monday, June 8, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

Annual General Meeting
Notice of Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the twenty-seventh Annual
General Meeting of Ecobank
Transnational Incorporated will be held at the Julius Nyerere
International Convention
Centre, 10 Shaaban Robert Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
on Friday, 19th June 2015
at 10.30am to transact the following business:
I. ORDINARY BUSINESS
1. Approval of the Accounts;
2. Appropriation of the Profits;
3. Re-election of a Director;
4. Ratification of the Co-option of Directors;
5. Election of a Director;
6. Appointment of the Joint Auditors.

entitled to appoint one proxy

to attend and vote on his/her behalf.
All relevant documents in connection with the meeting are
available to all shareholders
from the date of this notice at the Registered Office of the
Company at the address above,
at Ecobank branches as well as on the Company Website
(www.ecobank.com).
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Dated this 25th day of May 2015
Samuel K. Ayim
Company Secretary

II. SPECIAL BUSINESS

1. Issue of bonus shares.
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is

Category of Vehicles

American Underwriters Insurance Company

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Tell: 0886578981/0776662094/0886535850

The American underwriters group maintains offices in various countries providing its clients with: war risks coverage, political risks coverage, property, marine,
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During the past ten years, AUG worldwide coverages exceeded 1 billion US dollars.
In keeping with the vehicle and traffic law, Title 38, approved May 9, 1972, and published 1978; the Government of Liberia is pleased to announce the approved
rates for Third Party Compulsory motor Insurance Policy in Liberia. These rates take effect January 2, 1996.

AUG Bldg., Tubman Boulevard

Congo Town Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: +231 0555 650 000
0777 650 000
0880 650 000

Email: aug@auginternational.com
augsecretary@gmail.com
website: www.auginternati

Yearly approved rate

1. Taxi US$300.00
2. Transport Pick-Up
S/Size Ton
400.00
M/Size-1 Ton
425.00
B/Size 1 Tons
450.00
3. Transport Buses
S/S-Max 18 Persons
550.00
M/S-30 Persons
600.00
B/S-30 Over Persons
650.00
4. Transport Trucks
10 Tons (10 tires)
720.00
12 Tons (12 Tires)
750.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires)
800.00
Trailer-22 Tires
1,000.00
5.Private Car (PC + Personalized Plate)
Sedan
150.00
Jeep
225.00
6.Business Car (BC)
Sedan
175.00
Jeep
225.00
7.Pick Up
PP
250.00
BP
300.00
8. Business Truck (BT)
10-Tons (10 Tires)
575.00
12 Tons (12 Tires)
600.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires)
6400.00
Trailer (22 Tires)
800.00
9. Business Bus (BB)
S/S-Max 18 Persons
440.00
M/S-30 Persons
480.00
B/S-30 Over Persons
520.00
10. Private Bus (PB)
S/S-Max 18 Persons
355.00
M/S-30 Persons
385.00
B/S-30 Over Persons
420.00
11. Private Truck (PT)
575.00
12. Private Motorbike
80.00
13.Business Motorbike

85.00
(1/2) Price - 6 Months Third Party
CALL Pearl 0886 578 981

AMERICAN UNDERWRITERS GROUP

INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE

Monday, June 8, 2015

Frontpage

Page 9

AFRICAS POSITION ON THE

POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

ollowing the completion of her work as co-Chair of

the United Nations High Level Panel (HLP) on the Post2015 development agenda, President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf was chosen by her peers of the African Union
(AU) to lead a continental process of consultations and
negotiations to ensure that Africa's priorities are reflected
in the new global development agenda set to succeed the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which expire in 2015.
The High Level Committee (HLC) composed of 10 heads of
state and government crafted a set of continental priorities
based on the results of consultations throughout the
continent with stakeholders from governments, civil society,
the private sector, academia and social organizations. The
priorities were contained in a document titled the Common
African Position (CAP). The HLC has started negotiations in
New York which are being led by the Africa Group headed
by the Permanent Representative of Liberia in New York,
Ambassador Marjon Kamara, assisted by the Chair of the
African Group 2nd Committee Experts.

