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VOL 9 NO.59 TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATESLIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

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

Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department,

Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1

BUYING SELLING

L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1L$84.00/US$1

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015

News Extra - pg.5

p 6a pg -6aÜ Ü

CDC West Point Lawmaker Begs for mercy

Former Senate Leader

Explains Election Flunk

‘UNDERPERFORMANCE’ FEARING OUSTING

LIBERIA SLAMS MEDIA REPORTS ON NEW EBOLA

AMBASSADOR NYENABO WANTS DIASPORA LIBERIANS SUPPORT

RECONSTRUCTION

RALLY

LIBERIA INCREASES COST TO ECOWAS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

PASSPORT FEE GOES UP

“Consolidated Tax amendment Act of Liberia, Government Agency Fees, Section 2102 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fixed Fees, stipulates that: “The fees for the following services/instruments of the Foreign Affairs Ministry shall be as by regulation prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in

consultation with the minister of Finance and Development Planning and shall be assessed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and paid regularly to the Liberia Revenue Authority for deposit into the

account of the government.” Finance and Development Planning Ministry

‘NO CONFIRMED

CASE’

| Frontpage Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Monrovia-

About four years ago a group of Liberian women were lured into leaving their home country for Lebanon with a promise of jobs and better standard of living, but things turned out for the worse as they were accordingly

abused, used against their will to work without pay and subjected to other forms of inhumane treatment.Following months of appeals, some of their colleagues died from the ill-treatment and the Government of Liberia decided to act in getting freedom for the women.A team comprising officials from the Liberian National Police, Ministry of Labour and others were dispatched to Lebanon to secure the release and subsequent repatriation of the women.Before the departure of the Government delegation, it was announced publicly that the team had the mandate to hold talks with their Lebanese counterparts for the release of the women and possible drawing out of indictment against individuals involved in the trafficking of the women to Lebanon.Justice Minister Cllr. Benedict Sannoh, sometime later announced that all arrangements had gone smoothly and the women were expected to return home.The Liberian delegation has since returned to the country with no official public utterance about the whereabouts of the women or their arrival into the country.Relevant entities including the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia National Police and the Ministry of Labour are yet to disclose the whereabouts of the women, even though sources from these entities have confirmed that the women are already in Liberia.With these officials’ unwillingness to provide official comment on the whereabouts of the women, there are conflicting accounts with some saying the women are still out of the country, while others believe they were brought into the country but are being held in a secret location. Recently Gender Minister Julia Duncan Cassell said the women returned to Liberia and medical examination conducted shows that they are in healthy condition and will be reunited with their families soon.

Police tight-lipped

All efforts to get information on the whereabouts of the women have proven futile, as Police Spokesperson Sam Collins said he has no authority to comment on the issue regarding the women’s arrival into the country.Collins told FPA that his boss has not ordered him to comment on the matter.“I have no authority to comment on the girls who returned from Lebanon, and there is no information I have on them,” Collins said.Labour Minister, Atty. Neto Z. Lighe who headed the Government’s

delegation to Lebanon, disclosed that the girls are in Liberia, but indicated that their location cannot be made public describing the women as victims of human trafficking.’“I led the delegation to Lebanon, the girls are here in Liberia, we said that they are victims and we can’t tell the country now their location, but all we can say is that they are safe, because they are in the Government’s custody,” said Minister Lighe.

Constitutional violation

Human Rights Lawyer and former Labour Minister Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe has expressed shock over the manner in which the Government of Liberia is holding the women describing the action as a violation of provisions of the constitution of Liberia.

“I don’t know why they are hiding those girls; I hope that they change because the constitution prohibits preventive detention, protective custody. There is no provision for that under the constitution; they have not committed any crime here. I don’t know why, except the Government explains further”, said Cllr. Gongloe.He continued: “Human trafficking is headed by the Labour Ministry’s taskforce and we have not followed this issue closely, but from the facts they are presenting, holding the girls hostage is wrong and also the issue of trafficking is also wrong”.Cllr. Gongloe recalled that while serving as Labour Minister, some Bangladeshi citizens were brought to Liberia under the pretence of working with the Arcelor Mittal, but unfortunately they were found on the streets in the country.“I can recall, when I was Labour Minister, some group of people were brought from Bangladesh and they made them to pay three thousand USD each from Bangladesh and they were all over the country. They were told they were to work for Mittal steel somewhere in Ganta and some were around Hotel Africa and we were able to get them back to their country, through the International Organization for Migration”, the former Labour Minister said. Atty. Deddeh Jomah Wilson head of the Sexual and Gender Based Unit (SGBV) of the Ministry of Justice also told FPA that she cannot

disclose the whereabouts of the women, but added that there is an ongoing investigation involving the women.“All I can say is that the girls are undergoing investigation and they have warned us to keep them off the press,” she said.Atty. Wilson furthered: “We can’t give information to press before people start to look for them because we are fighting these Lebanese people and you know they have money.”Narrating their ordeal to FPA few months ago, one of the women Muffittee Panma explained that they were promised good living conditions and jobs by a Lebanese merchant in Liberia. “We were told by a Lebanese businessman, Abbas Debs, owner of the Speedo Printing press in Monrovia, that we were going to Lebanon to do business because his brother had a big business that needed workers, but when we arrived different people who had paid US$ 3,500 for each girl, came for us at the Airport to work as house-girls and be used anyhow in their homes” said Muffittee.The high cost of living in Liberia makes it easy for traffickers to deceive girls and other youth in the country into travelling abroad where they in many instances end up in the wrong place.According to the UN Report on Trafficking, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. Victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls. Surprisingly, in 30% of the countries which provided information on the gender of traffickers, women make up the largest proportion of traffickers. In some parts of the world, women trafficking women is the norm. Muffittee explains that when they arrived in Lebanon, they were told that they would work as house girls, but when they refused and argued that it was not the arrangement, they were beaten and threatened.

The women include:

Bernice Gbar, 25: Came to Lebanon Nov.5, 2011; worked 2 years and 8 months (salary-75 per month) without pay, was beaten and abused sexually. Parents from Grand Bassa County.Muffitte Panma, 25, from Sinoe County; Came to Lebanon August 27, 2013; worked 1 year without pay (salary 250).Grace David, 25, from Nimba County; Came to Lebanon and worked from Nov.15, 2012 to August 2014 without salary 250 promised and was badly beaten and was helped by the Liberian Community in Lebanon.Rema Nyepan, 25, from Maryland County; arrived in Beirut August 17, 2013. Worked 1 year and 5 months without salary 250 that was promised her, she was beaten in the eyes when she asked for the salary.Ayres Jasper, 21, Maryland County; Came to Lebanon Jan.17, 2013. Worked 1 year and 7 months without a salary (250). Boss abused her sexually with videotaping activities.

Atty. Deddeh Jomah Wilson head of the Sexual and Gender Based Unit (SGBV) of the Ministry of Justice also told FPA that

she cannot disclose the whereabouts of the women, but added that there is an ongoing

investigation involving the women.

Bettie Johnson /[email protected]

FrontpageTuesday, March 31, 2015

FrontPagev

CommentaryEDITORIAL

ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf dismissed three officials from the Liberia Institute for Public Administration (LIPA) for discretionarily increasing their salaries while the head of the entity was away from office.THE EXECUTIVE MANSION named the affected individuals as Mr. P. Emmerson Harris, Deputy Director General for Administration and Management; Mr. Richard S. Panton Deputy Director General for Training and Development; and Mr. Harris F. Tarnue, Esq. Deputy Director General for Research and Consultancy.THE MOVE BY the President is welcoming as it will deter heads of other entities from lining their pockets with tax payers’ money through unilateral decisions by increasing their salaries without justifications. WHILE THE PRESIDENT’S decision is welcoming, it is not the first instance where officials of government have increased their salaries and incentives in the absence of a national policy.FOR 10 YEARS the regime of President Sirleaf has not been able to develop a policy setting salaries and other incentives for heads of Government agencies specifically autonomous commissions resulting into huge disparities in salaries and incentives of heads of agencies and autonomous commissions.PROVIDED THAT THESE autonomous commissions have different scope of work, some with income generating capacity and others just service providers, there must be a policy outlining the basis for apportioning salaries and incentives to heads of these agencies and autonomous commissions. WITH NO EXISTING policy, there are no explanations for the high salaries of heads of agencies such as the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the General Auditing Commission, the National Port Authority, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company and others.FOR THE GAC, it was a known fact that the European Union contracted former Auditor General John Morlu, II who was paid by the EU but upon Morlu’s departure with the Government of Liberia taking over the salary of the his successor, Robert Kilby was allowed to pay himself the same EU salary of US$15,000 and since then the trend continues without action from President Sirleaf.THE HEAD OF the LTA also makes around US$15,000 for regulating a small telecommunications sector with President Sirleaf yet to question the basis for such high salary.FEW YEARS BACK when the President was quizzed on salary disparity, she provided a comment that looked like a defense for the high salaries of heads of some autonomous commissions mainly the Liberia Maritime Authority when she declared that the head of the LMA has huge responsibilities and deserves decent income.THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has failed to track the payroll of these autonomous commissions to look out for any unexplained increment in salaries to be able to draw out a policy that will reflect fairness and transparency.IN DRAWING OUT a good and competitive compensation program, fairness, transparency and level of work or output of employees are all taking into account.THE CSA WHICH is statutorily responsible for staffing, pay and benefits, pension, conditions of service and human resources development has failed dismally to develop a policy in 10 years to guide the apportioning of salaries, as such there is no benchmark for setting salaries in these autonomous commissions, agencies and ministries.DISMISSALS OF THREE at LIPA is good news in the fight against waste but equally, the President needs to move beyond LIPA and look into issues of salary disparities in all other agencies, autonomous commissions, and ministries.TACKLING SUCH ISSUE as abuse of public resources through discretionary actions can only be done through holistic actions and not selective because solution at one institution does not heal the overall. PRESIDENT SIRLEAF MUST move beyond LIPA and extend the fight against waste to all other agencies, ministries and autonomous commissions.

