You are on page 1of 16

TOP

STORIES

County News

pg 10

POLITICAL
INFIGHTING
Bickering Stalls Endorsement
of Grand Bassas
Development Agenda

SPORTS

pg 11

RONALDINHO

RECALLED
Jabateh Dropped for
Liberia-G. Bissau Duel

BUSINESS

pg 7

CHINESE
INVESTOR
Eyes Rice Production

FrontPage
in Liberia

www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.154

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015

PRICE L$40

NO ROAD, NO VOTES

RESIDENTS OF SOMALIA DRIVE, BUSHROD ISLAND DECRY BAD ROADS

CITIZENS THREATEN BOYCOTT

If they do not fix this road, I am not voting because no one here to fix the road. We will just be voting
and they get in power, they send their children to England, Europe and America then I am sitting
here, me and my poor children- Ma- Constance Paylea, resident, Logan Town Broad Street

MONROVIA- pg. 5

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES


LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING

SELLING

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

L$87.00/US$1

L$88.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

L$87.00/US$1

L$88.00/US$1

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

L$87.00/US$1

L$88.00/US$1

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

FROM PAGE 1

Page 2 | Frontpage

Friday, October 2, 2015

Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-edwin.genoway@frontpageonlione.com

Monroviahead of the 2017 general and presidential


elections stakes are high with many
suggesting that only a combined opposition
can oust the ruling Unity Party which is
highly likely to put forth Vice President Joseph N.
Boakai, who has already accepted a petition to contest
the presidency.
With Boakai expected to contest, he will be dubbed
the incumbent candidate and the opposition will have
to work hard to unseat him and prevent the Unity
party from holding unto state power for another six
giving the party 18 consecutive years.
In the ranks and files of major opposition political
parties there are good signs of collaboration to prevent
the ruling party from securing another term in office
but the events of the last two eelctions-2005 and 2011
where the opposition failed to combine forces are still
raising fears that similar situation will unfold in 2017.
Collaboration between opposition political parties
is normally hindered by the ego of who heads
the collaboration especially when all sides to the
negotiation have their sights on the presidency.
Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine of the Liberty Party
has already welcomed the talks of collaboration with
a pledge to personally help any collaboration succeed
leaving the doors open for more discussions.
Speaking on the ugly history of failed collaboration
between oppositions, Cllr. Brumskine in a June
interview with FrontPageAfrica said he does not want
to blame the CDC or its political leader George Weah
for the 2011 failed collaboration between the two
parties.
We dont want to place blame on Senator George
Weah, the CDC or ourselves, I think the process was
mishandled. Personally, Senator Weah and I have a
good relationship like I have tried to develop with all
the other politicians including Senator Prince Johnson
from Nimba County and all the other politicians; we
are trying to work with them, said Cllr. Brumskine.
Fearing that another win for the ruling Unity
Party will lead to the end of the political career of
many opposition politicians and demoralize their
supporters, Cllr. Brumskine has promised to put aside
his ego and go into collaboration talks with other
political parties with an opened mind.
Said Cllr. Brumskine If Unity Party should win a third
election in Liberia; opposition will begin to crumble.
So we are going to sell that message to our colleagues
that we need to come together. I will be saying and

meaning it; everything is on the table, let us come, lets


negotiate on two things - must walk out of that room
with a ticket that the Liberian people can trust to lead
them and a ticket that can win, once we accomplish
those two things, we are ready to go.
Simeon Freeman of the Movement for Progressive
Change also declared sometimes ago that there is no
single political party that is popular in the country to
win state power all on its own.
I just want to clear this today, no party is popular
in Liberia than the others, and the numbers have
shown that, the dynamics have shown. In River Cess
it was not the so-called popular party that won the
senatorial election there, if you look at election results
throughout this country it is not the so called people
that perceive that they are popular that are winning,
Freeman noted.
CDC SAYS ONLY WEAH

But for the Congress for Democratic Change, the party


has repeatedly indicated that any collaboration will be
headed by Weah and no other candidate.
Officials of the CDC including its Chairman Nathaniel
McGill, deputy Vice Chairman for Operations and
Mobilization, Mulbah Morlu, Youth League Chair
Jefferson Koijee have all stated emphatically that
only Weah and the CDC can will head any possible
collaboration.
Koijee told a public gathering at a local hatai center
recently that the CDC will not back off on its plan to
carry Weah as the party presidential candidate in
2017 describing him as the arrow head.
We want to tell you that we got nothing to hide, we
presented on the table like we did, we say to you
again that the young people that I preside over as
leader their quest and demand remain very clear that
Ambassador Wean remains the arrow head in any
arrangement that we go into. We dont want to take
you by surprise, if you appreciate that if you respect all
those principles, we respect you also. We are talking
about forming government, you are welcome for us
to discuss government; we say to you we are satisfied
with Amb. Weah he has been processed he has been
convinced to be the leader of the people he added
As several other political parties prepare to partake in
the election with numerous parties getting certificated
by the National Elections Commission to contest, the
CDC continues to express that only Weah can head any
collaboration saying the party is ready to rule.

READY TO RULE
Speaking at a program marking the 49th birth
anniversary Montserrado County Senator Weah, the
political leader of the CDC at the party headquarters
in Congo Town Thursday, McGill warned politicians to
stop looking up to the CDC to make them president,
saying the CDC will not go second to any political
party as it was in the case of Cllr. Winston Tubman.
McGill, says the party has changed from many things
that have been impeding the success of the party.
According to McGill people have said lots of negative
things about the CDC, some of which had the party
being looked down upon by other parties and some
Liberians. He noted the CDC has changed and matured.

All of the negative things


people said about the CDC
in the past have all changed;
thank God we are now
matured. The people of Liberia
are looking up to us to lead this
country in 2017 and we will
win the election, he said.
McGill noted that the CDC
is prepared to take-up the
mantle of authority in 2017.
As Chairman of the CDC, let
me make this clear to all of you,
the CDC will not go as number
two to any political party. We,
ourselves, can be president
without going second to
someone and we are going
there come 2017, he noted.
The CDC Chairman said his
party is well recognized
internationally than some
Liberian
politicians
who,
according to him, cannot go to
the US Embassy.
There are some politicians
in Liberia here that cannot
enter the US Embassy and
they want to be president
of Liberiahow can that be
possible? You do not have
good relationship with the
international
community
how will you be president? he
asked the jubilant crowd that
gathered for Weahs 49th birth
celebration.
He said the CDCs objective
is to see the tenure of the
presidency reduce from six to
four years. According to him, a
Weah leadership will seek the
interest of all Liberians despite
their backgrounds.
He noted that the current
leadership of President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf has already
failed the people hence it is
time for a change. According to
him, only the CDC can rescue
Liberians.
The Headquarters of the CDC
was seen in a jubilant mood
as thousands of CDCians
gathered to celebrate the
birth anniversary of Weah.
Many Liberians attended the
ceremony including the former
political leader of the CDC, Cllr.
Winston Tubman.
For his part, the celebrant,
Senator
George
Weah
welcomed the action of
partisans in identifying with
him on his birthday.
Weah applauded Liberians for
the level of confidence they
have in him at the level of the
senate.
You all love me because I am a
kindhearted man, and because
you love me, myself I love your
too. I am not like other people
who have bad ways in them,
he told supporters.
WILL COLLABORATION FAIL
AGAIN?

The constant expressions by


CDC officials that only Weah
can head any collaboration
could serve as a major
bottleneck to the opposition
forming a combined forced to
oust the incumbent.
Political observers believe a
divided opposition will make
a good case for the election
of Vice President Boakai to
succeed President Sirleaf.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Frontpage

Page 3

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL IMPUNITY UNDER ATTACK
LIBERIA RECURRING
VIOLENCE ECLIPSING I
v

An Appreciation by Lansana Gberie , Contributing writer

POST-WAR PROGRESS

MOB VIOLENCE has proven to be the newest threat to


the stability of Liberia ahead of the drawdown of the
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
WHILE ARMED ROBBERY is still taking place in many
communities, mainly in Monrovia and a few urban
counties, recent trends indicate that mob violence has
caused more damage of properties and loss of lives.
SOME ARGUE that lack of trust in the justice system,
which is many times slow to bring relief to victims
and couple with widespread public perception that
the police is corrupt and cannot impartially begin the
process of arresting and sending victims and alleged
perpetrators to court, citizens action to take matter in
their own hands has increased.
WITH THE MINDS of some individuals who actively
participated in the long years of civil war in Liberia still
yet to be transformed from the culture of violence, the
country finds itself at risk of sustaining the fragile peace
which has existed for over a decade.
AS A RESULT of mob violence on the last three
occasions, properties worth millions of dollars have
been destroyed and human lives also lost during these
mass citizens actions.
IN GBARPA, NIMBA COUNTY, the concessional area of
world steel giant, Arcelor Mittal, locals who expressed
anger over what they termed the inability of the
company to provide them payments for cutting their
crops staged a violent protest action that disrupted the
operations of the company.
PROPERTIES BELONGING to the company, worth
thousands of dollars, were destroyed while many
sustained injuries and the company operations were
temporarily shut down.
PRESIDENT ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF ordered that
Nimba should pay for the damage through its county
and or social development fund.
MITTAL IS YET TO QUANTIFY the damage caused by
perpetrators of the violence, some of whom have been
prosecuted and found guilty by the court.
FOLLOWING THE MITTAL incident, another ugly
situation occurred at the Paynesville Red Light when
motorcyclists protested that one of their colleagues was
allegedly killed by a police officer.
INSTEAD OF SEEKING the course of the law, the
motorcyclists ransacked a police station, set it ablaze
and went on a looting spree in the Red Light area
bringing the entire commercial district to a standstill.
INNOCENT LIBERIANS INCURRED huge losses due to
the looting and some were injured in the process.
A THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED in the Golden Veroleum
concession area in Butaw, Sinoe County where locals
also staged a protest which resulted into smashing the
windows and holding expatriates hostage.
NOT TOO LONG THE country experienced another
terrible incident Wednesday in Ganta, Nimba County
when protestors, who claimed to be angered by the
death of a motorcyclist, set ablaze buildings belonging
to a local businessman, Prince Howard.
ACCOUNTS OF THE INCIDENT suggest that the angry
protestors were acting on what they believed to be a
true confession by their own suspect allegedly calling
the name of the businessman as being involved in the
ritualistic act.
SOME OF THE MOST exotic buildings in Ganta, which
are giving the City a facelift, were amongst structures
targeted by the protesters and set ablaze.