Africa has been applauded by the international community

for striving to ensure that this time around, we fully
participate in setting the world development agenda that
will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in
September, 2015. By committing ourselves to implement
the recommendations of this Common African Position, we
will not only transform the current realities of our people, but
we will also fulfill a sacred duty of leaving a stable, peaceful
and resourceful Africa to future generations, said President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The CAP represents the aspirations and desires of the African

people and aims at ensuring to end the dichotomy of Africa
being a rich continent, while its people linger in abject poverty.
The CAP stands on 6 pillars that will lead to the eradication
of poverty, promoting prosperity and achieving sustainable Members of the African Union High Level Committee

and equitable development in Africa. With the CAP serving
on Post 2015 Development Agenda (Mr. Mohamed
as a roadmap, African leaders and diplomats are engaged in
Abdel Aziz, President of the Republic of Mauritania
negotiating with other regions of the world to reach a global
consensus on the next development framework. Many
and Chairperson of the African Union, Mr. Abdelaziz
consultations, at diverse levels, are being conducted to reach
a final global document. Results from various consultations, Bouteflika, President of Algeria, Mr. Idriss Deby Itno,
President of the Republic of Chad, Mr. Denis Sassou
including the Report of the United Nations High level Panel of
Eminent Persons as well as the Report of the Open Working Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, Mr. Haile
Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals will all
Mariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr.
converge to produce a global development agenda which
Alpha Conde, President of Guinea, Mr. Hifikepunye
engulfs the three key elements of the new development
agenda: economic, social and environment.
Pohamba, President of Namibia, Mr. Navinchandra
On May 7th, 2015 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Department
of International Cooperation & Economic Integration) in
collaboration with the Secretariat of the HLC held a thematic
debate on the Post-2015 Agenda. With President Sirleaf
chairing the process, it is important that Liberia establishes a
position and that government institutions are abreast of the
issues the President has been negotiating for. The meeting
was chaired by Minister Thomas Kaydor, Deputy Minister
for International Cooperation & Economic Integration who
was selected as the focal person to represent Liberia in the
intergovernmental meetings in New York and Addis Ababa.
The meeting witnessed a high level of participation from
various line ministries and agencies including the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social

Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius and Mr.

Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa)
with Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the
African Union Commission

Protection, the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning,

the Ministry of State for President Affairs, the Environment
Protection Agency, the Liberia Revenue Authority and the
Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services.
President Sirleaf in her capacity as Chairperson of the HLC
on Post-2015, along with her colleagues, have successfully
driven Africa to being recognized as the only continent to
construct a document that represents its priorities. This new

At this stage of the process, more than 80 percent of the

continent priorities are contained in the draft SDGs. The
process is due to be completed in September 2015, when
world leaders will meet in New York to adopt the new global
development agenda. The six pillars of the CAP include: (1.)
Structural Economic Transformation and Inclusive Growth;
(2.) Science Technology and Innovation (STI); (3.) People
Centered Development; (4.) Environmental Sustainability,
Natural Resources and Natural Disaster Management; (5.)
Peace and Security; and (6.) Financing and Partnership
for Implementation of Post-2015 Development Agenda.
According to President Sirleaf, the SDGs will go down in history
as the most global consultative process. Its overarching goal
is the eradication of poverty in all its forms, while ensuring
inclusive economic transformation and environmental
sustainability, with emphasis on gender equality and youth
empowerment.
The Presidents leadership has provided Liberia with a
unique position in shaping the new global development. She
is supported by a Secretariat headed by Dr. Abdoulaye W.
Dukul who also served as her Envoy on the UN High Level
Panel.
The President has put special emphasis on domestic resource
mobilization, accountability and a new global partnership
that reflects the current political and economic realities of
the world. She said that the new agenda must lead Africa
to put an end of the ironic dichotomy whereas the people
of Africa live in squalor while the continent is endowed with
tremendous natural resources. The CAP shows that Africa is
ready to no longer stay on the sidelines and wants to make
its voice heard and is ready to take full ownership of its
development, says the President. She will be in South Africa
in June, at the mid-year African Union Summit in Pretoria
to present the progress made by the HLC in the current
negotiations process.
Ms. Shannon is the Communications Officer for the HLC in
the Office of the President.

Page 10 | Frontpage

Monday, June 8, 2015

WORLD NEWS
F
ISIS IS TURNING US HUMVEES INTO IRAQ'S
PAGE

RONT

IN BRIEF

WORST NIGHTMARE
HAMAS MILITANT KILLED IN
GAZA TUNNEL COLLAPSE

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) member of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist
movement Hamas died Friday when a Gaza tunnel
built by militants collapsed near the Israeli border,
Hamas said.
The sources did not say what caused the collapse of the tunnel,
in Shejaiya in northern Gaza.
The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of de facto
Gaza rulers Hamas, said a member was killed in the cave-in of "a
resistance tunnel".