COMMENTARY

DISMISSALS FOR DISCRETIONARY

SALARIES MUST BE COMPREHENSIVE

Quiwonkpa Zuo, [email protected], Contributing Writer LIBERIAN LITERACY REDEFINEDThere are few things that bother me more than when

people try to confuse knowing to read and write as being literate and not knowing how as illiterate. This uninformed assumption could not be furthest from the

true meaning of the word. In this piece, I will give you a clear distinction between the two, and how it should be defined in Liberia rather than going along with the present distorted definition that is causing our beloved country so much confusion. But first, I will define literacy as understood by civilized and educated societies; this will be followed by how we Liberians should define the word we perceive as negative – illiterate, and positive form, literate. The word in its most simplistic form is defined as being able to read and write or showing knowledge about a particular subject. Notice the second portion of this simple definition is beginning to reveal the true meaning of the word and removes itself from that narrow definition that the typical Liberian understands. In its broader meaning, literacy is a process that enlightens and changes one’s thoughts and attitudes; is knowledgeable and constant, well-read, scholarly and educated; in essence, it is transformative in its application. It doesn’t look at the world through selfish lenses, but rather employs its scholarly lessons to elevate the communities in which it resides. To put it even simpler: It is the light!! As the good book would say, “By their fruits, we should know them”. Such is literacy. If you’re not bearing the fruits that a literate society bears, simply put, you’re not literate. Now let’s come to Liberia and discuss how we see literacy and how we shouldn’t see it. Now that we know what literacy is, I will focus on what literacy is not. For example, the reliance on foreigners to initiate, engineer, and lead everything that strengthens economic growth in a given location and naively expecting them to put Liberian interests first, the acceptance and indifferent attitude of our overpaid officials towards the long-suffering of the overwhelming majority of the population, the total disregard of the rule of law by the very people charged with upholding it, is the birth of Liberian illiteracy. When you have foreigners come into our country and rape our young women and pillage all we have, walk around boastfully claiming that government officials are “in their pockets” without consequence; commit murders at will, and in many cases walk free. In the few cases where they are tried and convicted, those verdicts are eventually overturn because some corrupt official has been paid off to circumvent statutory laws not realizing his actions devalues the lives of every single Liberian including his own, is nothing but self-hate illiteracy.For those of you who went to America under the age of 40, allowing con artist pastors to chop all you have in your quest to get a visa, fill three acre swamps in Duala so prayer mothers can pray for you, and by some luck you win DV, arrive in America with all the opportunities on God’s green earth presented to you on a silver platter, and you settle for doing “double” in some smelly nursing home, that, my friends, is “your suffering just started” illiteracy. Working three shifts in some group home in America simply to buy an inflated plane ticket to go to Liberia’s 105 degree heat in an Alaskan fur coat to bluff and possibly die from dehydration, is “Jonny just come” illiteracy. Catering to foreigners, especially white ones and refusing to extend that same courtesy to your fellow Liberians because you believe doing so will lower your social economic status, is just plain “inferiority complex” illiteracy. Preaching against nepotism, and when you’re given a double chance to do away with such practice refuse and employs it to the highest degree and claim that since your son’s are qualified (whatever that means) it is not nepotism but a leadership sanctioned by Western Countries, this is treasonable illiteracy. Knowingly appointing incompetents and thieves to very crucial roles in the government to the detriment of the suffering masses is unforgiveable illiteracy. Purchasing $60k luxury vehicles every year (not 10K off road pickups) for officials whose last vehicle rides were in the back of a dump truck in a country with poor roads, poor schools and hospitals, half the population malnourished, infant mortality amongst the highest in the world, unemployment at 80%, corruption, cronyism is rampant, the courts and legislature hold no one to account, this, my friends is time for “drastic action” illiteracy. Electing idiots and thieves who have accomplished nothing in their lives but sat in a cushioned position given them by wicked leaders is “you sentenced yourselves to long-suffering” illiteracy. Buying grades from University of Liberia and claiming you’re education is “just laughable” illiteracy. Stopping a government-issued vehicle in the middle of busy traffic (while everybody else is waiting on you) to make sure everybody sees you in your cheap Chinese suit while talking to a teenage girl you’ve already impregnated, “is 25 to life” illiteracy. Hiring a news anchor who can barely read on a 7th grade level and claiming s/he will learn on the job is simply stupid illiteracy. Studying the dictionary and memorizing fancy vocabularies you can’t properly pronounce is just village illiteracy. Building a million dollars mansion overnight in the mist of the

very people you help impoverished, and when they jump over your poorly built fence to reclaim what you have stolen from them, then you turnaround and call them armed robbers, is “ God bless you” illiteracy. Raping our teenage girls and forcing homosexuality on our boys and claiming they wore provocative clothing in a 105 degree heat is “mob justice justified” illiteracy.Starting LU night school after you get elected (stopped in the 7th grade before the war) and out of sudden you’re the new dux and Suma Cum Laude extraordinaire even though you still can’t read, that’s just “wonders never end” illiteracy. Wearing a three piece suit so people can call you kwi (civilized) as described by the brilliant Liberian Poet Kona Khasu in his poem “Our Man on Broad Street”, is just “mind-boggling” illiteracy. Having a public official fail miserably at his task, millions entrusted to him disappeared, same road paved 3x in one year because the public works minister is a thieving idiot, and a so-called Harvard educated economist (she actually studied something else but goes along with the economist label), reshuffles him as the “special economic advisor to the president” is “third world” illiteracy. Claiming to be educated with a master’s and boasting about your academic prowess, yet your girlfriends live better than your wife and kids; your wife is a stranger who doesn’t even know your salary or any details that could protect the family, whenever you get paid you disappear from your family for days “chartering” drinking spots while your wife and kids beg neighbors for food. Your idea of spending time with your family is coming home drunk at 3 am, vomiting all over the house and telling your 5 year old daughter to keep quiet because she’s crying too much from hunger pains. My people, this is the mother of all illiteracy. Calling poor people in an over populated shanty town “country” for throwing dirt in the streets when the government has not provided any sanitary means of disposing wastes, is just plain “I am holier than thou” illiteracy. Believing that because your embezzlement-funded house, car and office are cleaned, all your friends and closed confidants eat in the best places in town and the next possible Ebola outbreak will skip you because you hang out with gov’t thieves, not realizing these “best place” buy their restaurant food from some of the nastiest, most unsanitary places is just illiteracy “pass max”.I could go on for days, but time and space won’t permit me. Now let’s turn to what civilized people consider literacy and why we can’t straightly limit literacy to reading and writing. When Tamba builds his toilet downhill and his well at the top of the hill taking gravity into consideration and ensuring he does not contaminate his drinking water, that’s health literacy. When Ma Fatta sweeps the sidewalk in her community to keep a clean and safe environment for the kids to play, who can argue that this is not literacy? When brother Trokon’s trap catches a deer and he shares a pound of meat with each member of the village as mandated by tradition, that’s “One for all and all for one” literacy. When a farming village in the hills of Bomi, can adequately calculate the seasons and continuously ensures a bountiful harvest, that’s astronomical literacy. The point I am trying to make is literacy is not limited to having three pens in one’s breast pocket and claiming to know book. The true meaning of knowing book is when that acquired knowledge transforms your people. If your literacy only transforms you, you’re still illiterate. Literacy cannot preach one thing, and when given a chance and the tools to right those very ills it preached against, turns around and practices them at levels never before seen. Literacy must be constant, transferable, admirable, honorable (not as we know it in Liberia) considerate, selfless and imaginative. It must be free of quid pro quo. In truth, it must light up those in its presence!!I will leave you with a quote of one of the most literate men I know – my grandfather. He lived all of his 92 years in our village, but could accurately predict the weather, build bridges, read and understand the thoughts of the forest, interpret dreams; an expert marksman and master builder, the financier of the first grade school built in our village, lone voice against some practices of the “Grebo Bush” and a chief, who was loved by his people. He was illiterate by Liberian standards but a problem solver and a scholar by developed societies’ standards. “Son” he begins, “you can have ideas greater than our ancestors, but if they are not coupled with action, they can never become bigger than the brain cells the occupied”!

Dedicated to my grandfather, old man Momoh, who bought me my first book and taught me how to lay my first possum trap. Miss you and RIP, Grandpa. About the Author: Mr. Zuo is the author of several articles including the “Liberian Psyche”. He’s a proud graduate of Buutuo Cultural University, specializing in Changing Liberians Minds and Attitudes. He presently lives in Buutuo, Nimba County with his two hunting dogs, Government Official and Chief Embezzler. He loves to drink palm wine with roasted cassava dipped in fresh palm oil.


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EDITORIAL TEAM

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE

WORLDWIDE WEB

The Reader's Page

Lorenzo Bernard · Top Commenter · Classified at Classified"Presidential delegation to Brussels, Belgium for an important conference". This is Nonsense, hundreds of thousand of Liberian tax dollars being spend unnecessarily on chartered flights, 4 star hotel accomondations and decent meals 3x daily while children are dying of malnutrition, and the speard of TB, HIV , EBOLA , malaria is increasing by the minutes. I mean how worse can it get yet you have these useless , selfish , greedy clowns, self centered, corrupt incompetent fools living like queens and kings while my people suffer.Just the other day with their shameless selves accepted a $6,000 generator from the US DEA through its State Dept. You can not afford a common $6,000 generator but you have the means to travel extensively. You are all nothing but a bunch of mafia, I mean gangsters running the affairs of an independent nation. On the denial of visa, the world doesn't regard this administration/government it is known as being one of the most corrupt in the world with a bad I mean really bad human rights record.

Sampson Bloh Monger · Top Commenter · Holy Family University, PennsylvaniaThe facts of the matter are, Liberia is a failed state with the Ellen's government having no defined and sustainable policy and strategies to lead. Secondly, our Liberians failed government is corrupt and out of touch.

Nyemade Wani · Top Commenter · University Of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia campusPepper does not hurt in only dog eye. Liberians want to deny other Liberians their birthright and then cry nonsense. US citizens can go almost everywhere with no visa, even South Africa, Botswana, all the EU countries, even Mugabe is not as racist as Liberians., Liberia is an insignificant nation now because we have abandoned our democratic ideals and have become second to Nigeria in corruption. Also, too many government officials want to travel. Let them sit home and hug their Liberian citizenship tight, it will make them fly without visa.Now, how can a government that is solely depending on begging and donations from foreign governments to survive, be respected among responsible nations? How can a government that firmly neglect 99% of Liberia with muddy roads and an Old Stone Age bridges in modern times impress the world to be respected as a sovereign nation? Dignity is earned and just doesn't fall from the sky.Emphatically speaking, Liberia is being abused and neglected by our corrupt officials and therefore needs reform to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Lorenzo Bernard · Top Commenter · Classified at ClassifiedMr. Taylor, was never denied his visitation rights, however; what Taylor is requesting is special accommodations. Taylor is a convicted criminal therefore it is required he receives the same treatment like any other convicted criminal. Jewel Howard can resign her senatorial seat move to England and be by her beloved Charles side. That is if the British embassy will grant her traveling visa, I think It would make thing much easier. She can then cook palm butter, fufu N soup, and many other Liberian meal. I don't know how it works with the British correctional system however; I think with good behavior Mr. Taylor can also enjoy contact visit with wife Jewel and maybe produce another wicked Chuckie Taylor lll.You see people like Jewel and many others war lords need not hold any political offices they all need to be prosecuted and if found guilty sent to prison for life and then Liberia and the world will be a better place. Keep dreaming Jewel your day is right around the corner.

Moses Harris · Top Commenter · Works at RetiredIs the Senator still the wife of Former President Charles Taylor? I am just curious to know, because sometime ago I read that someone else was claiming to be the wife of President Taylor.

Daa Onenokay · Top Commenter · Works at State of New JerseySenator Taylor is not hopeful about her visitation right to England but rather,she is hopeful of Charles Taylor coming to Rwanda to stay and complete the rest of his jail term. I think Bong County people should think twice about you now. If you think Rwanda is a soft target for your husband to use that route to come to Liberia, you ar making a big mistake. You need to resign and move to England to be with your husband.If you don't resign, the people of Bong County will write a petition and call for your forceful resignation.