mpunity Under Attack is a well-written and


passionate work of advocacy by three young
Liberian activists. Its 239 pages constitute the
first book-length study of post-war Liberian
politics, though it is ostensibly focused on the events
leading to the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC) in February 2006.
It is written by: Aaron Sleh, a freelance commentator
on Liberian affairs and nominee to the TRC; Samuel
Toe, former Secretary of the TRC Selection Panel and
later Hearing Officer of the TRC; and Aaron Weah, a
civil society activist and pioneer of the Transitional
Justice Working Group which helped usher in the TRC.
The books key strength is the very rich detail it
provides of some of the emblematic events of the
war: the atrocities and casual acts of tyranny that
made Liberias more than a decade-long war such
a compelling type. And by analyzing the ideas and
activities that led to the setting up of the TRC, the
authors do two very useful things. They convincingly
show that whatever the great lapses in basic human
decency that characterized their countrys unhappy
recent past, there are many people, especially the
young, who are determined to forge a far better
future, one governed by the rule of law and universal
standards of justice, dignity and fairness. They are
also able to lay out with great perceptiveness the
fraught politics of post-war Liberia.
The TRC was provided for by Liberia's Comprehensive
Peace Accord, 2003 (CPA). Article XIII of the CPA
stated the need for a Commission which would
provide a forum that will address issues of impunity,
as well as an opportunity for both the victims and
perpetrators of human rights violations to share their
experiences, in order to get a clear picture of the
past to facilitate genuine healing and reconciliation.
The TRC was also to deal with the root causes of the
crises in Liberia, including human rights violations,
and ultimately to recommend measures to be taken
for the rehabilitation of victims. The Commission is
mandated to investigate gross human rights violations
and violations of international humanitarian law, as
well as other serious abuses, including massacres,
rape, murder and extra-judicial killings. It is also to
investigate economic crimes, such as the exploitation
of natural or public resources to perpetuate armed
conflict.
The word impunity is invoked in the Act, and on the face
of it, the rhetoric seems justified. The CPA explicitly did
not grant amnesty to anyone involved in the Liberian
war. In fact, however, none of the factional fighters
who signed the agreement appeared interested in
protection. They had not really been defeated, and
their interest gaining power remained unchanged.
In the form of the National Transitional Government
of Liberia (NTGL), they got that power.
The authors of Impunity Under Attack ask: How did
14 years of rebel and government brutality against
v

THE INCREASE in the wave of mob violence targeting


humans and properties is just a reminder of the civil war
when buildings were burnt down, bridges destroyed,
roads broken apart and important infrastructure targeted
in addition to the number of people killed.
AFTER THE PROLONGED civil war where the country
experienced destruction, some Liberians reverting the
behavior of the past is worrisome and requires urgent
attention.
ATTENTION IN THIS CASE does not mean waiting for
incidents to take place before reacting by arresting and
brining people to justice.

innocent civilians go unquestioned and unaccounted


for? It is a fair question, but it is also fair to say that
it is not quite over yet. The accountability process in
Liberia, like the concept of humanitarian law under
which it can be subsumed, is inchoate and evolving.
It will take time to become its own force, its own
justification. This book, as well as the TRC process
now ongoing (however wobbly), is part of that
process. That the CPA did not grant amnesty to anyone,
whether this decision was made purely by default,
was a very important repudiation of the culture of
impunity so entrenched, the authors remind us, in
Liberias political history.
Public hearings of the TRC began in January 2008.
Already by that time, the TRC had collected more
than 16,000 statements from victims as well as
alleged perpetrators. The Liberia TRC process has
been remarkable in the extent to which alleged
perpetrators have been willing to come forward to
confess their crimes and seek forgiveness; close to
15 per cent of statements taken, I understand, were
from people claiming to have perpetrated atrocities
and rights abuses. Doubtless this will help the TRC
write a more evenhanded and credible report, even
though this kind of volubility is slightly unsettling.
Is the ready confession a function of the culture of
impunity, the knowledge that no penalty will accrue
from a confession of (or perhaps boasting about?)
crimes committed against the poor and weak? Or am
I being cynical? The authors are more optimistic. The
TRC process, they conclude, is an opportunity for
Liberians to sweep out the filth from under the rug,
to air the dirty linen, to clean up the putrid sore and
treat it with the balm of truth. High words indeed
and it seems that, with the announcement in June
that almost all the major players in the war will now
be testifying before the TRC (many had rejected the
option before), this hope may yet be realized. (And
here I think I should state, by way of full disclosure,
that I know two of the authors personally, and that
one of them is actually my work-colleague).
That the likes of Prince Johnson, George Boley and
most of the dreary bunch of militia leaders will be
openly testifying, answering pointed questions about
what they did during the calamitous years of their
warfare, is surely comforting. Scorning the possibility
of war crimes trials at the close of the Second World
War, George Orwell wrote that what is important is
not making the political gangsters and war criminals
suffer but that they should be made to discredit
themselves. Orwell wasnt really thinking about the
process of open truth telling, but he doubtless would
have approved of this option.
Impunity under Attack is an appeal to all of us to take
Liberias TRC process seriously, and it underlies the
tragedies and the hopes (as well as pathos) of Africas
oldest republic.

WHILE THE ACTION of some Liberians to revert to acts


of violence is condemned in the strongest ever term,
governmentCentral and localmust ensure that
whenever there are complaints from the people, they are
addressed speedily to avoid the repeated occurrences of
these events.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER to prevent than to go out looking
for cure when damage has been done.
THE EVENTS FROM Mittal concession area, Red-light,
Sinoe and Ganta are all signs mob violence threatens the
security of Liberia, therefore requiring strong measures.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING


ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE

MOCKERY: ELLEN
LETTER TO LEGISLATURE
ABOUT TRC REPORT

TQ Harris CEO at HV WoodGas Technology


Now that President Ellen Johnson has shown interest in
implementing the TRC recommendations, we stand ready
to give her our fullest support. As the original advocate for
the formation of a War Crimes Court for Liberia and a strong
supporter of the truth and reconciliation component of the
national healing process, it would be my pleasure and indeed an
honor to serve as the administrator of the TRC implementation
phase to ensure it is handled properly and in accordance
with international standards. For my time and services, I will
accept no compensation. Madam President, any further delay
in dealing with the TRC issue will only mean more suffering
for the Liberian people. We must act now and close this ugly
chapter in an otherwise impressive history. Let's Go! 231 77
011-0119 / 231 88 040-2479
Sarr Abdulai Vandi
Isn't she crafty, cunning, tricky and treacherous?

After deliberately debunking and refusing to implement the


TRC recommendations, which questioned and jeopardise her
2011 Presidential bid, she now disingenuously recommends
the implementation of the recommendations in the dying days
of her corrupt and incompetent governance, and illegitimate
rgime.
John Williams, Works at Unemployed
I think it would be an affront to the Liberian people and a
mockery of the international system if Ellen actually wrote
such a letter! The TRC Report was very clear on what to do
about stamping out impunity in Liberia! It recommended that
Ellen and others should have been banned from taking any
in political leadership for a number a years. Ellen and those
sanctioned deliberately disregarded the Recommendations
of the TRC. Regrettably, the Liberian people, unlike their
Burkinabe counterparts, lacked the courage to confront evil.
To add insult to injury, the international community remained
silent on the issue. In fact, Ellen was awarded a "Nobel Peace
Prize". This "Prize" was a slap in the face of the Liberian
people and convinced some to re-elect Ellen "because the
international community wants her". Some people argue
that "for the international community to support the TRC
Recommendation, the Liberian people should have led the
way". This is a lazy argument! Did the people of Sudan "lead the
way?" Did the people of Kenya lead the way?" Did the people of
Rwanda "lead the way" when one of their officials was arrested
for human rights violations while on a foreign trip? Ellen will
be completed two terms very soon. Then she has the nerves of
writing a letter to implement a TRC Recommendation that bans
people from politics while, when she herself should have been
disqualified long ago? Of course, the international community
can take whatever action it deems necessary to "assist the
Liberian people and discourage impunity". However, some
Liberians will also wonder "Had Prince Johnson, George Boley,
Alhaji Kromah etc become President in 2005, would it have
been the same way?" But the Liberian people are to blame!
Burkinabes have shown all of Africa that the people are the
custodians of their own destiny. Compaore was a darling of the
international community but they kicked him out and banned
his buddies from contesting the coming elections. When his
surrogates tried to crawl in, they put them in their place. When
ECOWAS tried to arrange a "sweetheart deal" for them, the
people refused. "As you make your bed, so shall you lie on it!"
Moses Harris, Works at Retired
Mr. Williams, we cannot blame the international community for
treating us the way it does; they do this because we (Liberians)
don't know what we want. My fellow Liberians, until we change
our thinking (our mindset), we will always be ruled by those
individuals with the get, grab and go (what's in it for me)
mentality. My people, if we continue to sell our birthrights,
we will continue, as a nation, to suffer. With most, if not all,
of our resources auctioned off by this government, the next
government will have a serious problem managing (meeting)
its affairs; yor jus wait, yor will ce what hard time is.

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!

MORE OF THE GANTA


VIOLENCE TO COME IF

The Editor,

or a keen follower of the trend of mob violence in


Liberia, this weeks (September 30, 2015) bloody
violence in the commercial city of Ganta in Nimba
County did not come as a surprise. The mobbing to
death of a man on suspicion of having a hand in the death of
a motorcyclist amidst the burning of one of the leading hotels
in that bustling city; vandalizing of the Ganta police station;
looting, burning of a house and cars are all a replica of the kind
of mob justice weve seen across the country and will continue
to witness.
This is a specter that looms the nation both before and after the
UN peacekeeping force (UNMIL) leaves, unless we as a nation
squarely face up to the fact that this society is largely gripped
by a post-war culture of violence. And this is something that
is deeply entrenched in communities across the country, from
where our very political leaders and members of the security
forces come. This is why serious and sustained investment
must be made in addressing this national monsterthe
violence culture. Its not enough to just invest millions of
US dollars in beefing up and equipping the police, army and
other security forces, without putting together a national
psychosocial program for communities across Liberia. As far
as this writer knows, this psychosocial aspect is not considered
in the allotment of US$90 million in the 2015/2015 national
fiscal budget to prepare the countrys security forces for the
pending UNMIL drawdown completion by June 2016. This
government is not aware of this, as the reality speaks for itself.
The security problems this country have to contend with after
the UN peacekeepers pull out are beyond just addressing the
issue of physical security. Its more than that.
This is why I agree with Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh,
who wondered why should people take the law into their
own hands on allegations, when he made a special televised
statement to the nation Wednesday evening. It is because
of this entrenched and worrying culture of violence that a
large number of Liberians do not even need AK-47s to cause
substantial damage not only to properties but lives in a very
short time.
As the Superintendent of Nimba County Superintendent said
to the state owned radio ELBC after the mayhem, it took only
3 hours for a group of civilians to inflict the huge level of
destruction that was caused last Wednesday in Ganta.
This is why this writer and other keen Liberia watchers have
for years now seen mob violence/mob justice as the biggest
threat to the countrys future peace and stability, not another
rebel war that was originally unleashed by Charles Taylor's
defunct National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL). Some time
ago, someone made a sweeping statement that violence is
in our (Liberians) blood because the war has made us so.
That Liberian citizen may not be too far from the truth. A
bulletin from the World Health Organization published in
2009 said, Mental health problems related to war trauma and
exacerbated by dislocation are also a pressing concern.
According to the WHO report, A 2008 survey found that 40%