A spokesman for the Gaza health ministry said two others were
"moderately injured" in the incident.
A Palestinian source said it occurred while militants were
conducting "resistance-related activities," a possible reference
to weapon transfers or training.
Hamas has created a network of tunnels that enable the
movement of arms and fighters throughout the coastal enclave.
Some extend into Israel, and were used to carry out attacks
during last summer's war with the Jewish state.

ore than twothirds

of
the
Humvees the US
supplied to Iraq to
fight terrorists have ended up
in the hands of Islamic State
militants.
And the Islamic State (aka ISIS,
ISIL, and Daesh, has not wasted
any time in converting those
vehicles into one of its deadliest
and most nightmarish tools:
suicide car bombs.
According to Iraqi Prime
Minister Haider al-Abadi, ISIS
controls about 2,300 armored
US Humvees. Most of those

NIGERIAN VICE PRESIDENT BARRED FROM

BUHARI'S NATIONAL SECURITY BRIEFING

igerian President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly

barred Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from attending
a national security meeting this week. Osinbajo was
apparently refused "security clearance" and locked
out of Buharis first briefing with the national security adviser
on the presidents orders, Nigerian online newspaper the Trent
reported.
Buhari allegedly excluded his vice president from the closeddoor briefing due to security concerns over Osinbajo attending
the very sensitive meeting. Buhari apparently felt it was
too early in the day to bring Osinbajo, the former Lagos state
attorney general and senior pastor, into his first briefing with
the security chief, a top government source told the Trent on
Wednesday.

TARIQ AZIZ, TOP AIDE TO SADDAM

HUSSEIN, DIES IN HOSPITAL

BAGHDAD (AP)
ariq Aziz, the debonair Iraqi diplomat who made his
name by staunchly defending Saddam Hussein to the
world during three wars and was later sentenced to
death as part of the regime that killed hundreds of
thousands of its own people, has died in a hospital in southern
Iraq, officials said. He was 79.
Aziz, who had been in custody in a prison in the south awaiting
execution, died Friday afternoon after he was taken to the alHussein hospital in the city of Nasiriyah following a heart attack,
according to the provincial governor, Yahya al-Nassiri.
Aziz, the highest-ranking Christian in Saddam's regime, was its
international face for years. He was sentenced in 2010 to hang
for persecuting members of the Shiite Muslim religious parties
that now dominate Iraq.

vehicles were seized after ISIS

overran Mosul in June 2014.
In addition to being used in
further attacks against Iraqi
forces, these vehicles were
sent over the border to Syria
to help ISIS solidify its foothold
there.
The Humvees were specifically
created by the US to be able
to carry heavy loads and to
sustain small-arms fire
qualities ISIS has found make
the vehicles perfect for suicide
bombings.
"There's a simple reason the
militants are using Humvees

and other armored vehicles as

rolling bombs," Sean D. Naylor
reports for Foreign Policy.
"Their protective armored
plating prevents defenders
from killing the trucks' drivers
before the militants can
detonate their loads, while
the vehicles' capacity to carry
enormous amounts of weight
means the Islamic State can
sometimes pack in a ton of
explosives."
ISIS has used these bomb-laden
Humvees in waves of suicide
bombings across both Syria
and Iraq, targeting strategic

SOUTH AFRICA LEADERSHIP

'APPROVED' WORLD CUP PAYMENT

Johannesburg (AFP) ootball's

world
governing
body
faced fresh pressure
Saturday, after media
reports said the highest levels
of South Africa's government
approved
a
$10-million
payment that US investigators
suspect was a bribe to get the
2010 World Cup.
Then
president
Thabo
Mbeki and foreign minister
Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma
approved
the
payment,
the reports said, which the
authorities again insisted
Friday was for a legitimate
development project in the
Caribbean.
The new revelations came as
FIFA remained in the eye of a
corruption storm that has seen
seven executives arrested,
its president Sepp Blatter
announce his resignation and
former executive committee
member Chuck Blazer admit to
paying bribes.
On Friday, the Football
Association of Ireland (FAI)
published details of a fivemillion-euro ($5.6 million)
loan it received from FIFA in
return for dropping a legal
case, rocking the game two
days ahead of a long-awaited
friendly with England on home
soil.
England's Football Association
chairman Greg Dyke predicted

the scandal engulfing FIFA

will see the arrest of 79-yearold Blatter, who has pledged
to begin reforming the body
before standing aside after
a new election sometime
between December and March
2016.
Blatter, once considered the
most powerful man in sport,
will not attend an International
Olympic Committee meeting in
Lausanne next week.
TV grab of an interview of
former FIFA vice president
Jack Warner, published online
by "Warner
"The one thing you discover if
you run an organisation is that
the moment you say you're
going, you've gone. He's dead.
It's over," Dyke told British
newspaper The Guardian.
- Approval from the top The South African payment
in 2008 was made through
FIFA and went to an account

controlled by Jack Warner,

a disgraced former vice
president from the Caribbean
wanted by US authorities for
accepting bribes.
US
investigators
suspect
it was a bribe to get three
FIFA executive votes for its
World Cup bid. South African
authorities say the $10-million
payment was an honest
donation to support football
among the "African diaspora"
in the Caribbean.
"President Mbeki spoke with
the leadership of the 2010
World Cup local organising
committee," Sports Minister
Fikile Mbalula told the Beeld
newspaper when asked who
decided to pay the money.
Evidence given by ailing
whistleblower Chuck Blazer
to US investigators told of
attempts to buy the
"(It was) the government's
idea," he said.