LIBERIANS FACE TRAVEL BOTTLENECKS TO OBTAIN FOREIGN VISAS

‘STILL HOPEFUL’- CHARLES TAYLOR’S WIFE CONFIDENT OF BREAKTHROUGH

ALLISON DEATH BLUNDER CONTINUE TO EXPOSE EJS-LED GOVERNMENT

The Editor,

Liberia now needs a few more Kofi Woods, Henry Costas, Rodney Siehs, Jonathan Koijees and others with spine to stand up to this licensed criminality disguised as

government. Enough is enough. We can send this regime packing which is daring us to stand up and be counted when it matters most. Let the mysterious, questionable drowning death of Michael Allison serve as our red line drawn that this regime has crossed. In my previous commentaries on the Allison tragedy, I wrote that nothing would come out of it. And we are witnessing the lies, disdain, coverup and contempt this regime has for human life. We made noise and quietly wiped our tears when the regime shot and killed Shaki Kamara of West Point. Now it is Michael Allison. Soon it may be you or someone you know? Is this how the nation is rewarded by some in this government who helped, planned and financed our 14-year genocidal holocaust only to hijack power and employ the same tactics that plunged us into such mayhem? We are so complacent that we can't even protest for our rights to protest protected by the constitution against such constant abuses. And where is our Nobel Peace Prize winner president who is conspicuously silent since Allison's death? The Nobel award connotes the highest respect for human life and rights. This is our beginning of our oil wealth curse. NOCAL has become their next pepperbush and they would not allow Allison or anyone to meddle with their latest cash cow. So it is no accident that unchecked dirty money is doled out to lawmakers to sing and dance to the music of oil money corruption, a disease that has infected oil giant Nigeria. But Ellen and company are rookies who have not mastered at art of erasing their enemies with no traces left like Charles Taylor did or other repressive regimes. And so they have been caught with their pants down and can't tell a good lie. The many blunders are now exposing them. They came up with an invincible girlfriend who they must produce in court during trial. They created a witness when in sophisticated repressive regimes there is no need to create and quote witnesses that you will be

asked to produce. Another witness would be the man from "Brazil" that this novice Police planted in their not-so-smart cover-up strategy, the man the Police said Allison's supposedly grieving girlfriend cried out to and allowed the use of his boat to fetch a drowning Allison from the ocean. Another unnecessary witness the Police created that must now appear in court and bring his boat in court as part of the evidence. Again, rookies in the Police who are not professionally trained like their counterparts in North Korea, Libya under Gaddafi or the KGB of the old Russia. And so the Police went to the beach, saw his body but were "afraid of catching Ebola" and left the body there until the next day? By then Allison's body was "mutilated" and parts missing and cuts found around his chin? After the world gave us equipment and the training on how to handle Ebola dead and patients, the Liberia National Police did not undergo such training, nor got any of the protection equipment of gloves and plastic clothing and body bags? Laughing out loud. And a Justice Minister who made a mess of an already messy cover-up. What has a victim's alleged multiple identities got to do with how he died? Even if Allison was not a Liberian citizen does that diminish the value of a human life taken away by hidden hands? Next will be the Judiciary which is seen as a stooge for the regime and again its independence and integrity will take center stage when the trial gets underway. This is where the rubber meets the road. And we expect, as Allison's lawyers will demand, all the witnesses will be subpoenaed: the mysterious grieving girlfriend, the good Samaritan Brazilian boat owner, both pathologists to testify under oath, as will the unprofessional police officers. If this case doesn't arouse in us Liberians the need to try a people power nonviolent protest to demand regime change---because NOTHING will come out of it---then we have all endorsed the continued criminality against our people.

Jerry Wehtee WionJournalist and Political Commentator,Washington, DC


Bettie Johnson/ [email protected]

PASSPORT FEE GOES UP“Consolidated Tax amendment Act of Liberia, Government Agency Fees, Section 2102 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fixed Fees, stipulates that: “The

fees for the following services/instruments of the Foreign Affairs Ministry shall be as by regulation prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the minister of Finance and Development Planning and shall be assessed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and paid regularly to

the Liberia Revenue Authority for deposit into the account of the government.” Finance and Development Planning Ministry

LIBERIA INCREASES COST TO ECOWAS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Monrovia-

The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development

Planning has announced an increase in the cost

of obtaining an ECOWAS Biometric Passport. The ministry puts the new fees at Fifty United States Dollars and the regulation takes effect on April 30. In a release issued by the

Finance and Development Planning Ministry on Monday, the ministry maintained that it increased the fees in keeping with law. Stated the MOFDP release: “Consolidated Tax amendment

Act of Liberia, Government Agency Fees, Section 2102 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fixed Fees, stipulates that: “The fees for the following services/instruments of the Foreign Affairs Ministry shall be as by regulation prescribed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the minister of Finance and Development Planning and shall be assessed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and paid regularly to the Liberia Revenue Authority for deposit into the account of the government.”The ministry has therefore authorized the Ministry of Foreign affairs to begin such collection of the new fees on its stipulated timeline but did not state whether there will be an increase in the number of years of validity. Stated the Finance Ministry stated: “This administrative regulation hereby institutes the

empowerment of the ministry of Foreign Affairs to regulate and assess the new passport fee from a biometric passport applicant who then proceeds to the collection Window at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for the collection of said fees and subsequent deposit into the consolidated fund in accordance with section 7 of the Revenue Code of Liberia, prior to the issuance of said passport by the MFA in keeping with MFA passport Regulation.”At the Ministry of Information regular Press Briefing on Monday Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs, Boakai Kanneh, said there will be a new biometric passport which will cost US$50, replacing the current manual one which costs US$23.Kanneh indicated that the new measure is part of the ongoing transformation at the

Monrovia

In the Economic Sabotage case involving Ministry of Public Works Communications Director

Jesefu Morris Keita and Flash Point Managing Director David Kortie, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a 14 count exception to the bond filed by MPW communication director.The LACC in the exception to defendant Keita’s criminal appearance bond said the entire criminal bond posted by the defendant is a product of misrepresentation, misinformation, and dishonesty. The LACC said the fake bond is only intended to evade the laws controlling such cases and to willfully and intentionally mislead the court thereby bringing it into disrepute. It claimed that the purported bond is insufficient and invalid is fit to be disallowed and set aside.“The Accident & Casualty Insurance Company (ACICO) serving as surety on defendant bail bond has not shown to the satisfaction of the court any legal authority that it has the capacity to withstand and cover the obligation it has undertaken to perform as surety under the defendant bond,” the plaintiff stated.The LACC challenged the Keita team to provide proof that the bond represents a financial proof that he (Keita) has an account with the insurance company.Stated the LACC: “The

exception stated that further to count 2 (above), the plaintiff contends that the purported statement of account of ACICO does not in any way suggest that the defendant’s surety as account with any financial institution within the Republic of Liberia evidencing its financial capacity and ability to perform its obligation under said bond.”The purported statement does not in any way indicate which financial institution defendant

surety has its account with and as to whether the said institution has legal standing and or capacity under Liberia’s law, practice and procedure under in this jurisdiction to qualify as surety.The plaintiff in their exception further stated that the unidentified statement of account covers the period 01/12/14 to 12/01/15 with a closing balance of US$20,717.91 which does not commensurate with the

ministry’s Bureau of Passport and Visas to enhance service delivery and conform to international standard.He said people applying for the biometric passport will be required appear in person because their fingerprint, and other biometric details will be taken and the passport will be issued in five working days.Liberia has begun issuing biometric passports at some of its embassies abroad. On March 14, 2015, the Government of Liberia launched the Liberian Biometric ECOWAS Passports Application Center (PAC) in the Schengen Zone of Europe at the Liberian Embassy near Brussels, Belgium. The ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened centers for the issuance of bio-metric passports in Washington D.C., New York and Belgium. The government has disclosed that additional centers will be opened in Accra, Ghana, Abuja, Nigeria and other countries and it will also introduce a mobile service delivery system soon.But the increase in the fees of the Liberian/ECOWAS passport would no doubt cause a backlash among many Liberians as many have complained of financial difficulties due to the deadly Ebola crisis.

LACC OBJECTS TO MPW PRESS MAN BOND amount stated thereby making

the bail bond insufficient and therefore defective.The bail bond was filed on March 27, 2015 two months postdating the closing balance without any showing that the surety still maintains an account the purported institution and insufficient to perform the obligation under the bail bond.In count 11 of the plaintiff exception they submits and said that statutory law provides that every bail bond must have security for the fulfillment of conditions of the said bond which the bail bond filed in the favor of the defendant lacks in law and fact and therefore is defective and insufficient, that is to say that ACICO lacks the legal authority, standing and or capacity to serve the surety for defendant which makes the purported bond insufficient and legal intents and purposes.“Wherefore in view of the foregoing, plaintiff prays that the criminal appearance bond as filed by the defendant be declared invalid and set aside and the defendant be ordered to tender a new valid and criminal appearance bond consistent with law or be remanded to prison until such time as when they shall be tendered a new valid and sufficient criminal appearance bond.” The LACC saidA notice of assignment has not been made by the court to hear the arguments from both the LACC and defendant legal counsels.At the same time judicial sources has hinted that most bonds filed by ACICCO, SKY, General Continental Insurance Company are mostly challenge to by the adverse party in the case.

Monrovia -

The Ministry of Labour, pursuant to Section 34.2(a) of the Executive Law which empowers and authorizes the Ministry to regulate and set guidelines for the protection of the rights of both employees and employers in the

country, and in conformity with Section 4302 (3) of Chapter 42 of the Labour Practices Law of Liberia, announces the following regulation setting forth the timing and duration of labour hearings.The Ministry believes that this new regulation, now referred to as Regulation 19, is intended to facilitate the speedy and expeditious disposition of all Labour Actions filed before it.Section 1 of Regulation 19 specifies and mandates that ‘’all Labour Hearings at the Ministry of Labour shall be concluded in a minimum of two months and the maximum of six months.’’Section 2 of Regulation 19 states that “all Hearing Officers are hereby mandated in the spirit of speedy and expeditious disposition of Labour actions or disputes, to declare null and void, all cases pending before the Ministry of Labour and which the party litigants and/or their counsels have failed to proceed or continue with after 120 days, for abandonment and failure to proceed. Section 2 of Regulations 19 assures that this mandate is in keeping with Article II Section 9 of Appendix No. 3 of the Labour Law and Labour Practices Law of Liberia.The Ministry believes that promulgation of this Regulation becomes imperative owing to the increased number of protracted cases on the docket of Hearing Officers at the Ministry’s Division of Labour Standards and thus, deemed expedient to guide against undue delays in handling labour disputes.The Ministry reflects that it was in the same spirit and intent of speedy and timely investigation, that the question of Default Judgment and perfecting of same was raised and regulated in INA Decree No. 29, Article 1, Section 8.

LABOUR MINISTRY SETS STANDARD FOR WORK ISSUES RESOLUTION


‘UNDERPERFORMANCE’Former Senate Leader Explains Election Flunk

CDC West Point Lawmaker Begs for mercyA Monrovia-General and presidential election in Liberia is about two years away

but elected officials are getting anxious that they might be ousted by voters at the polls. The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Montserrado County District # 7 Representative Solomon George has begged the people of West Point West Point for mercy and called for common ground.He urged them to put all their differences aside and keep the torch of peace burning in the Township."Everything we did in this township should fall behind us and let us work to move the Township forward”, the lawmaker said.He continued “I accept everything you throw on me during our misunderstanding in last August; people misunderstood what happened and what we said during the West Point quarantine”.Representative George called on the people to think positive about West Point and push for development.“I say sorry to all those I hurt during our misunderstanding, forgive me I am your leader, I also accept everything you did to me as well," he expressed.The CDC lawmaker spoke Sunday March 29, 2015 when he was called to make a brief remarks at program marking the launch of the " Ebola must go after one year campaign," in West Point. The program was launched by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace with sponsorship from Mercy Corps.The CDC lawmaker however thanked the citizens of West

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County-

Former Grand Bassa County Senator Gbehzongar Milton Findley has disclosed

that he did not win the December 2014 Special senatorial election in Grand Bassa County because he did not perform to the expectations of the people he was serving.Findley said as an individual, he believes he did well in Bassa but the people he represented felt unsatisfied with his performance thus voting him out of the senate.He dispelled rumors that he lost because President Sirleaf supported him in the county.“I didn't lose because President Sirleaf supported me in Bassa. I lost because I didn't perform to the expectation of the people so they had to try another person but I am not out of politics," he told a local radio station Monday in Monrovia.He said there is a good

relationship between him and the Liberian leader, saying his relationship with the president has no influence on decisions of the senate while serving as senate pro tempore of the Liberian senate.Findley noted that the people have spoken and he has no

problem with that, "We need not to question the authority of the people for not voting us back in the senate, the people want to try others but I am still in politics, by me losing does not mean I am out of politics," he added.

No beef with Bassa lawmakers

The former Grand Bassa County Senator clarified that there is no confusion or bitterness between him and the current Bassa lawmakers."There is no bitter line between

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910), [email protected]

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910), [email protected]

Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected] FEARING OUSTING

Point for their resilience in fight the virus.