of the population had self-reported symptoms indicative of


major depression and 44% probably had post-traumatic stress
disorder. Addressing this phenomenon within the scope of
post-conflict development work is considered as dealing with
the software, while reconstructing and building the roads,
bridges and physical infrastructure is considered as dealing
with the hardware.
Psychologists and professionals in psycho-social works can even
speak to how this demand awesome attention and investment
to put this sort of violence inclination into the reverse. But
sadly, starting from the DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization,
Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, many psycho-social
professionals have maintained that most premium was placed
on the disarmament component and very little on the other
D and two Rs. More recent studies even further confirm the
extent to which a large percentage of this Liberian society is
traumatized. Liberians have a collective responsibility to look
back at the consequences of violence and turn a new page. The
countrys international partners too, have a responsibility to
invest some of the millions they are putting into the hardware
such as roads and other infrastructure also into the software
issues to reverse the tide of the violence culture. Invest
into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder projects that the huge
resources into Liberias post conflict reconstruction cannot go
to waste. If nothing concrete is done, the nice infrastructures,
vehicles and other things restored in post war Liberia could go
up in flames at the hands of angry mob in a twinkle of an eye.
If the culture of violence is not addressed, a large number of
this traumatized population are even capable of chasing police
officers out of their stations and even disarming them, leading
to a complete breakdown of law and order.
This, the Liberian government and people must not allow to
happen. More of last Wednesdays Ganta vandalism and mob
justice will come if, Liberians as a matter of principle do not
condemn mob violence as a place to start. Whatever the reason
or whichever side one may be on, taking the law into ones
own hands is certainly not the way to proceed. Respect for
the rule of law must be the way to go. Lessons from Liberias
history should have taught this nation by now that resorting to
violence has never solved any problem in this country. Many
taught by using violence to remove the late Presidents Samuel
Doe and William R. Tolbert from power would solved out
problem. That didnt.
Many even taught by using violence to flush out ex-President
Charles Taylor to solve the ills would have done the trick.
And that has not happened. Yes, this government has the
responsibility to stop the mysterious killings around the
country and improve the justice system, but that should in
no way justify people taking the law into their own hands by
engaging in mob violence/justice. Indeed, more of the Ganta
violence will come, if Liberians do not work on the cancerous
national problemthe culture of violence.
Frank Sainworla, Jr.
Cell: 0888311579 email:
fsainworla@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL 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
Gboko Stewart, Copy Editor 0886 484974
gboko.stewart@frontpageafricaonline.con
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
Bettie Johnson, Reporter, , / betty.johnson@
frontpageafricaonline.com/0886971922

Al-varney Rogers, Reporter, al.rogers@


frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-304498
Kennedy L. Yangian, Reporter, kennedy.yangian@
frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781
A. Macaulay Sombai, Sports Reporter, macaulay.sombai@
FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
COUNTY NEWS TEAM
Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042
Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753,
advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com

Friday, October 2, 2015

NO ROAD, NO VOTES

RESIDENTS OF SOMALIA DRIVE, BUSHROD ISLAND DECRY BAD ROADS

Frontpage

CITIZENS THREATEN BOYCOTT

If they do not fix this road, I am not voting because no one here to fix the road. We will just be voting
and they get in power, they send their children to England, Europe and America then I am sitting here,
me and my poor children- Ma- Constance Paylea, resident, Logan Town Broad Street
Massa F. Kanneh-Dorley masskanneh@yahoo.com or 0886848625

Monrovia ad roads is a problem


facing Monrovia and
other parts of the
country
especially
during the rainy season
when flood water makes the
movement of vehicles and
pedestrians impossible.
Several communities and main
roads that could be paved
to minimize the huge traffic
congestion in Monrovia have
been left abandoned.
As
2017
general
and
Presidential Elections draw
closer, some residents on the
Bushrod Island are threatening
that they will not participate
in the elections if nothing is
done about the terrible road
condition in the country.

Monrovia oreign
Minister
Augustine
Kpehe
Ngafuan and the Vice
Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili
have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between
their two Ministries of Foreign
Affairs for the establishment
of frameworks of political
consultations and exchange of
opinions at different levels on
issues of common regional and
global interests.
According to a Foreign Ministry
release, the Memorandum of
Understanding signed today
on the margins of the UN
General Assembly in New
York, USA, commits the parties
to fostering cooperation in
Education, Science, Culture,
Sports, and the Economy. The
parties also commit to holding
consultations on areas of
political, bilateral, regional,
and global cooperation, and to
seek the common interest of
both countries at international
organizations.
The
Memorandum
of
Understanding shall be in force
for a period of five (5) years,
subject to renewal.

An elder of Electoral District


15, Logan Town Broad Street,
Ma Constance Paylea told
FrontPageAfrica that since
1991, she has been living
in that community and has
always seen the Logan Town
Broad street road in such bad
state without attention from
authority to fix or pave it.
The 60-year old says politicians
have always come with sweet
mouth to convince residents
to vote for them and promise
to have the road fixed upon
ascendancy.
She has vowed to campaign
vigorously against those who
might have intention to be
Representatives or senators
in 2017 if nothing is done
about that road and other

surrounding roads.
Ma Constance said even if
lawmakers are not there to
fix roads but they should be
there to advocate on behalf of
their constituencies and the
wellbeing of the people.
If they not fix this road, I am
not voting, because no one here
to fix the road. We will just be
voting, and they get in power
they send their children to
England, Europe and America.
Then I am sitting here, me and
my poor children, said MaConstance.
Ma-Constance says come 2017
elections she will vote for any
individual who pays attention
to the road.
If the government could only
fix this road, it will help to ease

traffic congestion. If they fix


this road here, we will be very
happy, we will put that person
on our back, and if the person
wants to become president we
will vote for the person, she
said
The elderly woman narrated
that they find it difficult to
move from one place to another
because cars are getting stock
in the muds or holes, forcing
many cars to avoid using the
area.
This is the road we use to go
buy goods for our shops and
stores but now cars will only
stop you on the main road and
you have to haul the heavy loads
on your head or sometimes
we charter motorcycles, some
end up throwing people in the

dirty water along the road, she


added.
Ma-Constance disclosed that
the road plays a very major
role in in minimizing traffic
congestion on the main road.
Besides the Logan town broad
street road, there are several
other roads in Monrovia
and its environs that are yet
to
experience
pavement,
including the main road
from broad street along the
Bushrod Island and beyond,
and Somalia Drive road both of
which have become center of
traffic congestion.
Due to the bad state of roads,
drivers take long period to
travel along route.
Residents on the Bushrod
Island have lately been

Page 5

experiencing
huge
traffic
congestion due to the bad road
condition in that area.
Many cab drivers or commuters
preferred charter then pick
and drop of passengers at their
various destinations, which
drivers said, could only cause
more delays for them.
Mohammed Bah , a driver told
FPA that some days he hardly
gets his daily report money
due to the delay caused by the
traffic congestion on Somalia
Drive and Bushrod Island.
Bah says despite the deplorable
state of the roads, the roads
are so narrow they can only
accommodate two cars from
opposite direction.
He lamented that due to
the bad nature of the road
condition, many drivers are
always finding a good side to
move which can sometimes
lead to having four lanes.
Bah said he has directed his
movement towards Sinkor
which experiences little traffic.
Bah said the government
officials will only sit in their
offices and make suggestions
as to how much the fees
should be but they do not
take into consideration the
rehabilitation of roads.
See how the roads look, so,
so holes when you dont take
time, you will get in some of
the holes when it rains and
your car will spoil, he said.
A resident of Logan town
community, Cyrus Nah, said
he prefers walking from
Broad Street to go home than
spending more than two hours
to find car to get home, or
spending more than an hour
on commercial or even private
vehicles due to the delay he
would experience in the traffic.
Bushrod Island is just like
high way now, only potholes
you see on the road and the
only main road Nah said.
Besides Nah, others said
sometimes they would have to
go through Sinkor to be able
to get to Point Four thereby
paying extra fees in order
to escape the traffic on the
Somalia Drive.

GLOBAL INTERESTS
Liberia and Georgia Sign Cooperation Memorandum

Making brief remarks, Foreign


Minister Augustine Kpehe

Ngafuan
expressed
the
gratitude of the Government

and People of Liberia to the


Georgian Government for the

signing of the Memorandum,


which according to him has

been under discussion for


over a year. Minister Ngafuan
noted that the agreement
has the potential of not only
consolidating
diplomatic
relations between Liberia
and Georgia but also forging
stronger bonds between the
peoples of the two countries
in the respective fields of
cooperation agreed.
For his part, Georgian Vice
Prime Minister and Minister
of
Foreign
Affairs,
Mr.
Kvirikashvili, expressed delight
for Liberia's continued support
for resolutions related to the
wellbeing of the Georgian
people at the United Nations.
He stated that the agreement
opens up the scope for Liberian
professionals and students to
be offered training and other
opportunities in Georgia and
for Georgian assistance to
public sector reform efforts in
Liberia.

POLITICAL INFIGHTING
Friday, October 2, 2015

Page 6 | Frontpage

Buchanan,
Grand
Bassa
Countyhe implementation of
projects sponsor by
the County and Social
Development funds
according the budget law
must be decided by delegates
from various districts in the
county through a resolution
sign by them. The rational is
that locals participation will
enhance and impact significant
development across the county
which reflects their priorities.
But when the bickering of
politics engulfs the process
combined with egocentric
political
ambitions,
the
significance of decentralizing
the national cake mere by
improprieties often thwart
development where its most
needed.
In March 2013, Vice President
Joseph N. Boakai mentioned
that the issue of the CDF across
the country was problematic
adding that the interest of the
county is mindlessly pushed
aside in some instances. He
alluded that tension among
local authorities undermines
productivity and harmony.
Said
Veep
Boakai:
Disagreements have erupted in
nearly every county leadership
structure on interpretations
and perceptions of the
disbursement processes that
should guide our respective
County Development Funds.
The Vice Presidents concern
in
2013
is
seemingly
resurfacing in Grand Bassa
County
where
delegates
of District Four (Electoral
District) have refused to
sign the county resolution
for the implementation of

Monroviavisiting
Chinese
Business Executive
has
pledged
his
company
support
to the Council of Chiefs and
Elders in the area of food
production, particularly the
countrys staple, rice.
Liberia
Development
Corporation Inc. CEO Caichun
Huang said his company
is willing to support the
Council in every aspect for the
development of the country.
Mr.
Caichun
speaking
Wednesday at a dinner held in
honor of the Council of Chiefs
and Elders Chairman, Chief
Zanzan Karwor and his wife,
Representative Mary Karwor
at a local hotel in Monrovia said
the chiefs can play significant
role in making the country selfsufficient.
Earlier, Chairman Karwor
spoke of the need to assist the
Council in its plan for massive
food production in country.
He said the Council plans to
cultivate at least five hundred
acres of farmland in every
district across the country
to feed the citizens and have
surpluses for commercial
benefit.
Chief Karwor said he is
prepared to put the Council to
work, stressing that hard work
is the medicine for hard time.
He further noted that no
country can boast of its
independence if it cannot feed

Bickering Stalls Endorsement of Grand Bassas Development Agenda


Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, daffae82@gmail.com

several projects in the county.


The delegates insist they
recommended a clinic project
while the draft resolution
shows contradiction that they
will not endorsed.
The district representative,
Hon.
Robertson
Siaway,
said delegates of his district
during the 2013 county sitting
decided on the construction
of a clinic project but was not
executed due the Ebola virus
crises which ruin the countrys
economy and development
drives. He said at this years
county sitting, the district
again re-suggested the clinic
project which he claimed was
omitted in the draft county
resolution.
When the resolution (draft)
came out for this District#4,

they put in allocation for


furniture and drugs for the
clinic that has not been built
a non-existing clinic, Hon.
Siaway told a community radio
station in the county. So my
delegates have refused to sign;
they say they will never sign
until the corrections are made
instead of drugs, they want a
clinic built.
He added that he too will not
sign the resolution because
it contravenes the budget
law and the usage of the CDF
while disclosing that the
draft resolution also calls for
US$5,000.00 allocation to one
of the six radio stations in the
county; something, he said
violets the CDF guidelines
because the allocation was
not recommended during the

county sitting by delegates.


Siaway has come under
pressure over the last couple
of years with many of his
constituents shunning him
for doing little to impact
development in their area. And
with the ongoing wrangling,
his constituents are keeping
an eye on the outcome of the
situation.
The District Four lawmaker
has accused his colleague, Hon.
Jeh Byron Browne of District
Three the Acting Chair of
the county Legislative Caucus
of a ploy to demonize him
against his constituents. He
says Browne has threatened to
badmouth him to the Ministry
of Internal Affairs if he refused
to sign the resolution.
He said if I stick (insist on not-

CHINESE INVESTOR EYES

RICE PRODUCTION

its own people.


Also speaking, the Liberian
partner to Mr. Caichun
reaffirmed his confidence
in the companys ability to
contribute significantly to the
development of Liberia.
Mr. J Elder Jallah said in

addition to agriculture, the


LDCI is also willing to invest in
electricity, construction among
others.
Despite the availability of
fertile soil for growing rice
to large scale, Liberia is yet
to have mechanized rice

production.
Subsistence
farming
is
widespread with locals making
farms only to feed themselves.
The country is reliant on
imported rice from mostly
Asian countries.

signing) on that he will write


the Ministry of Internal Affairs
that District #4 does not want
development, Hon. Siaway
alleged.
Acting Caucus Chair, Hon.
Browne has ignored inquiry
from FrontPage Africa over the
issue but some constituents
are suggesting that politics
is the main factor stalling the
finalization and endorsement
of the county development
agenda.
With the Principal Chair of the
Legislative Caucus, Senator
Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence,
out of the country, Browne
and District#1 lawmaker, Hans
Barchue (Deputy Speaker) are
rumored to be calling the shots
while the Secretary General
of the caucus, Rep. Robertson
Siaway appears to be out of
favor with his colleagues.
Political observers in the
county say concerns over
altering delegates suggestions
in the county development
plan for the fiscal year may
taut the political rivalry
amongst
the
lawmakers
which may obviously delay
the implementation of several
projects in the county.
Madam
Etweeda
Cooper
resignation as Superintendent
even though she still steers
administration of the county
until her successor is appointed
was seen by her critics as a
gain for development in the
county. With fresh controversy
emerging about the use of the
CDF in the county, Coopers
exit is now seen as a piece of
the pie political infighting in

Grand Bassa County.


What Is The New PMC Saying?
Grand Bassas new Project
Management
Committee
(PMC) is being considered
neutral by many in the county
since their election August this
year. PMC Chair Theophillus Y.
Bedell told FPA that all the PMC
members are from a broad
base background with diverse
specialty that are committed to
discipline and hard work.
We have come to the PMC to
do the work the people elected
us for, we are here to carry on
projects that were resolved at
the just ended county council
sitting, Bedell said.
With a feud brewing between
two lawmakers and the faith
of the county resolution
(development
agenda)
hanging, the PMC seems
determine to act impartially
and avoid the politics, claiming
that they are just there to
implement the development
agenda of the county which is
guided by the budget law.
The PMC Comptroller, H. Uriah
Bryant told FPA on Thursday
via mobile phone that the PMC
is not involve with crafting of
the documents or resolution
but they take custody of
the money and manage the
implementation of resolved
projects.
Our role is not political; we
are technicians committed
to implementing what all the
politicians want to come to
light through a resolution
endorsed by their people,
Bryant said.

field is too small and the


players are many, the group
said.
According to the release, the
group used the occasion to
commend the Chairman Prince
Akinremi for his academic
sojourn.
Akinremi was over the
weekend a proud recipient
of Masters Degree in public
sector management at the
Cuttington University College.
The group described him as
a visionary leader who has
over the years contributed
immensely to the agenda for
transformation in Liberia
Prince Akinremi stands as
a colossal of hope for the
hopeless and the less fortunate
people in Liberia, the release
maintained.
He is currently the chief
executive officer of both
the Ultimate Investment &
Holding Company and Afrique
Construction &Maintenance
Company.
The Liberia Broadcasting
Corporation was on Monday
a proud recipient of assorted
stationery donated by the chief
executive officer of the two
companies.

NATURALIZED GROUP
REMIND LIBERIANS TO MAKE
POSITIVE DECISION IN 2017

Monroviaonsidering
the
2017 general and
presidential as crucial,
the Movement of
Naturalized Liberians has
reminded Liberians to reflect
seriously on the past in order
to make positive decision in
the interest of the country
especially at the polls.
In a release issued Tuesday
in Monrovia, the group
said while it believes in the
multiplicity of political parties,
it is cautioning Liberians to be
mindful as to who to elect so
that the country cannot slip
back into hardship, poverty
and economic stagnation.
The movement is comprised
of both Anglophone and
Francophone residents with
a membership of over 900
members spread across 14
political divisions of the
country.
We are equally reminding
politicians to be truthful in
their
political
endeavors
and put the interest of the
country first in everything
that they do and not to seek
their own aggrandizement at
the detriment of the Liberian
people because the political

Friday, October 2, 2015

NO RECORDING

Frontpage

Page 7

AVAILABLE

Power TV Boss Dashes Prosecution hope in murder trial


Kennedy L. Yangian 0777296781

Monroviarosecution
lawyers
in the murder trial of
the late police officer
Amos Tutu appeared
quiet and frustrated on
Thursday when the boss of the
Power TV took the stand and
said the TV Station is no longer
in possession of the recording.
Power TV boss, Aaron Kollie,
was invited by the court last
week to appear on Thursday,
October 1, 2015 and present
a video recording done on the
scene where the police officer
body was set ablaze by angry
residents of the Capitol ByPass on February 27, 2010.
The invitation to the Power

TV boss was based on request


made by the prosecution
lawyers to the court which
was endorsed by the presiding
Judge, Blamo Dixon.
Kollie, who took oath before
appearing as the prosecutions
seventh witness, admitted to
the court that the Power TV
did cover the fatal immolation
of Amos Tutu on February 27,
2010.
He stated that considering the
low quality of the technology
employed in the stations
recording system using VHS
cassette, there was no news
storage system.
All news event broadcasted
in the year 2009 leading to

2010 cannot be accounted


for. However, sadly, it is only
in subsequent years that we
were able to put in place a new
storage system to account for
all current events. I wish to
respectfully inform this court
that we no longer have in our
possession said recording,
revealed Kollie.
Kollie continued by saying
that he can be right to say
that it was true the recording
was made but because of
the technological fault, same
cannot be made before the
court.
His comment trickled question
from the prosecution lawyer,
Cllr.
Augustine
Fayiah,

Assistant Justice Minister for


Litigation, as to whether the
police has once asked for the
recording.
In response to that question,
Kollie told the court that as it
relates to the police request,
the Management of the Power
TV station has not received
any communication from the
police since 2010 requesting a
copy of the video recording.

USAID FED INAUGURATES SCIENCE

LAB FACILITY IN BUCHANNAN

BUCHANAN, GRAND BASSA


COUNTY n September 30,
2015, the Mission
Director
of
the
United States Agency
for International Development
Mission to Liberia (USAID),
Dr.
Anthony
S.
Chan,
inaugurated a modern Science
Laboratory at the Grand
Bassa County Community
College in Buchanan. Under
an agreement with the Food
and Enterprise Development
Program of USAID (USAID
FED), the College provided the
building to house the facility,
while USAID FED remodeled
the building and purchased
and installed state of the art
laboratory equipment. The
Laboratory will aid the delivery
of the National Diploma in
Agriculture (NDA) and enhance
practical learning. The NDA
program is Liberias recently
unveiled
market
driven
2-year vocational agriculture
program supported by USAID,
which prepares Liberias youth
for careers in agriculture. The
NDA offers core agricultural
related courses like crop
cultivation,
irrigation,
soil science and animal
husbandry as well as skills in
entrepreneurship, leadership
and communications.
In addition to the Grand Bassa
County Community College,
the NDA will be offered
at two other community
collegesthe Nimba, and Lofa
Community Collegesplus the
Booker Washington Institute
(BWI). A Science Lab similar
to the one at the Grand Bassa
County Community College
was recently dedicated at BWI.
Similar Labs have also been
established and will soon be
dedicated at the Nimba County
Community College and the
Lofa
County
Community
College.
Speaking
during
the

The defense counsel headed


by Atty. Arthur Johnson, the
jury and the court all waived
asking witness Kollie any
question, thereby leaving the
court without any alternative
but to discharge the witness off
the stand while the case was
ordered adjourned to resume
today at 11a.m.
This is the second attempt
by the prosecution to get

INCESSANT CORRUPTION
REPORTS WORRY
ANTI-CORRUPTION BOSS
BY: Webster Clayeh

dedication ceremony, USAID


Mission Director Chan said
the US Government, through
USAID FED, is making major
investments in building the
capacity of BWI and the three
community colleges through
the creation of Centers of
Excellence (CoEs) at each
institution equipped with
the science labs as well as
computer labs with internet
connectivity. Dr. Chan further
said the CoEs will also provide
for the training of instructors
and the development of syllabi
and lesson plans used in the
NDA. He added that the United
States of America remains
committed to helping Liberia
unlock the great potential it
has in the agricultural sector.
The Chief of Party of USAID
FED, Agnes Luz, said the Lab
was part of USAID FEDs broad
plan to help develop Liberias
agricultural workforce capacity
and prepare young people for a
future as successful farmers.

Speaking on behalf of the


Government of Liberia, the
Minister of Agriculture, Dr.
Moses Zinnah, thanked the
United States Government
for helping the Government
of Liberia through USAID
FED in its drive to stimulate
agricultural production. He
urged the students to take full
advantage of the opportunities
provided them by the NDA
program. Speaking on behalf
of the Grand Bassa County
Legislative Caucus, Senator
Jonathan Kaipay, said elected
representatives of Grand Bassa
County are doing everything
in their power to cater to
the needs of students at the
County Community College,
including providing a bus to
transport the students to and
from classes.
Following
the
dedication
ceremony at the Grand Bassa
County Community College,
students put on a soil testing
demonstration for guests

using the new state of the


art equipment in the Lab. In
addition to providing practical
training for the students, the
Lab will also be used to provide
soil testing services for farmers
in surrounding communities
as well as other institutions for
a fee to help sustain the facility.
The USAID FED Program aims
to reduce hunger and promote
food security for Liberians
through increased agricultural
productivity and profitability
in rice, cassava, vegetable
and goat value chains. It is
implemented in six counties:
Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa,
Margibi and Montserrado. It is
Africas largest project under
President Barack Obamas
Feed the Future Initiative,
which promotes a move away
from subsistence farming
by working with public and
private bodies, including the
Government of Liberia, the
private sector, local NGOs and
other key stakeholders.

hold of the video recording


considered as a key evidence
against the two defendants on
trial for the murder of police
inspector Amos Tutu which
has all proven futile based on
testament by the Management
of the Power TV that it is no
longer in possession of the
recording.

Monroviallr. James Verdier,


chairman of the Liberia
Anti-Corruption
Commission (LACC)
says the incessant reports of
corruption in the country is
troubling and is making the
work of the commission more
difficult.
Speaking at the Ministry of
Information (MICAT) press
briefing, the LACC chairman
said that due to the limited
resources, financial and human
capacity, the commission finds
it difficult to carry on its duty.
In what seems to be a sheer
exasperation, the LACC boss
also call on the church and the
media play a more active role
in the fight. We want to call on
the church and the civil society
to be more effective in the
fight of corruption. We believe
that this will not dampen our
spirit but rather strengthen
our society. These institutions
and the media play a key role
in our society which can help
the commission in the fight of
corruption, Cllr. Verdier said.
However, he assures the public
of the LACC commitment
and determination to clean
corruption. He said that

despite the capacity gap and


financial challenges, the LACC
will continue to strive for
professionalism in carrying on
their duties.
The LACC boss also said that
the LACC will be relocating its
office from the UN drive to the
Congo town back road adjacent
the Ministry of Health.
According to the LACC
Chairman, they have completed
a risk assessment in the water
sector of the country. Quoting
from the studies, Verdier said
the LWSC is operating at 25
percent, far below its capacity.
The water treatment plant is
to produce 16 million gallons of
water a day. However, it is only
producing 4 million gallons a
day. On the 4 million gallons,
three millions are unaccounted
for while one million gallon is
accounted for, the LACC boss
said.
The LACC boss also said that
the LWSC is putting into place
a risk reduction water plan
which he said will soon be
implemented. The LACC boss
also disclosed that the LACC
has provided awareness to
the counties in the fight of
corruption.

A LACK OF INNOVATION?
Friday, October 2, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

Liba boss craves for visionary leaders at YELL 2015 Summit

he Liberian Business
Association
(Liba)
says it is in a
strategic position to
support entrepreneurs, who
sympathize with the plight of
Liberians and are inclined to
taking actions to change the
status quo.
According to Dee Maxwell
Saah Kemayah who became
Liba president on November
18, 2011, his primary objective
was to start a process of
strengthening the Liberianowned business community
to the level where it can
significantly contribute to the
economy.
Kemayah said his vision
is to see Liberian-owned
businesses grow into being the
highest and largest taxpayers.
This is a herculean task
that will not be achieved in
our administration, but all
Liberian-owned
businesses
are committed to this vision of
taking charge of the Liberian
economy.
In line with our strategic
vision; we initiated actions
based on the gaps identified as
factors impeding the growth

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

of Liberian-owned businesses
and lobbied with several
institutions and organizations,
both locally and internationally,
to help solve the problems,
Kemayah recalled.
One institution and or

individual that came to Libas


rescue with a stimulus package
is the governments agency
responsible for monetary
policies, including achieving
and maintaining price stability.
Through the visionary and

astute leadership of Dr. J. Mills


Jones, the
Central Bank of Liberia
continues to carry out several
social entrepreneur related
interventions. For instance, Dr.
Jones, out of his concern for the

gap in the access to credit or


finance by the small medium
enterprises championed the
approval by the CBL board of
governors of an initial US$5
million loan stimulus package
to be accessed exclusively by
Liberian-owned businesses.
The interesting features about
this package are that it has an
unprecedented low interest
rate of eight percent and long
repayment period of five years.
That was followed by US$5
million loan stimulus package
for the Liberian Business
Association (Liba), which is
currently being exclusively
accessed by its members.
Also, the interesting features
about this CBL laon package
to Liba are that it has an
unprecedented low interest
rate of seven percent and
long repayment period of five
years, Kemayah said at the
2015 Summit of the Young
Ennovative Leaders of Liberia
(YELL) in the United States of
America.
He said Liba, with the CBLs

warning and environmental


degradation.
The Deputy Chief of Mission
proffered the need for Liberians
to seek local solutions for global
environmental
challenges.
Madam
Paskman
made
specific emphasis on sea level
rise, garbage around street
corners, extreme weather
pattern and highlighted the
increased consumption and
strangulation of plastic debris
by birds and other marine
species.
The senior U.S. diplomat
admonished
Liberians
to
take appropriate actions in
safeguarding the environment
most especially waste and
wetlands so as to reap the
ultimate benefits now and
ensure that posterity has a
greater opportunity for the

future.
The deputy U.S. envoy to
Liberia reminded Liberians
that Climate Change is very
serious and it is caused by
human activities over the
years. Even our famous state
of California is faced with
water rationing as a result of
Climate Change and Global
Warning she indicated.
Deputy Ambassador Paskman
urged everyone to take
environmental issues into
account when undertaking
developmental
initiatives,
because according to her,
Liberians need to find the
balance between developments
to ensure a sustainable Liberia.
Madam Paskman extolled YES
for leading grassroots efforts
to protecting the environment
from the galloping and glaring

effects of climate change


and global warning and
then cautioned Liberians to
conserve the environment.
You dont need a PhD to know
that there is garbage on the
street or the coastline is being
threatened she further stated.
Speaking earlier, the founder
& executive director of YES,
Stephen B. Lavalah, pointed
out that the ultimate goal of
the project is to establish an
environmentally aware culture
in Liberia through research,
education, and action utilizing
a youth-led sustainability
movement in the areas of
energy, water, food, waste, and
ecology.
We are creating opportunities
for young people to be educated,
engaged, and empowered to
take action on environmental

and
sustainable
issues
through the establishment
of
Environmental
Clubs,
hosting inter-generation and
community based Energy
Access Talks (EAT), creating
volunteer groups of Water
Defenders, planting edible
gardens,
and
increasing
biodiversity
through
environmental
restoration
and reforestation efforts Mr.
Lavalah noted.
The youth leader stressed
that the project also included
availability and usage of
trash bins; techniques to
reduce carbon footprints;
strategies
to
influence
environmental
policies;
safety tips; tree planting
initiative; and awareness
campaign about World Earth
Day, World Environment Day,

NURTURING
ENVIRONMENTALISTS
YES Launches Building a Sustainable Liberia Project

he Youth Exploring
Solutions
(YES),
an accredited nonprofit, passionate and
voluntary grassroots youthled development organization
with funding from U.S.
Embassy
Monrovia
has
launched a landmark project
titled: Building a Sustainable
Liberia.
The event which took place
in Bentol City at the Frank E.
Tolbert Public School brought
together over 300 students
from 5 elementary, junior and
senior high schools in rural
Montserrado County alongside
the Deputy Chief of Mission and
Paul Hinshaw, Public Affairs
Officer of the U.S. Embassy
near Monrovia. Special guests
also included Honorable Saah
Charles NTow, Deputy Minister
for
Youth
Development;
Honorable Christine TolbertNorman, Acting Mayor of
Bentol City; Honorable Charles
Allen,
Managing
Director
of Liberia Water & Sewer
Corporation; Honorable Paul
K. Jallah, Assistant Minister
of Agriculture; Mr. Stephen
Potter, Program Director of
the Rural Renewable Energy
Agency of Liberia together
with an array of other local and
national government officials
as well as administrators and
staff members of the invited
schools.
Delivering the keynote address,
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Sheila
Paskman called on young
people and every segment
of the population to be good
steward of the earth, water
and air and get involved in
safeguarding the environment
from climate change, global

support and intervention, has


been able to provide direct
and indirect financial benefit
to more than 250 Liberianowned businesses.
Their capacities have been
built to the extent where some
Liberian-owned
businesses
are also supplying goods and
services
to
multinational
companies. This initiative
is a benefit of social
entrepreneurship, which the
Liberian Business Association
deems appropriate in a
developing country as Liberia.
To date thousands of petit
traders, marketers, and small
business owners in Liberia
have a cause to smile due to the
initiative undertaken by Dr. J.
Mills Jones of the Central Bank
of Liberia (CBL), Kemayah
added.
The Liba boss has been
campaigning
for
the
government to take affirmative
actions
in
empowering
Liberian-owned
businesses
such as the procurement of
local furniture and stationery
supplies, among others, in
order to achieve the muchpublicized Vision 2030 or
Agenda for Transformation.
and International Day of the
Forests and Trees.
The founder & executive
director of YES further stated:
the project will institute
Safe Drinking Water, Clean
Toilet, and Washing Hands
campaigns as well as facilitate
field trips to local wetlands,
nature reserves and waste
disposal sites to serve as an
eye-opener for students to
understand and appreciate the
world they live in.
The U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs Community
Solutions Program alumnus
revealed the hosting of Liberian
Environmental
Awareness
Forum (LEAF) at the end of
the project implementation
period in order to showcase
sustainable action projects
emanating from the selected
schools in rural Montserrado
County.
For his part, Honorable
Saah
Charles
NTow,
Deputy Minister for Youth
Development who proxy for
the Minister of Youth & Sports
and officially launched the
project stated that the project
is the beginning of a plan to
change the future of Liberia to
be one ripe with opportunities,
culture and national pride
for young people as well as
engagement of communities
through research, education
and action.
Minister NTow assured YES of
the ministrys fullest support
to the project and pledged an
unending platform to work
alongside
staff
members
and volunteers of YES to
ensure a successful project
implementation.
All of the special guests who
spoke at the program extolled
the U.S. Embassy for funding
the project and promised to
help make the project achieve
its ultimate objectives.

ENVISIONING AN
Friday, October 2, 2015

Frontpage

EQUITABLE SOCIETY
P4DP says peace is the oxygen we all need at International Day of Peace program

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

he
Platform
for
Dialogue and Peace
(P4DP) believes the
absence of war or
silence of the guns doesnt
necessarily suggest lasting
peace, warning that peace is
like the oxygen we all need.
P4DP executive director James
Shilue said Liberia (as a postconflict country) still enjoys
a fragile peace, which is being
threatened with societal vices
that led to the civil war.
Shilue said the fragile peace
has been exposed to different
kinds of violence like land
conflicts, which are more
deadly than bazookas or rocket
propelled grenades (RPGs).
Conflict trap theory

Despite the celebration of


12 years of peace, Shilue is
predicting a relapse to the civil
war if perpetrators of societal
vices go unpunished.
He was speaking at an indoor
program organized by P4DP to
celebrate the International Day
of Peace (IDP) on September
21 in Monrovia.
What is more important
about that celebration is the
fact that those of us who work
in the peacebuilding discourse
[know of] a very famous theory
calls the conflict trap. And one
of the major proponents is Paul
Collier. He says any country
that emerges out of violence
has a high chance of slipping
back within five to 10 years.
You got all the conflict
traps there because the excombatants are still hanging
around. Some of the issues that
some people went through
that led to the war have to be
seriously addressed. You also
have new texts that come-up,
Shilue, a peacebuilder who
addressed the Geneva Peace
Talks 2013, said.
The 'Geneva Peace Talks'
was a public event organized
on the occasion of the IDP
in a partnership between

the United Nations Office


at
Geneva,
the
Geneva
Peacebuilding Platform and
Interpeace.
While commending UNMIL
(the successor of ECOMIL)
for keeping the peace since
October 2003, Shilue said
the resilience of Liberians
to uphold the peace and
tranquility
should
be
underscored.
Shilue
named
patronage,
nepotism, high unemployment,
white-collar crimes, lack of
basic social services and sexual
and gender-based violence,
including men old enough
to be called grandfathers
raping their granddaughters,
as legacies of the war, which
should be urgently addressed.
Why Ebola just penetrated
our society quickly after 11
years of relative peace when
we have had all the big support
from all around the world?
The assumption was that
weve managed to have peace
but Ebola said no, you guys
are joking. I will expose the
vulnerability of this society.
I will tell you people that the
conflict-trap theory, which says
that there is a big chance that
you can slip was still around.
We were celebrating the 10
years of peace [but ignoring
the harsh realities of the day]
but one hit from Ebola brought
the society on its knees. Hands
were caught in the cookies
jars. Our pants were down

[and we were] running helterskelter. Pandemonium broke


out; getting us right back to the
conflict. What happened?
The military was being
deployed, bringing semblance
of the lawlessness that we have
encountered 14 years ago.
People began to have less trust.
Systems were collapsing. [Our]
leaders didnt know where
to turn. Trusts were poor.
Confidence was low. The state
was at its verge of collapsing.
Peace is not taken for granted.
And after conflict, the little you
have, you need to work harder
because everything can cripple
it, Shilue recalled.
Serving as keynote speaker,
Deputy Youth and Sports
Minister Saah Charles NTow
thanked P4DP for selecting him
to share his thoughts on peace
in the Matadi, Lakpazee and
the immediate neighborhoods
where he grew-up as a child.
NTow believes peace is
everyones responsibility and
all hands must be on deck
in order to engender and
maintain peace.
Peace is expensive, but it is
worthy of any price. You see,
peace can be likened to oxygen
for development: Without
oxygen, we will die. In the
same way, it can be argued that
without peace, there can be
no sustainable development.
In 2013, we celebrated 10
years of peace in our country.
Friends, as we celebrate peace

today, we (all of us) must do


all we can to ensure that we
do not go back to those painful
and ugly years of war and
destruction, he explained.
NTow recalled how he
experienced the war and
warned against sliding back to
its horror and devastation.
But as many have said
before, it is also important to
understand here that peace
is not merely the absence of
war or the silence of the guns.
It is much more that rest on
each and every one of us. We
would not have enjoy any of
the gains we made (howbeit
little), if peace was absent.
Still the presence of peace
is not enough to sustain our
development.
We must do all we can to
unblock the pathways that
allow the unhindered flow
of peace. In order to do this,
I suggest we consider three
levels of thoughtful reflection
on peace at the individual, the
community and at the national.
Just as it is impossible to
survive without oxygen, there
are no levels of development
can be sustained without
peace. But we must first seek
to find peace in ourselves, in
our communities and then in
our county, NTow, who served
as the first executive director
of the President Ellen JohnsonSirleafs Young Professionals
Program, said.
The General Assembly (GA)

the Award by the medical


organization,
International
Medical Corps, an INGO
involved in the provision
of comprehensive care and
resources to people diagnosed
of Ebola in Bong and Margibi
Counties.
Receiving the award, President
Sirleaf paid tribute to the
communities for showing
the leadership and taking
ownership in demonstrating
the zealotry to serve as first
responders in the midst of
the epidemic. She saluted
the communities for putting
their country first especially

declared 21 September each


year as a day devoted to
strengthening the ideals of
peace, both within and among
all nations and peoples.
The theme of this years
commemoration
is
Partnerships for Peace
Dignity for All which aims to
highlight the importance of all
segments of society to work
together to strive for peace.
The work of the United Nations
(UN) would not be possible
without the initial partnerships
that were active in its
creation and the thousands
of partnerships each year
between governments, civil
society, the private sector, faithbased groups and other nongovernmental organizations
that are needed to support the
Organization in achieving its
future goals.
The IDP was established in
1981 by UN Resolution 36/67
of the GA to coincide with its
opening session, which was
held annually on the third
Tuesday of September. The
first Peace Day was observed
in September 1982.
In 2001, the GA by unanimous
vote
adopted
Resolution
55/282, which established 21
September as an annual day of
non-violence and cease-fire.
The UN invites all nations and
people to honor a cessation of
hostilities during the Day, and
to otherwise commemorate
the Day through education and
public awareness on issues
related to peace.
In
his
message
to
commemorate the day, UN
secretary-general Ban Ki-moon
called on all warring parties to
observe a global ceasefire.
This years International
Day of Peace comes at a
time of deadly violence and
destabilizing conflicts around
the world. Rather than
succumbing to despair, we have
a collective responsibility to
demand an end to the brutality
and impunity that prevail.

Page 9

I call on all warring parties to


lay down their weapons and
observe a global ceasefire. To
them I say: stop the killings
and the destruction, and create
space for lasting peace.
Although it may seem
hopelessly distant, the dream
of peace pulses in the
lives of people everywhere.
There is no group more poised
to help realize this dream than
todays young people.
They are part of the largest
generation of youth in history,
more aware and connected
than any before. I urge all
governments to make greater
investments
in
realizing
the
potentially
massive
contributions of the worlds
young peacebuilders.
At the same time, we need
to mobilize all partners who
share the goal of peace. Nongovernmental organizations,
faith-based
groups
and
corporations all have a role
to play in fostering social
progress,
protecting
the
environment and creating a
more just, stable and peaceful
world. The value of this
collaboration is our theme
for the Day: Partnerships for
Peace Dignity for All.
We live at a moment of peril
but this is also an era of
great promise. In a matter
of days, leaders from across
the globe will gather at the
United Nations to adopt the
2030 agenda, our 15-year
plan to achieve sustainable
development.
This
is
fundamental to ushering in
a life of dignity for all, where
poverty is history and peace is
paramount.
On the International Day, as
we mark the 70th anniversary
of the United Nations, let us
seize the opportunity achieve
the Organizations founding
purpose: to save succeeding
generations from the scourge
of war, Ban said.
Shilues
a
peacebuilding
practitioner, whose work
around land issues in Nimba
County, give rise to the Musa
Bility presidential land dispute
resolution commission.
His P4DP has also been
working on peace initiatives
and launched a five-month
study on the role of traditional
healers in addressing health
crisis with a specific interest on
how they helped or curtailed
the spread of the deadly Ebola
Virus Disease (EVD) in August.
P4DP concluded a daylong
validation forum on the
resilience of Liberians in
preventing a potential conflict
and a relapse to the ugly past
after 10 years of peace in May.

PRESIDENT SIRLEAF BECOMES SECOND WINNER OF THE GLOBAL CHAMPION AWARD


NEW YORK
resident Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf has become the
second proud winner
of the prestigious
Global
Champion
Award
for her courage, leadership,
integrity and wisdom in the
overall fight against the Ebola
virus disease (EVD).
President Sirleaf ranks second
to former U.S. Secretary of
State, Hilary Clinton who
bagged the award for the first
time in 2013.
According to a dispatch
from New York, the Liberian
President
was
conferred

at a time when Liberia was


confronting
an
unknown
enemy.
She
acknowledged
the
communities role in taking
charge and as such deserves
all the credit; also noting
the sacrifices made by
nurses, doctors and the hard
working team of the Incident
Management System.
The Liberian leader, however,
indicated that in spite of the
progress, her administration
was committed to vigorous
surveillance geared towards
protecting its borders as well
as take action to increase the

pace of combating malaria and


cholera.
Speaking
on
behalf
of
International Medical Corps
earlier, its Vice President for
Institutional
Advancement,
Nancy
Milner
described
President
Sirleaf
as
a
remarkable and extraordinary
leader who successfully led
her country during its most
turbulent moment. She said
her organization has great
interest in the governments
priority aimed at training and
rebuilding a resilient health
system.

Page 10 | Frontpage

ADVERTISEMENT SUPPLEMENT

Friday, October 2, 2015

CATTLE SKELETON SYSTEM

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

COW MUSCULAR SYSTEM

DR. MULBAH SHOWS ANIMAL INTERNAL ORGANS

LAB EQUIPMENT IN STORE

LAB EQUIPMENT

MR. KOLVA SHOWS PIG MUSCULAR SYSTEM

SPECIMENT

Friday, October 2, 2015

I PREFER SITTING

HERE TO BEG
Visually Impaired Liberian Man Seeks Help

Frontpage

Page 11

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF LANDS, MINES AND ENERGY (MLME)


LIBERIA ACCELERATED ELECTRICITY EXPANSION PROJECT
(LACEEP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR


PROCUREMENT OFFICER FOR THE (MLME)

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedy.yangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

LIBERIA ACCELERATED ELECTRICITY EXPANSION


PROJECT (LACEEP)
CREDIT NO: 52520-LR
REFERENCE NO.: MLME/LACEEP/PO/2015
The Government of Liberia has received financing form the World
Bank toward the cost of the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion
Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting
services.

Monroviaike many other physically challenged


persons who roam the streets of
Monrovia and its environs on a daily
basis in search of assistance to meet
their needs, Pa Morris as he is affectionately
known sits before the entrance of the Temple of
Justice in the open to beg for assistance.
Everyone who enters the Temple of Justice via
Capitol Bye-Pass route will be greeted by a loud
voice of the blind man that says please help the
blind.
Sitting under the scorching sun, Pa Morris says
he hails from Grand Bassa County and lives
in the Bassa Community, a stone throw from
the courthouse and sleeps in the palava house
built by former Representative Rufus Neufville,
formerly of Montserrado County (District#2)
Though Pa Morris who claims to be a father of
a son who is away in Grand Bassa, says he has
chosen to sit before the Temple of Justice to beg
for assistance instead of roaming the streets to
beg because he has no one to escort him.

I prefer sitting down here to beg, I cannot see


and dont have any child in Monrovia who will
take me in the street to beg for assistance, said
Pa Morris.
He stated that after begging for assistance,
whatever he is offered, he gives it to a lady in
the community who usually cooks and gives him
food.
According to Pa Morris he was not born blind
but got blind during the 1990 civil unrest while
taking refuge in Grand Bassa County when he
has suffered an illness that led to his blindness.
He claimed that on two occasions his eyes have
been checked by two medical institutions but
his sight has yet to be restored.
Amid his appalling condition, Pa Morris is
appealing to any humanitarian organization
and goodwill individuals to come to his aid to
alleviate his suffering.
He can be contacted on a daily basis from 8:am4pm at the entrance of the Temple of Justice on
the Capitol Bye-Pass side.

SPRIGGS MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES AIRPORT


SAFETY, SECURITY AWARENESS SATURDAY

The consulting services (the Services) include the provision of


Procurement services as a Procurement Officer for the Ministry of
Lands, Mines and Energy and the Liberia Electricity Corporation under
the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion Project initially for two
years.
The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy now invitees eligible
Individuals (Consultants) to indicate their interest in providing
the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information
demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant
experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

i. Professional purchasing and logistics qualification and/or Bachelors


degree in Procurement, Business Administration, Social Sciences or
related discipline;
ii. Minimum of 3 years of experience in public procurement practices
and procedures;
iii. Knowledge of Project Management, appropriate involvement and/
or experience in similar projects in developing countries.
iv. Knowledge of/experience with World Bank/other international
development organizations procurement procedures is desirable.
v. Strong organization skills and ability to work in a team-oriented,
culturally diverse environment.
vi. Demonstrated computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
preferred.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of
the World Banks Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants
[under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers
January 2011 (Consultant Guidelines), setting forth the World Banks
policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual
Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the Consultant
Guidelines.

MONROVIA he Management of the Liberia Airport


Authority
(LAA)/James
Spriggs
Payne Airport in collaboration with
the Liberian National Police (Salem
Police Depot) on the Airfield in Monrovia will
on Saturday, October 3, 2015 commence series
of community awareness exercises within the
vicinity of the Airport.
Seven communities have been targeted for the
awareness exercises.
The communities include: Wroto Town, Zinc
Camp, Daykwekon, Dead hole, Airfield Island,
Spriggs field and Larkpazee West Point.
The initiative is geared toward educating the
residents of the seven communities on the
danger associated with unlawful interference

with the airports operations and to strengthen


their participation in reporting unusual
happenings around the airport.
The month-long awareness is also in response
to ongoing safety and security challenges at
the Airport ranging from crossing of the active
runway, construction of structures close to the
perimeter fence, sand mining, flying of kites,
dumping of garbage, cutting of the perimeter
fence, stealing of the steel poles, illegal entry
into the airport facilities and among others.
Meanwhile, the Management of the James Spriggs
Payne Airport is calling on the community
dwellers to fully participate in the awareness
activities to ensure the safety and security of the
Airport and its immediate surroundings.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during


office hours from 9:00 am to 16:00 pm.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the


address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by
October 14, 2015.
Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion Project (LACEEP)
Attn: Deputy Minister of Administration
Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy
Capitol Bypass
Monrovia
Liberia
Tel: +231 886906939
E-mail: sbocay@gmail.com; jatuanya@gmail.com

Friday, October 2, 2015

Page 12 | Frontpage

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE


P.O. BOX 10-9009
1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is seeking a qualified Liberian to
fill the Finance Officer position that is vacant at the National Malaria Control
Program. The successful candidate must be of good character and must have
relevant experience.
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position: Finance Officer

Organization: Ministry of Health / National Malaria Control Program

Responsible to: Assistant Program Manager for Finance and Operations and
Central MOH office of Financial Management Unit
Position Objective

To perform basic financial forecasting and budgeting services while maintaining


a complete and accurate financial ledger reflecting all resources of funding and
uses of capital by the program.

To focus on building capacity of the Finance and Operations department to take


on responsibilities as primary recipient of GFATM funds
Duties/Responsibilities

To advise the Assistant Program Manager for Finance and Operations in annual
budgeting activities and collecting of budgetary requests from unit heads

To process NMCP payments to vendors, vouchers, sub-contractors and incentives


to staff.

To liaise with central MOH and the OFM regarding any changes in donor funding
To prepare DSA for workshops and other field (research) activities
To serve as custodian of fixed asset register

To proxy for Assistant Program Manager for Finance and Operations in the
absence of Supervisors or when designated

To maintain copy of budget (s) and employees records.


To maintain vendor and supplier register

To maintain program trial balance, accounting ledgers and all accounting records
To prepare pay slips

To prepare purchase order

To file all financial transactions and prepare monthly financial statements


Competences/Qualifications

A Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Finance or related field from a recognized

University; a Master Degree in the areas mentioned will be an added advantage.


3-4 years experience in Accounting, including experience in large funding
agencies

Formal training in finance and or accounting

Attention to detail and excellent budgeting skills

Demonstrated ability with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint


Ability to work long hours and on weekend when required
Good team player

Good interpersonal relationship

Kindly submit application and your Curriculum Vitae to the following address:
Mr. James Beyan

Personnel Director

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare


3rd floor, Central Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Congo Town
Or you can send your application by email to the following e-mail address:
fkbeyan@yahoo.com or opratt7@gmail.com
The deadline for the submission of application is Monday, October 5, 2015 at
4:00 pm. Only shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE


P.O. BOX 10-9009
1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST


(Consulting Services Firms Selection)

Ebola Emergency Response Project, Loan No. /Credit No./Grant No.: D0080
Assignment title: technical assistant for overall management of the
implementation of the Health workforce program, ref. No. MOH/EERP/QCBS/002

The Government of the Republic of Liberia has received financing from the
World Bank toward the cost of the ebola emergency response project (EERP),
and intends to apply part of its proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (the Services) include the provision of technical,
managerial, and operational support to the Ministry of Health to implement and
monitor and evaluate activities needed to achieve the following results:
Available and accessible health workforce with the right capacities to meet the
needs;
Productive health workforce that performs and respond acceptably to needs;
Quality health workforce production and development of pipeline aligned to
prioritize health sector needs; and
Robust needs and evidence-based health workforce planning, management and
development.
The consultant will among others be required to:
1. Policies, plan and approaches: help develop and revise national policy,
standard, plan, coordination system, and approaches for the overall health
workforce program;
2. Monitoring, evaluation and implementation support: provide performance
monitoring of key components of the health workforce program;
3. Contract management and supervision: assist to procure (following World
Bank and other relevant procedure) and supervise workforce implementers;
4. Capacity building: provide hand-on capacity building support to the Central
Human Resource.
The detailed Terms Of Reference (TOR) for the Services is available on www.
mohsw.gov.lr. The assignment should commence as soon as possible and
will be for an initial 12 months, with po y of extension subject to satisfactory
performance and availability of funds.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia now invites eligible consulting
firms (Consultants) to demonstrating that they have the required qualifications
and relevant experience to perform the Services. The short listing criteria are:
a) The consulting firm should be adequately experienced and active in the area
of Program Management, Health Workforce Production, Health Workforce Policy
Regulations, Monitoring and Evaluation, operational research.
b) Have at least (5) years experience providing technical assistance in
management and implementation of health workforce production.
c) A track record capacity building and south-south knowledge in transfers,
d) Experience in partnership with NGOs and Government. Previous collaboration
with the Ministry of Heath of the Republic of Liberia in a relevant capacity will be
an added advantage.
The attention of interested consultant is drawn to photograph 1.9 of the World
Banks Guidelines: Selection and employment of consultant under IBRD Loans
and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers January, 2011 and revised
July 2014 ( Consultant Guidelines), setting forth the World Banks Policy on
conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firm in the form of a joint venture or a subconsultancy to enhance the qualifications.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and cost based
selection (QUCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Further information including a detailed terms of reference can be obtained from
the PIU at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1600 hours.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below
(in person, or by mail or fax, or by E-mail) by, on or before October 9, 2015 at
1500 hours GMT.
Ministry of Health of the Republic Of Liberia
Attn: Mr. Jacob L.N. Wapoe, Director of Procurement
Oldest Congo Town, Tubman Boulevard
1000 Monrovian 10, Liberia
Tel. +231886 515 565
proumohsw@gmail.com

Friday, October 2, 2015

PAGE

RONT

WORLD NEWS

Frontpage

Page 13

RUSSIAN WARPLANES TARGET INSURGENTS

IN SYRIA BUT NOT ISLAMIC STATE

BUHARI ASKS NIGERIA TO


BE PATIENT ABOUT CABINET

LAGOS (Reuters) resident Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday he had


submitted a cabinet list to parliament for approval
but asked Nigerians to be patient with his four-month
search for a government to tackle the country's worst
economic crisis for decades.
Foreign investors and Nigerian firms have criticized Buhari,
a 72-year old former military ruler, for waiting until late
September to nominate cabinet members when Africa's largest
economy is taking a hammering from a plunge in oil revenues.
Companies have laid off thousands of staff because the central
bank has limited access to dollars for imports to prevent a
currency collapse, filling a vacuum in the absence of a finance
minister. Many public servants have not been paid for months
as oil revenues make up 70 percent of government income.

UNHCR PLANS FOR 1.4 MILLION


MEDITERRANEAN REFUGEES IN 2015-6

GENEVA (Reuters) he U.N. refugee agency expects at least 1.4 million


refugees to flee to Europe across the Mediterranean
this year and next, according to a document seen
by Reuters on Thursday, a sharp rise from initial
estimates of 850,000.
"UNHCR is planning for up to 700,000 people seeking safety
and international protection in Europe in 2015," reads the
document, a revision to the agency's existing appeal for funds.
"... It is possible that there could be even greater numbers of
arrivals in 2016, however, planning is based for the moment on
similar figures to 2015."

BRUSSELS VOLUNTEERS CLOSE


DOWN MIGRANT TENT CAMP

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP)


he latest developments in the hundreds of thousands
of refugees and other migrants passing through
Europe on their way west. All times local.
4:05 p.m.
Volunteers are closing down a tent camp in Brussels where
they have hosted hundreds of migrants seeking shelter in the
European Union and say Belgian authorities need to take over
their task.
The camp was set up over a month ago and was used by
hundreds of people from war-torn nations like Syria and Iraq
who were seeking asylum in Belgium.
Vanessa Van Strijthem, an organizer at the camp, said that the
volunteers would still have an office nearby where refugees
could come for help during the day, but would need to refer
them to bunk beds the government has set up in an office tower.
"We're going to keep on fighting but we are only citizens. We
need the government to take its responsibility," she said.

BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) ussian jets launched


a second day of air
strikes in Syria on
Thursday, targeting
areas held by an insurgent
alliance that includes a group
linked to al Qaeda, but not
the Islamic State militants
Moscow said it had hit.
Russia said it had launched
eight air strikes with Sukhoi
warplanes overnight, hitting
four Islamic State targets.
However, the areas where it
said the strikes took place are
not held by Islamic State.
Al-Mayadeen, a pro-Damascus
television
channel,
said
jets carried out at least 30
strikes against an insurgent
alliance known as the Army
of Conquest. The alliance
includes the Nusra Front,
al Qaeda's Syrian branch,
but not Islamic State, which
has declared a caliphate on
swathes of Syria and Iraq.
The Army of Conquest has
been
advancing
against
government
forces
in
northwestern Syria in recent
months, and has support from
regional countries that oppose
both President Bashar alAssad and Islamic State.
Russia's decision to join
the war with air strikes on
behalf of Assad is a major

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) ran


is
unlikely
to
normalize relations with
the United States despite
a landmark nuclear deal
reached with America and
other major powers and the
first handshake between a U.S.
president and a high-ranking
Iranian official in more than 30
years.
Pragmatist President Hassan
Rouhani, whose 2013 election
paved the way for Iran's
diplomatic thaw with the West,
has signaled his willingness to
improve ties with "the Great
Satan" and to discuss the
regional crisis with the United
States.
But analysts and officials say
this improvement will go no
further than an exchange
of intelligence between the
two nations through backchannels and that Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
has no intention of restoring
diplomatic ties.
In a dramatic shift in tone
between Iran and the United
States,
President
Barack
Obama and Iranian Foreign
Minister Mohammad Javad
Zarif shook hands at the
United Nations on Monday. An

turning point in international


involvement in the conflict.
The United States is leading
a separate alliance waging an
air war against Islamic State
fighters, which means the Cold
War superpower foes are now
engaged in air combat over the
same country for the first time
since World War Two.
They say they have the same
Islamic State enemies. But
they also have very different
friends, and opposing views
of how to resolve a 4-yearold civil war that has killed
more than 250,000 people and
driven more than 10 million
from their homes.
Washington and its allies
oppose both Islamic State and
Assad, believing he must leave
power in any peace settlement.
Moscow supports the Syrian
president and believes his
government should be the
centerpiece of international
efforts to fight extremist
groups.
"BIG CHANGE"
Russia says its air strikes are
more legitimate than those of
the U.S.-led alliance because
they have Assad's blessing,
and more effective because
they can coordinate with
government forces to find
targets.
Russia's defense ministry said

Sukhoi-24M and Sukhoi-25


aircraft had flown eight sorties,
hitting an ammunition depot
near Idlib as well as a threestorey Islamic State command
center near Hama.
It said a pinpoint strike had
destroyed a facility located in
the north of Homs aimed at
rigging cars with explosives
for suicide attacks.
Islamic State, which is based
largely in the north and east
of Syria, does not have a
substantial presence in Hama
or Homs.
The Lebanese news channel
said the Russian planes
bombed rural areas near the
northwestern town of Jisr alShughour, which is held by the
Army of Conquest. The strikes
also hit other areas in Idlib

Iranian official said it "was not


preplanned".
But Iran's most powerful
authority who has the last say
on all state matters, including
relations with Washington, is
Khamenei and not Rouhani.
Khamenei
has
continued
to denounce the United
States publicly, suggesting
that antagonism prevailing

between Iran and the United


States since the 1979 Islamic
revolution in Tehran will not
abate because of the nuclear
deal. Iran and the United States
severed diplomatic ties shortly
after the revolution.
"How can you trust your longtime enemy? How can you
do business with a partner
you don't trust? We trust

province, including the Zawiya


Mountain region, as well as
areas in Hama province to the
south.
The anti-Assad Orient News
channel also said Russian
strikes had hit rebel positions
in the Hama countryside.
The
insurgent-held
Idlib
province is of strategic
importance to the Syrian
government because it is
close to Assad's heartland
on the Mediterranean coast,
where Russia also has its only
Mediterranean naval base.
After years of stalemate on the
battlefield, government forces
faced major setbacks this year
at the hands of a myriad of
insurgent groups.
A Syrian military source said
on Thursday that Russian
military support would bring
a "big change" in the course
of the conflict, particularly
through advanced surveillance
capabilities
that
could
pinpoint insurgent targets.
The Army of Conquest
has made rapid gains in
northwestern Syria alongside
other insurgent groups since
May. It seized Idlib city and Jisr
al-Shughour from government
forces and advancing toward
coastal areas.
"The Russian strikes are a
game changer. Damascus is off
the hook," a diplomat tracking
Syria said.

NORMAL TIES BETWEEN IRAN AND U.S.


UNLIKELY DESPITE NUCLEAR DEAL

American people but not their


government. And the deal has
not changed it," said a senior,
hard-line security official in
Tehran.
"Real believers in Iran's
revolution and its pillars and
followers of our late leader
(Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini
will never accept it."

Friday, October 2, 2015

Page 14 | Frontpage

Sports

TUNISIAS WIN

Moves Liberia into top 100 countries in the latest Fifa rankings
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

iberia moved 65
places up on the
latest world rankings
released by Fifa for
October on Thursday.
It followed Francis Grandpa
Does 80th minute goal
against Tunisia in a 2017

Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)


qualifier on September 5
at the Antoinette Tubman
Stadium (ATS), which has
been undergoing its fifth
renovation in two years.
Liberia climbed more places
than any other nation to

claim a spot at 95 in the


world and 25 in Africa.
The national team was
ranked 160 for September,
having lost 2-1 to Togo in a
2017 Afcon qualifier in Lome
on June 14 and a 1-1 draw
with Guinea in a

2016
African
Nations
Championship at the ATS on
July 5 after a 3-1 defeat in the
first leg in Bamako, Mali on
June 22.
Liberias rankings could
improve with an aggregate
victory over Guinea Bissau in

a 2018 World Cup qualifier


on October 8 at the ATS and
in Bissau on October 13.
This is Liberias second
significant
move
since
Musa Hassan Bility became
president of the Liberia
Football Association in March

20, 2010.
In July 2011, Liberia moved
32 places up the rankings
when Grandpa Doe scored in
the 1-0 win over Cape Verde
in a 2012 Afcon qualifier
at the Samuel Kanyon Doe
(SKD) sports complex in
Paynesville on June 5.
Liberia moved from 125 in
July to 127 in August following
goalless draws with Angola
on August 10 and Niger
on August 14 respectively,
featuring
two
separate
squads (professionals and
local based), at the SKD.
Their highest ranking, at 66,
was in July 2001 while their
lowest, at 164, was between
October to November 2010.
Cape Verde, beaten four
years ago by Liberia, moved
15 places to break into the
world's top 50 sides.
The Blue Sharks rose from
56th to 41st, leading a
number of African sides
to have made impressive
progress and are now the
sixth ranking team on the
continent.
South Sudan (144th, up 54),
Central African Republic
(126th, up 42), Mauritania
(89th, up 25) and Burundi
(113th, up 21) were also big
climbers.
Burkina Faso and Guinea,
equal ranked in ninth last
month, were replaced by
Egypt and Congo in the top
10 African side for October.
They are Algeria (19), Ivory
Coast (21), Ghana (25),
Tunisia (36), Senegal (38),
Cape Verde (41), Cameroon
(48), Congo (49), Egypt (51)
and Nigeria (52).

DEBBAH NAMES 25 PLAYERS FOR GUINEA BISSAU MATCH


A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai, frontpageafricaonline.com 0777217428

Monrovia he Head coach


of the national
football team of
Liberia, Lone Star,
has named 25 players for the
match against Guinea Bissau .
The first encounter will
be played next Thursday
October 8 and the return leg
will be played on the 13th of
October.
Coach James Salinsa Debbah
named the players on
Thursday during a press
conference held at the
ATS and made it clear that
they are going to camp in
Buchannan city, Grand Bassa
County until the day of the
match.
Due to the complex nature
of this game, we, as members

of the technical staff, have


completd a list of 25 players
for the both home and away
matches against Guinea
Bissau.
The coach said the team is
made up of 16 foreign-based
players and nine local based
players but made it clear that
he is not sure if one of the
foreign-based players Patrick
Wleh, alias Ronaldinho, is
playing due to the injury he
sustained while playing for
his club. He also said that
Sekou Jabateh is out of the
team squad because he is
presently in Moldavia where
he is expected to sign for a
new team.
The 16 foreign-based players
Teah Dennis, Zah Krangar,
Patrick Garhandt, Francis

Grandpa Doe, Dion Williams,


Sam Johnson, William Jebor
and Anthony Laffor.
Other are, Sekou Conneh,
Patrick
Wleh,
Marcus
Macaulley, Dirking Glay,
Gizzie Dorbor, Solomon
Grimes, Sporro Somah and
Oscar Dorley.
The local based players
are, goalkeepers Tommy
Songo, Saydee Swen, Sameon
Gaidding, Adolphus Marshall,
Hilton Varney, Alpha James,
Trokon Zeon, Junior Marshall
and Raymond Fancian.
Speaking on the failure
of the Lone Star to play
international
friendly
matches, Debbah made it
clear that is due to the lack of
money.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Sports

Frontpage

Page 15

SPORTS
EFFORTS TO LURE
RONALDO TO MLS

rlando City have set


their sights on the
biggest of transfer
coups, as the MLS
new boys' majority owner
admitted that he would love
to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to
Florida.
The US side have already
landed Brazilian maestro
Kaka as they seek to establish
themselves in the league,
and Robinho and Javier
Hernandez were also linked
with moves.
But Flavio Augusto Da Silva
revealed that the Ballon d'Or
holder is at the top of his
wishlist.

RONALDINHO B

BARCA, NEYMAY UNDER


FRESH SCRUTINY AS
INVESTORS WIN APPEAL

RECALLED
Jabateh Dropped for Liberia-G. Bissau Duel
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia iberia coach James


Salinsa Debbah has
recalled Patrick Wleh
for the 2018 World Cup
qualifiers with Guinea Bissau
on October 8 at the Antoinette
Tubman Stadium (ATS) and in
Bissau on October 13.
But Wleh, who plays for PKNS
FC in the Malaysian Premier
League, has a 50-percent
chance of earning his first
cap since Debbah took over
in November 2014 due to a
reported injury.
Born on July 17, 1991 in
Monrovia, Wleh became known
as Ronaldinho for his physical
morphology and his dazzling
skills.
So why was Ronaldinho, who
has scored against Cape Verde
(on March 26, 2011), Mali (on
October 8, 2011), Nigeria (on
October 13, 2012) and Uganda
(on March 24, 2013) and for a
Malaysian IX against Liverpool
in a pre-season friendly on July
24 overlooked?
Well, I am the coach of
the national team. I select
players based on what I see
and not what the fans want,

said Debbah in response to a


FrontPageAfrica question.
Sekou Jabateh-Oliseh, who was
an unused substitute in the 1-0
win against Tunisia in a 2017
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
on September 5 at the ATS,
which has been undergoing its
fifth renovation in two years,
was dropped.
Debbah revealed that JabatehOliseh is in Moldova to sign a
new contract following a failed
and publicized deal in Qatar.
Marcus Macaulay of Al-Ahli
Sports Club in Jordan and
Dioh Williams of Allsvenskan
(premier league) club Gefle
IF in Sweden were the latest
recruits along with Wleh.
In total, 16 foreign and 10
local players were named by
Debbah for the two legs, which
will be played over a five-day
period with the aggregate
winner meeting Ivory Coast in
November.
Full squad
Goalies: Tommy Songo of
LISCR; Saylee Swen of LPRC
Oilers and suspended-Simpson
Giddings of FC Fassell.
Defenders: Solomon Grimes
of Nea Salamis, Cyprus;

unattached Adolphus Marshall;


Gizzie Tuncan Dorbor of Hapoel
Afula, Israel; Hilton Varney and
Alpha James of Barrack Young
Controllers (BYC); Trokon Zeon
of LISCR FC; Dirkir Glay of Gor
Mahia, Kenya; Teah Dennis of
Al-Ahli Sports Club, Jordan;
Raymond Fanciah of Monrovia
Club Breweries.
Midfielders: Marcus Macaulay
of Al-Ahli Sports Club, Jordan;
Abel Gebor of KS Trbuni
Puk, Albania; Sam Johnson of
Djurgarden, Sweden; Patrick
Gerhardt of Sarawak and Zah
Kranger of Felda United in
Malaysia; Anthony Laffor of
Mamelodi Sundowns, South
Africa; Sporo Somah of Sewe
Sport, Ivory Coast; Junior
Barshall of BYC and Murphy
Oscar Dorley of Monrovia Club
Breweries.
Strikers: William Jerbo of
Ponferradina, Spain; Francis
Grandpa Doe of NX Matrix,
Malaysia; unattached Sekou
Conneh; Patrick Ronaldinho
Wleh of PKNS FC, Malaysia;
Dioh Williams of Gefle IF,
Sweden

razilian investment
fund Teisa has won
the right to access
documentation on
Neymar's 2013 transfer from
Santos to Barcelona, after a
judge ruled that the group
may have been cheated by
misleading figures.
The group held 5 percent of
Neymar's economic rights
while at Santos, and could
be entitled to a greater share
of the fee if, as alleged, the
transfer's real value was
in fact much higher than
publically stated.Neymar's
lawyers had previously
appealed a similar ruling,
which gives Teisa the
possibility of seizing material
related to the lucrative move,
four months ago, postponing
its implementation.

BECKHAM BACK MILAN TO


WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
ALTHOUGH THEYRE OUT

e may have
shaken off his
reputation for
not being the
brightest player in the game
in recent years, but David
Beckham is still prone to a
footballing gaffe.
The ex-England captain,
who won the Champions
League with Manchester
United in 1999, was asked
at the opening of an Adidas
store in Dubai this week
who he thought would win
this year's tournament.

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

Sports

RONALDINHO
VOL 9 NO.154

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015

PRICE L$40

RECALLED
JABATEH DROPPED FOR
LIBERIA-G. BISSAU DUEL

see page 15

VISIT UNCLE ZEH'S LAUNDRY


& DRY CLEANING SERVICE
ON CROWN HILL, BROAD STREET

WHERE THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

Call: 0775-149-376, 0775-149-161

You might also like