locations including Syrian

military bases and the Iraqi
provincial capital of Ramadi,
which fell to the militants at
the end of May. The Kurds are
increasingly concerned that
they will face a wave as well.
According to The Soufan
Group, ISIS used more than
30 car bombs in its Ramadi
offensive. Many of these
involved armored US Humvees,
and some of the bombs were
large enough to level an entire
city block.
"There is little defense against
a multiton car bomb; there is
none against multiple such
car bombs ...the Islamic State
is able to overwhelm oncethought-formidable
static
defenses through a calculated
and concentrated use of
suicide bombers," The Soufan
Group notes. "The Islamic State
has neither a shortage of such
explosives nor a shortage of
volunteers eager to partake in
suicide attacks."
These Humvee suicide bombs
are large and powerful enough
to plow through static Iraqi
defensive positions before
detonating. Attacks such as
these dramatically lower the
moral of Iraqi troops and make
defensive positions almost
impossible to hold without
specialized antitank weaponry.
And as ISIS has more than
2,000 of these Humvees in
its arsenal, the nightmare of
armored suicide bombings is
unlikely to end soon.

The Mail and Guardian

newspaper published a 2007
letter from World Cup bid
chief Danny Jordaan to FIFA
about South Africa's donation
to the "Diaspora legacy
support programme," which
was virtually unknown in the
country at the time.
Jordaan wrote then foreign
minister Nkosazana DlaminiZuma, now chairman of the
African Union Commission,
had advised the money should
be paid to the organising
committee. FIFA would then
deduct the sum from the
committee's budget and pay
it straight to the "diaspora
programme".
Mbalula said the latest
disclosures did nothing to
challenge
South
Africa's
position that the payment
was genuine, and that the
allegations are "being used to
pursue political agendas".
Warner, from Trinidad and
Tobago, is one of 14 football
and sports marketing company
officials and executives facing
charges in the United States
over more than $150 million of
bribes paid over two decades.
Outgoing FIFA President Sepp
Blatter, once considered the
most powerful man in sport,
will not atten
- Net widens On Friday, he blamed the
charges on a conspiracy by
the government of Trinidadian
Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, his one-time ally,
who he said was attacking him
because he had opposed her
nepotism.

Monday, June 8, 2015

M
Monrovia-

ohammed
Sheriffs header
in the 90th minute
helped his side
Might Barrolle Friday to force
Garnersville FC to a 1-1 draw
in the newly-opened 2015
Liberia Football Association
(LFA) national league season
second division clash played
at the Antoinette Tubman
Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia.
Barrolle
equalized
after
Sheriff received a cross pass
from teammate and Captain
Banhjulue Lawmadel who
wasted no time and headed the
ball in the back of the yawning
net to make it 1-1.
Garnersvilles
William
Freeman made the first
tactical moved in the defense
of Barrolle in the 15th minute
after his shot from 20 yards
but the ball traveled over the
cross bar.
Striker James Richardson who,
making his debut for his old
club Garnersville from first
division side LISCR FC took
a splendid shot from the 30
yards in the 17th minute but
was denied by the goalkeeper
Domal Andrew who knocked
the ball over the cross bar for
corner.
Captain
Lawmadel
could
have equalized for Barrolle
in the 83rd minute from a
penalty kick after a defender
of Garnersville was booked for
a foul he committed against
an opponent in his own
penalty box but goalkeeper
Mohammed Sheriff denied
him form scoring through a

Frontpage

Sports

BARROLLE FORCE GARNERSVILLE FC TO

A 1-1 DRAW IN LFA SECOND DIVISION

SPORTS

ADEBAYOR: MOVE TO
TURKEY? NO, I'M HAPPY
AT TOTTENHAM

A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai121@gmal.com

splendid saved.
Earlier in the 70th minute, the
Captain of Garnersville Toe
Clark put his side ahead from
the 25 yard through a fabulous
shot that shook the net.
Striker Bob Zeo of Barrolle
who just signed for the Rollers
from Invincible eleven (IE,)
made a miraculous moved in
the defense of Garnersville in
the 55th minute but his shot
travelled far away from the
goal pole.
Just a minute after Barrolle
Zeo attempt on Garnersville,
midfielder Quincy Koliyah
of Garnersville attempted to
disorganize the defense of
Barrolle in order to put his

side in the league but he met

an unbending resistance from
player Albert Doe who forcibly
took the ball from him and
kicked it far away his territory.
The two teams kept the
pressure on each other until in
the 67th minute when striker
Carlar Sanney of Garnersvilles
shot from the 18th yard was
denied by goalkeeper Andrew
who carefully spring on the ball
and put it under his control.
Trankie George of Barrolle
misused another equalizing
opportunity for his side in
the 85th minute through a
spot kicks from the 20th yard
but the ball hit a defender of
Garnersville across the line for