Drugs addicts’ comments hunt lawmaker

In August 2014 when the Ebola virus was ravaging in Monrovia Representative George described the Township of West Point in Monrovia as the headquarters of ‘drug addicts’ in Liberia.“You talk about drugs; West Point is the headquarters of drug addicts. That area is also a major place for drug trafficking. We have been talking to some of our people to desist. I think we need more police stations and officers in West Point”, he declared at the

time.Gracing the Crusaders for Peace campaign in West Point, the lawmaker was quick to apologize apparently after hearing that some youths were planning to boo at him and to protest against his presence in the district.Some of the angry youths in the township frowned on their lawmaker for being rude on them. The Aggrieved residents of West Point noted that representative George is an outlaw lawmaker who entered the Capitol Building at the detriment of district 7 using the CDC factor to get their votes.

me and the Bassa caucus, we only see things differently and Bassa lawmakers are not under obligation to consult me before they take decision in the county, I still have supporters and I am a stakeholder in the county," he said.On the issue of Accelor Mittal reducing its worker force, former Senator Findley said reducing the work force at Accelor Mittal is unacceptable especially at this time when there is no job for the people.He said he's totally against redundancy of employees working for the company, saying the company can find a better remedy in handling the situation of workers if there is a reduction of iron ore on the world market.Commenting on Liberty Party’s political leader Cllr. Brumskine serving as legal counselor for Mittal, Findley said it is up to the Counselor to serve whoever he wants to serve.

Findley said he doubts that Cllr. Brumskine is the one behind the dismissal of the people of Bassa.

"Accelor Mittal is a big company that has many lawyers, I don't think Cllr. Brumskine is the one that giving them such advice," he noted.There are reports that the leader of the opposition political party, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine is contracted as legal counselor for Accelor Mittal and he's being allegedly paid US$125,000 every three months.It is reported that the contract was arranged by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as part of agreement for his (Cllr. Brumskine) support to her during the 2011 presidential runoff election.Some citizens of Grand Bassa County have frowned on Cllr. Brumskine for valuing money over what they are terming as interest of the people he claims to be representing.Some citizens told the FrontPageAfrica in Buchanan recently that they are disappointed in Cllr. Brumskine for serving as legal person for Accelor Mittal; the company they (the people of Bassa) claim is not in their favor.

We will boot him out

Steven Nimley, a resident of the West Point community described Rep. George as man who lacks focus for the people he represents."How can a man who is representing us call us drugs addicts, it now he is realizing that there drugs addicts here in West Point where he got most of his votes from, maybe he was not understanding himself at the time he made the statement, what was in his brain has been cleared that's why he's now saying sorry to us," Steven stated.He further said "If even he tells us sorry we will still vote him out of this district, may what we did was bad that's why he's behaving like that, if a man we stood in the sun to vote for can tell such nonsense and at the end of the day because 2017 around the corner he's saying sorry to us, let him keep his sorry and start finding job elsewhere because he's not going back in that house after 2017," Archie Boy Freeman, another resident of West Point noted.The Township is located on a peninsula which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean between the Mesurado and Saint Paul Rivers. Home to approximately 75,000 people, it is one of Monrovia's most densely populated neighborhoods, and environmental degradation has gradually caused part of the peninsula to erode into the ocean.

Monrovia-

Preliminary findings into survey conducted on Maternal Mortality in Margibi County by health officials indicates that the county accounts for the highest number of Maternal and new born mortality in Liberia compare to

the other fifteen counties.According to sources the issues contributing to the increase in maternal and new born mortality includes; poor health facilities, less human resource and refusal of pregnant women by health centers because of fear of Ebola.Our sources also said, the county has had six deaths in March 2015 four of which took place at health facilities without being attended to while two occurred at home.“This is unusual. To have six deaths in one month with four being at health facilities even if they are been referred to by accredited health center. Margibi County compare to other counties is the lead in terms of Maternal Mortality,” our source who begged not to be named said. In 2013 the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed that the rate of maternal mortality in the Liberia was still high despite a five percent decrease. Maternal death, or maternal mortality, also "obstetrical death" is the death of a woman during or shortly after a pregnancy.Maternal death is caused by hemorrhage (outpouring or inundation), blood clot, infection, unsafe abortion, high blood pressure and obstructed labor. It is responsible for the deaths of millions of women in Sub-Saharan Africa who go to give birth.Most of its victims are adolescents, who face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than older women. Skilled care before, during and after childbirth are often recommended to save the lives of women and newborn babies. "One of several challenges that the Ministry is facing now is the high rate of maternal mortality in the country. Although there's a slight decrease in the rate of maternal deaths, the number is still high," disclosed Yah M. Zolia, Deputy Minister for Planning and Research, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW).Upon assuming the presidency in 2006, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promised to tackle many national problems made worse by a decade of civil war. One of her goals was to reduce the maternal death rate, which has soared to 994 out of every 100,000 live births.Liberia’s maternal death rate remains among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, but the government is trying to change that. This year, President Sirleaf announced that reducing maternal deaths was among her government’s top priorities.“The Ministry of Health developed the essential package of health services which describes maternal health interventions at both community level and health facilities level,” says Tolbert Nyenswah, deputy minister of health for preventive services. The deputy minister says he is “hearing some positive news about maternal mortality reduction in our country.”

MARGIBI TOPS MATERNAL MORTALITY IN LIBERIA


Al-Varney Rogers alvarney.rogersfrontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498

EU, MEMBER STATES FUND MONROVIA, GANTA ROAD

Monrovia-

Since 2006, for the first time, Liberia in its history has witnessed the proliferation of

newspapers and radio stations across the country. With nearly forty newspapers

and more than seventy radio stations in the country women access to the media is still a huge challenge.To gather the extent the media has created space for women; the Liberia Women Media Action Committee has

conducted a survey detailing the challenges women are faced with in accessing the media. Before the official launch of the report at the Press Union of Liberia, media executives and reporters gathered to

Monrovia-

Several armed robbers who are currently detained at the infamous Monrovia

Central Prison awaiting court trial would be admitted to bail in the coming days without undergoing any trial. The move to admit the over 15 (fifteen) armed robbers comes in the wake of a motion filed on behalf of the alleged robbers by the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC).The over 15 alleged robbers are among 60 other robbers that the JPC is recommending to the court, to be set free due to prolonged detention for over five years without any trial.According to the Liberia laws and practices, a defendant charged and indicted by the grand jury has in his/ her favor two terms of court to go on trial, if not they should be admitted to bail or acquittal when a motion is filed on behalf of the defendant in that direction. Atty. Momolu Kandakai’s motion in collaboration with the Public Defense Office at the

Temple of Justice, asked the court to admit the men on bail because some of them were arrested since 2009 and 2010 and have not been able to go on trial. This practice is common in the country’s justice system.Exercising Chapter 13.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law that has to do with the right of the defendant to bail, Atty. Kandakai indicated that admitting the defendants to bail was their right under the law.“The defendants deserved bail because they have been in prolonged detention far beyond the statutory period,” said Atty. Kandakai. Judge Sakijipo Wolo of the Criminal Court “D” where the motion that was resisted by the prosecution was filed, after the hearing said that the court will grant the defendants bail but someone will have to sign for them and provide a mobile phone number to the court.“The court will scrutinize the list and that someone will sign for those to be released,” said Judge Wolo while delivering his ruling on the matter.

Monrovia-

The Ambassador of the European Union, Ms Tiina Intelmann, participated in a

two-day visit to inspect the construction of the road from Monrovia to Ganta and the Guinea border. The visit was headed by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. William Gyude Moore to register progress and to interact with contractors and local people along the construction line. This major infrastructure project is funded from different sources. The European Union is the largest contributor at 44 %, European Union member countries; Germany, Sweden, UK, Ireland have given additional contributions as have Norway and Licus Trust Fund. "This is a considerable grant

that Europe has given to the people of Liberia, without any obligation of refund, to help Liberia overcome serious development challenges." said the European Union Ambassador. "We are doing this as a show of solidarity and the World Bank, that is administering the contract, has further given a loan to Liberia to help finance these works. We are sure that the road, if properly maintained, will last and serve Liberians for many years." said the EU Ambassador.Participants of the visit received a thorough briefing from two chinese construction companies, that are carrying out the works. The Ambassador, Tiina Intelmann was pleased to discover that the Gbarnga-Ganta-Guinea border road is ahead of schedule. Due

to Ebola, the construction works were suspended from September to December 2014, so an extended period of 4 months was given this year, to complete the works. The contractors have now recovered one month and they are now due to complete in July 2015. She was extremely impressed with the work that they have achieved to date and has expressed the hope of donors to see work completed and to participate in the inauguration of the road in a few months. The contracts with the Chinese contractors come in two parts: during the first couple of years the road is built. Thereafter the contractor provides the maintenance of the road for seven or eight years after the construction is completed. In 2024, the maintenance of

these roads then becomes the obligation of the Liberian Government.The Road is built in different stages: the 70km Gbarnga-Ganta-Guinea border strip will be completed in July this year; the 175 km piece from Monrovia Coca Cola Factory to Gbarnga is expected to be completed next year.All participants in the visit expressed satisfaction with the work of the contractors and great appreciation of the fact that a great number of Liberians have been trained to participate in the works, including operating complicated machinery. In fact, Liberians make up 90% of the staff working on both sections of the Road.

GENDER BAIS CONFRONTING WOMEN ACCESS TO MEDIA

discuss the challenges and way forward in increasing women access to the media.Still missing voicesLaunching the survey report IREX Senior Media Specialist Maureen Sieh said, Liberia cannot develop when women voices are missing in the media coverage.“We cannot develop as a nation when the only voices we hear are men voices, why are we not raising women voices” Sieh inquired.She urged media institutions to create space and opportunities for female journalists to explore their potentials.Sieh said that women voices are not dominating the papers and the air waves adding that only women in politics are mostly covered.“Women voices are not dominating the air waves and papers. Women are not asking for handouts just give us the opportunity,” Sieh added.Findings from the study indicate that people claim to receive news and information on women’s issues adding that the frequency at which such news is received is very low, the report added. Negative portrayal

The survey reveals that women are still largely absent from the news stories. Most stories are about men, and when women are focus of a story, it is usually a negative portrayal.The study furthered that only three media houses are owned by women in Liberia- the Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR) the Women Voices Newspaper, and Radio MARWOPNET.Estella Nelson, President of LIWOMAC said the report is a reflection of the Liberia media landscape adding that it is not exhaustive.“This report is a reflection of the Liberian media but it is not exhaustive, it is just reminding the media that they have to affirm the status of women in the media,” Nelson said.She said with the numerous challenges women are facing she the situation is not what it was years back.Nelson stressed that the coverage of women should not just be about women issues like rape and sexual violence adding that the media should cover the economy and politics as it affect women.“Women issues are not just women issues how many

people are talking about teenage pregnancy as a statutory rape and the social and economic impact it has on the country, it is my hope that the media will advance women issues,” Nelson further said. Accessibility of the media by women is said to be very difficult as 55%, 150 respondents (98 female, 52 male) say it is difficult for women to have access to the media.The Report states that women find it difficult to access the media due to illiteracy, poverty, shyness, custom and traditional influence.To increase women access in the media the report is recommending the empowerment of ordinary women to use the media, introduce specialized training for journalists, encourage media owners to build confidence in female journalists, create more awareness on women issues, provides incentive for female reporters and other interested women in the profession and mainstream gender in programming.

SEVERAL ARMED ROBBERS TO GO FREE-JPC FILES MOTION FOR BAIL

At the same the trial of eight other armed robbers has begun at the Criminal Court

“D” at the Temple of Justice, where they have pleaded not guilty to the charges of armed

robbery.The release of the alleged armed robbers is coming at a

time when authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP) announced a sharp reduction in armed robbery cases in the country.Police boss Chris Massaquoi announced recently that the sharp reduction in armed robbery cases in the country is due to a series of LNP operations, put into place with one of them been operation ‘Safe Haven’. He said the operation led to the arrest and killing of several armed robbers one of them being notorious armed robber Lewis Kennedy.Notorious armed robber Kennedy and another armed robber were gunned down during fire exchange with police officers in the port city of Buchanan in 2014.

Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected] 0777296781

JPC Lawyer Momolu Kandakai Leaving Court


VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ABOUT PUTU IRON ORE MINING INC. Putu Iron Ore Mining Inc. came into being in 2008 through the acquisition of 61.5% shares of a 13.5 km iron rich ridge in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia by Severstal. Feasibility studies have revealed an estimated 3.2 billion tons of iron ore. Of Russian origin, SEVERSTAL’s modest beginnings are the Cherepovets Steel Mill, located in the Vologda region of Russia. The Mill came into being in 1955. In 1993, The Cherepovets Steel Mill was registered as an Open Joint Stock Company and this gave birth to the name, “SEVERSTAL.” Today, SEVERSTAL is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated steel and steel related mining companies, with assets in Russia, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, Italy and Liberia with approximately 53,000 employees. Severstal is listed on MICEX/RTS, GDRs are traded on the LSE. The company has two divisions which are as follows: SEVERSTAL RESOURCES & SEVERSTAL RUSSIAN STEEL Putu Iron Ore Mining Inc. is a segment of SEVERSTAL RESOURCES, which is the division which incorporates all of the raw material assets of SEVERSTAL. In 2010, SEVERSTAL signed a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) for a period of twenty five (25) years with the Government of Liberia. The agreement may be extended beyond this timeframe depending on the lifespan of the mine. On 23 December 2011, the company purchased the remaining 38.5% shares from Affero Mining Inc. SEVERSTAL places key importance on how to be a leader in this business. In order to do so, emphasis is placed on the following three key values in ensuring the achievement of this goal. EFFICIENCY AND AGILITY, RESPECT FOR EMPLOYEES, & TEAMWORK. Striving to become an employer of choice, the company views the welfare of its workforce of primary importance. This is exemplified in the slogan which supports the brand which was introduced in 2009, “ACHIEVING MORE TOGETHER”. SEVERSTAL is defined in three words – EXCELLENCE, PEOPLE AND UNITY. PUTU IRON ORE MINING INC. is seeking for a dynamic, committed and highly competent individual with a solid background and demonstrated experience in the field of Environmental Management or Social Science, Economics; or Health Studies to serve as a Social Development Manager. Job Title: Social Development Manager (Ref. number: SDM – PIOMV/0033) Department: Social Affairs Department (SAD) Place of Work: PIOM Monrovia Office, Montserrado County & PIOM Site Office, Putu Grand Gedeh County with extensive travelling required. Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Duration: Indefinite (With an Initial Three (3) Months’ Probation Period) PIOM offers a highly competitive salary and benefits. Essential Function:

The overall purpose of the Social Development Manager post will be to identify and manage all construction and mining phases related impacts of the PIOM Project. Manage the implementation of Environmental, Social and Health Management Plans established during the Feasibility Study - Environmental Social Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) process for PIOM.

A key part to the role will be to integrate the site’s perspective, impact identification and management into PIOM’s operations. This post will work in close collaboration with the Government Relations and Corporate Affairs Manager, Health, Security and Environmental (HSE) Managers and their respective teams.

Under the Direct Supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the incumbent shall carry out the following duties:

Duties:

Maintaining and enhancing positive community relations and developing a large network amongst the communities, which will enable PIOM to execute its stakeholder engagement plans and achieve it overall business strategy.

Providing technical specialist support and advising on all social issues and impacts management, including land and resettlement issues, cultural heritage, community health and safety issues, project rehabilitation, closure and exit.

Developing and executing a complaints management procedure that will ensure that all construction and mining related grievances and complaints are manage effectively and timeously.

Evaluating all socio-economic development projects in conjunction with the local community’s demands, regional, national development plans and programmes and to develop social strategies and implement accordingly.

Monitoring the effectiveness of PIOM stakeholder engagement strategy to inform future engagement plans. Also monitor PIOM compliance and alignment with it social requirements within the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and other Government regulations, national action plans and strategy.

Taking a lead role in the development and implementation of PIOM’s social capacity building strategy and to assess and address capacity gaps within PIOM’s social affairs team according to international standard.

Key strategic targets and outcomes will be the building of the capacity of Liberians. Build PIOM’s capacity to implement the social affairs strategy. Provide strategic direction, advice and identify the social talent pool and requirements for the project. Direct targeted training and mentorship programmes and facilitate peer-to-peer support within the Social Affairs Department.

Specific Responsibilities The Social Development Manager will be ultimately responsible to manage all socio-

economic issues on the PIOM project in consultation with PIOM’s management and the CR team.

The Social Development Manager will sets the strategy and oversees its implementation relating to - ESHIA management plans, stakeholder engagement, land acquisition and resettlement, social investment, local economic development, cultural heritage and sacred sites etc.

The Social Development Manager will be responsible for stakeholder engagement (with UN agencies, development actors, NGOs etc.) at a national, regional and county level. Liaison with Government officials will be led by the Government Relations and Corporate Affairs Manager and where issues overlap between the two functions, engagement should be undertaken collectively and a clear lead established. Engagement with the local community will principally be led by the Community Relations Manager, under the directives and supervision of the Social Development Manager.

Very close working relationships will need to be fostered by the Social Development Manager with the Government and Corporate Affairs Manager, HSE and Security Managers respectively and all overlapping areas of work should be jointly scoped and agreed upon.

The Social Development Manager will lead on PIOM’s liaison with external and internal stakeholders regarding the implementation of the ESHIA Management Plans and management of construction related impacts.

Oversee human rights related issues in collaboration with security, community relations, and health and safety teams.

The Social Development Manager will also oversee all community complaints and grievances, closure and rehabilitation related activities, community aspects of the ESHIA and Mineral Development Agreement’s (MDA) social requirements.

Agrees performance metrics for each subordinate, manages performance of each subordinate, and establishes training and development requirements for each subordinate and budget development and planning.

Regular (weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually) reporting to the PIOM management team on impact and ESHIA management plans implementation.

Regular reporting to Government (GOL) line Agencies as stipulated in the MDA. Internal Management Systems and Capacity Building Supporting the development of internal management systems and a reporting

framework on environmental, social and health impact identification, management and monitoring;

Build the capacity of the CR team on impact identification, management and monitoring;

Awareness rising within PIOM regarding impact management and best practice.

Environmental Social Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Related Responsibilities The Social Development Manager (SDM) will be responsible for ensuring that the

PIOM ESHIA Management Plans are implemented within International and National Standards and Best Practice and more importantly on budget and on time;

The Social Development Manager will be responsible for the Management of the full Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) tendering and contracting process and management of consultants;

The Social Development Manager will be responsible for the management of any additional Environmental, Social and Health (ESH) specialized studies as required. This will includes developing TOR, overseeing the tendering, evaluation and selection process ;

Equally responsible for the management of any Environmental and Social Projects either relating to off-set program or social/or community request;

Management of and liaison point person for the ESHIA Contractors and associated Sub-contractors including developing and managing their task, weekly follow-up of ESHIA Management Plans implementation process;

Review of ESHIA report including the EMP and SMP, and “Reality check” on the appropriateness of impact mitigation measures proposed by ESHIA consultants;

Manage any independent reviews and updating of the ESHIA process, deliverables and management plans;

Liaison between ESHIA team and PIOM management and planning team on the ESM and SMP implementation Plans;

Support to the stakeholder engagement strategy for the ESHIA Management Plans implementation process;

Ensure that at all times PIOM ESHIA Management Plans and impact management strategy is aligned with International Best Practices and Standards.

Construction and Exploitation Impact Management Related Responsibilities Ensure that construction and Exploitation impacts are appropriately managed during

the project development phase, to avoid the creation of legacies for the project including:

The Identification of construction and exploitation related i’s impacts; Developing a Management plan for construction and exploitation impacts

management;

Having oversight of the implementation of the impact management plans; Regular monitoring, review and reporting on exploration impact

management.

Personal Qualities: Able to work effectively as part of a team;

The ability to build the capacity of the team;

Ability to work across functions and departments;

Positive attitude, flexibility, willingness and enthusiasm to get the job done using own initiative and good teamwork skills;

An interest and sound knowledge of the extractive sector.

Languages: Fluent English, spoken and written;

Knowledge of other local vernaculars would be an advantage.

Education and Experience: Education: Postgraduate University Degree, preferably in areas such as

Environmental Management or Social Science, Economics; or Health Studies;

Experience: The incumbent should have at least 5-10 years’ Specific Experience in Management Social Issues with the Mining Industry;

Demonstrate prior experience in the management of an ESHIA process and implementation of ESHIA Management Plans (or at least components thereof) on an extractive (Greenfield or Brownfield project or major infrastructure project (ideally mining project) is a requirement.

Experience in similar context, post-conflict environment would be advantageous.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Excellent knowledge of international Best Practices and Performance Standards for

impact management, including but not limited to:

World Bank and Equator Principle Performance Standards,

International Finance Corporation Performance Standards,

International Council Mining and Metal (ICMM) position statements,

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR),

The incumbent must demonstrate experience in managing a project RAP process and large scale survey,

Ability to take an holistic point of view,

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including a strong capacity of synthesis and an ability to communicate technical concepts,

Diplomacy skills and ability to manage teams of external consultants,

Excellent project management skills,

Team builder and motivator with demonstrable ability to work with diverse team and culture

Ability to listen to, understand and respect the different perspectives of local communities, PIOM and other stakeholders,

Competent PC user including MS Office e.g. Word, Excel, Access and MS Projects, Power Point, MS Publisher,

Ability to develop budget for Social Development projects and equally have the ability to undertake effective budget tracking process.

Ability to make good judgment, meet deadlines and establish good inter-personal relationships;

Persistence in the face of challenge/diversity;

How to Apply: Putu Iron Ore Mining Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to county of origin, sex, religion, age, disability or marital status. Clearly indicate the job title and reference number as subject line in your letter of application with your curriculum vitae and relevant credentials attached, and email us at [email protected] Deadline for submission of applications is April 17, 2015 at 4:00PM. If you fail to indicate the job title and reference number as subject, your application will not be accepted.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


TUBERCULOSIS INCIDENT RATE ON

INCREASE IN LIBERIA

Monrovia-

While all attention has been on the outbreak of

Ebola in Liberia, there is increase in other diseases especially in rural counties in the country.To identify priorities for Liberia to effectively response to TB and HIV in the next three years, the people of River Cess County have concluded a two-day dialogue, as part of an ongoing nationwide consultation organized by the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM) of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) in the country, with support from the UN System. According to the dialogue organizers, the consultation aimed at identifying priorities to be incorporated into a concept note to aid/enhance TB and HIV programs throughout Liberia requested by the Global Fund. Twenty-five participants including representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities, traditional leaders, key affected population, civil society, health practitioners, as well as, members of the River-Cess County Health Team (CHT) attended the dialogue from Friday to Saturday (March 27 to 28, 2015) in Cestos City, River-Cess County.Making a PowerPoint Presentation on the overview of the dialogue, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTCP) representative Patrick K. Konwloh disclosed that the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) has committed to

contribute USD$45million, USD$9.5million and USD$47million respectively over the next three years in Liberia, but a concept note needs to be developed. He added that the development of the concept note is a key step towards the New Funding Model (NFM) of Global Fund, noting that beneficiary countries are required to carry out stakeholder consultations, which will culminate into the development of concept notes for AIDS, TB and Malaria programs before the approved funds can be accessed by the Country.Emphasizing the need for the citizens’ participation in the development of the concept note as requested by Global Fund, Mr. Konwloh declared that incident rate for Tuberculosis in Liberia is 299 per 100,000 people, and the disease is killing an estimated 1,900 people every year (45 per 100,000) according to World Health organization (WHO) statistics released in 2011. For his part, Murphy Kiazulu of the National AIDS Control Program told the participants that the main part of Liberia’s difficult health situation involves three diseases including malaria, tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS.“Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. According to data from the 2009 Health Facility Survey (HFS), malaria accounts for 35% of outpatient department attendance and 33% of in-patient deaths. The entire population of more than 4.1 million is at risk of the disease, with serious health

and economic implications for the country, such as cost of treatment, days lost from work and school attendance by those infected with the disease,” Mr. Kiazulu noted.Children under 5 and pregnant women are the most affected groups. The National Malaria Strategic Plan in 2010 rolled out new 5-year strategic goals for 2010 – 2015, at a cost of $170,332,893.“The objectives and activities set out in the plan reflect the recommendations of The World Health Organization (WHO), the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership and best practices and successes from other African countries, to scale-up the most effective malaria control and prevention measures, from the health facilities down to the community level, and to involve the private sector and all partners supporting health care delivery in Liberia,” he maintained.During the dialogue and prioritization workshop, citizens of River Cess County underscored the need for government to continue working hands-in-hands with the community in order for the country to eliminate TB and HIV throughout Liberia. “We think this meeting is good and that we need to be serious about these illnesses. TB and HIV continue to catch people of this country. I feel this is about time that we need to design strategies like we are doing with the Ebola Virus, so that HIV and TB can leave for good,” said, Mr. Sunday Amzat (Muslim Representative).

Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected]

|Frontpage Tuesday, March 31, 2015

OBAMA WILL VISIT KENYA IN JULY,

WHITE HOUSE SAYS

BOSTON —

President Obama will travel to Kenya in July to attend the 2015 Global

Entrepreneurship Summit, the White House announced Monday.White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement that the purpose of the trip was to "accelerate economic growth, strengthen democratic institutions, and improve security" in Africa.The Global Entrepreneurship Summit, an annual event since 2009, brings together entrepreneurs, investors, governments and other organizations to boost living standards around the world.

DIFFICULT DAY' AS FLORIDA CHURCH VAN CRASH KILLS EIGHT

WORLD LEADERS' PASSPORT DETAILS RELEASED BY

IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL

CNN)

A dark intersection. A church van full of parishioners. And tragedy.

That's about all police in Glades County, Florida, had to work with early Monday, hours after a van with 18 people inside ran a stop sign, crossed a four-lane highway and plunged into a shallow water-filled ditch. Eight people died. Ten others, including a 4-year-old child, were injured, according to police.Investigators don't know why it happened, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Greg Bueno told CNN affiliate WPBF. The driver died, and police haven't been able to interview passengers yet."Our hearts go out to the families of the victims," Bueno said. "It breaks your heart to see something like this happen."

(CNN)

Personal details including the passport numbers of U.S. President Barack

Obama and 19 other world leaders at last year's G20 summit were inadvertently released by Australia's immigration department, British newspaper the Guardian reported Monday.An official mistakenly sent the passport, visa and other details of all leaders at the summit to local organizers of the Asian Cup football tournament, which was held in Australia in January, the newspaper reported.The recipient immediately destroyed the data and the information was not distributed further, a spokesman for Australia's Department of Immigration and Border Protection told CNN.

IN BRIEF

FRONTPAGE WORLD NEWS

NIGERIA ELECTION: FIRST RESULTS EXPECTED

Nigeria's election body says it expects to announce the first results of

Saturday's keenly contested presidential poll on Tuesday.Incumbent Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.The US and UK in a joint statement expressed concern over possible "political interference" in the count. Voting over the weekend was marred by technical hitches, protests and violence linked to Boko Haram."So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process," the statement from UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and US Secretary of State John Kerry said."But there are disturbing indications that the collation process, where the votes are finally counted, may be subject to deliberate political interference." Follow live updates here as the results are announced.Voting spilled into a second day in some parts of Nigeria after problems with new electronic card readers.Opposition protesters in Rivers State took to the streets, demanding a recount President Jonathan was among those whose registration to vote was delayed by the technology, which was introduced to prevent fraud.His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had opposed the card readers, called it a "huge national embarrassment".Election commission chief Attahiru Jega said only a fraction of the 150,000 card readers being used

Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)

They came in droves, men, women, young, old. Mothers with babies strapped

tightly to their backs, pregnant women, the elderly, some who could barely walk unaided.They waited patiently for sometimes seven, eight hours in the scorching sun. In parts of the country where it poured down with rain, they stood, barely shielded under makeshift umbrellas.It was one of Africa's biggest elections and it didn't disappoint. There was high drama, violence and tensions but most of all an electorate determined to exercise their democratic right to vote. In northern Nigeria, women turned out in large numbers.Women at an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp in northern Nigeria queue to register for the election on March 28.Some polling stations in Lagos opened on Saturday at around 8 a.m. and a queue of eager voters quickly formed. There was a palpable air of excitement."I'm voting because the stakes are too high. If I don't

nationwide had failed.The presidential and parliamentary elections had been delayed by six weeks because of the insurgency by Boko Haram militants.Nigeria at a glance:• Two main presidential candidates: Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC), Muslim northerner, ex-military ruler, fourth presidential bid; and Goodluck Jonathan, People's Democratic Party (PDP), Christian southerner, the incumbent.• Years of military rule ended in 1999 and the

PDP has been in power ever since• Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and leading oil producer• With a population of more than 170m, it is also Africa's most populous nationUnpredictable pollNigeria decides 2015: Full coverageThe Islamists attacked polling stations in north-eastern states, with a curfew declared in Bauchi State after fighting between the security forces and the group.The UN gave an upbeat assessment of the vote

Sunday, with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praising the "determination and resilience" of Nigerian voters, despite the reports of attacks by Boko Haram and others.He said in a statement voting had been "largely peaceful and orderly".His comments were echoed by the regional bloc Ecowas, which urged Nigerians to accept the result.Nigerian churchgoers on Sunday prayed for peace But there has been tension in the southern Rivers State, where thousands protested against alleged killings of

opposition workers and voting irregularities.Inec said it was "concerned" by the complaints, adding that one of their offices was set on fire during the unrest.Results of the voting were expected to arrive overnight but so far there is no official indication of which party is in the lead. The PDP has dominated Nigerian politics since 1999, but Gen Buhari's All Progressives Congress is viewed as a serious challenge.Voters are also electing members of the house of representatives and the senate.

NIGERIA VOTES: FORGET THE CANDIDATES, DEMOCRACY WAS THE REAL WINNER

vote, then I can't complain when things don't change," said Akin Ojo, an accountant and tax practitioner in Ikeja, Lagos."This election is important," he added. "People are starting to ask questions of their government. We need to hold them accountable."Mueez Akanni Adepoju, 38, brought his two daughters to the polling station in the Oshodi ward, Lagos Island.He said: "I want Nigeria to change. I don't want Nigerians to have to travel out of the country. We have everything here that anyone needs to survive but our government is not good."

Complex taskNavigating and orchestrating Africa's largest population of nearly 180 million in an election was never going to be easy. Polling day was beset with administrative inefficiencies that threatened to derail the process. The much-vaunted card readers that were supposed to help combat election rigging failed to work in many areas and President Goodluck Jonathan was its highest profile victim. In areas where the card readers did work, observers said they had a long battery life and many people were accredited without problems.

There were also widespread reports of people waiting for hours across the country for officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open up polling stations. There was also a shortage of ballot papers in some parts.Voting was extended through Sunday to make up for these shortcomings. Yet, Nigerians were not deterred and turned out in their millions and waited patiently, sometimes long into the night, to cast their votes. There was a party-like atmosphere at some polling stations, with one enterprising soul setting up a barbecue stand, known locally as suya. At another, one man even proposed to his girlfriend, sending the Twittersphere into a frenzy. Although tempers boiled over at many from frustration at long periods of waiting in the blazing sun with no food and little water. Human rights and peace activist Chitra Nagarajan lives and works in Abuja and was an independent observer at Saturday's elections in the capital.She said she was struck by the enthusiasm for voting."Overall the voters were

excellent. I spoke to many voters and many of them had been waiting for six, seven hours, maybe more."They were in high spirits, saying how much fun it was. They told me: 'We are performing our civic responsibility. We are happy to wait and are treasuring the moment. It's not everyday we get to do this,'" she said. "For me it was lovely to see how people took voting, and their rights very seriously. Some people were there from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. People tend to focus on the negative overall, but voters should be commended."Journalist and activist Chude Jideonwo described the elections as a "joyful time.""Nigerians want democracy," he said. "They are thoroughly engaged with the process and it was not like 2011 when we were begging the elites to come out to vote. They all queued with us to vote."Most of the people who didn't vote was because of INEC's inefficiency. The police were professional and very cooperative."The military stayed out of Lagos and there was a lot of cooperation between the voters at the polling (units). It was a joyful time making a decision for our country," said Jideonwo.


SportsSPORTS

REAL MADRID INTEREST IN POGBA ONLY LOGICAL,

SAYS ZIDANE

The Madrid Castilla coach has acknowledged they are keeping tabs on

his compatriot but does not know whether he will be on the move this summerZinedine Zidane claims it is "only logical" that Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Paul Pogba's situation at Juventus.The France international, 22, signed a new contract with Juventus until the summer of 2019 back in October but is still continually linked with a move away from the Serie A champions.

The Brazil international is continually being linked with a move

to the Parc des Princes and the French champions have now further fuelled talk of a summer dealParis Saint-Germain sporting director Olivier Letang has lavished praise on Barcelona defender Dani Alves amidst reports that the Brazil international is on his way to the French capital.The 31-year-old right-back's contract with the Liga leaders will expire at the end of the season and he is continually being linked with a move away from Catalunya.

PSG: DANI ALVES A GREAT PLAYER

DUKE FRESHMEN LEAD WAY TO FINAL FOUR, STRUGGLE

WITH RITE OF PASSAGE

HOUSTON –

When the supreme moment came Sunday night – the stuff of

basketball fantasy – Duke's program experienced a sheepish pause. Right at the bottom of the ladder, with scissors in hand, it became clear that there was one thing all these acclaimed freshmen had yet to learn.Basketball nets. How exactly did you cut one down? Like, in technical terms. Was there etiquette? Who got the last cut? Who got the first? How much nylon should you take? And, really, who goes that high on a ladder with scissors?Tyus Jones waves to the crowd after cutting down a piece of the net after defeating Gonzaga.

BAYERN: WE COULD SPEND €100M ON ONE STAR

The German champions have not yet come close to such a fee for a

single player but are confident they have the financial muscle to compete in the marketBayern Munich executive

board member Jan-Christian Dreesen has admitted the club could spend €100 million on a star name.The Bundesliga champions have so far refused to match La Liga and Premier League giants when it comes to spending big in the transfer market, with the arrival of Javi Martinez for €40 million in 2012 still their record outlay.However, Dreesen has acknowledged they could emulate the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United and pay figures closer to the world-record fee of Gareth Bale for a top individual."It would be simple to say Bayern would never pay €100 million for one player. I don't

want to go there, though, because I do not like to backtrack in the future. So yes, Bayern could spend €100m on one player," Dreesen, the club's head of finances, told Kicker."It will have to be an intelligent investment, though. We don't just want to go for the most expensive players. Someone has to fit in at Bayern."Player wages have increased exponentially along with transfer fees in recent seasons but Bayern claim salaries of €10m per year and more are unusual at the Allianz Arena.While Dreesen is confident wages are no stumbling block for the club, he concedes they could miss out on signing players driven purely by thoughts of a big pay packet.

