TOP CORRUPTION Üpg 12 STORIES WATCHIN CONNECTION WITH DUNN COMMISSION REPORT, PROSECUTION DEMANDED IN Ü News Extra ‘LAUNDERED 400K’ IN PRESIDENT’S HOME FrontPage www.frontpageafricaonline.com MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014 Woods urges family not to back down, fulfill wishes of fallen NTGL Leader BRYANT SENDING MESSAGE Ü pg 9 CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR BUYING THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 L$86.00/US$1 L$86.00/US$1 L$86.00/US$1 SELLING L$87.00/US$1 L$87.00/US$1 L$87.00/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 VOL 8 NO.582 PRICE L$40 HOW US MARSHALLS CAPTURED BOWEN Despite Getting no help from Liberia Authorities, U.S. Marshals Service pressed on until their determination paid off when they tracked the Redemption Hospital Administrator’s flight to Great Britain where English authorities were willing to take him into custody. ‘WE PULLED HIS TRAVEL RECORDS (AND) WERE TRACKING HIS COMINGS AND GOINGS’ LAW & ORDER pg. 5 INSIDE FPA NEWSROOM CHIEF WADE WILLIAMS TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY BRIEFING AT THE UN FREE PRESS BRIEFING pg 11 Former Press Union of Liberia President Peter Quaqua elected head of West African Journalists Association(WAJA) STILL PRESIDENT QUAQUA pg 11 Page 2 | Frontpage Monday, April 28, 2014 ‘They Will Know Who Born Dog’ Without naming names, Gardner took aim at some government entities she says are against progress in the Sirleaf government. “People don’t understand why some of these things happen. Because you got some of these organizations here that actually feel that they’re supposed to run every government ministry here, that’s not their job. You got some people here that have overstepped their bound; they want to put their mouth in everything that they don’t know about. But they know what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Why do you think they’re doing it? They got their own agenda. They’re sitting down here acting like they’re so straight and all that stuff there looking for boguman in the bush. And there aren’t no buguman in every bush. Some bushes there got bugumen inside there. You know. You got some hard working Liberian here can’t see sky nor show because you got people there who got their own agenda and pretending to be so straight, straight my foot. And when the time come, we will duke it out, like they say, high noon on broad street, not with guns. I’m not going to do that thing like Costa and Fomba Sirleaf, let me tell you. I’m not a physical person. You pull rope, rope will pull forest, your mess with me… I will disgrace some people round here, they will know who born dog.” Gardner slammed her accusers as jealous characters. “They just jealous, they are jealous but guess what, I work hard for my money and I’m proud to say and I will say it- I will enjoy whatever I work for. At the end of the day, I feel good about it because guess what, I’m providing jobs for people, I’m not taking jobs from people like some of your there, firing people for thing, they ain’t do because why, your got your own agenda. They don’t want people to be in the office to see what they doing that’s why they’re firing the people. But those people who she firing and all the different things they doing round there, guess what, they better come out and talk, you know, it’s time for people to speak up for their rights. Nobody got the right over your rights here. If you know you are doing the right thing and somebody want to mess with your reputation, give it right back to them and my reputation for me, it’s my money. And I ain’t got nothing but my reputation and nobody taking it away from me, nobody. I never went to jail one day for stealing. And nobody will tell you say one day I ate their money.” Justice Conspiracy? Despite Gardner’s assertions, an opinion by the Department of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, in possession of FrontPageAfrica, found evidence among the records presented by Ms. Gardner’s ASR International, Inc that the company and the Liberia National Police made changes, amendments or modifications to the bid evaluation reports submitted to the PPCC by the Academy. In spite of the findings, it appears the Ministry of Justice, represented by Deputy Minister Benedict F. Sannoh, Deputy Minister of Justice for Economic Affairs, recommended that the MoJ had found no violations. Ironically, Sannoh’s findings concluded that the Academy’s intent to award the contract to ASR International, Inc. was in violation of the objectives of the PPCA which calls for equal access without discrimination to all eligible and qualified providers of goods, works and services and fair and equitable treatment for all bidders. Sannoh’s own conclusion noted: “The Academy failed to comply with Section 31(2) of the PPCA 2010 which states that “if the Commission objects to the proposed award, no award may be made until the procuring entity takes steps to bring the proposed award into compliance with the PPCA.” Sannoh further concluded: “The Academy’s submission of a fraudulent Bid Evaluation Panel report contravenes Section 131(1)(d) of the PPCA, 2010 which states that any public officer involved in requisitioning, planning preparing and conducting procurement or concession proceedings and administering the implementation of contracts shall not commit or abet corrupt or fraudulent practices.” Interestingly, Sannoh concluded that “knowingly obtaining an approval from the Commission based on Fraudulent Practices is a breach of the PPCA, 2010 and the Commission deems it as a display of the Academy not being committed to upholding integrity, transparency and accountability as well as the economic development of Liberia.” FrontPageAfrica has learned that Sannoh’s contradictory findings are complicated by possible conflict of interests violations. Sannoh, a party to the contract under consideration exercised dual role as Deputy Minister of Justice and signatory to the contract in question, raising questions about his motives and objectives in one instance raising violation concerns and in another, questioning his own objectivity. In addition, questions are also being raised about Sannoh’s approach to the opinion on the matter. In Sannoh’s own admission, “Upon review of the communications and supporting documents, and the laws controlling, we find that changes, amendments, and addition were made to the Bid Evaluation Panel Report to induce the commission to approve the request for “No Objection to award the contract to the contractor in ways that may be characterized as fraudulent and corrupt in contravention of section 131(1)(d) of the PPCA, 2010.” A Monrovia - Rodney D. Sieh,
[email protected] I am proud of the job I have done going on for the past four years for the police. Ask them, they will tell you. I am a very professional woman, I did more than they even asked me to do and I will do it all over again and I will sign any doggone contract I want to sign and do my job. Government pays me, government pays me… If I give a price to the government, government feels say, oooh …… that money too much, fine, no problem. – Adelaide Gardner issues with the services Gardner’s company provided but their complaints fell on deaf ears. “We made complaints to our commandants that we were not eating on time and we complained to senior officers. I recalled a time when she provided only 20 cans of sardines for some 450 recruits. In addition, the bread provided was stale at times and stayed two to three days, prompting some commandants to refuse the food.” More importantly, sources tell FrontPageAfrica the total bill submitted by Gardner surpassed the US$500,000 set aside by the government, totaling US$540,000.00 above what the government was offering to feed the recruits at the Academy. The controversy comes as foreign partners are raising concerns that the government is being delayed in filling the security gaps being created with the gradual drawdown of UNMIL, and are even more alarmed at the exorbitant cost of the catering services which is said to be about half a million US dollars, alongside a blatant breach of applicable legislations in an attempt to award a contract to one of the President's many comrades. Breaking her silence on the matter for the first time last Friday, Gardner used her weekly radio show on Radio Monrovia 92.1 to take on her critics, she dubbed “fools” in suggesting that she has nothing to be ashamed of and did not give a damn about the noise surrounding the contract. Nothing to be Ashamed of, Gardner Says Said Gardner: “At first I wasn’t going to say anything much about this but the more I thought about it; I said I’m not going to ignore these fools for them to think that I’m running scared, scared for what? I ain’t got a damn thing to be ashamed of. In fact I am very proud of myself. I am proud of the job I have done going on for the past four years for the police. Ask them, they will tell you. I am a very professional woman, I did more than they even asked me to do and I will do it all over again and I will sign any doggone contract I want to sign and do my job. Government pays me, government pays me… If I give a price to the government, government feels say, oooh …… that money too much, fine, no problem. But I’ve got something to sell, they’re buying and trust me, it’s cheaper than you believe and I will do it again any doggone time whether I know the president or not, the next person who come, I see any doggone thing coming there, I’m going there for it too. All of us got the right.” Continued Gardner: “For those of your who sit down all day and plan how not to work and get free money, keep it up, that’s why your butts gonna sit down broke and be begging people in the night for money to go do what your go do with it. But some of us here, we do work hard for our little two cents and we enjoy spending it. I enjoy spending my money too. “ delaide Gardner, an influential member of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s “Kitchen Cabinet” has strongly defended a catering contract, the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Justice opined was characterized by fraud and corruption in contravention of Section 131(1)(d) of the Public Procurement Concessions Agreement, 2010. The contract to procure food and catering services for the Liberia National Police Training Academy is said to be valued at US$1.2 million per year. The contract has reportedly been revoked by the PPCC based on documentary evidence which identified fraud and corruption. The contract is already gaining traction among Liberia’s partners and donors, concerned that the contract does not present the best value for money and violates the Public Procurement and Concessions Act. In the name of the president Gardner, according to information and documents in possession of FrontPageAfrica, had succeeded in being awarded the contract for the provision of catering services to the NPTA for about three consecutive years, prior to the current fiscal period. However, within this Fiscal Year 2013/14, highly-placed sources tell FrontPageAfrica that the NPTA was set to award the catering contract to Rose M. Wang (Garden Restaurant), recorded to be the only bidder with healthy values and who, sources say, quoted a price lower than that of Ms. Gardner, when Gardner reportedly bulldozed her way through higher ups at the academy, using her ties to the president as a shield and forcing authorities into violating procurement laws. FrontPageAfrica has also learned that some commandants had reservations about giving the catering contract to Gardner especially after the PPCC had been notified that Rose M. Wang (Garden Restaurant) had won the bid. “It was a situation where we would be putting forward one entity with two very different statements to the PPCC, said one source. The source added that Gardner was initially a consultant and not actually into catering services. But used her influence to push commandants around and in some instances refer to them as “country people”. It is reported that there has been many complications with issues regarding fraudulent and corrupt practices surrounding this matter which has allegedly resulted to the replacement of the Commandant and his deputy at the NPTA. Even dreadful, training of police recruits for the UNMIL Drawdown transition is in a deadlock. Documents in possession of FrontPageAfrica suggest that Rose M. Wang (Garden Restaurant) was the only bidder with healthy values which according to the Bid Evaluation Panel is paramount to catering to a large group of people. In fact, Wang Restaurant, in addition to having better health values, charged the government, US$8.50 per training. Per three times meals per day. Gardner’s ASR International which lost the bid but was given the deal any way, charged US$10 per two meals per day. Two Awards, Same Date According to sources highly placed within the LNPTA and the LNP, the very first letter of award was in favor of Rose M. Wang (Garden Restaurant), submitted to the PPCC on October 4, 2013. Subsequently, another letter was sent to the PPCC bearing the same date of October, recommending Gardner’s company, ASR for the same award which further complicated the controversy. Additionally, some recruits at the academy who spoke to FrontPageAfrica on condition of anonymity explain that they had FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SAM JACKSON DECRIES Frontpage v Monday, April 28, 2014 Page 3 Commentary ‘FRIENDS’ LIKE GARDNER BAD FOR SIRLEAF’S IMAGE, LEGACY Adelaide Gardner’s rants, Liberia Telecommunications Authority’s assault on the media, clearly suggest that those advising President Sirleaf are determined to ensure that she ranks right up there with the likes of Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor and Robert Mugabe. THE WORLD IS PREPARING to observe another World Press Freedom Day. This year. Theme is ‘Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda.’ LIBERIA, A SIGNATORY to the Table Mountain Declaration boasts a President, in Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who has won the Nobel Peace Prize, for her non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work". SIRLEAF SHARED the prize with fellow Leymah Gbowee. Other recipient of the coveted Nobel Prize over the years, include Dr. Martin Luther King, President Barack Obama, Mahatma Ghandi. THE PRESIDENT has also been honored as a recipient of the Friend of the Media in Africa Award from The African Editor's Union. SHORTLY AFTER her election in 2006, Sirleaf was honored by the Hunger Project at a fanfare gala in New York, during which Joan Holmes, founding president of the project, praised the commitment of Sirleaf to the empowerment of women, and to rebuilding her nation following 14 years of devastating civil war. CITING THE ENORMOUS destruction of the war, Ms. Holmes said: "Can you imagine the courage it would take, the vision it would take, and the belief in the goodness and resilience of people it would take to lead a country with this amount of devastation? We have always said that we award the Africa Prize to leaders who exhibit courage, vision and the commitment to the well-being of Africa’s people. This statement has never been more true than in the case of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf." THIS IS WHY we are particularly concerned over the manner in which President Sirleaf is allowing her so-called friends to wreak havoc on what she took 40 years to build, a political life and the world at her feet. SADLY, THE PRESIDENT’S lack of political will is giving reason for the world to lose confidence in her leadership and donors to lose faith and trust in her ability to lead a nation emerging from war. THIS HAS BEEN bolstered by actions and statements by many of the president’s close friends and associates. THE LATEST involves Ms. Adelaide Gardner who used her weekly talk show with Mr. Charles Snetter to take aim at the media and advocate for the government to shut down radio stations in the country. SAID MS. GARDNER: “It’s time for LTA(the Liberia Telecommunications Authority) to act against illegal operators. Too many doggone radio stations. LTA, I must admit, haven’t been vigilant. So maybe this is the whole thing. If you(LTA) were really checking on these people to see whose broadcasting and for what reason and information whose supposed to be giving out licenses, all this stuff wouldn’t be happening. And why some of them want to start a radio station to do what, to attack the government? Your sit down and let it happen? For what?” CONTINUED GARDNER: “I’m sure they got some kind of guidelines for people opening radio stations and you can’t just get on the air and start attacking the government and start talking all that mess there. What you want say, freedom of speech? We got it now in Liberia but I give your two and a half more years, your will see whether your will get it” MS. GARDNER’S rants against the media from someone considered to be an influential member of the president’s kitchen Cabinet validates the fears many had last week when the LTA announced that it would begin shutting down so-called delinquent radio stations and media institutions. THE LTA inappropriately used the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism(MICAT) weekly press briefing to throw a bummer, threatening to shut down radio and Television stations, it considers illegally operating. "There are some radio stations that are operating without any reference to the LTA whatsoever, they are illegal, and those entities we will shut you down completely," LTA Commissioner of the Licensing, regulations Anthony McCritty warned. MCCRITTY FAILED to name the radio and Television stations the LTA considers illegal and intend to close but one of those AHEAD OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY, PRESIDENT MAY WANT TO RETHINK ASSOCIATION WITH THOSE IN HER INNER CIRCLE amuel P. Jackson, an erstwhile progressive, who is also an economist and controversial political commentator, said Liberia’s neglect of blind people was “scandalous”. Speaking at the National Convention of the Christian Association of the Blind on Saturday, April 27 along the Robertsfield Highway, Mr. Jackson noted that the destitute condition of blind people was a reflection of societal neglect and not in conformity with the social contract of the state to support its most vulnerable population. Mr. Jackson spoke on the Agenda for Transformation and how it could support the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for Blind People and other vulnerable members of society. Mr. Jackson noted that the visual signs are clear, indicating that a large number of blind people have become street beggars, eking out a meager existence, without critical support from state institutions and philanthropy from the general public. This neglect of the blind is tantamount to abrogation of the social contract between the state and its people. He noted limited educational opportunities for blind people, as reflected in the fact that no tertiary institution in the country has the technology to teach them through Braille. The Agenda for Transformation is the country’s long term visioning exercise that seeks to make Liberia a middle income country by 2030. Mr. Jackson said while he supports the Agenda for Transformation, he reminded the government that inclusive growth, which means that benefits from the country’s economy must flow through to all its citizens was still a long ways off in the future, even beyond 2030. Mr. Jackson said despite the Agenda for Transformation, yet, and unfortunately, poverty continues v S Monrovia - NEGLECT OF BLIND PEOPLE Blind Yearn for Charles Taylor Days to be disaggregated into urban-rural divide, young versus old and vulnerable groups such as blind people versus the rest of society. During the question and answer period, many of the blind intimated that they were better off during the Taylor regime and that the economy was better. Mr. Jackson, who calls himself a rational empiricist, challenged those assertions stating that before 2006, 76 percent of Liberians live below the poverty line and now according to our national poverty rates, only 56 percent did. He however, sadly noted that if blind people are feeling such economic pinch under the administration of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and longing for the days of Charles Taylor, then the current administration had failed in many respects in not connecting with its own people. How people could feel, with all of the progress in the country that things are worse of today, he cried. Mr. Jackson said it was a failure on the part of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government to implement a social welfare policy that did more for the blind. Mr. Jackson was reminded by some of the blind that during the administration of Charles Taylor, the jailed and exiled president donated an 18-seater bus to them, supported the hospital by providing drugs and gave 20 bags of rice every month. Mr. Jackson ended the discussion by promising the blind that he would convey their messages to the President of Liberia, his personal friend and political ally for 40 years and indicated that she must understand that if blind people are crying in the country, it means that more must be done and he acknowledged that even the perception that they are hungrier today should claim the attention of the national government. frequencies happened to belong to Mr. Henry Costa, host of the Costa Morning Show on FM 102.7 who has been served by the LTA with the blessings of the Ministry of Information. MS. GARDNER’S RANTS and the LTA’s assault on the media clearly suggest that those advising President Sirleaf are determined to ensure that she ranks right up there with the likes of Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor and Robert Mugabe. IRONICALLY, THE VERY STATION Ms. Gardner is now using to air her rants and anti-media insults, fell prey to acts she is now advocating, under the brutal regime of Charles Taylor. DURING THAT ugly period, several other stations endured similar issues. Star Radio was subject to government pressure. On January 7, 1998, the Taylor government closed Star Radio citing illegal use of frequencies as reason although Star Radio and Radio Monrovia had a time sharing contract. After pressure from foreign governments, Star Radio was able to regain the air waves. In October 1998, the Liberian government withdrew the short wave licenses of Star Radio and Roman Catholic Radio Veritas. Nonetheless, based on a 1999 survey, there were approximately 400,000 people listening to Star Radio FM because of its independent reporting. ON MARCH 15, 2000, the government closed down both Star Radio and Radio Veritas. President Taylor cited "outside influence" and "outside money" as reasons and attacked Star Radio´s internet news service as being biased against Liberian interests. It is said that Taylor was not only dissatisfied with the existence of independent media but even more dissatisfied with the poor performance of his own media in the ratings. CITING THE CONSTITUTION, the Catholic Church filed a lawsuit against the government it has the right under the constitution to own and operate a shortwave station in the country. Article 15, Sections a, b and c of the Liberian Constitution state: a) Every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, being fully responsible for the abuse thereof this right shall not be curtailed, restricted or enjoined by government save during an emergency declared in accordance with the Constitution. b) The right encompasses the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to acknowledge. It includes freedom of speech and of the press, academic freedom to receive and impact knowledge and information and the right of libraries to make such knowledge available. It includes non-interference with the use of the mail, telephone and telegraph. It likewise includes the right to remain silent. c) In pursuance of this right, there shall be no limitation on the public right to be informed about the government and its functionaries. AS WE CELEBRATE ANOTHER World Press Freedom Day, we hope that the Sirleaf administration and the likes of Ms. Gardner and the LTA will take time to reflect on where Liberia has come. The so-called anti-government stations today reflect the anger many are feeling because the wealth and resources are not being felt by those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder. PERHAPS IF the president can exhibit the political will and muster the courage international organizations once believed she possessed, those so-called anti-government and “illegal” stations and media entities will have nothing to say or write. WE AGREE WITH UNESCO that this year’s World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. “Just as importantly, it is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.” WE ALSO agree with UNESCO that “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.” A UN RESOLUTION adopted by the General Assembly on December 14th 1946 was right in declaring that “Freedom of information implies the right to gather, transmit and publish news anywhere and everywhere without fetters. As such it is an essential factor in any serious effort to promote the peace and progress of the world.” LIBERIA HAS COME so far and been through so much. We must not allow anything, anyone or any repressed forces to take us back down the painful path that led us to war. Tolerance is crucial to Liberia’s post-war survival. Lack of these virtues and values, is all the recipe one would need to ensure any but a peaceful transition from war to peace, especially in the aftermath of UN peacekeepers from Liberia’s still fragile soil. FrontPage Page 4 | Frontpage WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB Send your letters and comments to:
[email protected] The Reader's Page Monday, April 28, 2014 COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE ‘WICKED ACTION’: LIBERIANS DECRY GOVT’S TREATMENT OF BRYANT •Phil George · Top Commenter · Umass Lowell Let me set the record straight - not getting a contract does not lead to death. Yes, you may be frustrated if you don't get what you want, but it does not cause death or to put it simply "it does not kill you." Frustration may indirectly aggravate your condition but it cannot kill you. Mr. Bryant died of illness(s) caused by a disease. Some have argued that people die everywhere, even in places with advanced healthcare systems. On principle I agree with this argument to a point. However, the healthcare system in Liberia is very poor so more people die of curable diseases. I would argue that if we had a better healthcare system the majority of Liberians who die of 'curable' diseases would be alive today. Of course you can't save everyone. For example if someone doesn't look after his/her health there's not much anyone can do about that. But the bottom line is life expectancy in Liberia is very low (men 53, women 55). The death rate we see in Liberia is a reflection of this grim statistics. When I was a kid growing up in Liberia, most people died of old age. Now people die very young and it's unfortunate because we're not smart enough to setup a good healthcare system that can save lives. Is there one thing the Liberian government is good at? How about building a great healthcare system so at least we can say, "well we're good at providing a great healthcare for our people." Is this impossible to achieve in Liberia? I don't think so. Look at JFK hospital. The building is not even painted - what does that tell you about the hospital? Does that give you hope about going there if you needed medical care? If I was administrator of JFK, I'll make sure the building is painted nicely to send a strong message that this hospital is clean in/out. The hospital is dirty from the outside. Also, plant trees and flowers on the hospital grounds - make it look like a place to heal. It doesn't cost that much. THOMAS WORJROH · WORKS AT SPECIAL EDUCATION It is totally shame and embarrassing to have the government of Liberia behave toward an individual who, in my opinion, helped place Madam Sirleaf in the position she and many other ingrates are at the current time. This man sustained the so-called peace that we presently assume to be enjoying. I am only hoping that we remember the word, "KARMA" - what goes around comes around and no condition is permanent, therefore, nothing lasts for ever. For all the good that Mr. Bryant did for his country, the government of Liberia still hated him. Remember, "Hate is a horrible and terrible burden to bear. It injures the hater much more than it injures the hated". A snake is approaching the waterhole. Just remember that KARMA is a bitch, and our government truly acted as one. The Editor, A PLEA FOR THE IS LEWIS BROWN THE NEW ‘BAGHDAD BOB’ CONSTRUCTION OF A CLINIC IN KLAY OF LIBERIA? The Editor, The united Klay Organization in the Americas, Inc. (UNOKLAYA) is calling for the construction and staffing of a public clinic in Klay town, the oldest and most centralized district headquarters in Bomi county. This healthcare facility is extremely necessary because the town hosts five institutions of learning, a popular market center, a major transportation hub, amongst others. We,the leadership, want to thank President Sirleaf's government and the county leadership for efforts at development in Liberia, generally, and the county, specifically. We to, particularly, laud the government for effectively combating the recent ebola virus outbreak in Liberia. UNOKLAYA believes that the construction of a health facility in Klay will greatly enhance government's health delivery program. The UNOKLAYA is an active organization composed of the Liberians from Klay living in the diaspora , former Peace Corps volunteers, and other American friends. To date UNOKLAYA has helped to upgrade the school building in Klay, built a shelter for an outdoor kitchen at the school, sent a large shipment of textbooks to Klay from the United States, and helped support the building of bookcases for the library. UNOKLAYA has also constructed a bus stop where the main road intersects the town. In conclusion, we want to thank President Sirleaf's government and the county leadership efforts at development in Liberia and the county, specifically. We particularly want to laud the government for the effectively combating the recent ebola virus in Liberia. In related development, I just wonder how the entire healthcare workers in Bomi would continue to hold meetings in Klay without convincing authorities to construct a healthcare center in Klay, that has such a strategic need for a healthcare center Dea Telee Brown, BOD Chairman
[email protected] YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ! PRESTON FLOMO · TECHNICAL MANAGER AT SUPER BONGESE RADIO NEWS Liberian politicians are so used to using God's name as a conduit for their selfish political gain. Jewel is a complete political failure with distinctions BETTY WYREN · TOP COMMENTER · WORKS AT RETIRED "This is not a journey that we embarked on bases on our volition. It is a God-ordained journey and by God all things are possible. Bong shall not go back to the days of political assassination. Bong shall go forward. Bong will progress. The journey to light will always overcome darkness. Bong shall not go back to darkness. Bong will forever remain in light,” the Senator said. The senator has certainly spoken the right words. To stand above the fray is not easy, to not interact in ultimately polarizing ways is harder still. I ask that GOD be with Liberia in their upcoming election. NYEMADE WANI · TOP COMMENTER · AVERAGE JOE AT POWER TO THE PEOPLE God must be so shocked you can call his name that he is speechless. The fact that you are in government is a travesty of justice and decency. The fact that you can even call on the name of the Lord speaks volumes about y9our character. If you are reelected, then Bong County people deserve everything they get. Is she not qualified to do anything else? The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica SENATOR JEWEL HOWARD COMMITS RE-ELECTION IN GOD’S HANDS In case you don't know who "Baghdad Bob" is, he was the Iraqi Minister of Information, under Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 invasion of Iraq! Coincidentally, Lewis Brown was the Foreign Minister under another murderous thug (Charles Taylor) in 2003! But "Baghdad Bob" was well known because of the big, big lies he told to the outside world during the invasion of Iraq. Even though American troops and tanks were rolling down the streets of Baghdad---Baghdad Bob was on TV extolling the invincibility of the Iraqi Army!: "There are no American infidel in Baghdad! Never!"... "We've destroyed 2 tanks, 100 fighter planes, 200 helicopters!.. "We've driven them back!!" (I've to suppress the laughter here) Now, let's meet the Liberian Minister of Propaganda, oops, I mean Information: Liar Lewis Brown Jr! Brown said that the allegation, made by FPA, of the Justice Minister's resignation, was based on "conspiracy theories"!... Oh really??? But FPA says that "strong sources within the President's circle" told them that the Justice Minister was asked to resign because of her role she played in temporarily releasing Rodney Sieh from prison. (Re "... BROWN BLUNDERS AGAIN!") He (Brown) went on to say that the suspended Minister "sought specific leave of absence from the President to be able to travel to the United State on a medical leave".. But who are you going to believe? Liar Lewis Brown or your two brown eyes? (By the way, Minister Tah is in America to do her twelfth face lift (plastic surgery) so she can look 10 years younger!) We all know that the Justice Minister was suspended for Contempt of Court . The Supreme Court barred her from practicing law in Liberia for six months because she had the temerity to temporarily release Rodney Sieh from prison. (Re "Eyeing a Way Out - Sirleaf Consulting Over (Justice Minister's) Suspension, FPA, January 14, 2014). As the chief spokesman of the Liberian government, the Minister of Information is requires to say all sorts of absurdities (spin the news so the government can look good) with a straight face, but is the Minister required to lie or play the Liberian people for fools? I don't think so.. Granting the Justice Minister sick leave to coincide with her six month suspension is just another way to buy time (until the Minister's supreme court suspension is over!) and ignore the legal implications of the her 6 months suspension! Unless there's evidence to the contrary, Minister Tah is NOT sick. (Look at her picture on the Daily Observer website!) She's on a paid vacation in America! Minister Lewis should stop lying to the Liberian people! Martin Scott Atlanta, Georgia
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[email protected]; 0880664793 Francis F.B. Mulbah, Layout Editor; 0886639382 REPORTERS Sports Editor, Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528 Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline. com Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline. com, 0886-304498 EDITORIAL TEAM Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.sombai@ FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428 COUNTY NEWS TEAM Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042 Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666 Sinoe County, Leroy N.S Kanmoh, leroy.kanmoh@ frontpageafricaonline.com 0886257528 BUSINESS/ADVERTISING Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753, advertise@ frontpageafricaonline.com Monday, April 28, 2014 Despite Getting no help from Liberia Authorities, U.S. Marshals Service pressed on until their determination paid off when they tracked the Redemption Hospital Administrator’s flight to Great Britain where English authorities were willing to take him into custody. HOW US MARSHALLS CAPTURED BOWEN Rodney D. Sieh,
[email protected] ‘WE PULLED HIS TRAVEL RECORDS (AND) WERE TRACKING HIS COMINGS AND GOINGS’ NOISE OVER ‘A PERFECT READER’ Frontpage Page 5 JONATHAN PAYE-LAYLEH AND RACHEL D'ORO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS T T Monrovia - his was nothing like in 2010 when President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s stepson, Fombah helped the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency by going undercover and wearing eavesdropping equipment for an investigation that would later lead to narcotics-trafficking-related charges against nine men who U.S. prosecutors allege were attempting to use bribes to build a new West African smuggling route to Europe. The case of Tobias Bowen, the head of Redemption Hospital, one of Liberia’s poorly-run medical facilities came with no help at all from the government of Liberia. According to the Syracuse Post Standard, Bowen had been under U.S. surveillance for four years and watched in in frustration as Bowen, accused of raping a girl in the Syracuse town of Clay in 2010 -- ran Redemption. The Post Standard report that U.S. Marshalls’ pursuit of Bowen was bolstered by determination. Joseph Ciciarelli of the U.S. Marshals Service lamented the frustration at not getting any help from authorities in Liberia. FrontPageAfrica, quoting sources at the Liberia National Police, reported last week that the LNP had Bowen’s arrest warrant from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in their possession for four years but did nothing. “There was no political will, no instructions from the top,” a source told FrontPageAfrica last week. The Post Standard reported last week that US Marshalls caught a break when they tracked Bowen’s flight to Great Britain where English authorities were willing to take him into custody. Bowen was caught after a tip and investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service revealed he was going to visit family in Britain. Authorities provided the following account: Bowen, 47, formerly of 4783 Norstar Blvd., fled to his native country after being arrested on March 19, 2010 and released on $10,000 bail, said First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio. He was charged with having repeated sexual contact with a child, as well as statutory rape and criminal sex act. But he never showed up for court after being indicted. Over the years, Bowen's whereabouts became obvious. He was the chief administrator of the Redemption Hospital, one of Liberia's largest, according to Onondaga County Sheriff's Detective John Seeber. He was quoted in media and never tried to hide his identity. Under law, the DA's office had no way to send authorities into a foreign country to get Bowen, Trunfio said. So the sheriff's office and Marshals Service kept investigating. Then, a few months ago, a tipster alerted authorities that Bowen was frequently traveling to Europe. Marshals began investigating Bowen's travel records, looking for a pattern, Ciciarelli said. "We pulled his travel records (and) were tracking his comings and goings," the agent said. That led to their big break: Bowen was planning to visit family in Great Britain, Ciciarelli said. Unlike the other countries Bowen had visited, Britain had a close relationship with U.S. authorities. Police there acted quickly at the Marshals' request to take Bowen into custody, Ciciarelli said. Bowen was caught after he landed Saturday in Britain. Ciciarelli said the investigation was expedited due to the sexual nature of the crime and the fact Bowen had finally traveled to a country that would act quickly. Otherwise, it could have taken much longer to catch him in one of his other travels, Ciciarelli said, according to the Post Standard. Bowen remains in England as U.S. authorities start extradition proceedings to bring him back to Onondaga County. FrontPageAfrica can now confirm that two of the minors Bowen is accused of raping are his daughters from two different partners: His current wife, and a former lover, with whom he has a child. Liberian government authorities, particularly the Ministry of Health have been mute since Bowen’s arrest. Bernice Dahn, Chief Medical Officer of the country told FrontPageAfrica last week that she had not heard about Bowen’s arrest and promised to look into it and get back, but she has not. A senior Ministry of Health official did confirm to FrontPageAfrica last week that authorities did look into the allegations when FPA first reported about that Onondaga County authorities were in pursuit of Bowen in 2010. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that at the time, Bowen’s wife flew from London to Monrovia to say that she made the charges up and that the charges against Bowen were bogus. Why Bowen fled Syracuse after posting bail, is still puzzling many followers of the case. Now it is being reported that Onondaga County District Attorney's Office prosecutors sought a bail of $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond in 2010, nine times more than what Bowen posted before he escaped. Bowen was given bail of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond but Bowen's Liberian passport was never confiscated, the prosecutor said. Some reports had speculated that Bowen’s passport had been seized and that he had used a Laissez Passez to travel out of Syracuse. “They knew Tobias Bowen was a flight risk -- he was a Liberian national -- and was charged with a serious crime: repeated sexual abuse of a minor, said First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio, to the Post Standard. Prosecutors in Syracuse say they explicitly ordered the surrender of Bowen's passport but today, neither the judge nor prosecutor knew how Bowen was able to still leave the country -- presumably with his Liberian passport. According to the Post Standard, the judge explained that when Bowen was brought before him, he was a 43-year-old man with no prior criminal record. Bowen had been in the Syracuse area for two years. “As is typical in town court arraignments, the DA's office suggested a bail amount but was not present to make a bail argument. The judge considered $10,000 bail to be a fair amount. And the judge stressed that he wanted Bowen's passports seized, so he couldn't leave the country. (Trunfio said that Bowen also had a passport for a country in Europe.)” Bowen lived for a while in Holland prior to moving to the U.S. Judge Anthony Aloi issued a warrant for Bowen's arrest, leading to a fouryear manhunt that ended with Bowen's capture in Great Britain last week. MONROVIA, LIBERIA — he speaker rose before the members of parliament, whose West African country has a nascent oil industry, to give advice on how profits from production should be managed. But to the dismay of some in the audience, the speaker was just 17 years old, is a high school student from Anchorage and is the grandnephew of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who has been dogged by accusations of nepotism. The appearance outraged some, rekindled those accusations of favoritism, and even caused friction between Sirleaf and a fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate. R. Matenokay Tingban, an independent member of parliament who attended Estrada Bernard III's presentation at Monrovia City Hall, said he was shocked and disappointed that a high school student had been chosen to address the lawmakers. The boy read well, Tingban said, but that was all. "I know him to be a perfect reader, but he was not presenting because you present to explain," Tingban said, adding that he didn't clap when the teen finished. The youth's appearance got the attention of Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian women's rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 along with Sirleaf and Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman. The three women were awarded the coveted prize for "their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peacebuilding work." But Gbowee has since become critical of the way the 75-year-old Sirleaf governs Liberia, accusing her of nepotism in a country struggling with poverty and the legacy of years of ruinous civil war that ended a decade ago. In a scathing letter to Sirleaf, Gbowee said she had found little evidence to suggest that Bernard had the "requisite expertise" to make a presentation on behalf of the National Oil Company of Liberia. "My concern is that the inclusion of Mr. Bernard without further clarity on his expertise undermines your stated efforts to build a transparent process to developing the oil and gas industry," Gbowee wrote. Sirleaf's office acknowledged receiving the letter from Gbowee but said it would not be commenting on the matter. Sirleaf had already been criticized for naming her son chairman of the board of the National Oil Company of Liberia. Robert Sirleaf stepped down last September just days after lawmakers suspended debate on new oil laws amid complaints from non-governmental organizations about a lack of public consultation. He also resigned his position as senior adviser to the president. In February, the country's anti-corruption commission said it was investigating claims that the oil company bribed lawmakers to ensure passage of oil legislation, which is still pending. There are concerns oil profits will go to corrupt politicians instead of bettering the lives of ordinary Liberians, at least two-thirds of whom live below the poverty line in this country that was created in 1847 to settle freed American slaves. Sirleaf has two other sons in top government positions — one at the National Security Agency and another at the Central Bank. Despite claims these appointments undermine her anti-corruption message, Sirleaf has defended her sons as qualified public servants. Thomas Doe-Nah, an activist who runs the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, criticized the move "to bring in a 17-year-old from Alaska to make (an) oil presentation when we have thousands of 17-year-olds in Liberia who could have done the same thing." Reached by phone in Anchorage, a woman who identified herself as Bernard's mother said he would not be commenting. Bernard is the grandson of Jennie Bernard, a sister of President Sirleaf. According to slides from the on March 14 presentation, Bernard talked about how natural resources can be managed so their exploitation benefits ordinary people and profits are not siphoned off by corrupt individuals. He described Alaska's oil savings account, which pays yearly dividends to most Alaskans, offering it as a model for Liberia and others. National Oil Company of Liberia spokesman Cyrus Badio said a teenager and relative of the president making a presentation to members of parliament was nothing to make a fuss over. "We were looking at the message, not the messenger," he said. "The topic he was called to speak on did not require expertise in the area of oil." The oil company said it paid travel and accommodation costs for all foreign invited guests, and nothing more. Badio would not say if that included Bernard. Malcolm B. Roberts, a mentor of Bernard and a senior fellow at the Institute of the North, a think tank on Alaska public policy, said Bernard's trip was paid for by his parents, who were visiting the country at the same time and travel to Liberia every year. Page 6 | Frontpage Monday, April 28, 2014 d. e. f. g. employees are motivated ; Preparing annual, quarterly monthly and other reports as required by the LRA; Prioritizing between expenditure on HR projects and casework; Directing the overall HR Planning, development and recruitment activities; Directing subordinate staff in undertaking investigations and preparation of reports on jobrelated accidents for insurance purposes; h. Monitoring expenditure against budget and ensuring the proper use of assigned resources which include various assets and that usage is consistent with policies; i. Ensuring effective time management among staff; j. Conducting salary surveys to ensure that employee salaries are competitive in comparison with other organizations. REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (LRA CORE TEAM RECRUITMENT) Republic of Liberia Liberia Revenue Authority Formation Office Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs Building Capitol Hill Background: The Liberia Revenue Authority was established by an Act of Legislature in September 2013 for the purposes of assessing and collecting national revenues as specified in the Revenue Code of Liberia and other related laws; administering, accounting, auditing, enforcing revenue collection laws and regulations; and educating taxpayers to facilitate tax and customs compliance. The Authority replaces the Department of Revenue (including the Bureau of Customs and Excise and Bureau of Internal Revenue) of the Ministry of Finance. The LRA mission is to professionally, fairly, transparently and effectively collect lawful revenue; facilitate legitimate trade and social protection for the people of Liberia. In support of Government’s effort to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity, the Liberia Revenue Authority Formation Office (LRAFO), through a highly competitive recruitment process, will recruit the core team of the Liberia Revenue Authority for immediate placement. In continuation of this effort, the LRAFO is seeking applications from qualified individuals to apply for the below positions: 1. Assistant Commissioner-HR (1 Position) 2. HR Manager-Recruitment, Placement & Performance Management (1 Position) 3. HR Manager-Planning, Budgeting & Position Management (1 Position) 4. HR Manager-Compensation, Classification & Benefit Administration (1 Position) 5. Commissioner-General Services (1 Position) 3. Manages the performance of staff by: a. Coordinating the performance evaluationof the Authority staff to ensure that performance evaluations are done in accordance with policy, taking the necessary actions consistent with policies. Inorder to ensure that performance conforms with established standards; b. Coordinating the preparation ,arrangement , classification and maintenance of an effective HR records management system; c. Ensuring effective time management among staff and executing the necessary actions consistent with policies; d. Ensuring staff adherence to the Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct and related rules and regulations; e. Executing the disciplinary guide fairly transparently and equitably; f. Ensuring line managers are abreastof allLRA policies and other related cross-cutting issues such as equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment and recommending needed changes, workshops, training, etc g. Dealing effectively with complex HR discipline and grievance issues and serves on the Grievance Committee; h. Coordinating the preparation and updating as necessary detailed job descriptions, classification plans, and defining job levels in collaboration with other managers. 4. Liaises with other government agencies and the private sector by: a. Effectively representing LRA at HR re-related forums, hearings,investigations and other public and private sector forums; b. Effectively coordinating with HR service providers to ensure the professional delivery of HR related services to staff and that the LRA receives all services and benefits paid for; c. Building effective networks between the Authority and other government agencies and private sector organizations; 5. Secures Revenue Proactively by: a. Taking necessary timely actions in accordance with policies and procedures with respect to malpractices in the Authority. b. Ensuring employees’ salaries and benefits are paid on time c. Implementing a recruitment and selection program that ensures that qualify and reputable persons are hired in the Authority; d. Ensuring proper use of operational funds assigned e. Ensuring that employee salaries and benefits are equitable to deter them from engaging in corrupt revenue collection practices; f. Conducting exit interviews to identify reasons for employee termination and making suggestions as necessary; g. Ensuring that HR staff are in compliance with the HRMP manual and related policies and procedures governing the activities of the Authority; h. Effectively coordinating the training and development program to ensure that all employee have access to training and development to make them efficient on the job; V. REQUIRED COMPETENCE OF BEST PRACTICES JOB PROFILE HUMAN RESOURCE DIVISION I. POST INFORMATION INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT POSITION TITLE SUPERVISORS’ TITLE SUPERVISION GIVEN CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE DATE Liberia Revenue Authority Human Resource Assistant Commissioner-HR DCGAA HR Managers E-1 The Assistant Commissioner-HR heads the HR Division that provides HR services to the entire Authority, and reports directly to the DCGAA. The role is the highest level within the HR Division and provides direction tofive subordinate HR Managers of the HR functional areas of HR Planning, Budgeting and Position Management; Recruitment, Staffing &Performance Management; Compensation& Benefit Administration; Training & Development andHR Welfare Services, Records,and Compliance; and performs a variety of other complex administrative duties as assigned. Toadministersthe HR program of the Authority by providing direction and coordinationfor the overall provision of HR services to the Authority in accordance with the HRM manual and related policiesand Laws. II. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING Knowledge III. JOB PURPOSE IV. MAIN TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES a. Labor law of Liberia b. In depth knowledge of human resource management including the designing of policies and procedures. c. Labor & employee relations in both unionized and at-will environments d. Record keeping management e. Proficiency in Microsoft Word Suite f. Strategic Planning g. Budget formulation, analysis, and execution a. Ability to research and interpret applicable government laws, regulations, policies 1. Administers the HRM Programby: a. Ensuring the fair, transparent and equitable execution of the HRM manual related laws, regulations and policies; b. Executing and regularly updating the multi-year Human Capital Strategy with measurable outputs; c. Developing and executing annual business plans based on LRA’s Human Capital Strategy; d. Preparing periodic reports on performance outcomes against performance projections and other reports as required; e. Ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures, consistency with the labor law and HRM manual related regulations and policies; f. Planning and executing a robust training and staff development program throughout the Authority; g. Ensuring the regular conduct of training need surveys in collaboration with other departments to identify and rectify the skills deficiencies in the Authority; h. Ensuring that all HR staff including management are in compliance with the professional ethics and code of conduct and the HRM policy manual; i. Formulate, analyze, and execute budget; j. Any other function consistent with the achievement of the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the LRA. Skills and procedures for assimilating and summarizing data; b. Ability to apply good human relations principles and in meeting and dealing effectively with co-workers officials, employees, taxpayers and general public; c. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing and to prepare clear, logical and concise reports and other documents. VI. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Education: Must have a minimum of a master’s degree or its equivalent in HR, Business Administration, Management or a related field. Certification HRM certification a plus Must have a minimum of five years of progressive experience in HRM in a similar size Experience institutionin managing people, dealing with senior managers and employee issues and in performing the tasks indicated above 2. Managing Financial and Human Resources by: a. Coordinating with the LRA Budget and Finance Offices and staff to facilitate multi-year and annual budgeting for all Human Capital Strategy and Workforce Plan needs and efficient execution of the HR budget component; b. Preparing and managing the annual operational budget for the HR Division; c. Managing the employee compensation and benefits program effectively to ensure that Monday, April 28, 2014 JOB PROFILE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT I. POST INFORMATION INSTITUTION: DEPARTMENT: POSITION TITLE: SUPERVISORS’ TITLE: SUPERVISION GIVEN: CLASSIFICATION: Liberia Revenue Authority Administration Commissioner- General Services DCGAA Logistics management, Warehouse, Facilities Management, Procurement, and Transportation Sections E-3 Frontpage JOB PROFILE HUMAN RESOURCE DIVISION Page 7 I. POST INFORMATION INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT POSITION TITLE SUPERVISORS’ TITLE SUPERVISION GIVEN CLASSIFICATION Liberia Revenue Authority Human Resource HR Manager-HR Manager Compensation, Classification & Benefit Administration Assistant Commissioner-HR Supervisor(s) and staff P-5 EFFECTIVE DATE: II. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The General Services Manager assists the Deputy Commissioner General for Administration in managing service delivery to the Authority. The position is located in the Administrative Section of the Authority and reports directly to the DCGAA. The role supervises the Logistics Management, Procurement, Warehousing, Facilities Management and Transportation sections of the Authority. III. JOB PURPOSE To administer the day-to-day affairs of the General Services Department through execution of the annual strategic and operational plans necessary for achieving the mandate of the LRA. IV. MAIN TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Administers the annual operational, strategic and others of the General Services Department of the LRA mandate by: a. Directing and coordinating the General Services Department of the Authority in securing the providing services to facilitate its operation; b. Plan, administer and control budgets for contracts, equipment and supplies; c. Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained; d. Review operational reports and schedules to ensure accuracy and efficiency; e. Assisting staff in setting goals and deadlines for activities of the department f. Overseeing the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems; g. Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations; h. Supervising the acquisition, distribution and storage of supplies; i. Facilitating the conduct of training to teach planning, procedures development and materials management to staff; j. Supervising actively staff undertaking architectural and engineering planning and design, including space and installation management; k. Analyzing internal processes and recommending the implementation of procedural or policy changes to improve operations, such as supply changes or the disposal of records, or unclaimed properties; l. Supervise staff performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork, maintaining records, reports, or files; m. Analyzing information and evaluating results from subordinates to choose the best solution and solve problems. 2. Managing financial and manpower resources by: a) Planning, administering and controlling budgets for contracts, equipment and supplies b) Conducting financial forecasting/budgeting c) Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. EFFECTIVE DATE: II. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The position is situated in the HR Division and provides supervision over staff performing professional level analytical work in a variety of HR areas including job compensation and benefits, and a variety of other complex administrative support activities. III. JOB PURPOSE To plan, coordinate and implement job classification, staff salaries, benefits and incentives programs in order to motivate employees and to optimize job performance. IV. MAIN TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES Administers the HR Compensation, Classification and Benefits program of the LRA by: a. Ensuring the implementation of a comprehensive employee compensation and benefits policy; b. Preparing employees payroll for submission to Finance for execution; c. Supervising the maintenance of employee information such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, in order to maintain and update payroll records; d. Investigating, issues and records adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases; e. Ensures the accurate computation of wages and deductions, and entry of data into the payroll computer system; f. Supervising the compilation of employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records; g. Ensuring that Authority jobs are properly classified and graded; h. Supervising the periodic reviews of time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information in order to detect and reconciles payroll discrepancies; i. Compiling statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay, and submit them to appropriate departments j. Ensuring the fair implementation of the standard compensation and benefits policy; k. Ensuring the fair calculation ofstaff incentives and bonus; l. Ensures the accurate calculation of withholding taxes and deductions from gross salary; m. Supervising the conducts compensation & benefit surveys; n. Performs other duties as assigned. 2. Managing financial and human resources by: a. Enforcing the provisions of the HRMP manual transparently and fairly b.Directing the proper calculation of employee incentives and bonuses; c.Reviewing and authorizing the processing of personnel action notices for promotions and merit increases; d. Ensuring that all jobs are properly classified and appropriately graded; e. Authorizing the processing of benefits such as pension, insurance and healthcare, death, transportation, communication and housing; e) Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing staff involved in the spending of money d) Supervising staff performing the following duties: 1. Overseeing centralized operations; 2. Ensuring operations run smoothly within departments such as information and data processing, mail, materials scheduling and distribution, printing and reproduction, records management, telecommunications management, security, recycling, wellness, and transportation services; 3. Ensuring contracts, insurance requirements, and government regulations and safety standards are followed properly; 4. Examining energy consumption patterns, technology usage, and personal property needs. 5. Planning long and short-term maintenance needs; 6. Modernizing and updating equipment; 7. Overseeing support services; 8. Overseeing the preparation, analysis, negotiation, and review of contracts related to the purchase or sale of equipment, materials, supplies, products, or services; 9. Handling the acquisition, distribution, and storage of equipment and supplies; 10. Preside over disposal of unclaimed property. intended for: 1. managing contracts 2. managing inventories or supplies 3. maintaining inventory of office equipment or furniture 4. purchasingor order of office supplies, materials equipment or furniture 3. Managing the performance of staff by: a) Supervising staff performing the following duties: c. 5. Liaise with other government agencies and the private sector by: a. Communicating with people outside the organization including representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail; b. Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others including handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others including negotiating real estate sales or rental contracts; 6. Secures revenues proactively by: a. Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards; Training and teaching staff by identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing them. V. REQUIRED COMPETENCE OF BEST PRACTICES a. General principles of management; job classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment & selection, performance management, training & organizational development; b. Commercial law c. PPCC Law and practices Knowledge d. Records and stock keeping practices; e. Logistics and materials management f. Proficiency in Microsoft office and other applicable logistics management procurement software; a. Ability to plan, organize and monitor work to ensure achievement of desired results; b. Ability to identify and assign resources (financial and manpower) to meet objectives; c. Ability to assess relevant issues, formulate procedures and provide technical Skills advice; d. Ability to interpret and implement relevant legislations and policies; e. Applying good human relations principles and in meeting and dealing effectively with co-workers, officials, employees, and taxpayers, as required; f. Communicating, both orally and in writing and preparing clear, logical and concise reports and other documents. VI. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Education Certification Experience financial forecasting/budgeting property acquisitioning and/or disposing planning and overseeing building work/renovation managing lease project planning and management architectural/engineering planning and design allocating and managing space within buildings coordinating building maintenance and operational activities integrating communications/telecommunications ensuring that facilities meet government regulations and environmental, health and security standards 11. supervising multi-disciplinary teams of staff including maintenance, grounds and custodial workers b) Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance by: a. delegating appropriate administrative support activities b. delegating appropriate administrative support activities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 3. Manages the performance of staff by: a. Supervising the preparation of comprehensive incentive policies for the Authority; b. Ensuring that staff benefits are transparently and fairly issued; c. Ensuring that declared bonuses are properly calculated and fairly paid; d. Evaluating the regular conduct of performance evaluationof staff; e. Preparing reports as required 4. Secures revenue proactively by: a. Ensuring that withholding taxes are properly calculated and deducted from employee salaries; b. Supervising the conductofregular compensation & benefit surveys so as to ensurea fair compensation scheme for all staff of the Authority; c. Ensuring that staff are paid on time and that their benefits are fairly calculated and delivered on time; d. Ensuring that all disciplinary deductions are made consistent with policies and law. V. REQUIRED COMPETENCE OF BEST PRACTICES a. General principles and practices of contemporary human resource management; b. Labor laws of Liberia, rules and regulations pertaining to human resources and labor relations; c. Principles of classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment & selection, performance management, training & organizational development; d. Labor & employee relations in at-will environments e. Workers’ compensation reporting and administration requirements; f. HR benefits programs administration; g. Microsoft Office; Records management. a. good human relations skills; b. Ability to plan, organize and monitor work to ensure achievement of desired results; c. Ability to identify and assign resources (financial and manpower) to meet objectives; Skills d. Ability to assess relevant issues, formulate procedures and provide technical advice; e. Ability to interpret and implement relevant legislations and policies; f. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing and preparing clear, logical and concise reports and other documents. VI. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Must have minimum of a BSc degree from an accredited university in HRM, Education accounting, management, or a related field; Certification Experience HR certificate an advantage Must have at least (5) years of working experience in governmental accounting and economics analysis for conducting salary reviews. . Knowledge Minimum of master’s in business administration, procurement, accounting, public administration, or a related field Certificate in Logistics or assets management a plus Five years working experience in related jobs Page 8 | Frontpage JOB PROFILE HUMAN RESOURCE DIVISION I. POST INFORMATION INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT POSITION TITLE SUPERVISORS’ TITLE SUPERVISION GIVEN CLASSIFICATION Liberia Revenue Authority Human Resource HR Manager-HR Planning, Budgeting & Position Management Assistant Commissioner-HR Supervisor(s) and staff P-5 Monday, April 28, 2014 EFFECTIVE DATE II. ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The position is situated in the HR Division and provides supervision over staff performing professional level analytical work in a variety of HR areas including HR planning, budgeting and position management, organizational design and development and classification of all jobs. III. JOB PURPOSE To plan, coordinate and directthe implementation of multiyear human capital strategy, long range and annual workforce plans, the position management programs and the HR budget; and tocontrol the overall positions prior to any recruitment. IV. MAIN TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES Administers the implementation of the HR planning, budgeting and position management policies of the LRA by: a. Supervising the implementation of the HR planning, budgeting and positions management program; b. Avoiding overlap in duties and functions unnecessary positions or fragmentation of work processes; c. Ensuring that positions are aligned so they are consistent with the LRA mission; d. Ensuring that position allocations are consistent with the approved staffing pattern; e. Ensuring the execution of multiyear human capital strategic plans; f. Ensuring the development of organizational and profile requirements; g. Approving all actions to fill positions by virtue of controls associated with Position Management responsibilities and in keeping with approved budget; h. Performing other duties as assigned. 2. Managing financial and human resources by: a. Ensuring the developing a multiyear human capital strategy and plan; b. Certifying that the need for all positions is consistent with the HR plan. c. Utilizing special appointment authority to accommodate short-term assignments such as part time, contractor, consultant or temporary worker; d. Coordinating the development of requirements for organizational and HR profiling; e. Coordinating budget requirements with the finance office; f. Supervising the development and implementation of procedures for filling vacancies; g. Ensuring that all staffs adhere to the provisions of the PECC and HRMP manual; h. Approving all actions in filling vacancies. 3. Manages the performance of staff by: a. Developing and implementing a robust position management program; b. Conducting position management training for Authority supervisory staff; c. Preparing an effective classification plan for positions of the LRA. d. Utilizing the position management responsibilities as a factor in evaluating the performance of supervisors and managers. 4. Secures revenue proactively by: a.Administering program to ensure adherence with all rules and regulations specific toLRA c. Ensuring that employees are in compliance with the professional ethics and code of conduct and the HRM Policy Manual; d. Designing positions so that they are consistent with the mission of the Authority; e. Developing guideline for filling job vacancies; V. REQUIRED COMPETENCE OF BEST PRACTICES a. Maintaining confidential information according to legal standards regulations b. Experience in the use of HRM or other software c. Strategic planning d. Operational planning e. Cost/benefit analysis a. Knowledge Ability to plan, organize and monitor work to ensure achievement of desired results; b. Ability to identify and assign resources (financial and manpower) to meet objectives; c. Ability to assess relevant issues, formulate procedures and provide Skills technical advice; d. Ability to interpret and implement relevant legislations and policies; e. Ability to apply good human relations principles and in meeting and dealing effectively with co-workers, officials, employees, and taxpayers, as required; f. Communicating, both orally and in writing and preparing clear, logical and concise reports and other documents. VI. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Education Employee must have a minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited University in HRM, finance, management, or a related field; Certification Not required Experience Must have at least (5) years of working experience with governmental accounting; economic analysis compensation and other HR software. 8a | Frontpage Page 16 F THE DIOCESE OF CAPE PALMAS, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, IS DEAD Monrovia denomination. Although Boniface was boys about the Catholic priesthood CATHOLIC CHURCH MOURNS BISHOP NYEMA DALIEH, BISHOP EMERITUS OF never baptized, he was always considered a Methodist. In 1947, after reading about King Henry VIII of England who broke away from the Catholic Church and formed the Anglican denomination, Boniface asked his brother if the story was true. His brother explained in more detailed about the Church of England and the division created by King Henry VIII. It was at this moment that our founder, by the grace of God, decided to become a Catholic. He was baptized on 6 May 1949 by Father Martin P. White, who was a priest of the Society of African Missions (SMA). Fr. Michael Cummings, SMA, who was then in charge of the St. Francis Boarding School, where Boniface attended, took the young men in the boarding school with him for hospital and prison visitations and sick calls. Father Cummings would speak to the PAGE RONT OBITUARY Monday, April 28, 2014 T he Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas and the Catholic Church in Liberia announce with deep grief and sadness the homegoing of Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas the Reverend Boniface Nyema Dalieh. According to the Catholic Archdiocese, this sad even occurred at about 8:00pm on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Engelwood Hospital in the state of New Jersey in the USA. The body will be flown to Liberia for funerl and burial rites. Bishop Dalieh was born in YederoboMaryland, Liberia, of pagan parents on December 9, 1933. Although his parents were pagans, his brother, Joseph C. Dalieh, who was a staunch Methodist and with whom he lived to be educated, introduced him to the Methodist and tell them that even Liberians could become priests, too. He would always ask them to pray for God’s will and grace about becoming priests in order that they could work with and for their own people of Liberia. Bishop Dalieh was among the group of boys who adhered to Father Cummings’ advice and founded a prayer group and future priests club. In January 1953, young Dalieh was sent to St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Oke Are, Ibadan, Nigeria. After a successful completion of the seminary course in there, he entered Sts. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1958. On 11 July 1965, he was ordained a priest, by His Excellency Nicholas Grimely, SMA. In 1974, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Cape Palmas and was consecrated by Archbishop Thomas Brosniham, CSSP, of Freetown, Sierra Leone. A Brighter Future for Liberia DO NOT ERASE CHAIRMAN BRYANT FROM HISTORY MINISTER BROWN Henry Karmo (0886522495)
[email protected] I WARNS / GoldenVeroleum n the wake of controversy surrounding the home going of Liberia former Transitional President Chares Gyude Bryant, Information Minister Lewis Brown has warned against acts that could erase the former statesman from Liberian History. According to the Liberia information minister government intervention to give the former statesman a state burial is not for government to seek glory but to honor the service of the former statesman. Brown said: “Nobody should take that from us, that is how the Liberian people speak, it is not because it honors the government but because it honors Chairman Bryant services to this country he deserves a special place in our history” Brown continued: “Do not erase Charles memory, do not erase his service to his country, honor him as he deserves to be treated.” At the Information Ministry regular press briefing Thursday he cautioned the government and the citizens to always try to do everything to honor their past leaders despite the situation. The family of the late chairman Bryant in a statement indicated that Chairman Bryant during his last days made a wish against allowing the government of Liberia regarding any tribute over his remains. A statement issued by the Bryant and Carr families stated “It was Chairman Bryant's wish that there be No Panegyric, No Official Gazette issued, No Laying in State, No 21-Gun Salute, No Military Escort, or any State function over his remains. The families intend to carry out his wishes”. The two families clearly stated that in keeping with church tradition and norms, only the Family and Church will give tributes at the Funeral of the late Chairman Bryant on Saturday, May 10th, 2014. International institutions, including ECOWAS, the United Nations and African Union were not included in Bryant’s wish according to the statement. “The People of Liberia, the International Community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS may pay tributes at the Wake Keeping Ceremony on Friday May 9th, 2014”, the statement indicated. Bryant had reportedly becomes frustrated over the manner in which the government of Liberia, particularly the National Port Authority had been resisting and denying him the award of a bid he won after a competitive bidding process. He as local representative for a shipping agency, Damen Shipyards, which won the bid to supply tugboats to the National Port Authority and was even notified by the port of notice of intent to award before the NPA aborted contract negotiations, Bryant, a former head of state personally intervened on behalf of the shipping agency to get a legitimate contract signed but it seems his involvement could not help the company Monday, April 28, 2014 T Monrovia he push to get a minimum wage for Liberia seems to be meeting some glitches and two of Montserrado County’s lawmakers Rep. Acarous M. Gray (Montserrado-District #8) and Rep. Edwin M. Snowe (Montserrado-District #6) are locked in the counter argument over who’s stalling the Bill and who wants a motion for reconsideration. The two lawmakers have taken to the airwaves as it became clear that Rep. Snowe is prepared to test a motion for reconsideration when the Legislature returns from its Easter break but Rep. Gray thinks the lawmaker is trying to stall the passage of the bill. “I think what is happening in my opinion is a political wedge that is being thrown to stall the passage of the decent work bill by the motion to reconsider. If any Liberian believes in the decency of the workforce of the Republic of Liberia, they will not stand against the passage of the decent work bill on trivial matters,” said Rep. Gray in an interview with FrontPageAfrica at his Capitol Building office on Wednesday. Continued Gray: “I think in my opinion, those who have counter argued that if the wage is at US$4, many persons will not get jobs; I disagree, even in the most sophisticated economies around the world like the great United States of America there will always be a time where a company could go bankrupt and there would be downsizing. So the scare tactics of saying that if the wage is maintained for nonprofessionals by US$4 and professionals at US$7 per day, that could decrease the work force, I strongly disagree. I think it brings upliftment to the workforce.” Gray wants Rep. Snowe to abandon his quest to seek a motion for reconsideration, he intends to submit to his colleagues when they return because the Legislative body that worked on the bill has already done its homework. Our decision on the passage filed by Hon. Snowe, I believe that he DECENT WORK GLITCH Lawmakers battle over minimum wage He said the bill, which is based on a one-page report from the committee has no provision for overtime or holidays, something that only a minimum wage board would state. For the poor But for Representative Gray, he said he is people centered man who would not betray the ‘masses’ he represents and it is something he is willing to fight for at all levels. “I support the decent work bill because I am from a very disadvantaged community I’ve seen how our parents that works on the plantations; our parents that work for foreigners have been abused and underpaid. So the decent work bill is not only about setting the minimum wage as being argued by people,” said Gray. “It is also about providing job security for our people and seeking the welfare of our people. On the basis of that, I must support the passage of the decent work bill. Let me say this and I want to be very clear about that, that when the senate passed the decent work bill at a little over US$6 we amended that version to a little over US$7 per day. Too many of us voted for the passage, unfortunately in my view for us to come now and pass the decent work bill on a second term after a conference committee was established and maybe one or two persons saying that it is still high and they voted for the US$7 initially when we had reduced it to US$4 initially for non professionals per day and US$6 for professionals per day (a minimum wage).” Gray disagrees with his colleague when he says that the members of the committee that worked on the bill were not ‘technocrats’. “I disagree when it was said that there was no hearing because I know that the House of Representatives Committee and the House of Senate committee met,” he said. They invited the labor minister, they invited the head of the chamber of commerce, they invited the ILO representative that provided an expert analysis and other people.” “The presentation of the general body was from a well-informed source on the basis of those who control the work force of the Republic of Liberia. For anyone to say that the necessary technocrats were not consulted is saddening. It even undermines the professional capacity of those who control the various committees.” After several years of the bill lingering into committee rooms at the National Legislature, Liberian Lawmakers have finally passed it into law in early April setting the threshold at US$6 and US$4 per day at minimum wage for workers. The House of Representatives passed the bill into law after a period of consultation. The decision of the House Plenary followed recommendation made in a report from the Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary. The bill was sent back to committee room last week following intense debates in Plenary on the minimum wage set at $5.60 per day for employees as previously recommended in the Report by the Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary. The bill is forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence. should drop that motion in the interest of those who even work in his electoral district and for those who even work for foreigners in his district that are being underpaid,” said Gray. “I believe they deserve a better living and if you want to have a farm for example, or plantation, you should be able to pay your people well. For me basically I committed myself during the period of the elections to support the passage of the decent work bill because it has been here before we became lawmakers. On the basis of my own commitment to my people I thought that had I not supported the decent work bill, it would have been a betrayal of what I believe in.” But Rep. Snowe would have none of it and has stressed that he will submit his letter stating the motion before his colleagues when they return next week. “I am cutting short my travels; I will submit my letter to my colleagues on Thursday. If my colleagues throw it out, I’ll look to the Senate; if the Senate passes it, I will look to the President to veto it. If the president does not veto it and signs it into law, then that’s it,” said Rep. Snowe in a mobile phone interview with FrontPageAfrica from Brussels. Snowe argues that his colleagues are not technocrats and therefore should not rush to set a minimum wage, adding that they should employ the expertise of agencies clothed with the authority to do so adding that the decision by the legislature to set the wage is a political one. “I don’t have a problem if the amount is too high or too small, that’s not the issue. The issue is as long we have a Minimum wage board and the responsibility of the board is to review the economic situation of the country periodically and set the minimum wage. With the existence of the board, for the legislature to go and set a minimum wage is a political decision,” he said. Continued Snowe: “I think the minimum wage of the workforce is not just minimum, but it should be minimum and high wage because you’ve got some people in Liberia that make $100 a month and you’ve got some people who make $25,000 a month. The disparity is just too high, so the board should be left with the responsibility to set the minimum wage and the highest standard so that the disparity is not high and it is based on the prevailing economic situation of the country.” The lawmaker contends that there has been no analysis from agencies such as the Central Bank of Liberia, the ministry of Planning, which is merged with the ministry of finance to do analysis to know the capita per household income and it is just based on sentiment from lawmakers in setting a minimum wage. “I believe the decision by the Legislature is political and the decision to set a minimum wage should be based on financial and economic analysis other than political reason,” he said. For me I want to set a precedence I pray that my colleagues will see the reason in depoliticizing the minimum wage. April 14, a group of Liberians came and said rice could be sold at $9 per bag, hey did not look at the impact; it was not a reality-there was big confusion. There was no economic analysis done, it was based on political popularity.” F PAGE RONT NEWS EXTRA Frontpage 8b Page 17 LTA TO SHUT DOWN RADIO AND TELEVISION STATION Al-Varney Rogers
[email protected] and Television stations the LTA consider illegal and intend to close. McCritty added Liberia's frequency is limited and the LTA will protect it from violators. According to McCritty, there people and organizations on the LTA waiting list who are willing to pay for frequency that other are delinquent in paying. Commissioner McCritty said, the LTA give delinquent small service provider assigned spectrum frequency thirty days notice adding that the delinquent parties fail to adhere to LTA regulation. McCritty continues: "In November last year we gave them 30 days notice to conform. It has been four months now and some providers still have not contacted us." he said, the thirty days notice was for radio, TV and VSAT operator to update and regularize their licenses. "This process includes getting the necessary permit for TV and radio service providers from the Ministry of Information." "This is a public warning that the LTA is moving ahead to revoke licenses of those entities that are not in conformity," McCritty added. McCritty said, that media houses cannot operate in total disregard to the LTA regulations adding that such act is theft and robbing the nation of much needed revenue. The LTA Commissioner said, The duration of each license is not more than twelve months add that it should be renewed each year. McCritty named, Commercial radio station, Non-Commercial radio station and Community Radio Station as how radio and television stations are classified and licensed. According to McCritty, Last year the LTA issued seventeen new class licenses and renewed forty-four. "The LTA is responsible for allotting frequencies after permits have been secured and then we do our due diligence." This involves verifying the permit, doing a thorough B Monrovia- arely a week and the half to the celebration of World Press Freedom Day the Liberia Telecommunication Authority has threaten to shut down radio and Television stations, it consider illegally operating. "There are some radio stations that are operating without any reference to the LTA whatsoever, they are illegal, and those entities we will shut you down completely," LTA Commissioner of the Licensing, regulations Anthony McCritty warned. Commissioner McCritty who was accompany by the Chairperson of the LTA Angelique Weeks made the pronouncement at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing. McCritty fail to name the radio business registration background check and then the assignment of frequency based on availability. McCritty said, the LTA will invite delinquent parties to ask them, and give them an opportunity to show cause why the LTA should not revoke their license. Before the pronouncement by the LTA of it new measures against medal houses, the LTA has already begun inviting media outlets. The LiberiaTelecommunication Authority with the Ministry of Information cited Henry Costa and his partners to a conference on Thursday to provide reason why his newly radio station license of 102.7 should not be revoked. In the Communication the LTA said, the invitation is part of its core functions among which is the establishment of measures to enforce the implementation of the Telecommunication act and to prohibit certain kind of conduct contrary to the orderly development and regulation of the sector. Monday, April 28, 2014 F BRYANT SENDING MESSAGE Woods urges family not to back down, fulfill wishes of fallen NTGL Leader F PAGE RONT NEWS EXTRA Frontpage Page 9 American Underwriters Group INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE JG Bull BLDG, Randall Street, Adjancent DITCO Store Announcement In keeping with the vehicle and Traffic Law; Title 38, approved May 9, 1972, and published in 1978, the Government of Liberia is pleased to announce the approved rates for Third Party Compulsory Motor Insurance Policy in Liberia. These rates take effect January 2, 1996. No. 1 2 3 Category of Vehicles Taxi Transport Pick-Up S/Size-1/2 Ton B/Size 1 ½ Ton Transport Buses S/S-Max 18 Persons M/S-30 Persons B/S-30 Over Persons Transport Truck 10 Tons (10 Tires) 12 Tons (12 Tires) 14-18 Tons (18 Tires) Trailer-22 Tires Private Car (PC + Personal Plate Sedan Jeep Business Car (BC) Sudan Jeep Pick Up PP BP Business Truck (BT) 10-Tons (10 Tires) 12-Tons (10 Tires) 14-18 Tons (18 Tires) Trailer (22 Tires) Business Bus (BB) S/S-Min 6-8 Persons S/S-Max 18 Persons M/S- 30 Persons B/S-30 Over Persons Private Bus (PB) S/S-Max 18 Persons M/S-30 Persons B/S-30 Over Persons Private Truck (PT) Private Motorbike Business Motorbike 335.00 385.00 420.00 575.00 150.00 125.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 250.00 440.00 480.00 520.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 575.00 600.00 640.00 800.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 250.00 300.00 15.00 15.00 175.00 225.00 15.00 15.00 150.00 225.00 15.00 15.00 720.00 750.00 800.00 1,000.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 550.00 600.00 650.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 400.00 425.00 450.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 M/Size- 1 Ton Approved Rates Price US$300.00 $ 15.00 Sticker Price ormer Public Works Minister and Human Rights Advocate Samuel Kofi Woods says he supports the will of the Former transitional government Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant as publicized by the family of the former NTGL Chairman. "If that is his wish, I support it and we should respect it. He's sending a message about a new value system, about an order gone wrong. If I'm condemned, I take a side”. Woods continues: "in a country where you serve in government and leave you must be demonized. There is a lot of deceit in this country, if Chairman Bryant had a wish it must be carried out. Information Minister Lewis Brown on Thursday said the government of Liberia has not received any official notification from the family of the former head of the National Transitional Government preventing the government from participating in the funeral of the fallen statesman. Minister Brown said: "As yet the government, not that I know of, has received no formal communication from the family to the effect that the government should abstain." Minister Brown continues:" sometimes we do not understand or sometimes, filled with emotions, we do forget that the state performance of its function is an obligation." But the former Public Works Minister said the action of the Chairman of the NTGL is a silent protest adding it is meant to change a system that has gone wrong. "I'm not saying it is only this government but this government is in a better position to change what has been perpetuated by previous government." Minister Brown said, the NTGL chairman death should not be political adding that people should not erase his memory. "And so when the state performs funeral rites, including which I will get into, the publication of official gazettes, the shrinking for the national ensigns on the casket and the flag flown half way. It is not to honor the government, it is to honor the service of the person who has died”, Brown added. Al-Varney Rogers
[email protected] 0886304498 According to the Human Rights activist, Chairman Bryant live like a politician and it is not surprising that his death is political. Woods continues:"look this man spend most of his life as a politician, he served as the chairman of the Liberia Action Party and then chairman of the transitional government so his death will be political." The former Public Works Minister said this current government should not be associated with his death if he dies. Woods’ Will, no state involvement "I can say to you today if I die under a system I served eight years, I don't want them to be associated with my death, Woods added. I don't want anybody to come and pretend that I'm a former Public Works Minister," Wood said. Minister Woods added that vices that led to the 1979 rice riot, 1980 coupe and the civil war still exist in this government. He said, the government has not done much to fight corruption." When you call for asset declaration only some can declare and other cannot declare." Woods stated: "The former solicitor General Wilkins Wright submitted names that should be prosecuted and those that needed further investigation nothing has been done since 2011 to prosecute those people." Woods said, the experiences of marginalization and misuse of power in the past continue to surface in this current government. Ugly past still lingers Woods added that the Liberian society is faced with contradiction."Those experiences of the past continue to show it head." The former Public Work Minister said, there are some people who are intended to limit the experience in Liberia to April 14 and 12. This is the month of April, I sat quietly; let us not use that history to stop our people from protesting. Woods said, the people have the right to peacefully assemble and get redress. "Nobody should tell you that peaceful assembly is a declaration of war." Woods furthered: “This sense of fear usually comes from the ruling elite.”The issue of 1979 was initiated by the people who put gun on the street." Woods urged the young people to read the Brownell report. “What they want to do is to declare the state innocent for what they did. Minister Woods spoke during a honoring program by students of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University who dedicated their class year book in honor of the former Public Works Minister. President of the 2012 Senior Class Cyrus Flanzamaton said, the dedication is in appreciation of the assistance students received from the former Public Works Minister. "Many young people make request funding from government officials and those money gather are not used for the right purpose so we here today to erase that notion," Flanzamaton said. According to Flanzamaton, Woods provided students internship opportunity adding that when other government institutions refuse to give them such opportunity. 4. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Please ask Pearl – 0886 578 981/ Lucinda – 0886 514 623 / 0777 514 623 / AB – 0886 529 776 Page 10 | Frontpage Monday, April 28, 2014 Brownie Samukai injunction letter being delivered to Nassa An Official of FLY candidates for the post of president some youth running with placard Youth in the hall Youth rejoicing before elections Some youth protesting over injuction letter Monday, April 28, 2014 “EXTREME MILITANCY IS NOT THE SOLUTION” Minister Samukai Cautions Youth Mae Azango
[email protected] F PAGE RONT POLITICS US GOVERNMENT PLEDGES SUPPORT TO LNP F Frontpage Page 11 PAGE RONT LAW & ORDER I Monrovia: t was not all peaceful over the weekend, when youth from across Liberia gathered in Kakata Margibi County for the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) General Assembly and the presidential elections. Tensions began to mount as youth started singing slogans “we will proceed” when a Sheriff from the court in Kakata, presented a letter of injunction to FLY leadership to sign and stop the elections. But FLY president Mohammed Nassa refused to sign for the writ of injunction as the election went ahead. Extreme militarism has not worked Serving as keynote speaker after witnessing the brief episode at the Kakata City Hall, Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai strongly cautioned the youth to act right in the midst of chaos. “Let me caution you, that extremism has not worked in the past and it won’t work now. So militancy leading to violence, will not give you a solution to your problems; activism leading to confusion is detrimental to your own future,” Says Defense Minister Brownie Samukai. The Defense Minister said as the youth prepare to lead, it is required of them to show responsible leadership. “It is your time to lead, but you must show that your leadership does not base on extreme militancy, extreme activism and that your leadership does not base on the fallacy that the crowd will take you forward. You must think and ask those fundamental questions before you act.” Narrating his personal background, while growing up along with 25 other children in the home where meals were not always available, Samukai added that he went through tough times. “I attended public schools and never had all A’s but I read at every given opportunity to prepare myself. I was involved in militancy at the University of Liberia Campus, but I did not go to the full front nor stayed in the rear, but I was right in the middle of things, but at the same time I was broadening my horizon and preparing myself for the future.” Samukai said after 55 years, he had seen many friends whom he said when they started school together went to the extreme of militancy, and I has left them there. Minister Samukai said others who decided not to be a part of the process left their friends in the middle and moving forward in preparing themselves as he did, he now see them as colleagues and peers both in government and the private sectors. “It is not an easy future out there, I tell you, because when you T should show to others, who don’t believe that you can organize yourselves in a disciplined way, you should disappoint them”, Minister Samukai said. FLY has been in dispute over the holding of elections which resulted into some members filling an injunction on the electoral process. In the petition filed on their behalf by the Jones and Jones Law Firm which also prays for injunction against the interim leadership of LINSU headed by Varney Jarsey, the petitioners called on the current leadership to step down, contending that its tenure of two years as provided for under the LINSU Constitution has since expired in December 2013. “The tenure of the Varney Jersey leadership has since expired yet the body is still poising as leader of the student union and going about holding illegal election around the country and denying other students leaders from participating in election, which is illegal. This is why we have gone to court to seek redress” said Chebio W. Dickerson, former President, Student Representative Council (Stella Maris Polytechnic). Despite the ongoing court process, the FLY election went ahead in Kakata on Saturday. It is not clear what will the next step for the court give that the federation has already conducted election in contravention of the court’s order. Similar situation occurred with the Press Union of Liberia and two members went to court protesting their disqualification from election. While the Union’s members had gathered in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to conduct election, a Sheriff from the Court appeared and served a writ of injunction which thwarted the electoral process. The PUL and its members returned to Monrovia and resolved the confusion before going into election but for FLY the Federation rejected the writ of injunction from the court. Monroviahe United States Government through its Embassy near Monrovia has reaffirmed its readiness and commitment in assisting the Liberian Government build the capacity of the Liberia National Police, but stressed the need for improve police conduct. Ambassador Deborah Malacsaid good police conduct towards citizens is significant in a democratic environment such as Liberia, and lauded the police administration for stringent measures taken against officerswho have contravened the Police Duty manual. A Police press release quotes Ambassador Malac as saying thatthe US Government renewed commitment to the police is predicated on the level of professionalism the LNP has exhibited in the execution of its statutory mediate,especially the improved provision of security for the people of Liberia. In a meeting with seniorpolice officers of the Liberia National Police, theUS Ambassadorpromised her government willingness to provide spare parts for broken down police vehicles to have them back in full police operations. She stressed that with the potential drawdown of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, it was significant for the police force to be fully equipped to meet the security needs of the Liberian people in the absence of UNMIL. She said her government is impressed with the improvement made in police officers conduct, and requested the Police leadership to focus on the work of Professional Standards Division to have it win public confidence. Amb. Malac assured the LNP that the US Government support tothe ERU and PSU will include the Professional Standards Division. In respond Police Director Col. Clarence Massaquoi narrated the logistical difficulties being experienced by the LNP in fulfilling its obligations to the people of Liberia. He told the US Envoy that despite difficulties facing the police force it will remain committed in fighting crime for the Liberian society. Commenting on the conduct of police officers, the LNP boss assured Ambassador Malac of his administration commitment in addressing misconduct in the police. He informed the US Envoy of measures his administration has taken to curb misdoing in the police, by suspending, dismissing, and forwarding for prosecution officers that have committed transgression. He lauded the US Government for the continuous support being rendered to the police in the wake of major logistical challenge. leave the academic hall today and the student environment and the confines of the youthful organization, it becomes a death or play field out there when you are to make decisions that affect the lives of people,” He emphasized. “When you are in the position to make decisions for people, it tests your human ignorance, it tests your academic capability, and it tests your preparedness over the years that you have grown up. The question to you is as young people, how would your ideas transform the society from which you came? This is why it is important that you should prepare yourself now.” He questioned the youth as to what role are they going to play in their own elections and elections to come, inquiring whether they are going to continue to play the militancy role or they are going to play the role of being better leaders of tomorrow. “How prepared are you in the whole process? Do not allow yourself to be influenced by those who have successes and want you to go the extreme. Do not allow yourselves to be influenced by those at the chronicle of authority today and want you to continue to be their bed boys or bed girls. Do not allow yourself to be carried away by materialism that people are running around for, but prepare yourselves for the future.” He advised the youth to be very honest and create a sense of integrity and discipline, noting that the ability to control and manage their emotions is the ability to be able to determine that they won’t be moved to undertake actions that may be detrimental to their fellowman or communities. “You may have the best ideas but in the mist of chaos those ideas will not be heard, you may have the best sight, but in the mist of dust, you may not be able to see. So what you need is an environment where your ideas can be respected.” Samukai who said he does not see himself going further in his career because he had worked for several years in many capacities, thinks it is time for the youth to take over. “I do not see myself going any further in my career after working so many places, but I believe that you have to replace us. If we continue to occupy your future, then it means the future of the nation is bleak, if we continue to say that it is only experiences we need, then the aspirations of these young people won’t go forward. So we will have to trust that you too can lead this country, but in order to do so, you have to be prepared. I hope that when we leave today, you won’t end up in confusion. You ON CHARGES OF ARMED ROBBERY, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Monrovia- YEKEH ARRESTED T he Roberts International Airport Magisterial court on multiple charges by and thru the Liberia National Police has arrested a former senior police officer during the regime of former President Charles Taylor along with others. Yekeh Kolubah, was ordered through the RIA Magisterial Court on charges of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery and criminal mischief. In a writ of arrest issued on April 25 the magisterial court stated “You are hereby commanded to arrest the living bodies of defendants Yekeh Kolubah, Elijah, Shadrack and others to be identified, defendants charged with the commission of the crimes of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery and criminal mischief, to be forwarded before this Honourable Court for criminal prosecution as provided for by the law controlling”. No compromise The court’s order indicated that there is no compromise in the arrest of the defendants, mandating that when the defendants are arrested at night, they should be detained at the nearest police station. “That in the even the defendants are arrested in the night or during non court working day, you are hereby commanded to have the defendants detained at the nearest police detention cell to be forwarded before this court on the next court working day before this court for trial”, stated the arrest order. According to the court record, since the defendants have placed themselves in hiding, to prevent arrest and prosecution, there is no compromise for their arrest. “That, there is no COMPROMISE for the arrest of the said defendants herein mentioned, since indeed they have placed themselves into hiding purposely to prevent arrest and prosecution”, the Magisterial Court ordered. The court in a communication to the Director of the Liberia National Police, appealed to the police to help arrest the defendants. Sated the court letter “Wherefore, and in view of the foregoing, this Honourable will appreciate were you to kindly assist by the provision of additional manpower to augment the strength of the court officers in effecting the arrest order herewith attached”. Yekeh was one of the powerful police officers during the regime of former President Charles Taylor and was acclaimed for combating armed robbery. It is now an irony that a once police officer who was known for fighting armed robbery is now allegedly involved in such act. Yekeh has been a strong advocate against the current police regime, criticizing the current officials of the force of involvement in acts of corruption. He has been calling on public talks-shows narrating internal events at the police. Page 12 | Frontpage F PAGE RONT G Monrovia: MONTSERRADO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT BRANDY CELEBRATES ONE YEAR IN OFFICE NEWS EXTRA Monday, April 28, 2014 race T. Kpan, tenure as Superintendent of the most populous county in Liberia, Montserrado ended on a sour note as she was ordered jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison by the House of Representatives, a crisis that led to her resignation. The controversy surrounding her departure grew from the use of County development fund which culminated into a famous recording of a lawmaker, Edward Ford who was recorded saying “you eat I eat”, in connection with dishing out County development Fund. Stepping in the shoes of Kpan, Madam Florence Brandy, current Superintendent of Montserrado County during the weekend celebrated her one year anniversary in office as superintendent of Montserrado after taking over from her predecessor Kpan who lost her job because she felt out of favor with the County Caucus. At an indoor program held at her Bentol office in Montserrado County Madam Brandy boasted of making tremendous progress during her first year in the implementation of several projects while some are ongoing under the County Development funds. Amongst several things she named the decentralization of local government activities through the construction of several commission offices in almost all districts in the County, the construction of a public school for the first time in Dowen Town Toedee district and the ground breaking of several other projects in Montserrado County. She also told the gathering that her administration has STEPPING IN KPAN’S SHOES Henry Karmo (0886522495)
[email protected] of government for not collaborating with other officials in implementing government activities making specific reference to the Health Ministry who according to her failed to inform and invite her to a world Malaria day program held in Monrovia despite her position as chair person on the County health board. Ghost names on Payroll a challenge Superintendent Brandy named ghost names on payroll as a major challenge her administration is faced with and warned the Civil Service Agency (CSA) to involve heads of agencies and Ministries in the ongoing payroll cleaning up process. “There are names of people on government payroll but we don’t know them and there are also people who we see going to work every day but are not receiving pay. We want our people to get pay, we want our people to benefit from their labor,” she stated. Meanwhile, the Liberia Broadcasting system Workers Union on Friday bestowed upon the county superintendent an honorary award for her excellent leadership. The award according to the president of the Union Marlon Johnson comes as a result of a careful look at her activities as the Superintendent and the dignity her work has brought to the county especially in the areas of development. Former superintendent Kpan woes started when she refused to honor a request from completed some projects that was started during the tenure of her predecessor Kpan and new projects some new projects she started during her one year of leadership. Secret to success Brandy Said: “My people I met Montserrado County in pieces it was in this very hall that we are in today reconciliation took place because I come to know that in the mix of confusion there will be no development.” She called on superintendents of other counties to reconcile with their legislative caucuses because according to her in the absence of reconciliation and coordination the ordinary Liberians will be deprived of benefiting from their social development fund. She commended the Legislative caucus of Montserrado County for the level of coordination shown her during her first year her in office and promised to do everything possible in the interest of the citizens to continue such collaborations and coordination that will subsequently result into development for the benefit of the ordinary Liberian. “I like to use this occasion to call on my colleagues who are superintendents in other counties that when two elephants fight it is the grass that suffers and the grass we are referring to here are the ordinary Liberians. Whenever there is a fight between the superintendent and the Caucus there can be no development. So I call on superintendents to reconcile with their caucus so that all of our citizens in all counties can benefit from their PAGE RONT A Monrovia: PROSECUTION DEMANDED IN ‘LAUNDERED 400K’ IN PRESIDENT SIRLEAF’S HOME F CORRUPTION WATCH county development fund,” she said. The Montserrado County superintendent also disclosed of plans by her office to establish a special fund through the support of the County Caucus and the office of the President that will be contributed to by businesses in the County and will be used exclusively for development in the county. Coordination amongst officials of Government She further stressed the need for officials in government to coordinate their activities in the interest of the Country and its citizens. “Whether you are superintendent or Minister we all have one agenda and that agenda is to promote government agenda,” she added. She frowned on some officials member of the county Caucus to disburse funds from the county development funds for earmarked projects and scholarship. It went from bad to worse when she decided to release a secret conversation she had with the chairman of the County Legislative Caucus, Representative Edward Froh who was heard telling the County superintendent to share certain amount intended for the implementation of certain projects for the celebration of that year Independence Day. Kpaan after numerous attempt by the county Caucus to have her disbursed the funds failed she was invited by plenary of the House of Representative to appear and show cause for her continue disrespect shown to the Caucus members. She was mandated to restitute over fifty thousand United States dollars she claimed to have used for the purchase of a mini bus, and provide receipts for all transaction done under the county development fund. Kpaan refusal to adhere to the plenary order landed her into prison at the Monrovia central prison but was rescued by than acting City Mayor Mary Broh both of whom were declared non-governmental materials and a communication was served to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to with immediate effect asking her to dismiss the two officials of government. n anti money laundering specialist says the case of 400,000 transferred using a computer at the home of president Sirleaf in 2008 is a typical case of money laundering and must be prosecuted if Liberia is serious to fight money laundering. Money Laundering involves taking criminal proceeds and disguising their illegal sources in anticipation of ultimately using the criminal proceeds to perform legal and illegal activities, simply money laundering is the process of making dirty money looks clean and the specialist believes the practice is common in Liberia. “Money laundering is taking place in this country, higher ups are mostly involved in this act, take for example somebody sat at the home of our president and transferred 400,000 using a computer to another person, that was in the Dunn Commission report, today we do not hear about it again, why, people are cleaning their dirty money and the LACC must take the lead and investigate these things void of political influence”, Edwin W. Harris, Jr. National Director of Center Against Money laundering and Terrorist Financing in Liberia. Harris said the Dunn Commission report since its submission is dusting on the shelves when individuals should be held accountable for their actions. The Dunn Commission was an investigative committee headed by Dr. Elwood Dunn to investigate a stream of emails linking officials of the Liberian government to acts of corruption published by FrontpageAfrica. com, (FPA). In August 2008, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Dr. Elwood Dunn to head the investigative commission to ascertain the facts. In the final report the Commission indicated that a computer from the home of the President was used during the transaction including the transfer of US$400,000. “A computer from the President home was used by a sister to the President of Sierra Leone to transfer 400,000 that is dirty money, you see that lady use the highest office in land to clean her money and we Liberians sit and look at these things, bigger ones could be taking place in this country, we need to prosecution”, Harris stated. According to Harris there are predicated crimes that are committed before money is laundered indicating that all those crimes are visible in Liberia which indicates that money laundering is prevalent in the country. He named corruption, embezzlement, tax eviction, bribery and other crimes as those that are common in Liberia, something he said makes the country a suitable place for drug kingpins and other foreign criminals to clean their “dirty” money. Worth analysis Harris said money laundering takes place in various forms and such as individuals who have acquired money from criminal sources disguise their source of the money operating businesses which they later claim to be the actual source of their illegal money. “We need to do worth analysis here, President Sirleaf told us her son Robert Sirleaf was working on Pro bono basis at the Oil Company, but we see Robert Sirleaf Foundation, BYC football Club, where did he get that money to do what he is doing? That is an example of money laundering, money was acquired somewhere illegally and people want to clean it”, he disclosed. The civil society activist said many other instances are taking place in the country with individuals hiding their criminal money under the pretext of doing business. Speaking at a one day symposium under the theme “building a concerted effort in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and illicit drug trafficking in Liberia”, Harris disclosed that because of political connection, Harris said individuals are allowed to commit crimes in Liberia and go free, citing the drugs trafficking problem affecting Liberia as an example. “Every time we hear about security vehicles used in transporting drugs, people are using political connection to use our country to traffic drugs”, he alarmed. With Afghanistan as one of the major sources of drugs, through Pakistan to other countries Harris said members of the Pakistani contingent of the United Nations Mission in Liberia should not be given preferential treatment when they are traveling from Pakistan to Liberia. “You cannot have people travelling from country like Pakistan which is a transit point for drugs from Afghanistan and you give that person special treatment, not searching their bags, drugs trade is a money making venture and even security personnel can transport it like we are seen here, so we do not need special treatment, else our country will get rotten with drugs”. Liberia, a boiling point Col. Sam Lomax, Chief of Operations of the Protective and Internal Security Division of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization said money laundering is a serious issue in the entire sub region. “Money laundering is a serious issue within the sub region and not only Liberia. However, Liberia is being considered by criminals as boiling point for several criminal conducts and as such, it requires the consolidated efforts of every Liberian to safeguard the country”, said Col. Lomax. Col. Lomax warned drug traffickers that by using or trafficking drugs they could become addicted to the act. “As we go on fighting the usage of Drugs in the country, let me flag this aspect to those who are trading in this act to know that, if you use drugs or trafficking same, you are more at risk of crossing the line from casual use to drug abuse and addiction”. STILL PRESIDENT REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET QUAQUA Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale Monday, April 28, 2014 F PAGE RONT MEDIA ISSUES Frontpage Page 13 Former Press Union of Liberia President Peter Quaqua elected head of West African Journalists Association(WAJA) FREE PRESS BRIEFING F FPA NEWSROOM CHIEF WADE WILLIAMS TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY BRIEFING AT THE UN Monrovia — rontPageAfrica’s Newsroom Chief Wade Williams will form part of a panel discussion on Media freedom at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in observance of this year’s World Press Freedom which will be celebrated on May 3rd. The briefing, which will be moderated by Peter LaunskyTieffenthal, the UN UnderSecretary-General for Communications & Public Information, is hosted by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in cooperation with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Other Panelists include Maher Nasser (Moderator), Director of Outreach Division at Department of Public Information; Yehia Ghanem, International Journalist in Residence at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism; Delfine Halgand, US Representative for Reporters without Borders and Agnes Callamard, Director at Freedom of Expression and Information Project. The briefing which will take place on May 1st, 2014, will be held at UN Headquarters in New York under the theme: ‘Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda.’ The briefing will be webcast live at webtv.un.org. Viewers will be allowed to post questions and comments during the session on Facebook (UNDPINGO) or Twitter (#DPINGO @ UNDPINGO #WPFD). Wade was awarded Liberian Journalist of the Year in 2013 as well as the German Development Media Award for Africa. In 2012 she was a recipient of the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold fellowship becoming one of four international journalists chosen to spend three months in New York City covering the United Nations and the 2012 UN General Assembly. In that role she broke stories with dramatic repercussions in Liberia and again received death threats, this time for her reporting on the UN’s criticism of Liberian government efforts to end female genital cutting by traditional societies. In 2012 she received the national awards for human rights and political affairs reporting, joining only a handful of women who have won national reporting awards in Liberia. She has been chosen to accompany the M Monrovia - From left: Nigeria Union of Journalists National Secretary, Mr Shuaibu Usman-Leman; Coordinator, Waja Capacity Building Project, Mrs. Ndey Tapha-Sussen, Out-going President, West African Journalists Association (waja)/NUJ national president, Alhaji Mohammed Garba; Incoming President, Mr. Peter Quaqua and National President of NAWOJ, Mrs. Asabe Baba-Nahaya, at the 8th ordinary congress of West African Journalists association (waja) in Abuja last Friday. r. Peter Quaqua, the former President of the Press Union of Liberia has been elected as President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA). Mr. Quaqua won the elections this evening at the 8th Ordinary Congress of the Association in Abuja, Nigeria. He succeeds Mr. Mohammed Garba from Nigeria, who was recently elected President of the Federation of African Journalists. PUL President Abdullai Kamara says the victory of Mr. Quaqua is a universal affirmation of the level of quality leadership he provided in Liberia, and would herald a firm approach to supporting freedom of expression across West Africa. Prior to his election as President of the WAJA, Mr. Quaqua served as Treasurer. PUL RESOLVE NATIONAL CHRONICLE - SENATE PRESS STAND-OFF president and government ministers on trips to West African neighbors and the World Bank Forum in Washington D.C. Wade holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the United Methodist University. As a student, Wade pioneered the first student newsletter, Inside UMU, and graduated magna cum laude. Wade is the second FrontPageAfrica staff to serve on a UN panel. In 2009, Publisher Rodney Sieh served as a panelist at a United Nations Peacebuilding panel. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. It is an opportunity to: celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The focus this year is on three inter-related themes: the media’s importance in development; the safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity of journalism. An international conference will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 5-6 May. According to UNESCO, World Press Freedom Day is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide”. A UNESCO briefing statement previewing this years’ festivities states that the day “serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, it is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.” The UNESCO statement continues: “Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated,” emphasized a UN resolution adopted by the General Assembly on December 14th 1946. The resolution further adds that “Freedom of information implies the right to gather, transmit and publish news anywhere and everywhere without fetters. As such it is an essential factor in any serious effort to promote the peace and progress of the world.” T Monrovia - The mediation followed a complaint filed by the Director of the Senate Press Bureau Jarlawah A. Tonpo, in which he accused the National Chronicle of maligning his character following a report in the paper that Tonpo had led a group of ex-combatants to attack the paper and its reporter. The National Chronicle, in successive editions, alleged that Tonpo led the group that threatened to attack Reporter Monica Samuel and burn down their offices, when he called at the paper's office to verify facts about a murder story it published, to which Bomi Senator Lahai Lassanah and one Victor Jah were linked. The Senate Press Bureau, while seeking the PUL's intervention in what it called an erroneous publication by the paper, also suspended the National Chronicle from covering the Senate, pending the union's intervention. During its investigation into the saga Thursday, both parties realized that they at some point "overly acted" and agreed to bury their differences and proceed with their respective duties. Tonpo denied taking with him ex-combatants at the National Chronicle's office, but admitted that they might have followed the driver of Senator Lansannah who drove him at the Paper's office. In resolving the stand-off, the Press Union of Liberia blamed the Senate Press Director for the action of the unauthorized men at the offices of the National Chronicle from the fact that they were accomplices of the Senator's driver, who had himself followed Tonpo. The PUL also denounced any action aimed at denying journalists access to public facilities, on account of disagreements. “This action is a violation of the media entity's right to public information, and it undermines free speech and press freedom in any democratic society," PUL President Abdullai Kamara said. he Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has resolved a standoff between the National Chronicle Newspaper and the Press Bureau of the Liberian Senate. Page 14 | Frontpage THAI PROTEST LEADER ARRESTED ON SEVERAL CHARGES IN BRIEF I O n Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Internet originally was a "CIA project" and "is still developing as such." The comments sound paranoid, but they actually serve Putin's aims well. Today, Russia is leading the charge for breaking up the Internet as it currently functions by running Web traffic through servers in each respective country. "In two years we may get a completely different Internet," Russian investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov told BI. "It might be a collection of Intranets instead of one Internet. Actually I think it's very possible." BRITAIN'S EJIOFOR CONNECTS TO NIGERIAN ROOTS WITH CIVIL WAR FILM F KENYAN PRESIDENT SAYS WILL NOT ALLOW GENOCIDE IN SOUTH SUDAN Lagos (AFP) or Oscar-nominated British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, starring in a film about Nigeria's civil war was "incredibly personal", as the conflict both affected close relatives and determined the country where he was born. His own grandfather had lived through the nightmare played out in "Half of a Yellow Sun" and spent long hours years later recounting the painful memories to Ejiofor. Set to premiere in Nigeria on Friday, the country's censorship board has now postponed the release. Board spokesman Caesar Kagho told AFP there were "regulatory issues" but that the film had not been "officially banned" and further details would be issued later Friday. n this Wednesday, March, 21, 2010 photo, new members of the Zurich City Council stand with Mayor Co … Inside the long-awaited package, six pages of government paperwork dryly affirmed Carol Tapanila's anxious request. But when Tapanila slipped the contents from the brown envelope, she saw there was something more. "We the people...." declared the script inside her U.S. passport — now with four holes punched through it from cover to cover. Her departure from life as an American was stamped final on the same page: "Bearer Expatriated Self." With the envelope's arrival, Tapanila, a native of upstate New York who has lived in Canada since 1969, joined a largely overlooked surge of Americans rejecting what is, to millions, a highly sought prize: U.S. citizenship. Last year, the U.S. government reported a record 2,999 people renounced citizenship or terminated permanent residency; most are widely assumed to be driven by a desire to avoid paying taxes on hidden wealth. The reality, though, is more complicated. The government's pursuit of tax evaders among Americans living abroad is indeed driving the jump in abandoned citizenship, experts say. But renouncers — whose ranks have swelled more than five-fold from a decade ago — often contradict the stereotype of the financial scoundrel. Many are from very ordinary economic circumstances. Some call themselves "accidental Americans," who recall little of life in the U.S., but long ago happened to be born in it. Others say they renounced because of politics, family or personal identity. Some say signing away citizenship was a huge relief. Others recall being sickened by the decision. At the U.S. consulate in Geneva, "I talked to a man who explained to me that I could never, ever get my nationality back," says Donna-Lane Nelson, whose Boston accent lingers though she's lived in Switzerland 24 years. "It felt like a divorce. It felt like a death. I took the second oath and I left the F PAGE RONT WORLD NEWS Monday, April 28, 2014 consulate and I threw up." When Americans do hear about compatriots rejecting citizenship, it's more often people keeping their U.S. citizenship and dropping that of another country. Last year, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz acknowledged the Canadian citizenship he was born to, but said he would renounce it. In 2012, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, saying she was "100 percent committed to our United States Constitution," announced she was giving up Swiss citizenship gained through marriage. One of the few times rejected U.S. citizenship has gotten significant ink was Facebook RENOUNCING AMERICA More renounce US citizenship but deny stereotype co-founder Eduardo Saverin's 2011 decision to turn in his American passport after moving to Singapore. Saverin likely avoided millions of dollars in taxes by doing so shortly before Facebook's initial stock offering. Other wealthy Americans also have relinquished U.S. citizenship. Denise Rich, the ex-wife of pardoned trader Marc Rich, expatriated in 2012 and lives in London. Last fall, singer Tina Turner, a resident of Switzerland since 1995, relinquished her U.S. passport. But Saverin's decision, in particular, hit a political nerve, along with scandals surrounding UBS and Credit Suisse, which were caught matching wealthy Americans with offshore accounts. In recent years, federal officials have stepped up pursuit of potential tax evaders, using the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act which requires that Americans overseas report assets to the IRS or pay stiff penalties. Those trying to comply complain of costly fees for accountants and lawyers, having to report the income of non-American spouses, and decisions by some European banks to close accounts of U.S. citizens or deny them loans. But some of those surrendering citizenship say their reasons are as much about life as about taxes, particularly since the U.S. government does not tax Americans abroad on their first $96,600 in yearly income. Decisions to renounce "are driven by a whole range of emotional considerations. ... You've got anger, you've got fear, you've got a strong sense of indignation," said John Richardson, a Toronto lawyer who advises people on expatriation. "For many of these people, this is not a tax issue at all." Even some who acknowledge tax worries say decisions to renounce are far more complicated than a simple desire to avoid paying. T K NAIROBI (Reuters) enya's president said he would not let the conflict in neighbouring South Sudan descend into genocide, though he stopped short of spelling out any action to end the increasingly ethnic slaughter. Four months of fighting between government and rebels in the world's newest nation has raised fears of a wider conflict that could further destabilise a fragile region and send hundreds of thousands more refugees over borders. Uganda, another neighbour of oil-producing South Sudan, has already sent in troops to back the government. Regional bloc IGAD, which is brokering troubled peace talks, has said it will hold a meeting in coming days to "consider options". AMSTERDAM (Reuters) he head of the global chemical weapons watchdog overseeing the destruction of Syria's toxic stockpile is considering launching a factfinding mission on his own initiative to investigate reports of chlorine gas attacks there, sources said. Syria became a member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) last year as part of a deal with Russia and the United States to destroy its chemical weapons program. OPCW head Ahmet Uzumcu has the authority to launch an investigation into alleged use of chemical weapons in member states, including Syria, without the need to seek a formal request from a member state, sources told Reuters on Thursday. "The OPCW director general is considering, on his own CHEMICAL WEAPONS WATCHDOG WEIGHS CHLORINE ATTACK PROBE IN SYRIA: SOURCES initiative, sending a factfinding mission," one source said. "A number of questions are still to be answered: Syrian consent, mandate of the mission, participants from other organizations, such as the World Health Organization," the source said. OPCW spokesman Michael Luhan declined to comment. Several of Washington's key European allies, including Germany and France, support an investigation into the latest claims of chlorine gas use, the sources said. "The indications of the use of chlorine on 11-13 April in Hama province are particularly concerning," a British official said on Thursday. "We think there needs to be an investigation of recent reports of the use of chemical weapons including chlorine, and we are working with others in the international community to establish how that should be done." Syria has vowed to hand over or destroy its entire arsenal by the end of this week. It still has roughly 7.5 percent of the chemicals it declared to the OPCW and has not yet destroyed all of a dozen production and storage facilities. Cooperation from Syria and other international organizations would need to be arranged to provide security because of the country's ongoing civil war, which has left 130,000 dead and forced millions more from their homes. Monday, April 28, 2014 W O Monrovia: hen it was all finished, with Steven Gerrard ruminating on a mistake that threatens to stick to his conscience like superglue, Brendan Rodgers could not disguise his disdain. "There were probably two buses parked today instead of one," he said. Chelsea, he said, had been time-wasting from the first minute, defending with 10 players on the 18-yard line. Liverpool's manager smiled and stabbed. It was not difficult to coach a team to be that negative, he added. No doubt there will be plenty who share his dislike of the way Chelsea set about to smother this game. Their tactics were cynical, calculated and often maddening. They were also, ultimately, spot on and that really was the bottom line after Liverpool's inability to get past those two buses had blown a gaping hole in their title chances. The handbrake was on, the keys had been chucked into the nearest drain and, for the first time in a long time, Anfield watched in something close to silence. Mourinho will not care if the opposition manager wallows in a vat of sour grapes. Call it antifootball, or whatever you like, but this match will not go into the record books with an asterisk to remind everyone that Chelsea did it the ugly way. It may, however, be remembered as the defining moment of Liverpool's season CHELSEA Steven Gerrard Slips, Allows Demba Ba To Score Easy Goal and a personal ordeal for Gerrard bearing in mind the potential consequences. Of all the people, in all the places, nobody could have imagined it would be Gerrard, in front of the Kop, making the mistake that changed everything. Rodgers immediately sought to absolve Gerrard, reminding his players at half-time this was someone who had "picked up this club so many times", and it would need a flint heart not to try to imagine the scale of the player's trauma. Yet this is a hard business and teams that want to win the league cannot be as generous as Gerrard was when Mamadou Sakho's pass rolled under the foot of Liverpool's captain and Demba Bawas suddenly running clear to score. Glen Johnson could be seen in the second half trying to cajole his team-mate but Gerrard played the rest of the match as if he was struggling to shake it out of his system. He knew the ramifications and Liverpool's efforts to retrieve the damage carried none of the elegance and vigour that have been the hallmark of their season. Gerrard, if anything, was too desperate to make amends, rushing his work and trying longrange shots when a simple pass would have been more effective. Chelsea defended with structure, brilliance and the kind of togetherness that seems to come almost naturally to Mourinho's teams on the big occasions. He talked about it afterwards as the immaculate defensive performance – "no mistakes, the best team won" – and it culminated with Liverpool putting so much into trying to find an equaliser that they left themselves vulnerable to that moment, right at the end, when Fernando Torres and Willian broke on the counterattack. The two substitutes had nothing between them and Simon Mignolet but open air. Torres set up Willian and Mourinho was on one of his victory runs, beating his chest, letting out all the pentup emotion. Rodgers had his say afterwards but, lest it be forgotten, this was a Chelsea side put together with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid in mind. Mark Schwarzer, Branislav Ivanovic and César Azpilicueta will start on Wednesday and Ashley Cole has a fair-to-middling EASY, DOES IT FOR Sports Frontpage Page 15 chance. That apart, Mourinho had brought in his support cast, including a 20-year-old centre-half by the name of Tomas Kalas for his Premier League debut. Kalas's previous Chelsea career had consisted of two appearances as an 89th-minute substitute in cup competitions and he recently joked that his role at the club was to be a training-ground cone. Yet he demonstrated here why he has already won a cap for the Czech Republic. "Beautiful," Mourinho said afterwards. "Beautiful … this kid, Liverpool, Anfield, just beautiful." Luis Suárez chose a bad day to have one of his more undistinguished performances but a lot of that was to do with the expertise that Kalas and Ivanovic showed. Azpilicueta and Cole matched them and Schwarzer, at the age of 41, showed there is not a lot that fazes him. "They had 10 behind the ball from the first minute," Rodgers said. He had better get used to it. Mourinho's team gave everything to make sure they could not be added to the list of visitors to Anfield who had been blitzed. Time-wasters? Undoubtedly. They tied their shoelaces. They had collective, and convenient, cramp. They pretended they could not hear the whistle and when they had a throw-in or free-kick nobody was ever in a rush to take it. It was calculated, and often unsatisfactory, and when the ball came to Mourinho there was a telling scene as Gerrard and Jon Flanagan tried to wrestle it off him. Chelsea's manager spun it behind his back and tossed it out of their reach. That was six minutes in. What an irony that it was in the added-on time at the end of the first half – and the referee, Martin Atkinson, really should have included more – that Chelsea took the lead. Liverpool had no choice but to take more risks in the second half but they lacked their usual creativity and dynamism. Willian slipped the ball into an empty net and Liverpool, from a position of command, must fear all that brilliant momentum has gone. RACIST REMARKS FROM CLIPPERS OWNER DONALD STERLING FINALLY PROMPT NBA PROBE SPORT BRIEF D onald Sterling apparently went Donald Sterling the other day in an argument with his girlfriend, and TMZ published what it says is an audio recording of the conversation. So now there's more proof Donald Sterling can ruin anything, even the promising start to the NBA playoffs for his historically bad franchise. The Los Angeles Clippers owner, according to TMZ, is heard on tape making any number of racist comments. The NBA said Saturday it is conducting a "full investigation" into TMZ's recording and called the published comments "disturbing and offensive." Of course, those comments also should come as no surprise to anyone, least of all the NBA, Sterling's fellow owners or the NBA players' union that for years sat around and watched him repeatedly get hammered by the legal system over charges he discriminated in the rental of apartments he owns with his wife in Southern California. This is the worst owner in professional sports and naming the runner-up would be an insult to that guy. CRISTIANO RONALDO'S TWO BEAUTIFUL GOALS FROM DISTANCE AGAINST OSASUNA ARE WORTH WATCHING ne of the strikers of the newly crowned 2013/2014 Liberia Old-timer National Association (LONA) champions Barnesville Old-Timer Sports Association (BOSA) has told FrontPageAfrica that his team won the championship through the hard work by players and officials of the team. Representative Gabriel Nyenka said it is time to give his fellow players their flower for what he called the player’s excellent performances against their opponents in the entire LONA league season. The Representative Nyenka paid tribute to his team Head Coach George Weah and Captain Sylvester Teah for keeping the team on the right path with absolute coaching knowledge which led to their success against their opponents during the league season. Honorable Nyenka said it is time for him personally to extend a hand of gratitude to his entire team officials and fellow players for winning the LONA title because he himself was not present during most of their league matches but his comrade’s fought to bring pride to their association, which he described as a performance never to forget. ‘WE WON LONA CHAMPIONSHIP THROUGH HARD WORK AND TOGETHERNESS’ A. Macaulay Sombai,
[email protected] teams that took part in the league and that they deserve to be honored as champions.” He confirmed that he and his comrades are putting their houses in order to have a get-together for their success in the just ended LONA league. Honorable Nyenka spoke on Saturday after his side 5-4 defeat to BOTFA in the Naomi Chapter #12Other of Easting Star tournament held at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia. He attributed his side lost to BOTFA to the several scoring changes they failed to put into use but he agreed that his opponent’s victory against his side was a clear one and that they will do better in the next tournament. Striker Nyenka came on during the second half of the match when his side was down 1-0 and through the pressure he and his co applied against their opponents they were able to score the equalizer but lost in the penalty kicks. C ristiano Ronaldo reached the 30 goal mark for the season with a brace in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Osasuna and both of his goals were quite lovely. The first goal came just six minutes into the match and, given far too much open space by Osasuna, he coolly banged it in from outside the box. He appeared to be offside, but the goal was allowed to stand. Perhaps because the linesman felt it was too pretty to disallow. Eager to improve on his first, Ronaldo scored again in the 52nd minute, this time with a rising shot that found the top corner like a guided missile. He then celebrated with a theatrical flourish. ATLETICO MADRID TO REPLACE DIEGO COSTA WITH MAN CITY FORWARD A Representative Nyenka worming up before going in for his side against BOTFA “It was through the vast experiences of you Coach Weah and Captain Teah we conquered the majority of our opponents during the entire league season which proved to our opponents the vast experiences you have in the game.” The Representative and striker emphasized that due to Coach Weah vast knowledge in the game he was able to form a team from among the several players that justified their inclusion on the team. “Based on the experience of squad Coach Weah, he formed our team which was able to carry on more ball possession, shot on target and tactical finishing touches which led to our team been crowned champions from among the 20 tletico Madrid are readying a bid for Man City striker Alvaro Negredo as a possible replacement for Diego Costa, who has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon side. Diego Simeone will reportedly look to Spanish international Negredo to fill the void if Costa leaves though a lot would depend on whether Manuel Pellegrini wishes to sell a player who only joined the club last summer. Whilst the 28 year old has now gone some 13 games without a goal Negredo has still racked up a hugely impressive 23 goals in all competitions in his first season at Man City. FrontPage www.frontpageafricaonline.com VOL 8 NO.582 MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014 Sports PRICE L$40 STANDING TALL FrontPage Steven Gerrard Slips, Allows Demba Ba To Score Easy Goal CHELSEA B Monrovia - EASY, DOES IT FOR Spot News NBA Great Bill Russell Takes The Court In Cuttington 1960 ill Russell is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, easily earning a place in the National Basketball Association's Hall of Fame as the greatest defensive player in the history of the league and one of the greatest players of all time. In 1960, Russell was in Liberia, one of several stops that took him to Ethiopia, Libya and next-door Guinea. In Liberia, he found time to shoot hoops on the basketball court at Cuttington College(pictured here with Clifford Flemister and Clifton Flemister. Murry R. Nelson, writing Russell’s Biography notes that in Ethiopia, Russell had a brief conversation with Haile Selassie, the revered emperor of Ethiopia. But it was Liberia he fell in love with - the beautiful geography, the excited, the excited and eager children, the economic successes in the black African nation which was the only independent nation at the time. In addition, Russell ran into financial trouble. He had invested $250,000 into a rubber plantation in Liberia, where he had wanted to spend his retirement, but it went bankrupt. Those were the good old days.