a corner kick.
Barrolle defender Michael
Jeasues powerful shot from
a 28-yard defensive free kick
in the 87th minute failed
to materialize after the ball
travelled over the cross bar.
Both teams shot four corners
each all failing to make the
other pay.
Coach Jerry Anderson of
Garnersville FC blamed his
forward line for his 1-1 draw
against Barrolle.
Says Coach Anderson: If
members of my forward line
were to put into use the several
scoring chances we have
against our opponents in both
halves of the game, we would

SERENA WILLIAMS FENDS OFF LATE

COMEBACK TO WIN 20TH GRAND SLAM TITLE

here are few accolades

missing from Serena
Williams'
resume.
She's won all of the
Grand Slam events at least
twice, most of them at least
five times. She's dominated
women's tennis for nearly 15
years. But she'd never won
the Australian Open and the
French Open in the same year.
Until now.
Williams marked that one off
her list on Saturday, defeating
Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 to
claim her third French Open
title. This is her 20th Grand
Slam title, placing her two
tournaments shy of Open-era
leader Steffi Graf.
The path to this title pushed
her harder than most of her
previous 19. She had to win
four three-set matches in the
earlier rounds, something she
has not had to do at a major
since she was 17. She said
playing back-to-back-to-back
three-setters was borderline
"unprofessional" for someone
of her caliber.
Fittingly, she needed a third set
to take the crown on Saturday.
She'd also said she was more
sick than she'd ever been, worn
out by a flu that has spread to
at least four other players
and several members of the
media during the fortnight in
Paris. Yet everytime Williams

Page 11

seemed to be on the brink of

defeat, she rallied back.
On Saturday, there was never
a hint of illness. This was her
match to lose, and she came
out firing. The first set looked
almost
clinical,
Williams
needing only 17 minutes to
build a 4-1 lead. She built a
4-1 lead again in the second,
victory seeming imminent.
NBC's Mary Carillo left the
announcer's booth, heading
down to the court level to
conduct the celebratory postmatch interview.
But Safarova, the 28-yearold Czech playing in her first
Grand Slam final, was not

about to go down without a

fight. She rallied to win four
straight points, building a 5-4
lead. Both breaks came on a
Williams double fault. Trailing
4-5, Williams held serve to
even the match at 5-all, then
broke Safarova to regain
control. Now, surely, it was
over.
Serving for the win and her
20th title, Williams shanked
a forehand into the net at 3030, giving Safarova the break
point opportunity. Safarova
converted with a backhand
winner down the line. Six-all.
Not over yet.
Safarova pumped her fist

triumphantly. The underdog

carried that momentum into
the tiebreak, jumping out to a
3-0 lead and eventually taking
it, 7-2, and forcing a final set.
Carillo returned to the booth.
When Safarova opened the
third set with a break, then
held serve for the 2-0 lead, it
was clear that Williams was
going to need to dig deeper, to
find some sort of inspiration
to get out of this unexpected
mess. After evening the set at
2-all, Williams could be heard
screaming "What are you
doing?" at herself between
points. She held serve again
to take the 3-2 advantage. On

have finish the match at least

3-1 but thats how the game
sometimes go.
The team boss said he and
members of his technical
staff will have to make some
changes in both the midfield
and the defense due to the
challenge Barrolle pose.
Barrolle Captain Lawmadel
described his side 1-1 draw
with Garnersville FC as a
clear signal of the teams
preparation for the national
league season.
Our match against our
opponents is a test for the
entire team and let me say
here that we really worked
hard toward our 1-1 against
Garnersville and it shows how
prepared we are for the league
season.
Earlier in the day, Holders FC
and Nimba FC settled for a
0-0 draw in the same second
division.
In Fridays second division
clashes,
Barrack
Young
Controllers (BYC) II and
Mighty Blue Angels played
to a goalless draw in the day
opening game at the ATS while
ELWA United defeated Small
Town FC 2-0 in the day last
encounter.
the changeover, she let loose
several explitives, earning
a warning for an "audible
obscenity."
Her words seemed to work.
Her intensity level peaked as
she broke Safarova to take the
4-2 lead. Carillo wondered out
loud if she should be moving
back downstairs. Williams
held serve. 5-2. At 40-0, with
a triple-break-point, triplematch-point
opportunity,
Williams let out her loudest
roar of the day.
As the final point went her way,
Williams raised both hands.
She let her racket drop from
her grip. Her smile was tight,
controlled, a far cry from the
joyous, jubilent expression
she displays after most of her
U.S. Open and Australian Open
wins. This one did not come
easy.
This was the eighth time
Williams has had to play a
deciding set in a Grand Slam
final. She's now a perfect 8-0.
Safarova's title hopes are not
completely diminished she
will play for the women's
doubles title with partner
Bethanie Mattek-Sands on
Sunday.
Williams has now won the last
three Grand Slams. She's the
first woman to win the first two
Grand Slam events in the same
year since Jennifer Capriati did
so in 2001. The last woman to
win all four slams in the same
year is Graf, who did so in
1988.