"Players making €10m or more remain an exception, even though I think wages will continue to rise," Dreesen said. "I have yet to see a player demand wages that we could not afford. I get the impression that the coach's advice on which players would fit at Bayern is very important."The top players are significantly more expensive than before. And with the Premier League's new TV deal, wages will not decrease any time soon. So Bayern will have to look after these players even more intensively than before. We might miss out on those who are only looking to make a lot of money."

The Minister of Youth and Sports has attributed his ministry failure to host the

2014/2015 edition of the National County Sports competition to the lack of funding.Minister Eugene Nagbe said before the resumption of every county sports meet, each of the 15 counties has to receive cash from the government through his ministry to finance their teams’ participation in the competition but said due to the Ebola crisis the government could not provide his ministry with the funding needed for the tournament. “I think we all know very well that since the outbreak of the

Ebola virus in our country 90% of the government attention and spending has been focused on the virus because it caused a serious blow to every sector of our society including health, economic and sports so we have to prepare for the next competition” Minster Nagbe said.He disclosed that the 2015/2016 county sports meet would take place in early 2016, which time he believes the government would be ready to provide funding for the tournament. Minister Nagbe agreed that those who are complaining about the setback in the development of football in the country are right

and that the government through his ministry has to do more in order to move sports especially football forward.“We are very sure that we will get support from the National Legislature and the president herself for us to move forward with the development of football in Liberia.”The National County Sports Meet is one of the most popular sporting activities that bring together citizens of the 15 political sub-divisions in the country and sport enthusiasts in the country are complaining about the failure of the Youth and Sports ministry to host the county sports meet.

LACK OF FUNDING LEADS TO CANCELATION OF COUNTY SPORTS MEET

COACH HONOUR JANZA FEELS 'BETRAYED' BY ZAMBIAN FA

Outgoing Zambia coach Honour Janza says he feels "betrayed" by the

way the country's football association has gone about replacing him. The Football Association of Zambia said at Saturday's annual general meeting it is to appoint a foreign coach. The announcement was widely

reported in the media on Sunday, the day Janza oversaw a friendly win over Rwanda. "I was surprised to read about my departure because no-one has told me anything," Janza told BBC Sport. "Why should the issue of my employment be a matter of discussion at the AGM? I thought it was a managerial issue between me and my employers?

"It was quite disturbing because I just read about it in the morning of the game. Continue reading the main story “I am not happy with the way I have been treated. I don't think I can trust anyone and I am saying this from deep down my heart” Honour Janza Zambia coach "Then I had to be in front of the players. How can players respect me like that? If I was made

aware, I would have prepared myself psychologically." Janza was appointed as Chipolopolo coach in August 2014 after the departure of Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle and has been working without a signed contract. He was in charge of the team at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea earlier this year, where the team suffered a first-round elimination, but is now set to be pushed aside for a new man. Football Association of Zambia (Faz) president Kalusha Bwalya said: "The executive committee sat and evaluated the performance of the technical bench and the decision was made to find a foreign coach who will fit the national team profile." Janza has insisted that he does not know if Sunday's match was his last. "I have not been officially told whether this is my last game or not. After the match the Faz president came to me to ask me

about my programme for the upcoming matches," Janza said. "It's something that is paining me but I have to respect my employers. I don't want to injure my employers or come out like I am fighting them." There have been questions over Janza's coaching qualifications, with some suggesting he is not at the appropriate level to be in charge of the national team. Janza, who was assistant boss under Herve Renard and Beaumelle, holds a Uefa 'B' coaching licence, a Confederation of African Football (Caf) 'A' licence and is an elite coach's instructor for the continent's governing body. He has also held the post of Faz technical director and could return to that role once a new coach has been appointed. However, he said: "Once beaten, twice shy. I am not comfortable with these people. "I am not happy with the way I have been treated. I don't think I can trust anyone and I am saying this from deep down my heart. "I have not differed with anyone but I am not happy with the way I have been treated. "There's been a lot of hide and seek and that's not nice in the game of football and when managing other human beings."

|Frontpage Tuesday, March 31, 20156a

BILLIMA COMMUNITY DECRIES POLLUTION BY CEMENCO

IMS BOSS SLAMS MEDIA REPORTS ON NEW EBOLA

Massa F. Kanneh [email protected] or 0886848625

Monrovia

Residents of the Billima Community have alarmed over what they

call pollution caused by the Cement Company CEMENCO located on the Bushrod Island. Speaking in an interview with FrontPageAfrica, Alhaji Siryon said that the pollution by CEMENCO has caused serious health hazard for residents.

Said Siryon: “Last year, some children got sick and they went almost blind, and those children have been taken to the bush for treatment.” Siryon also complained of loud vibration and smoke from the company’s generator, something he said is devastating for residents. Another resident Assata Dukuly said it is almost four years since the community

raised these same issues but it has continued without ceasing.Dukuly alleges that children in the area have developed illnesses such as tuberculosis and they believe that this is the result of the pollution caused by CEMENCO’s operations in the area.“When you sit here for even few minutes, your eyes will be filled with cement dust,” she said. “When we tell the leader,

‘NO CONFIRMED CASE’

they will go and CEMENCO bribe them small money and they will forget it. For the Generator noise, we can’t sleep, if you talking here, no one will hear you. We are really suffering.” Dukuly said that the community wanted to file a lawsuit against CEMENCO for pollution, but the company promised to build a clinic to treat the sick and so they dropped the efforts to go to court on the matter. She said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Independent Human Right Commission were also involved, but since then nothing has been done to deliver on their promises.The resident of the community said CEMENCO was asked to provide electricity for the residents but the company has refused.

Chairman’s responseCommunity Chairman Mulbah Dukuly told FrontPageAfrica that assertions made by residents are true.“You know the people are right to say so because they are not feeling the impact of CEMENCO.“As you can see today is Sunday, they are not working today, so you won’t find lot of dusts,” he

said in simple Liberian English.“But when the people ready for their production, this whole place can be covered with dust, the generator pa, the people who live right by the fence can’t even sleep.” Dukuly said Billima is not alone in this suffering adding that the situation exists in Sawmill and Bassa town.He said the surrounding communities are planning to host a meeting to address the matter any time soon.

Not causing health hazardAngrily responding to assertions made by the community, the Manager for General Services of the company, James Gibson refuted the allegations of pollution on environments by it company made by community dwellers.Said Gibson: “Those people who are making claims of pollution, did they show you their title deeds, that they own the land? I think you should talk to Mulbah Dukuly.”Gibson said that CEMENCO is in no way causing any health hazard for the community in which it operates. He said the company has a computerized monitor of the entire facility. He said this monitor shows that the company has dust collectors and there could be no way the community could experience dust.“Our facility has dust collectors both for our raw and finished products,” he saidGibson commenting on the

generator issue said no smoke is affecting the community. He said all of their generators are enclosed with pipes which collect the smoke and transfer it to a container.Gibson said CEMENCO begun the process of constructing a clinic in the community in 2005, but upon completion of the foundation, an individual claimed ownership of that spot, thus putting the projects on hold.Gibson said: “We started the clinic project even before I came here, but when the foundation was completed, someone came claiming the place, that’s what got that whole thing stopped.”He claimed that his company has already initiated a US$60,000 modern drainage project for the area.But FPA has learned that the drainage project is currently on hold due to the lack of cooperation from some young people in the community.Gibson said the Company will not offer electricity to the community adding “For the current business, we told them, we cannot give them current because when you give one person current, the entire community will get it.”“We paid some people’s registration fees with Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) but it’s left with the community to follow up on it.” The EPA when contacted refused to comment on the matter.

Monrovia-

The Head of the Incident Management System (IMS), the command center responsible to oversee Liberia’s Ebola response, has clarified that contrary to several reports on social media including Facebook and other sources, Liberia

has no other confirmed Ebola case apart from a lady who tested positive for the virus but died last weekend. “Since the 20th, we have one confirmed case. Unfortunately, the case has since died,” he said Monday.“No other confirmed case since then as of this morning (March 30). I am not saying it will not be [a case] if it is tested positive. But the cases are being followed up, nobody is sick yet.” Nyenswah disclosed that out of 211 contacts that were being monitored by the Ministry of Health team, 26 contacts have been cleared while 185 contacts are still under surveillance. “We still are intensifying our normal contact tracing. We are investigating to see whether or not the people should remain on the contact list or it is fair enough to release them,” he said. Nyenswah who is also Assistant Health Minister reiterated warnings to Ebola survivors to abstain from sex for 90 or more days or observe safe sex practices by use of condoms. Liberia‘s last Ebola victim who died from the virus recently is reported to have contracted the virus through sexual intercourse. Mr. Nyenswah told reporters Monday at the Information Ministry press conference that sexually active Ebola survivors should abstain from sex or observe safe sex practices through correct and consistent use of condoms in order to stop the transmission of the disease. Said Nyenswah: “It’s like we were talking HIV and AIDS. It’s not our first time hearing this. We’ve been talking about condoms use. The same applies to infectious diseases like Ebola. Condoms use for a maximum period of three months. But however, because of new information and research that are going on, we say for greater security and public health and prevention of all sexual transmitted infections, Ebola survivors should consider correct and consistent use of condoms for all sexual acts.”

Stephen D. Kollie, [email protected] 0776329124

AMBASSADOR NYENABO CHALLENGES DIASPORA LIBERIANS

TO JOIN RECONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Brussels, Belgium-

Liberia's Ambassador designate to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Netherlands,

Luxemburg and the European Union, Amb. Isaac W. Nyenabo, II has challenged Liberians in the diaspsora, especially those in the Benelux Zone to join the massive development and reconstruction taking place in their country.Ambassador Nyenabo told a group of members of the Liberian Community residing in the region who had gathered to welcome him as their ambassador, that since the election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the country has transformed in many areas,

thus promoting development and infrastructure boost in the country.Ambassador Nyenabo said since 2005 to date, the country has seen massive improvements and huge development in the areas of roads reconstruction, both rural and urban roads, the construction of schools and the rehabilitation of old ones across the country, the construction of health centers and hospitals in nearly all parts of the country and massive housing development in both the private and public sectors.The Liberian diplomat named the Monrovia-Buchanan Road, the 72nd Road, the Monrovia-Ganta Road, the entire Central Monrovia Road

Project, the Gardnerville Road, the Neezoe Road and many neighborhood Roads plus other rural roads that have been reconditioned or are to soon get constructed as a just a few to consider. He said the old Waterside Bridge, the Caldwell Bridge and many bridges have either been reconditioned or reconstructed across the country.''As I speak to you fellow Liberians, there are many junior colleges across the country in Grand Bassa, Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Sinji Technical School and other colleges have been established to cater for rural people. Also remarkable, is the transformation of the William VS Tubman

Technical College which was a junior college now to a full-fledged University program that grants degrees in many other disciplines to Liberians in the Southeast and other parts of the country'' he added amidst cheers from the audience.Ambassador Nyenabo decried the devastation of the country's health and economy sectors as a result of the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD which he said reversed the gains made over the past years, but quickly added that a serious reform program has been put together to address post ebola recovery of the country and called on Liberians in the diaspora to join those efforts aimed at addressing the reconstruction of their country in a massive way.He called on Liberians in the Benelux to be good ambassadors of their country and people by remaining law abiding and taking advantage of the many opportunities available to them by their host countries, as Liberia will one day need their expertise and professional skills.The President of the United Liberians Association in Belgium, ULAB, Kingston Wleh who hosted the program, welcomed Ambassador Nyenabo on behalf of his colleagues and pledged their unflinching support and cooperation in working with him as their Chief of Mission and their country's representative to the Benelux countries.