ottenham
striker
Emmanuel
has
rubbished reports
that he is moving
to Turkey, distancing himself
from a man purporting to be
his agent.
The Turkish media has been
quoting Mehdi Isik, who
claimed Didier Drogba's
experience with Galatasaray
had convinced Adebayor to
leave England, but Adebayor
insisted he is happy at White
Hart Lane.
For the record I have seen
some articles regarding a
transfer to teams in Turkey.
I can confirm I have never
heard of Mehdi Isik who has
.said he is my agent and have
never discussed any move
to Turkey.I am very happy
with Tottenham and look
forward2the next season
with them.

HAZARD TARGETS
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
FINAL WITH CHELSEA

den
Hazard
has targeted an
improvement in the
Champions League
as one of Chelsea's goals for
next season.
The Belgian was influential in
a brilliant campaign that saw
Jose Mourinho's men win a
Premier League and League
Cup double, before being
recognised with the PFA and
Football Writers' Player of
the Year awards.
However, Chelsea's domestic
dominance was not reflected
on the continent as they
crashed out of the Champions
League at the last-16 stage to
PSG and ahead of the final
he is targeting improvement
next season.

EVERTON RIBEIRO READY

TO DEPUTISE FOR OSCAR

razil international
Everton
Ribeiro
is ready to prove
he can replace the
injured Oscar at this months
Copa America.
The
Al-Ahli
star
was
welcomed back to the squad
this month after missing out
on Marchs Chevrolet Brasil
Global Tour victories over
France and Chile.
He is now competing with
Douglas Costa and Liverpools
Philippe Coutinho for the role
in Dungas font-line and is
desperate to prove he is up to
the task.

DAUNTING TASK

Monday, June 8, 2015

Page 12
6a | Frontpage

New Managing Director Takes Over at Liberia Airport Authority

Al-Varney Rogers alrogers2008@gmail.com 0886304498

Monrovia tudents of the Jimmy

Jolocon High School
have
called
on
central government
to provide subsidy to all
schools that are certificated
by the Ministry of Education
operating in the Republic of
Liberia.
The students through their
newly-elected
student
council president, Anthony
Jellu want government not
to be selective in subsidizing
schools.
Government
subsidy must cover learning
institutions in the country
that are certificated by the
Ministry of Education, if this
is done, more of our brothers
and sisters who are not in
school across the country
will have the opportunity
to attend school, student
Council President noted.
The Jimmy Jolocon and some
other private High Schools
are not getting subsidy from
government. The school is
being run with the funds
generated from the school
fees the students pay.
Government is however
subsidizing some other
religion-run run institutions
like the catholic schools,
Seven
Days
Advantage
Schools including the Konola
Mission in Margibi County
among others.
But the student Council
President of Jimmy Jolocon,
Anthony described the lack
of government support to
private schools as burden
on students and parents
who struggle to pay huge
money to attend and acquire
knowledge.
Anthony Jellue believe when
government fund all Ministry
of Education certificated
schools, tuition fees will
drop and parents will afford

Monrovia iberia
Airport
Authority for the
past two years has
been in the press for
all the wrong reasons; the
sector has been categorized
by corruption, slow pace in
the renovation of the runway
at the Robert International
Airport and lack of capacity
amongst others.
In the wake of the many
challenges,
Wil
Bako
Freeman has taken over as
the Managing Director of the
LAA to carry out the task of
reforming the sector that has
been under serious public
scrutiny.
At a taking over ceremony last
Friday, Freeman promised
to immediately begin the
rehabilitation of both the
Robert International Airport
and the James Spriggs Payne
Airport runway.

Beginning
immediately,
there are number of exciting
things to look forward to
within the LAA such as the
rehabilitation of the runways
at both Spriggs and RIA,
Freeman said.
Freeman who is replacing
Rose Stryker, said there will
be organizational changes
adding that people may be
nervous but that it will be
implemented in the soonest
possible time.
Sometimes when people
have been accustomed to
doing things a certain way,
I understand that it makes
people nervous, but these
changes will be implemented
as seamlessly as possible,
Freeman said.
Prior to his appointment
as
Managing
Director
of the Liberia Airport
Authority, Freeman served
as the Director, Operations

and Regional Integration

and Director, Corporate
Services at the West African
Monetary Institute (WAMI),
a specialized agency of
ECOWAS working toward
the realization of a common
currency and Central Bank
for West Africa.
Prior to joining WAMI,
Mr. Freeman served as
the Program Coordinator
(Head) of the Liberia Better
Business Forum (LBBF) of
the International Finance
Corporation (IFC), the private
sector arm of the World Bank
Group.
He previously served as
a Senior Advisor to the
Minister of Commerce in
Liberia from October 2006
to September 2007 and a
Central Banker specializing
in Banking Supervision and
Market Risk Management for
nine years with the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York in
New York City, USA.
Mr. Freeman has a BA
in Economics from the
University of Minnesota and a
MBA from Rutgers University
in New Jersey, USA. He is
also a Commissioned Bank
Examiner from the Federal
Reserve System in the United
States.

STUDENTS WANT GOVERNMENT

SUBSIDY
IN
ALL
SCHOOLS
---As Jimmy Jolocon installed students government
A popular drugs haven in Gbarnga

to send their kids to school,

saying the fund that will be
provided by government
will help the schools and will
replace what the schools are
using from their covers.
He added that if the schools
are supported by government
the issue of school fees
increment will be secondary
on the agenda of private
schools.
Jellue spoke over the weekend

at program marking the 2015

installation of the student
government elect of the
Jimmy Jolocon High School
where he (Student Anthony)
was elected as president.
He encouraged his fellow
students not to give up in
the midst of challenges they
are faced with in Liberia,
The decision you made by
walking in the rain and sun
daily to seek education is

clear example for thousands

of your friends and so you
deserved a pat on the backs,
he encouraged.
He assured his colleagues
of
his
governments
preparedness to complete
major projects started by
previous governments. Be
assured of my government
preparedness to complete
the modern basketball court
and with your cooperation,

all will be well with us all on

campus, in order to achieve
these goals, I admonish you
all on the dangers of trading
on a path that will lead you to
self-destruction, be men and
women of honor and dignity,
he noted.
The CEO of Semoh Group
of Companies Inc, Moseray
Semoh, serving as keynote
speaker stated that high
school
academics
and

leadership activities was

a road map for students
to merit and achieve an
institution of the highest
quality and integrity. They
have the intelligence and
the talent and the potential
to transform the fifteen
counties of Liberia and lives
through their creativity, their
values, their service and their
leadership, Jellue noted.
The
United
Nations
Population Fund 2010 report
says the benefit of education
for girls include a reduction
in poverty and improvement
of the health of women and
their children, as well as
the potential to reduce the
impact of HIV/Aids.
According to the keynote
speaker education contribute
to improving child survival
and material health. He
encouraged students to
work with the leadership in
bringing the school project
success.
Research undertaken by the
World Bank 2004 indicates
that a child born to educated
mothers with no schooling
to immunize their children
against diseases, he noted.
CDC youth league Chair
Jefferson Koiji, who served
as installation officer at
the program, assured the
leadership of making it
possible to meet the CDC
political leader George Weah,
saying Ambassador will love
to meet with guys.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Monroviaiberia is one of the most undeveloped countries in

the world according to international reports with the
countrys capital; Monrovia named one of the poorest
cities in the world by the UN Habitat 2012/2013 State of
World Cities Report.
The Government of Liberia has put in place several institutions
all intended to ensure protection of public funds against fraud,
waste and abuse but it seems all the measures have not been able
to close the leakages with millions still slipping from the poor
country, findings its way to developed countries.
In a latest report released by the international group, Global
Financial Integrity (GFI) covering data gathered during the period
2008 to 2012 with 82 counties that are highly indebted and less
developed, Liberia is ranked the second country in the world with
the most illicit outflows of money.
The report released this week states that from the period 2008
to 2012 covering four of the first six years of President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf and another one during her second term of office,
the report disclosed that the country has been losing millions in
illicit outflows.
Liberia is ranked a staggering second next to fellow West African
country-Togo on the list of countries with huge illicit outflows.
In Liberia for example, illicit financial outflows reached 61.6
percent of gross domestic product on average between 2008 and
2012, and 80.6 percent of total trade volume, the global financial
body reports.
Global Integrity believes the money lost could have funded
Liberias health budget four and half times over, in a country
where 63.8 percent of the population lives in poverty, and income
inequality as measured by the Gini index - with zero meaning
equality, and 100 inequality - is high at 38, according to World
Bank data.
Togo had the worst illicit outflows, at 76.3 percent of its GDP,
followed by Liberia, Global Integrity states.
MONEY COULD FINANCE DEVELOPMENT