FrontpageTuesday, March 31, 2015 6b

LBDI EMPLOYEE WEEPS AFTER GUILTY VERDICT

Monrovia-

Defendant Magaret Dorbor a new account officer working for the

Liberia Bank For Development and Investment (LBDI)’s local branch in Gardnersville wept when the jurors announced her guilty last Friday.

The former LBDI employee was last Friday found guilty of theft, forgery and counterfeiting. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped her face every minute

while sitting at the far corner of the court as the six member jurors presented their verdict to the clerk for onward reading to the court.

“We the jurors after carefully reviewing the facts and circumstances in the case do unanimously find the defendant Magaret Dorbor guilty of theft, forgery and counterfeiting,” said the jurors.Defendant Dorbor had been on trial since February 2015 when the LBDI Bank through the grand Jury charged her with theft of property, forgery and counterfeiting, charges she persistently denied.While serving as new account officer of the bank’s local branch she allegedly converted into her personal use L$ 147, 000 belonging to a local club called the Gardnerville Saving Club according to the indictment.Some witnesses testifying in the case told the court and jury that the defendant, while serving as new accounts officer was responsible to open new accounts for customers of the bank but instead performed the job of a teller, which she was not responsible to do.Witness Francis Juma, Internal Auditor of the LBDI in his general testimony told the court that the defendant was booked after it was discovered that she received the savings club’s money, signed in the bank book,

but that amount did not enter the system.“When the bank discovered that she signed the money, she came in to pay back US$1,000 for the money she took,” stated witness Juma.Witness Juma further said that defendant Dorbor was caught with a huge consignment of United States Dollars in counterfeit bank notes in the amount of US$20,000 in her drawer at the bank.In her reaction to the allegations when she took the witness stand, defendant Dorbor admitted paying US$1,000 to the bank, but said the money was paid not because it was alleged that she took it.“I paid this money back not because of claims that I took the money, I paid back the money because of the limit, I made and was held responsible for that,” said Defendant Dorbor.According to defendant Dorbor it was impossible for people to say that she took the money in question because she was not serving as a teller.Defendant Dorbor she was the only person to testify on her own behalf as all witnesses invited refused to testify on her behalf for reason best known to them.The jurors claimed that the evidence provided by the state was enough to convict the defendants who throughout the case pleaded not guilty.Defendant Dorbor whose lawyer had excepted to the jurors’ verdict, is expected to be sentenced within four working days by Judge Peter Gbeneweleh as she faces five years in jail.

Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected] 0777296781

Defendant Dorbor Leaves Court After Trial

Monrovia-

Following a gathering in Gbarnga, Bong County Liberian women have made

numerous recommendations for changes in the language of the constitution of Liberia calling for the organic law to be clear and concise“The language of the Constitution shall be clear and concise, especially as regards the gender of a person. Individuals in the Constitution shall be addressed as he/she of the position and title and; “MEN, women and boys and girls” shall replace all gender neutral languages in the constitution. Eg: “ALL PERSONS” shall be replaced with men, women, boys and girls; male or female”, some of the recommendations state. Under Chapter III-Article 11 (c ) of the constitution, the women want this article to be changed to read “All women and men, girls and boys have the right to full protection by the law, the right to equal opportunities, and the right not to be discriminated against on the basis on their gender, ethnicity, physical ability, age or marital status”.The recommendations further stated that without prejudice to other protections provided by the constitution, marginalized and vulnerable groups have a right to affirmative action to address imbalances created

by history, custom and/or traditionAccording to the women their recommendation is mean is meant to inform and strengthen Article 11 (c) on fundamental rightsEqual Representation Additionally, the women are calling for addition to Article 18 (b) to guarantee fifty per-cent representations of women and men in all public functions and equal access to opportunities in the private sector. “New Provision, Article 79 (f) Political Parties shall ensure that no more than fifty percent of elected and/or appointed positions shall be of the same gender. Article (11), Addition to Article 11 (a): The Constitution shall guarantee special representation of men and women with disabilities/differently abled people and the youth, the legislature shall enact appropriate laws for the implementation of these provisions”, the women furthered in their recommendations.In justification the proposal, they indicated that the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia does not have specific provisions with regards to affirmative action mandating women’s representation in public and/or private leadership spaces.They added that there is a female head of state elected by the people of Liberia and has

her place in history as the first female head of state in Africa.Low women representation“Currently, women representation in the Legislature stands at 10.6%, comprising; 3 women out 30 members in the Senate (representing 10%); 8 women out 73 representatives in the House (representing 11%), this percentage is way lower than what is obtaining in African Countries. Currently the average representation for women in Sub Saharan Africa stands at 22%”. The women declared. The figure, Liberian women are complaining that it is below the global average which stands at 21% asserting that Liberia is way below that and the problem could be in the current constitutional legal framework. They continued “We draw inspiration from a lot of changes happening on the continent in this respect as highlighted by the various provisions of countries like Rwanda, Kenya and Zimbabwe. They have a comprehensive structures that unapologetically entrench gender equality”. Providing examples in other African countries they disclosed that as it stands today Zimbabwe’s constitution provides for 50/50 representation of women in Parliament. The recommendations also

mentioned that Rwanda is now world’s number one and has a female parliamentary representation of 63 percent.Marriage issues Article 23 (a) of the Liberian Constitution provides protection and the institution of marriage by recognizing 3 forms of marriages: Statutory, Customary and Common Law. Under this constitution; also the legal age for marriage shall be 18 years and all marriages in Liberia shall be voluntarily entered into;The women want Article 23 (b) replaced as 23 (c), with additions indicating “The legislature shall enact laws to govern the devolution of estates and property and establish rights of inheritance and descent for spouses of both statutory, customary and common law marriages as to give adequate protection to surviving spouses and children of such marriages”. They also want Article 23 (d) to state that All men and women in a marriage shall own all properties acquired during the union in common unless the couple choose an alternative in writing, such property shall not be alienated or controlled by one spouse except by the free and voluntary consent of both parties In justification the proposall, they women stated that “The constitution is not prescriptive on issues of marriage defining

'CONCISE' CONSTITUTIONLiberian Women Demand Reform Agenda

the age of marriage and fundamental protections in regard to women and girls. The intent of the “Common Law” marriage is to protect: a). the best interest of the child regards inheritance and support; b). the investment of a partner who labored and give significant contribution in acquiring properties during the union”.See below some recommendationsIn short, is to provide protection for children born into such union and individuals who labored to acquire properties in the event of death or dissolution. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (Children’s Rights)New Provision, to be Article 27The Constitution shall have a standalone article that addresses all issues of children affairs; A child shall be defined as any person below the age of 18;The law shall recognize and guarantee equal protection for every child regardless of the circumstances of their birth, including children with disabilities. Custody and child support for children in the event the parents no longer live together shall be decided by a court of law based on the concerned parent’s earnings.In all decisions affecting children, the best interest and welfare of the child shall be paramount;The Legislature shall enact appropriate legislation to guarantee the basic and fundamental rights of the child.Every child shall have the

right to be supported by both parents. Justification: The intent of this law is to protect all children (in and out of wedlock) from any and all forms of discrimination; Right to inherent and adequate support from parents.To guarantee protection for children, the Constitution shall have a standalone article that addresses all issues of children affairs in line with new progressive constitutions in Africa; FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (Protection from Violence against Women, girls, boys and men)New Provision, Article 28 -All forms of violence both from public and private sources against women, girls, boys and men shall be prohibited and all persons under the law are entitled to equal protection against discrimination, exploitation and abuse. The Legislature and through Executive Orders shall take measures to provide protection against all practices affecting the dignity and freedoms of women, girls, boys and menJustification-The intent of this proposed constitutional provision is to ensure that all Liberians are protected against all forms of violence addressing the cultural, and other practices that are against the dignity and freedoms of all citizens and those residing within the territorial boundaries of Liberia.

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REFUGEES OR FOOTBALLERS? Seventeen of the 22 Liberian players,

who left Monrovia in mid-January in search of greener pastures in Laos, are leaving in piecemeal after some

hot exchanges with their hosts.On Sunday, chief scout Wleh Bedell and players Charles Buima, Benjamin Sarkoh, Molu Boakai and William Freeman traveled from Laos to Thailand. On Monday, 13 players were expected to join the five-man delegation in Thailand. They include Ainol Blamo Cooper, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Prince Balde, Marvin Koko Blapoh, Kasimu Kweateh, Thomas Sokota Manneh, Fred Brooks, Exodus Caine, Lawrence Paigar, Seibo Toe, Amadiah Kawa, Snyder Yao Titriku and Kesselly Kamara, Jr. According to Bedell, five players will remain in Laos with the consent of their parents after putting pen to papers. They are Joseph Broh, Abu Kamara, Andrew Karnga, Josephus Weah and Emmerson Wleh.“The bickering is over. All is well by the grace of God. I am now out of Laos and currently in transit in Thailand. I will be heading for Kenya soon. Our hosts ensured we left peacefully and the departure was done in an organized fashion. All that has happened is in the past. “No time to keep malice, be negative or bitter about anything. As a blunt person, who rarely minces my words, I blew the whistle and that was it. But that has gone in oblivion and I can forge ahead. I am focusing on a new project, breaking new grounds, pressing forward, moving ahead and have no time to retrospect on the petulant past,” Bedell posted on his facebook page on Sunday. The players, who paid US$550 each to travel to Accra, Ghana where they stayed for more than two weeks before embarking on their expedition, were told they would stay at the Champasak United FC academy before signing a professional contract on their 18th birthdays. But a row ensued between Bedell and his buddy Alex Karmo (who uses Nesta Alexander on facebook) over who will serve as agents/managers for the players. And after some hot exchanges, which went viral on facebook, Karmo was pleased that the saga peaceful ended with a document signed by academy captain Joseph Broh and

Champasak chief Phonesavanh Khiou Lavong and witnessed by Bedell and him. “I have learned and will never try that anymore in my life my people. If [it] wasn't this angel God send my way, what was I going to be at this time but behind bar, but God is great. When you believe God he never let you down and when your heart is clear he always [is] with u. Thanks to all and hope your see it [for yourself],” he posted on Sunday. Bedell, who refered to himself as the Nelson Mandela for the players that Karmo and his academy wanted to take advantage of, thanked the government, Fifa and LFA and Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Mustapha Raji, G. Andy Quamie for their roles played.“Indeed, the tussle is over. Another chapter is complete and we can redirect our focus,

shift our attention on other things. And so, its 17 players returning from Laos and five are staying from a Liberian based perspective. You can do the math and tell which is more impactful. “Who was saying the truth or the lies is left with your judgment. But, trust me, I am done with this. The pen will always be mightier than the sword. Light will always permeate darkness. Good will always triumph over evil and the advocacy for players will never dwindle,” he continued.But why did Blamo, who signed a document on behalf of the penta, is remaining in Laos? “The holding midfielder cum center back did not travel on the academy program but travelled to Laos at his own expense to play for the senior team. With Blamo already attached and playing, he feels there is no need to return home since the debate was about the academy players’ welfare. “And though Emmerson Wleh

Liberians Head Home after Sour Safari in Laos Danesius Marteh, [email protected]

traveled on the academy program, he too is attached to the senior team. Teenage sensation Kesselly Kamara, Jr. is with the senior team though, but has decided to return home as the writings were on the wall. “Remember, someone’s danger zone can be another person’s comfort zone. There are contrasting views or ways of

addressing or seeing things. One player who did not travel from Liberia to Laos but from Ghana to Laos for the academy program, Christian Nagbe is also returning to Ghana,” Bedell explained.The dust has settled and the hot air has cooled but they didn’t complete the journey from promise to reality.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Edition

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