It has been estimated that nearly US$1 trillion in illicit finance

estimated to leave poor countries each year, money world leaders
say could help replace the shrinking amounts of foreign aid and
support ambitious new development goals.
A senior official of Global integrity says illicit financial flows are
pervasive in developing countries.
"This study highlights that illicit financial flows are pervasive and
pernicious in the developing world," said Tom Cardamone, GFI
managing director.
The report declared that illicit financial flow is becoming alarming
that G7 leaders meeting at a summit next week are expected to
discuss tax evasion.
Sub-Saharan African countries are ranked high based on total tax
revenues, appearing in the top 25 at a rate higher than it appears
in the overall group while Asia and the Western Hemisphere
appear at their typical rate, and Developing Europe and MENA are
more significantly represented beyond the top 25 ranking.
MORE OUTFLOWS, MORE POVERTY

Frontpage

The GFI study reveals a positive correlation between higher

levels of poverty and larger illicit outflows, meaning countries
with higher levels of illicit financial flows (relative to GDP) tend
to struggle with higher levels of poverty.
Sources of money to support these illicit financial flows are said
to be generated through illegal means including corruption, tax
evasion and other criminal means.
Global Integrity reports that the more illicit finance flowing out of
a country relative to its output, the higher its levels of poverty and
economic inequality and the lower its development.
Amongst the sources of illicit money, tax evasion has been seen
as one of the best means and Anti-poverty groups are calling for a
crackdown on this form of tax evasion.
In Liberia corruption is high as reports from the various anti-graft
institutions indicate massive abuse of laws and other regulations
which result in lack of accountability for public expenditure.
Concrete actions on the findings of these reports have not been
forth coming as in many instances the President defends her
officials in one instance citing emergency as a justification for
failure to adhere to transparency measures.
A large number senior Liberian government officials were
recruited from abroad, mainly the United States of America where
their families still reside, creating the conduit for these officials to
transfer money monthly for the upkeep of their families.
In such situations, paying for expensive mortgages, costly
education, health and other basic needs create huge financial
burden for many of these officials whose meager public servant
salaries cannot cover these costs.
In a new salary structure which came into place in January 2014,
senior ministers in Liberia are now earning US$6,000 monthly,
while their deputies and ambassadors are earning US$4,500; and

Page 13

assistant ministers, US$3,000.

With the meager salary structured approved by the government it
remains debatable how these government officials are catering to
their personal welfares in Liberia and at the same time supporting
their families abroad who are living in expensive countries.
According to the international fraud manual, for fraud to be
committed an individual should have pressure, the opportunity
and rationalize before committing fraud.
Vast majority of Liberian government officials look to have all the
characteristics that an individual must possess before committing
fraud as the weak system in prosecution people for corruption
provides that opportunity for these officials to get millions out of
the country.
During the early days of the Sirleaf led regime, her first Public
Works Minister Luseni Donzo left the country after wasting
millions of dollars on failed Jallah Town road project.
Several other officials who were accused of corruption either
resigned or were dismissed and left the country and are currently
living abroad.
Liberias dual currency regime has also been blamed for helping
to make the country an ideal place for money laundering and
transfer of illicit funds.
Using the United States dollars which is a widely used international
currency as legal tender is making the country to be suitable
where millions can be deposited in a bank account here in Liberia
and withdrawn using Automated tellers Machines (ATMs) cards
any other part of the world.
The financial system of the country has proven to be very weak
where individuals can walk to the bank and withdraw thousands
of United States dollars against banking regulations on huge
withdrawals.

This landside modernization project will include the following: State-of-the-art Safety features; Yard Pavement; New Cargo
Gates with various channels; Real Time Updates of Container Movements; Conventional Drainage System; New and Modern
Offices; Biometric Access Control System; Close Circuit Television (CCTV); and Global Positioning System (GPS).

he management of APM Terminals Liberia wishes to announce to port users and the general public the commencement
of its Modern Yard Development Project. The yard development project was suspended in August of 2014 due to the
Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak. Having collectively won the battle against Ebola, as a committed partner in Liberias
trade facilitation, APM Terminals Liberia is resuming construction work of the project.

APM Terminals Liberia Post Construction Terminal Layout

MANAGEMENT, APM TERMINALS LIBERIA LTD.

The Management of APM Terminals Liberia is quite aware; there is hardly any development without a challenge. As the yard
modernization project commences, we expect to experience challenges and constraints in our capacity utilization, which
is likely to have an adverse impact on the delivery of services to our cherished customers. In light of this, we would like to
entreat you to bear with us, as we collectively endeavour to develop and modernize the Freeport of Monrovia, the Gateway
to the Liberian Economy.

The construction is estimated at 34.5 million U.S. Dollars and will take approximately 23 months to complete. This development
follows APM Terminals Liberias previous investment of 50 million U.S. Dollars spent in constructing the newly built and now
fully operational 600m quay.

APM TERMINALS LIBERIA YARD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT