tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321496272024-03-13T14:08:09.848-04:00Post-Conflict LiberiaWelcome to the world of news and analysis. Address concerns or questions to: szinnah@yahoo.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-87332908585090709612015-10-10T15:12:00.001-04:002015-10-10T15:12:19.099-04:00Open letter to LACC<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">J.
Partick Kollie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Freelance
Journalist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Monrovia,
Liberia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">pjkollie@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cllr.
James N. Verdier<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Executive
Chairman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Liberia
Anti Corruption Commission (LACC)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Republic
of Liberia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">October
4, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dear
Cllr. Verdier,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
present compliments and write to bring to your commission’s attention several
irregularities leading to massive corruption in Gbarpolu County. As head of
Liberia’s anti graft institution, I think it is prudent and necessary to
investigate these allegations and bring those culprits to book. In my candid
opinion, this will help deter/minimize future corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently, a syndicate
was uncovered by the new Gbarpolu County Project Management Committee Chairman
“Mr. Sam K. Zinnah” covertly linking several Government Officials to a company
that is believed to have defrauded Gbarpolu County of USD$300,000.00 United
States Dollars. The officials conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise
through a pattern of forming a company to undertake contracts in Gbarpolu
County. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Communications in my
possession shows that Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon.
Varney A. Sirleaf on June 23, 2015 wrote Gbarpolu County Superintendent Hon.
Armah M. Sarnor requesting the Superintendent to authorize the remaining 10%
retention payment in the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine thousand eight
hundred seventy-five United States Dollars) in favor of Renewal Liberia
Limited, the company that fraudulently won the Bopolu City layout contract in
2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On October 13, 2012,
the then head of the Gbarpolu County Administration, Hon. Allen M. Gbowee in a
mass Gbarpolu County Citizens meeting in Bopolu City announced that Renewal
Liberia Limited was the winner of the USD$300,000.00 dollars City layout
contract. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After reviewing the
procurement process that led to the result in favor of Renewal Liberia Limited,
a citizen of Gbarpolu County Attorney Harris F. Tarnue filed a formal complaint
to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission through the Commission’s
Complaints, Appeals & Review Panel (CARP) against the process. Upon receipt
of Atty. Harris Tarnue’s written complaint with all his supporting documents
attached, the PPCC’s CARP requested Superintendent Allen Gbowee to submit all
documents pertaining to the Bopolu City layout bid process in a specified time.
According to the CARP investigation report also in my possession, the following
list of documents was requested from Superintendent Gbowee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">List of participating bidders and
qualification criteria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Minutes of procurement committee &
bid opening meetings, including attendance record<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bid evaluation Panels report/recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bid evaluations criteria <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finding of a review proceeding held upon
the complaint of Atty. Harris F. Tarnue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Copies of the signed contract and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Copies of bid advertisement and other
related document not specifically named herein.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The qualification requirement listed by
Superintendent Gbowee in the advertisement reads below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Current business registration
certificate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">- Current valid tax clearance
certificate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Ministry of Public works certificate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Instant Financial statement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Ability to pre finance per stage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Past performance records/report,
including project title, Project location, Project value, client’s full
addresses and contact number(s).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The bid evaluation report and exhibit 5
of the November 2014 GAC report shows the below report:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">MPW Certificate……………………………..not current<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pre-finance…………………..………………..50%
acceptable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Business Registration Certificate …………….
available<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tax clearance…………………………………..not current<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Past performance…………………………...not
available<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cost of project………………………………...in range
of the estimated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Technical ability……………………………….equipment
and professional capacity limited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was clear that the purported winner
of the bid was not qualified to take part in the bidding process but
Superintendent Gbowee, in total gross violation of the PPCC laws, defiantly
proceeded with allowing Renewal Liberia Limited to take part in the bidding
process<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(<b>See
GAC report, page exhibit 5</b>). As if the initial gross violation was not
sufficient, Superintendent Gbowee in a continue defiance posture, awarded the
contract to Renewal Liberia Limited. The Chairman of the Gbarpolu County
Legislative Caucus attempted to intervene but was disrespectfully ignored by
Superintendent Gbowee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After thorough investigation into the
complaint, the CARP ruled; “Therefore, it is the opinion of this panel that
respondent, the Honorable Superintendent of Gbarpolu County, Allen M. Gbowee
and his procurement committee violated all of the above cited provisions of the
PPCC Act and regulation No. 003 during the conduct of the tendering process of
EOI No. GBARC/NCB/001/12/13, and also failed to perform their functions in line
with section 27 (c) (d) (f) (k) of the Amended and restated PPCC Act of 2010 in
the conduct of the proceedings described above and the award of the works procurement
contracts to Renewal Liberia Limited. In view of the above, the panel hereby
upholds the contentions of the complainant that the procurement committee of
Gbarpolu County Administration headed by Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly
violated the above cited provisions of the PPCC Act and its regulations during
the tendering process. Accordingly, the panel here by invalidates and reverses
the decision of the procurement committee to award contract for Bopolu City
layout to Renewal Liberia Limited. The Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby
ordered to re-run the procurement process with provision that those companies
that participated in the July 2012 procurement proceedings do not pay any
additional fees for participation”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite the PPCC ruling, Superintendent
Gbowee defiantly moved on with the contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Conspiracy or Gross Incompetence<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The above narration does not need a
rocket scientist to tell that the Bopolu City layout contract was in violation
of the PPCC Act. What remains a multi-million dollars question now is whether
Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration Varney A. Sirleaf and
Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs Hon. Losene F. Bility
(Esq) both conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise through a
pattern of forming Renewal Liberia Limited to undertake the Bopolu City layout
contract or both are grossly incompetent to read and analyze the above public
documents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An internal Memorandum (LFB/AMLA/) 91)
in my possession also reveals the legal opinion of Assistant Minister for Legal
Affairs Hon. Losene Bility (Esq). In his opinion dated May 12, 2015, Hon.
Bility writes, “<i>In consonance with your
April 28, 2015 instruction to the Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon.
Varney A. Sirleaf, which was forwarded to me for legal advice, I have reviewed
the attached instruments and arrived at the following findings:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That, the
project was successfully completed as same was dedicated during the July 26,
2013 Independence Day celebration in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County by Her
Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That, the
assessment report of the Public Works Resident Engineer of January 28, 2014
certified the work<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That, the 1<sup>st</sup>
payment was made in April 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That, the 2<sup>nd</sup>
payment was made in October 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That, the 3<sup>rd</sup>
and final payment as retention was due in January 2014 but up till now is has
not been paid,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wherefore
and in view of the foregoing, and coupled with the fact that the 3<sup>rd</sup>
and final/retention payment in the amount of US$29,875.00 is overdue, I advise
that same be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions enshrined in the
contract</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking at the bid evaluation report and
exhibit 5 of the November 2014 GAC report, it is clear that Renewal Liberia
Limited did not have current Ministry of public works certificate, on what
basis did the Public works resident engineer assess the project?. Also, the
contract was attested to on behalf of the Finance Minister by the Gbarpolu
County revenue agent even though Renewal Liberia Limited did not have tax
clearance at the time of the bid. Again, on what basis did the revenue agent
affixed his signature to the contract?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am urging the LACC to dig into the
motives of these individuals to make sure they too did not receive their share
of the $300,000.00. The GAC report revealed that the individuals who signed on
behalf of the Justice Minister and Finance Minister (because of the $250,000.00
threshold) were not the statutorily authorized individuals to sign the contract
but they still did. Could they have been influenced by unprofessional or unethical
token? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is professionally amazing to read
such a legal advice that has absolutely no legal basis. In my view, the
Minister is either in a covert conspiracy or is grossly incompetent to know
that no contract exists between Gbarpolu County and Renewal Liberia limited.
How could this Legal Affairs Minister be so blind to the law he professes to
know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Further investigation into Renewal
Liberia Limited’s activities reveals that most of the documentations were done
whenever the minister proper was out of the Country. The original contract that
was nullified by PPCC’s CARP ruling was signed by Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf,
Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs. Payment
requests were always submitted while Hon. Varney Sirleaf was acting as
Minister. It was in one of their usual covert activities that PMC chairman Sam
K. Zinnah lunched a stink operation that unveiled this scam that is now raising
bunch of unanswered questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> PMC
Chairman’s efforts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a leaked package in my possession, it
is becoming crystal clear that someone is finally prepared to draw a thick line
between corruption and accountability. In response to what appears to be a
letter received from Gbarpolu County Superintendent Hon. Armah M. Sarnor,
Gbarpolu County newly elected Project Management Committee Chairman, Mr. Sam K.
Zinnah seems to be sitting pretty good and ready to battle or challenge the
legality of the Bopolu City layout contract. As such, he will need the full
support of the LACC to nail these corrupt activities in Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a well written letter to Justice
Minister Benedict Sannoh dated June 28, 2015, Chairman Zinnah wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i>Cllr.
Sannoh,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
present compliments and write to seek the advice of the Ministry of Justice
about the request for payment to Renewal Liberia Limited concerning a purported
contract for the layout of Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On
July 20, 2015, I received a letter dated July 10, 2015 in which Superintendent
Armah Sarnor, acting on advice from Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Deputy Minister for
Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs requested the Gbarpolu County PMC
to pay Renewal Liberia Limited the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine
thousand eight hundred seventy five United States Dollars). Please see attached
letters regarding the request for payment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Notwithstanding,
the request for said payment, my attention has been drawn to the June 6, 2013
ruling of the Public Procurement and
Concession Commission (PPCC) and the
November 2014 General Auditing Commissions report regarding the unlawfulness of
the above mentioned contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hon.
Minister, the holding from the June 6, 2013 PPCC’s ruling reads as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “The Panel hereby upholds the contentions of
the complainant that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County headed by
Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly violated the above cited provisions of
the PPCC Act and its regulations during the tendering process. Accordingly, the
Panel hereby invalidates and reverse the decision of the procurement committee
to award the contracts for EOI No.GBARC/NCB/001/12/13 to Renewal Liberia
Limited and Trans-Africa Trading Company. And that to ensure compliance with
the PPCC Act, the Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby ordered to re run
the procurement process with provision that those companies that participated
in the July 2012 procurement process do not pay any additional fees for
participating”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
finding from portion of the November 2014 General Auditing Commission’s report
covering the fiscal years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 states “ The Gbarpolu County
Administration grossly violated the PPCC Act and PFM law in awarding the
contract. Also, despite a precept from the Public Procurement and Concession
Commission’s CARP, prohibiting the execution of the contract and ordering the
re run of the procurement process, the County Administration opted to ignore
the CARP’s ruling and preceded with the execution of the said contract at the
detriment of public resources”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
recommendation on page 16 of the November 2014 GAC report states “The Gbarpolu
County Superintendent, Allen M. Gbowee, Assistant Superintendent for
Development, Yassah Karmo-Fallah, the PMC Chairman, Desmond A.T. Boimah should
be held accountable for the USD$268,875.00 paid to the contractor for the
layout of the Bopolu City”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is also interesting to know that the laws specifically requiring that the
Ministers of Finance and Development Planning and Justice to sign and attest to
contracts above$250,000.00 were ignored. According to the November 2014 GAC
report for fiscal years 2011/2012 & 2012/2013, the individuals who signed
the contract on behalf of the two Ministries were not the statutorily authorized
officials thus raising more credibility issues about this contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
the newly elected Chairman of the PMC, it is one of my sworn in or oath
commitments to ensure that the resources of Gbarpolu County are expanded in
line with the laws of this Nation. I am seeking your advice in order to move
forward with the payment request”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My investigation into the letter to
Minister Sannoh shows that the letter landed at the Ministry when Minister
Sannoh was out of the country. Fortunately, the letter with all the supporting
documents was forwarded to Cllr. Emmanuel Tulay, Deputy Minister for
Administration at the Ministry of Justice. It is interesting to note that Cllr.
Tulay served as legal consultant at PPCC and he presided over the PPCC ruling
that nullified the Bopolu City layout contract but he’s now very reluctant to
take action or decision against the violation of his PPCC’s CARP ruling. Could
there be another connection between the syndicate at Internal Affairs and
Justice?. Since the submission of the
June 28, 2015 letter to the Justice Ministry, Cllr. Tulay is yet to respond to
the letter thus raising additional unanswered questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suspected owners of Renewal Liberia Limited<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since the emergence of Renewal Liberia
Limited, there have been many speculations in Gbarpolu County about the owners
of this suspicious company. According to the November 2014 GAC report, Renewal
Liberia Limited did not meet most of the important requirements for
participating in the biding process but the Company still won the bid which
later dragged in to PPCC court and resulted to cancelling of the contract.
Although the contract was nullified by the PPCC, payment of over US$268,800.00
to the Company was processed through the Ministry of Internal Affairs thus
raising more questions than answers about the powerful hands behind the
company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is widely speculated that Renewal
Liberia Limited is covertly owned by Deputy internal Affairs Minister for
Administration, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, and Gbarpolu County Senator Daniel
Naatehn. The status Of Hon. Losene Bility, Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs
is not too clear as he remains under close watch. Hon. Bility’s recent (May 12,
2015) legal advice in favor of Renewal Liberia Limited shares more lights on
his covert connection to this suspicious company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In one of my many attempts to track some
of the fishy activities of Renewal Liberia Limited, I’ve been trying to
investigate how the earth moving equipments that were used by Renewal Liberia
Limited landed in the hands of the company. The equipments in question were
bought by Bokomu and Gou Ngolala Districts with the aim to undertake road works
in the two Districts but the machines have been in the Possession of Senator
Daniel Naatehn. Without the knowledge of the owners of the Mechines, a
purported rental contract was entered into between Messrs Alfred Morris and
Alex kpuway ( Chairmen of both districts development associations) and Renewal
Liberia Limited without the involvement and authorization of the local
authorities of the two Districts under the watch of Hon. Daniel Naatehn who served as the
custodian of the yellow machines and a dump truck purchased by the two
Districts from their share of the County Development funds thus shinning more
lights on Senator Naatehn’s connection to this suspicious company. After the illegal use of the two yellow
machines, the machines disappeared at the end of the layout project. To date,
only the dump truck is visible at Senator Naatehn’s House in Bopolu. The where
about of the two yellow machines remains an unsolved misery. As I pen this
letter, the people of Bokomu and Gou Ngolaila are gearing up to file a law suit
against the fronting General Manager of Renewal Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q.
Folokula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If it is proven that the above named
officials are in any way beneficiaries of Renewal Liberia Limited, their action
will be total conflict of interest. I am of the strongest conviction that the
Liberia Anti Corruption Commission would be highly interested in digging out
the owners of this suspicious company as they anxiously wait to take care of
their final chopping from the US$300,000.00 contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is also reported in the November 2014
GAC report that Renewal Liberia Limited owed over $12,800.00 in unpaid taxes to
Government thus constituting tax fraud and another form of corruption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Deputy
and Assistant Ministers denied knowing about PPCC ruling & GAC report<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a August 6, 2015 edition of the
Frontpageafrica news paper sub caption “who wants Gbarpolu County 29K road
Money”, reporter Henry Karmo contacted Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for
Administration “Hon. Varney Sirleaf to get his view about the dubious
transaction. In Minister Sirleaf’s respond, according to reporter Karmo, Minister
Sirleaf claimed his instruction to the Gbarpolu County Authority to pay the
contractor (Renewal Liberia Limited/James Folokula) the remaining $29,875.000
United States Dollars was base on a legal advice from Assistant Internal
Affairs Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Lusene Bility. Minister Sirleaf Also
claimed that he had no knowledge that the PPCC had ruled in the awarding of the
contract. He claimed that the PPCC ruling was not communicated to him when he
wrote the Gbarpolu County Administration about the ten percent retention
payment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When contacted, Internal Affairs
Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Luseni Bility claimed that he too
was not aware of the PPCC ruling and the GAC report. He pushed that it was only
fair to pay the last money since the first and second payments were done.
Minister Bility’s legal advice further exposes him to either conspiracy or
gross incompetence. Since the August 6, 2015 frontpage Africa publication, the
two ministers are yet to write to withdraw their letter of authorization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fake
names on Renewal Liberia Limited’s article of incorporation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A copy of the article of incorporation
of Renewal Liberia Limited in my possession shows that most, if not all, of the
names listed on the article of incorporation are fake names. Further
investigation reveals that one of the names listed is that of Gbarpolu County
Senator Daniel Flomo Naatehn, Sr. Last month I traveled to Senator Naatehn’s
District to verify some of the names and identity shown on the ID cards that I
could lay my hands on. A particular name “Flomo D. Kpailee, Sr was pointed out
by many to be the traditional name of Senator Daniel F. Naatehn, Sr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In my opinion, it is the right of
Senator Naatehn and any Gbarpolu Citizen to form company and create or provide
employment for Gbarpolu Citizens but doing it with fake identy(ies) creates
suspicion. The following names are listed on the Renewal Liberia Limited
article of incorporation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">James Q. Kpaihn
13% share<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mulbah K. Zinnah
10% share<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">J. Sando Momo
20% share<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Flomo D.
Kpailee, Sr 20%<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Quaye Kogo 12 %<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am urging LACC to please invite the
General Manager of Renewal Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q. Folokula to produce
all of his share holders for questioning. I believe this will help eliminate
the suspicion of questionable identies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hon.
Allen Gbowee continuous defiance <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometime in October of 2014,
Superintendent Allen Gbowee and Development Superintendent Yassah Karmo-Fallah
were dismissed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The two, in a continuation
of their defiance, drove away with the government assigned vehicles. As I pen
this letter, they are in possession of the GSA coded and assigned vehicles.
Further investigation shows that they are still receiving pay while they are
out of government. One source from the office of Senator Daniel Naatehn
disclosed that “as long as Senator Naatehn remains the most powerful Senator in
Gbarpolu with the backing of Hon. Varney Sirleaf, he will do whatever he
wants”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cllr. Verdier, after all the above
analysis, I humbly beg your commission’s indulgence to swiftly probe into these
grief alleged malpractices. Am quite sure that bringing the culprits to justice
will serve as deterrence for would be dowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yours,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">J. Patrick Kollie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Citizen, Gbarpolu County <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13364280688357423933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-65239938723386695522015-09-29T17:00:00.001-04:002015-09-29T17:00:49.513-04:00Two Top Internal Affairs Officials in Corruption Web!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
By: J. Patrick
Kollie</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
pjkollie@gmail.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Reports emerging from the
Ministry of Internal Affairs indicate that two top officials of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs covertly linked to a company that is believed to have defrauded
Gbarpolu County of USD$300,000.00 United States Dollars. The two officials
conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of
forming a company to undertake contracts in Gbarpolu County. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Communication in the possession
of this writer shows that Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration,
Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf on June 23, 2015 wrote Gbarpolu County Superintendent
Hon. Armah M. Sarnor requesting the Superintendent to authorize the remaining
10% balance retention payment in the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine
thousand eight hundred seventy-five United States Dollars) in favor of
Renewable Liberia Limited, the company believed to have fraudulently won the
Bopolu City layout contract in 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On October 13, 2012, the head of
the Gbarpolu County Administration, Hon. Allen M. Gbowee in a mass Gbarpolu
County Citizens meeting in Bopolu City announced that Renewable Liberia Limited
was the winner of the USD$300,000.00 dollars City layout contract. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After reviewing the procurement
process that led to the result in favor of Renewable Liberia Limited, Attorney
Harris F. Tarnue filed a formal complaint to the Public Procurement and
Concessions Commission through the Commission’s Complaints, Appeals &
Review Panel (CARP) against the process. Upon receipt of Atty. Harris Tarnue’s
written complaint with all his supporting documents attached, the PPCC’s CARP
requested Superintendent Allen Gbowee to submit all documents pertaining to the
Bopolu City layout bid process in a specified time. According to the CARP
investigation report also in the possession of this writer, the following list
of documents was requested from Superintendent Gbowee.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->List
of participating bidders and qualification criteria</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Minutes
of procurement committee & bid opening meetings, including attendance
record</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Bid
evaluation Panels report/recommendations</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Bid
evaluations criteria </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Finding
of a review proceeding held upon the complaint of Atty. Harris F. Tarnue</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Copies
of the signed contract and</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Copies
of bid advertisement and other related document not specifically named herein.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The qualification requirement
listed by Superintendent Gbowee in the advertisement reads below:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Current business registration
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
- Current valid tax clearance
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Ministry of Public works
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Instant Financial statement</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Ability to pre finance per
stage</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Past performance
records/report, including project title, Project location, Project value,
client’s full addresses and contact number(s).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The PPCC’s CARP waited for
Superintendent Gbowee’s response but to no avail till the expiry of the
statutory period. Complainant Atty. Harris F. Tarnue wrote the PPCC to inquire
about the status of his complaint. In his follow up letter, Atty. Harris F.
Tarnue urged the PPCC CARP to investigate his complaint in manner as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Review
the procurement proceedings and tendering process leading to entry into of the
said illegal contract with Renewable Liberia Limited</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Hear,
determine and declare whether or not the cited provisions of the PPCC were
violated</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Cancel
or cause to be cancelled,” voidable contract” entered into in violation of the
PPCC Act, and</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Declare
such further rights and remedies complainant would be entitled to under the
PPCC Act.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Also Attached to Atty.
Tarnue’s follow up inquiry letter was a list of relevant documents further
supporting his allegations. Among those documents was a letter over the
signature of the Chairman of the Gbarpolu County Legislature Caucus in an
attempt to intervene in the situation but Superintendent Gbowee failed to give
credence to the County Caucus’ intervention and went ahead to sign the contract
with Renewable Liberia Limited.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
After the statutory period,
Superintendent Gbowee decided to reluctantly reply to the CARP request by
submitting documents and responding to Atty. Tarnue’s complaint. After
carefully reviewing and analyzing all documents submitted by Complainant Atty.
Harris F. Tarnue and Defendant Hon. Allen M. Gbowee, along with other
accompanying instruments and referencing the applicable provisions of the PPCC
Act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the schedule of thresholds, the panel
declared in its opinion that the Procurement Committee of Gbarpolu County
Administration headed by Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee did not act consistent
with the PPCC Act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the schedule of threshold
during the conduct of the procurement proceedings/tendering process of the
Bopolu City layout contract when it proceeded to award the contract to
Renewable Liberia Limited.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The CARP ruled; “Therefore, it
is the opinion of this panel that respondent, the Honorable Superintendent of
Gbarpolu County, Allen M. Gbowee and his procurement committee violated all of
the above cited provisions of the PPCC Act and regulation No. 003 during the
conduct of the tendering process of EOI No. GBARC/NCB/001/12/13, and also
failed to perform their functions in line with section 27 (c) (d) (f) (k) of
the Amended and restated PPCC Act of 2010 in the conduct of the proceedings
described above and the award of the works procurement contracts to Renewable
Liberia Limited. In view of the above, the panel hereby upholds the contentions
of the complainant that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County
Administration headed by Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly violated the
above cited provisions of the PPCC Act and its regulations during the tendering
process. Accordingly, the panel here by invalidates and reverses the decision
of the procurement committee to award contract for Bopolu City layout to
Renewable Liberian Limited. The Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby
ordered to re-run the procurement process with provision that those companies
that participated in the July 2012 procurement proceedings do not pay any
additional fees for participation”. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Conspiracy or Gross Incompetence<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The above narration does not
need a rocket scientist to tell that the Bopolu City layout contract was in
violation of the PPCC Act. What remains a multi-million dollar question now is
whether Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration Varney A. Sirleaf
and Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs Hon. Losene F. Bility
(Esq) both conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise through a
pattern of forming Liberia Renewable Limited to undertake the Bopolu City
layout contract or both are grossly incompetent to read and analyze the above
public documents. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
An internal Memorandum
(LFB/AMLA/) 91) in the possession of this writer also reveals the legal opinion
of Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs Hon. Losene Bility (Esq). In his
opinion dated May 12, 2015, Hon. Bility writes, “<i>In consonance with your April 28, 2015 instruction to the Deputy
Minister for Administration, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, which was forwarded to me
for legal advice, I have reviewed the attached instruments and arrived at the
following findings:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the project was successfully completed as same was dedicated during the July
26, 2013 Independence Day celebration in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County by Her
Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the assessment report of the Public Works Resident Engineer of January 28, 2014
certified the work<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 1<sup>st</sup> payment was made in April 2013<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 2<sup>nd</sup> payment was made in October 2013<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 3<sup>rd</sup> and final payment as retention was due in January 2014 but
up till now is has not been paid,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, and couple with the fact that
the 3<sup>rd</sup> and final/retention payment in the amount of US$29,875.00 is
overdue, I advise that same be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions
enshrined in the contract</i>”. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
It is professionally amazing
to read such a legal advice that has absolutely no legal basis. In my view, the
Minister is either in a covert conspiracy or is grossly incompetent to know
that no contract exists between Gbarpolu County and Renewable Liberia limited.
How could this Legal Affairs Minister be so blind to the law he professes to
know?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Gbarpolu County PMC Chairman Draws
Corruption Lines<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
In a leaked package in the
possession of this writer, it is becoming crystal clear that someone is finally
prepared to draw a thick line between corruption and accountability. In a
respond to what appears to be a letter received from Gbarpolu County Superintendent
Hon. Armah M. Sarnor, Gbarpolu County newly elected Project Management
Committee Chairman, Mr. Sam K. Zinnah seems to be sitting pretty good and ready
to battle or challenge the legality of the Bopolu City layout contract. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
In a well written letter to
Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh dated June 28, 2015, Chairman Zinnah wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“<i>Cllr. Sannoh,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I present
compliments and write to seek the advice of the Ministry of Justice about the
request for payment to Renewable Liberia Limited concerning a purported
contract for the layout of Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On July 20, 2015, I
received a letter dated July 10, 2015 in which Superintendent Armah Sarnor,
acting on advice from Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Deputy Minister for
Administration, Ministry Internal Affairs requested the Gbarpolu County PMC to
pay Renewable Liberia Limited the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine thousand
eight hundred seventy five United States Dollars). Please see attached letters
regarding the request for payment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notwithstanding, the
request for said payment, my attention has been drawn to the June 6, 2013
ruling of the Public Procurement and
Concession Commission (PPCC) and the
November 2014 General Auditing Commissions report regarding the unlawfulness of
the above mentioned contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hon. Minister, the
holding from the June 6, 2013 PPCC’s ruling reads as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> “The Panel hereby upholds the contentions of
the complainant that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County headed by
Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly violated the above cited provisions of
the PPCC Act and its regulations during the tendering process. Accordingly, the
Panel hereby invalidates and reverse the decision of the procurement committee
to award the contracts for EOI No.GBARC/NCB/001/12/13 to Renewable Liberia
Limited and Trans-Africa Trading Company. And that to ensure compliance with
the PPCC Act, the Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby ordered to re run
the procurement process with provision that those companies that participated
in the July 2012 procurement process do not pay any additional fees for
participating”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A finding from
portion of the November 2014 General Auditing Commission’s report covering the
fiscal years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 states “ The Gbarpolu County
Administration grossly violated the PPCC Act and PFM law in awarding the
contract. Also, despite a precept from the Public Procurement and Concession
Commission’s CARP, prohibiting the execution of the contract and ordering the
re run of the procurement process, the County Administration opted to ignore
the CARP’s ruling and preceded with the execution of the said contract at the
detriment of public resources”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Also,
recommendation on page 16 of the November 2014 GAC report states “The Gbarpolu
County Superintendent, Allen M. Gbowee, Assistant Superintendent for
Development, Yassah Karmo-Fallah, the PMC Chairman, Desmond A.T. Boimah should
be held accountable for the USD$268,875.00 paid to the contractor for the
layout of the Bopolu City”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is also
interesting to know that the laws specifically requiring that the Ministers of
Finance and Development Planning and Justice to sign and attest to contracts
above$250,000.00 were ignored. According to the November 2014 GAC report for
fiscal years 2011/2012 & 2012/2013, the individuals who signed the contract
on behalf of the two Ministries were not the statutorily authorized officials
thus raising more credibility issues about this contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As the newly
elected Chairman of the PMC, it is one of my sworn in or oath commitments to ensure
that the resources of Gbarpolu County are expanded in line with the laws of
this Nation. I am seeking your advice in order to move forward with the payment
request”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
an effort to get Mr. Sam Zinnah to discuss his letter to the Justice Minister,
the PMC chair, in a short telephone conversation said, “If you claim you have
copy of a letter written by me, go ahead and continue your investigation. I do
not intend to discuss my professional work in the media”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suspected
owners of Renewable Liberia Limited<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Since
the emergence of Renewable Liberia Limited, there have been many speculations
in Gbarpolu about the owners of this suspicious company. According to the
November 2014 GAC report, Renewable Liberia Limited did not meet most of the
important requirements for participating in the biding process but the Company
still won the bid which later dragged in to PPCC court and resulted to
cancelling of the contract. Although the contract was nullified by the PPCC,
payment of over US$260,000.00 to the Company was processed through the Ministry
of Internal Affairs thus raising more questions than answers about the powerful
hands behind the company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
is widely speculated that Renewable Liberia Limited is covertly owned by Deputy
internal Affairs Minister for Administration, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Former
Assistant Minister Florence Dukuly and Gbarpolu County Senator Daniel Naatehn.
The status Of Hon. Losene Bility, Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs is not
too clear as he remains under close watch. Hon. Bility’s recent (May 12, 2015)
legal advice in favor of renewable Liberia Limited share more lights on his
covert connection to this suspicious company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
one of my many attempts to track some of the fishy activities of Renewable
Liberia Limited, I’ve been trying to investigate how the earth moving
equipments that were used by Renewable Liberia Limited landed in the hands of
the company. The equipments in question were bought by Bokomu and Gou Ngolala
Districts with the aim to undertake road works in the two District but the
machines have been in the Possession of Senator Daniel Naatehn. Without the
knowledge of the owners of the Mechines, a purported rental contract was
entered into by Renewable Liberia Limited thus shinning more lights on Senator
Naatehn’s connection to this suspicious company. As I pen this story, the
people of Bokomu are gearing up to file a law suit against the fronting General
Manager of Renewable Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q. Folokula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
it is proven that the above named officials are in any way beneficiaries of
Renewable Liberia Limited, their action will be total conflict of interest. I
am of the strongest conviction that the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission
would be highly interested in digging out the owners of this suspicious company
as they anxiously wait to take care of their final chopping from the
US$300,000.00 contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Deputy and
Assistant Ministers denied knowing about PPCC ruling & GAC report<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
a August 6, 2015 edition of the Frontpageafrica news paper sub caption “who
wants Gbarpolu County 29K road Money”, reporter Henry Karmo contacted Internal
Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration “Hon. Varney Sirleaf to get his view
about the dubious transaction. In Minister Sirleaf’s respond, according to
reporter Karmo, Minister Sirleaf claimed his instruction to the Gbarpolu County
Authority to pay the contractor (Renewable Liberia Limited/James Folokula) the
remaining $29,875.000 United States Dollars was base on a legal advice from
Assistant Internal Affairs Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Lusene Bility.
Minister Sirleaf Also claimed that he had no knowledge that the PPCC had ruled
in the awarding of the contract. He claimed that the PPCC ruling was not
communicated to him when he wrote the Gbarpolu County Administration about the
ten percent retention payment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
contacted, Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Luseni
Bility claimed that he too was not aware of the PPCC ruling and the GAC report.
He pushed that it was only fair to pay the last money since the first and
second payments were done. Minister Bility’s legal advice further exposes him
to either conspiracy or gross incompetence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Additional documents raised more questions than answers</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Additional documents obtained from the Liberia Business Registry shows that a list of what appeared to be fake names are shown on the Renewal Liberia Limited's article of incorporation. Among those names is one that appears to be the traditional name of Gbarpolu County Senator Daniel Naatehn. The name shown on the Article of incorporation is "Flomo D. Kparlee". Mr. Kparlee holds 20% share in Renewal Limited. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Further investigation have revealed that the purported General Manager of Renewal Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q. Folokula was on regular payroll while he was working in Bopolu. It is now clear that Mr. Folokula is fronting for some big hands either in Gbarpolu or in Government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">For the past few months now since PMC Chairman Sam K. Zinnah blocked the $29,875.00 payment to Renewal Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q. Folokula has reportedly been roaming the streets of Bopolu threatening court action against Sam K. Zinnah and Gbarpolu County but to date, Mr. Folokula is yet to file a single paper at the court in Bopolu City thus clearly showing empty threats on the part of Renewal Liberia Limited management.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Gbarpolu County has finally put a competent person in office. From my own observation and good sense of thought, the next three years of Sam K. Zinnah's PMC Chairmanship will bring some sanity in the County. During his acceptance speech immediately after his election in Bopolu City on June 6, 2015 at the Gbarpolu County council sitting, Mr. Zinnah sounded a very loud open warning to contractors and individuals in the County. He said "the honey mood is over. all those who have been taking money from Gbarolu County in the name of doing contracts and walking away either without doing or completing those contracts will be brought to Justice". Just few months into his three years position, it is now becomming clear that Mr. Zinnah means serious business.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What remains unclear now is weather Renewal Liberia Limited/James Q. Folokula will walk away with the illegal $268,875.00 United States dollars he illegally received in exchange for a contract that was nullified by PPCC or he will face justic. Thousands in Gbarpolu are very anxious to see the next action of the PMC.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">investigation continues </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13364280688357423933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-40946997446497097972015-09-23T17:44:00.003-04:002015-09-23T17:44:50.032-04:00The risk of impunity and Corruption in Liberia<br />
By: Sam K Zinnah
<br />
<br />
As the much anticipated 2011 elections draws near in Liberia, works are beginning to come to lights from clever politicians. Those works will either serve as political points or bullets for those smart politicians. Recently, a bill to repeal the 9 year old TRC act was recently submitted to the Liberian Senate by Grand Gedeh County Senior Senator Isaac Nyenabo. Although Senator Nyenabo will not be contesting the 2011 senatorial race, his clever bill presentation may be highly influenced by interest to protect his alleged war criminal colleagues and later his own interest after his nine year tenure.
<br />
The questions that swing the chest of many Liberians and friends of Liberia are “while is this outspoken Senator just presenting this bill now when the TRC act is nearly a decade old? Wasn’t this Senator (Nyenabo) amongst the 30 or more senators that were swear into office in 2006? Is the Senator trying to design a cleaver impunity exit for him and his alleged war criminal colleagues?
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The essence of representation is for the representative to express the view of those represented but this has not been in the case of Liberia. Political and self interests have been some of the biggest problems in the Liberian legislature thus leading serious political and patriotic sanity at the capital building in Liberia. Sanity ‘in this case’ is a matter of appropriateness of response to a choice between two choice distinct interests, the first, a merely habituated sense, “certainty” and the second, reasons the lies within the domain of those efficiently universal principles which exist beyond the direct reach human sense of imagination. To understand and investigate the reason(s) for writing a hatchet bill of impunity by a law marker, Liberian electorates must begin to evaluate the credential of people running for elected positions in their constituencies. Election of candidate(s) should be based on patriotism, accountability, moral and transparency in order to curtail the culture of impunity and the danger of running into yet another round of chaos in Liberia. Today, a commercial politician like Isaac Nyenabo is writing cleaver hatchet bill of impunity that would price tag his political journey but considering the level of electorate education in his country or county (constituent), Nyanebo might be rewarded ‘for contributing to the slaughtering of half a million Liberians during the fourteen year civil war’ by being re-elected to the post of Senior Senator for Grand Gedeh.
<br />
<br />
There is sometime a tendency to forget or over look what should have been recalled as the plain fact of occurrences. Obviously, the end of alleged war criminals might be narrowing comes 2011 elections. The likes of Senators Price Johnson, Adolphus Dolo, Isaac Nyenabo, Saah Gbolee and other human hawks who shares intimacy through political acquaintance are all behind this cleaver hatchet bill of impunity. They are all a case of a ‘zombie-like’ synthetic personality taken over by psychopathological equivalent of the body snatchers from outer space waiting to swallow any bad bills that sets them free.
<br />
<br />
Imagine the commonly heard expression both at home and in the Diaspora today, “alleged war criminals must face the full weight of the law”. Senator Nyenabo and his partners in crime may not feel that the concern of the Liberian people should be raised to address the impunity problems in Liberia. The culture of impunity may not be the direct factor of concern to Senator Nyenabo and his partners in crime but they are of decisive importance to Liberia in the struggle to define a solution to the culture of impunity in Liberia. Senator Nyenabo’s continues quotation of portion of the 1986 constitution as his defense for his cleave hatchet bill of impunity is not a matter of facts but simply a ‘feeling’ which does not have any legitimate place in the efforts to address the relevant risk of impunity in Liberia. Nyenabo’s kind of emotion-driven is a major factor of mass political behavior motivated by a pathological use of the “1986 constitution of the Republic of Liberia” as substitute for rational behavior. The notion of bill to repeal the TRC act is distinct from reasoning which is a fatal contradiction in terms of the essence of his job as a law maker. This expresses a large overdose of feeling but virtually no exercise of reasoning.
<br />
<br />
Senator Nyenabo and his alleged war criminals watched many Liberians perish of hunger, especially those of tender years while they relaxed or hustle for political positions at the expense of the very people they victimized. Mothers “with scarcely strength to support themselves” carried their famished and malnourished infants in their arms and died with them. Many felt victim to stray bullets, cold, whilst others to intense thirst while the Senator carry his body guards for his personal protection. Today, Isaac Nyenabo and others who overtly violated the rights of other Liberians are walking the streets of Liberia in grand style while their victims roam the streets in search of daily bread. They are referred to as “Senators and Representatives”. They have even become more corrupt to the extent that they did not see the TRC act that has existed since 2003 (three years before they were elected). It’s a disgrace to see a Senior Senator presenting a bill to repeal an act that is almost eight years old.
<br />
<br />
<b>Risk of Corruption
</b><br />
<br />
Corruption increases the marginalization of minority groups including women. It leads to contestation of the state’s monopoly of force or radicalizes opposition to the State and most times contributing to conflict, destabilization and failed State (UNDP). Most recovery programs aim at restoration of peace and stabilizing the economy through sustainable economic programs.
<br />
Corruption posts a threat to these efforts hence the need to deal with corruption from the onset of recovery is vital. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the effects of corruption in post conflict and recovery environments. Various studious (by; UNDP, World Bank & Transparency international) confirm that about half of the post war countries revert to war within one decade and corruption can be considered as one of the major factors that contribute to fuelling a conflict and the return to violent. Therefore, overcoming corruption in post-war Liberia is essential to restoring the confident of Liberians at home and abroad.
<br />
Post conflict reconstruction is normally characterized by large scale injection of resources in an environment where the legal and institutional frameworks are weak, fragile or inexistent and the expertise scarce. Detection of crime is very low and enforcement difficult or ignored. The surviving governing structures are weak with financial, fiscal, administrative and regulatory capacities and limited oversight is informal and sometimes criminalized sectors. These institutions are often transitional in nature, carrying very little or no legitimacy, and therefore prone to capture by the privilege elite with access to power and resources. This lack of popular participation in reconstruction is vulnerable to hijacking by local elites, which leads to corruption, waste of available and scarce resources, lack of maintenance and monitoring by beneficiaries and eventual rejection in the long run.
<br />
The main purpose of zero tolerance on corruption in Liberia should be to assist post conflict Liberia in developing anti-corruption strategies. These strategies will be used to develop programs on anti-corruption in post-war Liberia and recovery process which will be a tool that will assist affected areas.
<br />
Development will never come to Liberia if Liberians continue to rely on foreign companies to do everything. History attests to this. The Indian, Ghanaian, Nigerian and Lebanese business communities in Liberia have never productively participated in Liberia's development. In fact, they have always tended to set themselves apart from Liberia. It is now up to the government and people of Liberia to build-up the credibility to attract investors to boost the Liberia economy.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-6026360447918974182015-09-23T17:29:00.000-04:002015-09-23T17:29:11.145-04:00“When she was not there”<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Paradox of Gbarpolu County Development
Superintendent “Hon. Yassah Karmo-Fallah”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By: J. Patrick Kollie</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Email: <a href="mailto:pjkollie@gmail.com">pjkollie@gmail.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The pen spoke well for
her when she sat in the neutral seat and observe with what she referred to as
“objective and good faith”. In her opinion, she saw everything objectively in
the interest of Gbarpolu County for development and accountability. On that
basis, she spoke out loudly against the ills of Gbarpolu politics. Little did
Yassah know that sometimes quiet diplomacy is more effective than public
rebuke. As the old saying goes, “what
goes around comes around”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On January 19, 2009,
Yassah penned a detailed letter to Gbarpolu County Project procurement
Committee outlining various public procurement procedures that were violated by
the Procurement committee. In her
letter, Yassah observed at the time that the public procurement procedure was
meant to ensure that public funds are used in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory
manner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two years after
Yassah’s objective letter, she found herself in the driver’s seat as Gbarpolu
County Development Superintendent. In that seat, she has the responsibility to
manage and ensure that the letter she wrote when she was not there is enforced
or achieved objectively. Disappointingly, all objectivity is gone through the
political window as the reality finally sets in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In politics, the traits
that make successful political hustlers are not always attractive; in fact,
there’s a dark trail of backstabbing types of work disappointingly visible in
the politics of Hon. Yassah Karmo Fallah. A Psychopaths’ politicians, who have no
conscience, Machiavels, to whom others are but pieces on a backstabbing board;
a narcist, bursting with malignant self love regardless of what it takes or
cost. In many Gbarpolu political observers’ opinions, Hon. Yassah Karmo-Fallah
is a mixture of all three characters thus making her politically dangerous in
Gbarpolu politics and a tragic political character to be associated with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The once vocal Gbarpolu
Citizen has turned blind eyes to the same ills she strongly criticized when she
was not in Government. Now that she has the opportunity to make the very
changes she advocated for, she has joined the political hustlers to defraud the
County she once claimed she “love”. The unanswered million dollars question now
is “what’s going on under the nose of Yassah Karmo-Fallah?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On July 2<sup>nd</sup>
of this year, a team of expert released their opinion of the complaints,
appeals and review panel in the case of Ätty. Harris Tarnue vs Hon. Allen M
Gbowee. The panel review team was chaired by Cllr. Beyan D. Howard, Co-Chaired
by Mr. Massaquoi M. Kamara, Sr. Other members of the panel review committee
includes Cllr. Eric B. Morlu, Mr. David M. Jallah, Commr. Esther Paegar, and
Mr. Martin S. Kollie. The committee in its ruling said, after reviewing and
analyzing documents submitted by the Complainant Atty. Harris F. Tarnue of
Gbarpolu County and respondent Hon. Allen M. Gbowee, Superintendent of Gbarpolu
County, along with other accompanying instruments, and referencing the
applicable provisions of the PPC act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the
schedule of thresholds. The panel is of the opinion that the procurement
committee of Gbarpolu County Administration headed by Superintendent Allen Gbowee
of which Hon. Yassah Karmo-Fallah is part of did not act in consistent with the
PPC act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the schedule of thresholds during the
conduct of the procurement proceedings/tendering process of EOI No. GBARC/NCB/001/12/13.
The procurement committee did not also act consistent with PPC act of 2010 and
regulation No. 003 when it proceeded to award the contracts for lot 1 (Construction
of Bopolu City Streets) to Renewable Liberia Limited and lot 2 (electrification
of Bopolu City) to Trans Africa Trading Company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The panel went on to
further state that it is the opinion of the panel that the respondent,
Superintendent Allen Gbowee and his procurement committee violated all of the
above cited provisions of the PPC act and regulation No. 003 during the conduct
of the tendering process of EOI No. GBARC/NCB/001/12/13 and also failed to
perform their functions in line with section 27 (c)(d)(f)(k) of the amended and
restated Public Procurement & Concessions act of 2010 in the conduct of the
proceedings describe above and the award of works procurement contracts to
renewable Liberia Limited and Trans Africa Trading Company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Panel stated, in
view of the above, the panel hereby upholds the contentions of the complainant
that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County Administration headed by
Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee and Yassah Karmo-Fallah grossly violated the PPC
provisions in favor of Renewable Liberia Limited, Trans-Africa Company and
other contracts that should have met the threshold guidelines. The Panel, base
on its findings during their investigation invalidated and reversed the
decision of Superintendent Gbowee and his development superintendent Yassah
Karmo-Fallah. The panel ordered Superintendent Gbowee and development
Superintendent Karmo-Fallah to re run the procurement process with provision
that those companies that participated in the July 2012 procurement proceedings
do not pay any additional fees for re participation. To date, the panel’s
decision is yet to be honored by Superintendent Gbowee and his Deputy for
Development, Yassah Karmo-Fallah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many Gbarpolu citizens
thought the first task of Hon. Yassah Karmo-Fallah’s
administration was to ensure equal and unhindered access to all information
concerning the various projects in the County, which as the infant County
history has shown have been one of the most contentious issues in the county’s
political life that to a large extend fueled the political tension in the
county. Development Superintendent
Yassah either lacked a vision or the will to enforce whatsoever vision she had
for the development of Gbarpolu County when she was not there. The budget law
which provides the framework for governance was disregarded and treated with
discontent by this very vocal political activist Yassah Karmo-Fallah and the
County project management committee (PMC) that should have upheld it. Yassah
and her remote control PMC have become more talkative than doers. They have
demoted themselves from discussing issues to attacking personalities who speak
out on their failed activities in Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disappointment about the Bopolu City layout and electrification
projects can be seen in the eyes of Gbarpolu citizens ranging from infants to
elders in all six administrative districts of the County. Most people are
calling for the immediate dismissal of Superintendent Allen Gbowee and
Development superintendent Yassah Karmo-Fallah to avoid further chopping by the
two failed individuals. It can be recalled that Yassah Karmo-Fallah escaped
several consultative meetings meant to provide clarity on most of the now
failed projects in the County prior to the just ended 166 independent day celebration which was co hosted by Bomi,
Gbarpolu & Grand Cape mount Counties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Immediately after the independent day celebration in the western
region, an audit was ordered on several counties. Gbarpolu County is said to be
one of the priorities on the list of the audit because of the level of gross
violation of the PPCC procedures that appear to be influenced by conflict of
interest by Superintendent Gbowee and his Development Superintendent Yassah
Karmo-Fallah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The biggest project in the history of Gbarpolu County since its
creation under the regime of now imprison former Liberian president Charles
Taylor is the construction of Bopolu Streets/ City layout. The awarding of this
contract is now under investigation by citizens themselves. According to the
PPCC procedure that was published as a guideline for the expression of interest
(EOI) to bidders indicated the submission/qualification requirements as follow:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Current business registration certificate, current valid tax
clearance certificate, Ministry of public works certificate, instant financial
statement, proof of ability to pre finance per stage/phase, and past
performance records/reports. It has been established that Renewable Liberia
Limited, the company undertaking the biggest project in Gbarpolu County (lot 1,
Bopolu City layout) did not meet the requirement of the bid but was still
declared winner of the bid. The company is believed to be owned by controversial
former Gbarpolu County junior Senator Daniel Naatehn. Superintendent Allen
Gbowee resided in Daniel Naatehn’s house
in Bopolu when he (Gbowee) presided over the bidding process. Did
Superintendent Gbowee’s present in Naatehn’s house influence his decision to
fraudulently award the bid to Renewable Liberia Limited?. It can also be
recalled that Superintendent Gbowee and his Development superintendent Yassah
Karmo-Fallah attempted to terminate the contract of Universal construction
services headed by Mr. Jallah K. Mendscole. Their attempt brought more exposure
as Mr. Mends-cole went gutter with them by explaining how the Superintendent
and the Development superintendent took $10,000.00 (ten thousand United States
dollars) from him as a kick back while the PMC treasure “Johnson Gotoe”
demanded and received $1000.00 (one thousand united states dollars) as his
share of the chopping spree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">To date, the actions of Yassah remains ironically inconsistent as
more unanswered questions linger the minds of thousands of Gbarpolu County
residents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-2739138471708809372015-09-23T17:11:00.004-04:002015-09-23T17:11:57.577-04:00Open letter to LRA<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hon. Alfreda Tamba</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Commissioner General, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA)</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Republic of Liber</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Honorable
Commissioner General,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
write to congratulate you for your tireless efforts in making sure to complete
the setting up of the now “Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA)” with the objective
intention to identify and raise more revenue that have either ended up in
private pockets over the years or ignored by few people that had the
responsibility and authority to deposit those revenues into Government accounts.
These kinds of efforts can only be applied by true patriots like you and those
that work behind the scenes to see or insure a successful work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Your
confirmation as “Commissioner General” of the Liberia Revenue Authority marks a
very important milestone in the fight against corruption in Liberia. As you are
aware, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">in the wake of continuous extortion of Liberia’s resources,
decentralization of state management is highly recommended. Giving more power
to the regions to determine local policies and development priorities, including
such areas as Education, Social infrastructure and Human development, as well
as the power to implement these policies such as forming their own budgets,
financing developmental policies, collecting certain types of taxes etc..
Likewise local authorities should be held accountable for what happen in their
regions and they should be made less reliant on central authorities. Local
authorities should have a share in managing state assets on their territories
and gaining incomes from it as well for financing projects. <br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Corruption have over the
centuries have left negative impact on Liberia and have increases the
marginalization of minority groups including women. It has also in the past led
to radicalizing oppositions to the State and most times contributing to
conflict.<br />
Corruption, as overt in the Liberian society, posts a serious threat to the efforts
such as the system you have worked tirelessly over the years to establish;
hence the need to deal with corruption rigidly is highly recommended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In recent years, there have been increasing
attentions to the effects of corruption in post conflict and recovery
environments. Various studious (by; UNDP, World Bank & Transparency
international) confirm that about half of the post war countries revert to war
within one decade and corruption can be considered as one of the major factors
that contribute to fuelling a conflict and the return to violent. Therefore,
overcoming corruption in post-war Liberia is essential to restoring the
confident of Liberians at home and abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Post conflict reconstruction is normally characterized by large scale injection
of resources in an environment where the legal and institutional frameworks are
weak, fragile or inexistent and the expertise scarce. Detection of crime is
very low and enforcement difficult or ignored. The surviving governing
structures are weak with financial, fiscal, administrative and regulatory
capacities and limited oversight is informal and sometimes criminalized
sectors. These institutions are often transitional in nature, carrying very
little or no legitimacy, and therefore prone to capture by the privilege elite
with access to power and resources. The lack of popular participation in
reconstruction is vulnerable to hijacking by local elites, which leads to
corruption, waste of available and scarce resources, lack of maintenance and
monitoring by beneficiaries and eventual rejection in the long run.<br />
The main purpose of zero tolerance on corruption in Liberia should be to assist
post conflict Liberia in developing anti-corruption strategies and strategies
to identify and raise more revenue to undertake development projects in Cities
in the 15 Counties. These strategies will be used to develop programs on
anti-corruption in post-war Liberia and recovery process which will be a tool
that will assist local Governments throughout Liberia. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since Liberia’s
independent in the 1800s, there have been fluctuating economic stages which in
most cases have led to the under development of Liberia compared to other
Countries in the Sub Region. In my opinion and view, the newly created Liberia
Revenue Authority (LRA) stand a better chance to bring on board accountability,
credibility, though enforcement and other aspects that have either been ignored
as a result of incompetence or corruption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As I drive around
Monrovia, I witness huge traffic violations by Government, commercial &
private vehicles on the daily basis. I think your Commission can liaise with
the Justice Ministry/Liberia National Police (LNP), Transport Ministry and
Ministry of Finance, Development and planning to set up a very good enforcement
structure to make millions in revenue from reckless drivers in Liberia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How<b> the above Government Institutions can contribute<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Transport Ministry: </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This Ministry will
regularize the registration of all vehicles in the republic of Liberia. Once
this is done, a national database can be created to enable enforcing Ministries
or agencies to have easy access to needed information both at the traffic call
center and at various traffic courts in the 15 Counties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Transport Ministry can
also secure 15 to 25 acres of land to be used for the construction of
multipurpose complex to include road or safety emission inspection machines for
all vehicles. The purpose of the safety emission inspection will be to ensure
that cars plying the streets of Monrovia and other major Cities meet all safety
requirements before plying the streets. The same area will be used to park
towed vehicles. Towed vehicles will be charged towing fees and daily parking
fees. If a vehicle’s towing and daily parking fees exceed certain amount,
Government should auction the vehicle and deposit proceed into Government
revenue account. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Justice Ministry</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">: In the effort to
properly and legally enforce the rules, the Ministry of Justice will either
capacitate the traffic courts or create new ones in every City throughout the
republic of Liberia with representation of LRA at each Court to monitor and
ensure that intended Government revenues are not redirected in the pockets of
individuals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Liberia National Police (LNP), </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">although
the LNP does not have the confidence of the public, it is the legal law
enforcement Agency of the Republic of Liberia. In this case, the LNP traffic
department will select a good number of traffic officers and enhance their
training for the purpose of patrolling assigned areas and issuing violation
tickets. Since the LNP has some credibility problems, a crime or traffic call
center will be created at the LNP headquarters or in a neutral building. At
that call center, LNP officers along with LRA and Transport Ministry officers
will be assigned there to monitor calls to ensure that violators are issued
tickets appropriately. In this case, once a LNP officer pull over a violator,
the call center will immediately be alerted. The vehicle license plate number
will be given to the call center. The LNP officer will name the violation (all
violations will be properly coded with the appropriate charges). Once the
violation ticket is issued, it is immediately reported in the system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also under the LNP, Tow
trucks can be assigned to various busy traffic routes to tow break down or
impounded vehicles. Towing will be done at the vehicle owner’s expense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ministry of Finance, Development & Planning;</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
This Ministry will set up the central account number and the 15 local account
numbers for each county. Under the county account numbers will also be the sub
account numbers for each city in that County. For example; if a violation
ticket for the amount of LRD500.00 is
issued in the City of Paynesville, 35% (or to be determined by either law or
LRA) of the LRD 500.00 will go to the city of Paynesville while the remaining
65% go to central Government. The total amount will be deposited in the central
account for audit and accountability purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The 35% that goes to the
City in which the violation took place can be used to employ or capacitate city
employees to enforce City maintenance. For example: The City of Paynesville can
pass a City law (if it is not there already) mandating all land owners in the
City of Paynesville to keep their land(s) clean. In the event a land owner failed
to clean his/her land every two or three weeks, the City will clean the land
and impose a fine on the land owner. The money raised from the fine will be
used to undertake development projects in the City, including but not limited
to building or maintaining Public Schools in the City, reducing school fees for
residents of the City, employing residents of the City, thus creating more jobs
in the City. Those city employees will pay taxes to the government of Liberia
thus increasing the country’s revenue capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">These punishments I
believe will have important consequences on the defendants and will bring
economic gain which will enforce the purpose of LRA. Over the years we have
experience different stages in our law enforcement that seems not to be working
for the Government but instead for the individuals enforcing the laws. In my
view, the primary goal of punishment should be to assist violators to turn
their life around and to safeguard society. On the other hands, violators
should also be used to raise revenue to undertake development projects and to
compensate victims by benefiting from some of the development projects in the City
(ies) they (victims) live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sam K. Zinnah</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
szinnah@gmail.com</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-55809665984313339582015-09-23T16:58:00.005-04:002015-09-23T16:58:54.516-04:00Two Top Internal Affairs Officials in Corruption Web!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
By: J. Patrick
Kollie</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
pjkollie@gmail.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Reports emerging from the
Ministry of Internal Affairs indicate that two top officials of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs covertly linked to a company that is believed to have defrauded
Gbarpolu County of USD$300,000.00 United States Dollars. The two officials
conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of
forming a company to undertake contracts in Gbarpolu County. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Communication in the possession
of this writer shows that Internal Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration,
Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf on June 23, 2015 wrote Gbarpolu County Superintendent
Hon. Armah M. Sarnor requesting the Superintendent to authorize the remaining
10% balance retention payment in the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine
thousand eight hundred seventy-five United States Dollars) in favor of
Renewable Liberia Limited, the company believed to have fraudulently won the
Bopolu City layout contract in 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On October 13, 2012, the head of
the Gbarpolu County Administration, Hon. Allen M. Gbowee in a mass Gbarpolu
County Citizens meeting in Bopolu City announced that Renewable Liberia Limited
was the winner of the USD$300,000.00 dollars City layout contract. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After reviewing the procurement
process that led to the result in favor of Renewable Liberia Limited, Attorney
Harris F. Tarnue filed a formal complaint to the Public Procurement and
Concessions Commission through the Commission’s Complaints, Appeals &
Review Panel (CARP) against the process. Upon receipt of Atty. Harris Tarnue’s
written complaint with all his supporting documents attached, the PPCC’s CARP
requested Superintendent Allen Gbowee to submit all documents pertaining to the
Bopolu City layout bid process in a specified time. According to the CARP
investigation report also in the possession of this writer, the following list
of documents was requested from Superintendent Gbowee.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->List
of participating bidders and qualification criteria</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Minutes
of procurement committee & bid opening meetings, including attendance
record</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Bid
evaluation Panels report/recommendations</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Bid
evaluations criteria </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Finding
of a review proceeding held upon the complaint of Atty. Harris F. Tarnue</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Copies
of the signed contract and</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Copies
of bid advertisement and other related document not specifically named herein.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The qualification requirement
listed by Superintendent Gbowee in the advertisement reads below:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Current business registration
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
- Current valid tax clearance
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Ministry of Public works
certificate</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Instant Financial statement</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Ability to pre finance per
stage</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
-Past performance
records/report, including project title, Project location, Project value,
client’s full addresses and contact number(s).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The PPCC’s CARP waited for
Superintendent Gbowee’s response but to no avail till the expiry of the
statutory period. Complainant Atty. Harris F. Tarnue wrote the PPCC to inquire
about the status of his complaint. In his follow up letter, Atty. Harris F.
Tarnue urged the PPCC CARP to investigate his complaint in manner as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Review
the procurement proceedings and tendering process leading to entry into of the
said illegal contract with Renewable Liberia Limited</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Hear,
determine and declare whether or not the cited provisions of the PPCC were
violated</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Cancel
or cause to be cancelled,” voidable contract” entered into in violation of the
PPCC Act, and</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Declare
such further rights and remedies complainant would be entitled to under the
PPCC Act.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
Also Attached to Atty.
Tarnue’s follow up inquiry letter was a list of relevant documents further
supporting his allegations. Among those documents was a letter over the
signature of the Chairman of the Gbarpolu County Legislature Caucus in an
attempt to intervene in the situation but Superintendent Gbowee failed to give
credence to the County Caucus’ intervention and went ahead to sign the contract
with Renewable Liberia Limited.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
After the statutory period,
Superintendent Gbowee decided to reluctantly reply to the CARP request by
submitting documents and responding to Atty. Tarnue’s complaint. After
carefully reviewing and analyzing all documents submitted by Complainant Atty.
Harris F. Tarnue and Defendant Hon. Allen M. Gbowee, along with other
accompanying instruments and referencing the applicable provisions of the PPCC
Act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the schedule of thresholds, the panel
declared in its opinion that the Procurement Committee of Gbarpolu County
Administration headed by Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee did not act consistent
with the PPCC Act of 2010 and regulation No. 003 on the schedule of threshold
during the conduct of the procurement proceedings/tendering process of the
Bopolu City layout contract when it proceeded to award the contract to
Renewable Liberia Limited.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The CARP ruled; “Therefore, it
is the opinion of this panel that respondent, the Honorable Superintendent of
Gbarpolu County, Allen M. Gbowee and his procurement committee violated all of
the above cited provisions of the PPCC Act and regulation No. 003 during the
conduct of the tendering process of EOI No. GBARC/NCB/001/12/13, and also
failed to perform their functions in line with section 27 (c) (d) (f) (k) of
the Amended and restated PPCC Act of 2010 in the conduct of the proceedings
described above and the award of the works procurement contracts to Renewable
Liberia Limited. In view of the above, the panel hereby upholds the contentions
of the complainant that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County
Administration headed by Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly violated the
above cited provisions of the PPCC Act and its regulations during the tendering
process. Accordingly, the panel here by invalidates and reverses the decision
of the procurement committee to award contract for Bopolu City layout to
Renewable Liberian Limited. The Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby
ordered to re-run the procurement process with provision that those companies
that participated in the July 2012 procurement proceedings do not pay any
additional fees for participation”. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Conspiracy or Gross Incompetence<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
The above narration does not
need a rocket scientist to tell that the Bopolu City layout contract was in
violation of the PPCC Act. What remains a multi-million dollar question now is
whether Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration Varney A. Sirleaf
and Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs Hon. Losene F. Bility
(Esq) both conspired and participated in affairs of an enterprise through a
pattern of forming Liberia Renewable Limited to undertake the Bopolu City
layout contract or both are grossly incompetent to read and analyze the above
public documents. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
An internal Memorandum
(LFB/AMLA/) 91) in the possession of this writer also reveals the legal opinion
of Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs Hon. Losene Bility (Esq). In his
opinion dated May 12, 2015, Hon. Bility writes, “<i>In consonance with your April 28, 2015 instruction to the Deputy
Minister for Administration, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, which was forwarded to me
for legal advice, I have reviewed the attached instruments and arrived at the
following findings:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the project was successfully completed as same was dedicated during the July
26, 2013 Independence Day celebration in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County by Her
Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the assessment report of the Public Works Resident Engineer of January 28, 2014
certified the work<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 1<sup>st</sup> payment was made in April 2013<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 2<sup>nd</sup> payment was made in October 2013<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i>That,
the 3<sup>rd</sup> and final payment as retention was due in January 2014 but
up till now is has not been paid,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, and couple with the fact that
the 3<sup>rd</sup> and final/retention payment in the amount of US$29,875.00 is
overdue, I advise that same be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions
enshrined in the contract</i>”. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
It is professionally amazing
to read such a legal advice that has absolutely no legal basis. In my view, the
Minister is either in a covert conspiracy or is grossly incompetent to know
that no contract exists between Gbarpolu County and Renewable Liberia limited.
How could this Legal Affairs Minister be so blind to the law he professes to
know?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Gbarpolu County PMC Chairman Draws
Corruption Lines<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
In a leaked package in the
possession of this writer, it is becoming crystal clear that someone is finally
prepared to draw a thick line between corruption and accountability. In a
respond to what appears to be a letter received from Gbarpolu County Superintendent
Hon. Armah M. Sarnor, Gbarpolu County newly elected Project Management
Committee Chairman, Mr. Sam K. Zinnah seems to be sitting pretty good and ready
to battle or challenge the legality of the Bopolu City layout contract. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
In a well written letter to
Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh dated June 28, 2015, Chairman Zinnah wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“<i>Cllr. Sannoh,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I present
compliments and write to seek the advice of the Ministry of Justice about the
request for payment to Renewable Liberia Limited concerning a purported
contract for the layout of Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On July 20, 2015, I
received a letter dated July 10, 2015 in which Superintendent Armah Sarnor,
acting on advice from Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Deputy Minister for
Administration, Ministry Internal Affairs requested the Gbarpolu County PMC to
pay Renewable Liberia Limited the amount of USD$29,875.00 (Twenty nine thousand
eight hundred seventy five United States Dollars). Please see attached letters
regarding the request for payment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notwithstanding, the
request for said payment, my attention has been drawn to the June 6, 2013
ruling of the Public Procurement and
Concession Commission (PPCC) and the
November 2014 General Auditing Commissions report regarding the unlawfulness of
the above mentioned contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hon. Minister, the
holding from the June 6, 2013 PPCC’s ruling reads as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> “The Panel hereby upholds the contentions of
the complainant that the procurement committee of Gbarpolu County headed by
Superintendent Allen M. Gbowee grossly violated the above cited provisions of
the PPCC Act and its regulations during the tendering process. Accordingly, the
Panel hereby invalidates and reverse the decision of the procurement committee
to award the contracts for EOI No.GBARC/NCB/001/12/13 to Renewable Liberia
Limited and Trans-Africa Trading Company. And that to ensure compliance with
the PPCC Act, the Gbarpolu County Administration is hereby ordered to re run
the procurement process with provision that those companies that participated
in the July 2012 procurement process do not pay any additional fees for
participating”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A finding from
portion of the November 2014 General Auditing Commission’s report covering the
fiscal years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 states “ The Gbarpolu County
Administration grossly violated the PPCC Act and PFM law in awarding the
contract. Also, despite a precept from the Public Procurement and Concession
Commission’s CARP, prohibiting the execution of the contract and ordering the
re run of the procurement process, the County Administration opted to ignore
the CARP’s ruling and preceded with the execution of the said contract at the
detriment of public resources”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Also,
recommendation on page 16 of the November 2014 GAC report states “The Gbarpolu
County Superintendent, Allen M. Gbowee, Assistant Superintendent for
Development, Yassah Karmo-Fallah, the PMC Chairman, Desmond A.T. Boimah should
be held accountable for the USD$268,875.00 paid to the contractor for the
layout of the Bopolu City”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is also
interesting to know that the laws specifically requiring that the Ministers of
Finance and Development Planning and Justice to sign and attest to contracts
above$250,000.00 were ignored. According to the November 2014 GAC report for
fiscal years 2011/2012 & 2012/2013, the individuals who signed the contract
on behalf of the two Ministries were not the statutorily authorized officials
thus raising more credibility issues about this contract.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As the newly
elected Chairman of the PMC, it is one of my sworn in or oath commitments to ensure
that the resources of Gbarpolu County are expanded in line with the laws of
this Nation. I am seeking your advice in order to move forward with the payment
request”. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
an effort to get Mr. Sam Zinnah to discuss his letter to the Justice Minister,
the PMC chair, in a short telephone conversation said, “If you claim you have
copy of a letter written by me, go ahead and continue your investigation. I do
not intend to discuss my professional work in the media”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suspected
owners of Renewable Liberia Limited<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Since
the emergence of Renewable Liberia Limited, there have been many speculations
in Gbarpolu about the owners of this suspicious company. According to the
November 2014 GAC report, Renewable Liberia Limited did not meet most of the
important requirements for participating in the biding process but the Company
still won the bid which later dragged in to PPCC court and resulted to
cancelling of the contract. Although the contract was nullified by the PPCC,
payment of over US$260,000.00 to the Company was processed through the Ministry
of Internal Affairs thus raising more questions than answers about the powerful
hands behind the company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
is widely speculated that Renewable Liberia Limited is covertly owned by Deputy
internal Affairs Minister for Administration, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Former
Assistant Minister Florence Dukuly and Gbarpolu County Senator Daniel Naatehn.
The status Of Hon. Losene Bility, Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs is not
too clear as he remains under close watch. Hon. Bility’s recent (May 12, 2015)
legal advice in favor of renewable Liberia Limited share more lights on his
covert connection to this suspicious company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
one of my many attempts to track some of the fishy activities of Renewable
Liberia Limited, I’ve been trying to investigate how the earth moving
equipments that were used by Renewable Liberia Limited landed in the hands of
the company. The equipments in question were bought by Bokomu and Gou Ngolala
Districts with the aim to undertake road works in the two District but the
machines have been in the Possession of Senator Daniel Naatehn. Without the
knowledge of the owners of the Mechines, a purported rental contract was
entered into by Renewable Liberia Limited thus shinning more lights on Senator
Naatehn’s connection to this suspicious company. As I pen this story, the
people of Bokomu are gearing up to file a law suit against the fronting General
Manager of Renewable Liberia Limited, Mr. James Q. Folokula.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
it is proven that the above named officials are in any way beneficiaries of
Renewable Liberia Limited, their action will be total conflict of interest. I
am of the strongest conviction that the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission
would be highly interested in digging out the owners of this suspicious company
as they anxiously wait to take care of their final chopping from the
US$300,000.00 contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Deputy and
Assistant Ministers denied knowing about PPCC ruling & GAC report<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
a August 6, 2015 edition of the Frontpageafrica news paper sub caption “who
wants Gbarpolu County 29K road Money”, reporter Henry Karmo contacted Internal
Affairs Deputy Minister for Administration “Hon. Varney Sirleaf to get his view
about the dubious transaction. In Minister Sirleaf’s respond, according to
reporter Karmo, Minister Sirleaf claimed his instruction to the Gbarpolu County
Authority to pay the contractor (Renewable Liberia Limited/James Folokula) the
remaining $29,875.000 United States Dollars was base on a legal advice from
Assistant Internal Affairs Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Lusene Bility.
Minister Sirleaf Also claimed that he had no knowledge that the PPCC had ruled
in the awarding of the contract. He claimed that the PPCC ruling was not
communicated to him when he wrote the Gbarpolu County Administration about the
ten percent retention payment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
contacted, Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Hon. Luseni
Bility claimed that he too was not aware of the PPCC ruling and the GAC report.
He pushed that it was only fair to pay the last money since the first and
second payments were done. Minister Bility’s legal advice further exposes him
to either conspiracy or gross incompetence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-10237579312819164292015-09-23T16:25:00.000-04:002015-09-23T16:56:09.253-04:00-Liberia’s uncertain future- Hunted by war/economic crimes <span style="font-size: 18pt;">L</span>iberia’s history
of recent is largely replete with economic and human rights related crimes. Two
debacles, if not checked and corrected, will continue to undermine and erode
economic and political advancement of our country. Without efforts by the
International Community and Liberians themselves, at home and abroad, to
consolidate concrete actions in dealing with these menaces, the revival and
restoration of our Country and its weak institutions, will be visited with
failure and faltering.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Liberia is so<b> </b>jaundiced
and held hostage by forces with heavy burden of war and economic crimes,
gallivanting around the political and business platforms where they insidiously
rise to power and fame by manipulating our ever weak and greedy voters. These
war lords and economic plunderers are no longer satisfied with legislative
seats, rather they are yearning for the common presidency, on the other hand,
who can blame them when some of the current leaders wear the golden crown of
human blood and ghosts of our civil war?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In a country where war lords and perpetrators of economic
crimes are rewarded by system of undermined sovereignty and national integrity,
we have fallen prey to the venomous and verminous acts of these plunderers who
are busy exsanguinating<b> </b>us to our
very death.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Will we keep
rewarding acts of malfeasance?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The trend of globalization in international politics and<b> </b>fight<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b>against crimes is<b> </b>changing<b>. </b>First, we
ourselves must begin to initiate a prompt stance and seek remedy in
collaboration with international partners and institutions. Rewarding these
inane vampires (to use Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s words) sends a signal that we
are complacent with the state of our minds and national situation. Meaning, “What
is wrong with us, is us”. Only by concrete civil and/or legal action, to punish
crimes that threaten our very survival that will set the basis for our
Country’s affability for international actors to help our situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We,
intellectuals, technicians<b>, </b>politicians,
activists, religious leaders, traditional leaders, etc need now than ever
before to demonstrate a cocksure nature and approach to<span style="color: red;"> </span>fighting<b> </b>the ills of war and economic crimes in
our national existence. Our real problem is we easily coax each other toward
wrong tendencies in our personal interests than harmonizing our differences and
resolve towards solving national problems. Liberia’s convalescence, following
years of war and<b> </b>greeted with almost
12 years of economic degradation<b> </b>and
erosion, (a period in which we have also witnessed the metamorphosis of crooks,
killers and plunderers into Kings, Queens and tycoons) can be midwived into a
better society if we ignite justice against crimes that are hunting down our
overall progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In this
business, the powerful crooks and killers will threaten a total State’s
collapse and retrogression <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
to war. This is a vain threat intended to delay people’s
might and action. Surely public revenge through justice of the law is more
urgent than ever before. Sierra Leone, our closest neighbor is a perfect
example where people’s power has out weighted the glory of killers and plunderage
of war.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The global community and their institutions have always
offered a hand of partnership, especially if their own interest is involved.
For instance, western superposition over the African and sub regional influence
saw Nigeria hand over Charles Taylor (former Liberian President). The sub
regional political dynamism that has brought strong willed leaders like
Nigeria’s Mohammed Buhari, amongst others needs to super pose its own machinery
to punish perpetrators of war and economic crimes within the sub region, if West
Africa must build on the pillars of an integration of people in a stable
environment. We have seen over times
that corruption and undemocratic tendencies- bad governance or for Liberia’s
situation, worse governance, which undercut the attainment of human security
and survival, have all served as recipes for instability in West Africa. We
follow the history of a region of coups that later were elevated to brutal
civil wars spreading from Liberia like tornado. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Recently, revolutionary forces in Burkina Faso did not
only deny long serving Blaise Campaore extension of term of office, but also
ejected him off the presidency. This indeed was a bloodless exercise growing
out of the people’s power. Eventually, their action has paved the way to hold Campaore
accountable for crimes he committed during<b>
</b> the untimely murder of Captain Thomas Sankara
and others and the deployment of several Burkinabe (who may not be accounted for)
in Liberia for warfare assignment during the brutal Liberian civil war. The scourge
engineered<b> </b>by Blaise Campaore via
Cote D’Voire, we are quite aware, spread to Sierra Leone, and later to Guinea.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Blaise Campaore will/should not go down alone. His
Liberian partners that aided him in the Thomas Sankara episode should be called
to book. Their political status in Liberia must not deter the sub Region. The
Liberian Legislature or Executive mansion therefore provides easy delivery to
justice as the Charles Taylor’s case has proven. Abuja, West Africa’s most
powerful capital<b> </b>must not, in these
circumstances provide safe haven for war lords. Already, with credible news
filtering around about a list of suspects in the possession of disciplinarian
Buhari, one can be certain, that in partnership with other members of the
international community, the old man Baba Buhari will help clean some of the
mess around here.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Similarly, western partners in whose countries suspected
Liberian thieves have deposited huge savings and investments<b><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span></b>are
under obligation to demonstrate goodwill. As in the FIFA case, they need to go
beyond freezing accounts, to actual arrest and prosecution. America and Europe
cannot afford to grant these suspected criminals sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The recent
harsh interaction/exchanges between the U.S. government (through its Ambassador
in Liberia) and the Liberian President over a U.S. human rights report is a
welcoming adventure. The U.S. Embassy
stood its grounds on the report and daringly challenged the Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf’s government to disprove any aspects of the report. Since then,
there has been guilty silence. Silence of course means “consent”. But the U.S
needs to go further than just cataloging human rights violations. It needs now,
with the stability we have growing out of their support, focus on the setting
up of war and economic crimes court to arrest and bring to trial those war and
economic vampires. Washington, under the leadership of President Barack Obama
needs to exert strong will and leadership here. He needs to follow the good
example of former president George Bush who would not take “no for an answer”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration has to be called to account for the millions
it presiding over. Fortunately, at the end of the civil war, ECOWAS
commissioned an audit. Based on the audit report, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led
government prosecuted former Chairman<b> </b>Gyude
Bryant and others for economic crimes. This was/is a classical example and demonstration
of holding individuals (who hold the public trust) accountable. Her government
and others before her must be held accountable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
While this
is unfolding, we must note President Sirleaf never attempted to raise the issue
of war crimes against anyone. (My subsequent issue will delve into the why).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Where are the Progressives?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Over the
years, failed attempt to reach the presidency and other key related positions
have baptized many Progressives into the symbiosis problem of self survival,
and the see the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration as the last stage of
destiny. These group of people who, in the seventies and eighties propelled the
society into action on key national issues, are dormant silent like the environment
of a mid night grave yard in rural community. “Here too, people are fighting
for belly full”, someone lamented to me. “In Ellen’s case, she is a master
player”, one political observer told me. “She has them to herself and makes
good job offers and controls their thinking and lips. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One has to
think now about resting with his/her fat salary and benefits, of course
prestige too, then to open your mouth and you are axed out. With age weighting
them (Progressives) down, where else can they comfortably survive? It is not in
their younger ages when they could run to Europe or America and cut eight hours
to earn living, I dare them now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The
Progressives sit silently around issues like “level the mansion, we will
rebuild it”, “I contributed USD$10,000.00 for children welfare”. The corruption
deeply rooted and now vampire, but in this game, who will cast the first
stone?.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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The 2017 presidential elections and it results
could spark renew tension amongst war lords and very powerful tycoons. The
rivalry between and amongst war lords, tycoons and stand by forces, if not
checked by the international community who have dumped in their millions and
the sub region that has borne the burden of human and material loss, Liberia
will fail. Abuja has much to do with this, because if trouble breaks out, she
bears the huge costs of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The
reasons I stress the urgent involvement of the international community or the
sub region, Liberians and their institutions are weak, porous and vulnerable.
Liberia’s former minister of Justice Cllr. Christina Tah, in her letter of
resignation declared “President Johnson-Sirleaf herself is the chief under
miner of the rule of law”. Not<b> </b>much
is desirable in our judicial system. Shielding corrupt officials and gross
human rights violators has been at the core of the present government gimmick.
It fears if it “pulls rope, rope will haul/pull bush”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Today, for
example the former security advisor to former president Charles Taylor is
spokesman for President Johnson-Sirleaf’s government. General Prince Johnson is
a darling political golden egg to president Sirleaf as evidenced by General
Prince Johnson’s overt support to President Sirleaf’s 2011 second term bid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the
judiciary, sits on the Supreme Court bench, a former commander and spokesman of
LURD. In the legislature are seated indictees of GAC audit reports for
allegedly plundering thousands of State funds. They are comfortable as long as
they dance to the rhythm of the power that be. Can’t we see danger ahead?? I
surely do see! Open your eyes!!. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By: Sam K.
Zinnah<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
szinnah@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Former
Chief of Staff and Policy advisor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Office of former
Gbarpolu County Senior Senator<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
J.S.B.
Theodore Momo, Jr<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-6308253674140683652013-07-10T07:22:00.001-04:002013-07-10T07:22:14.959-04:00Why Gbarpolu County budget may not be approved by Finance Ministry
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By: J. Patrick Kollie </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:pjkollie@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">pjkollie@gmail.com</span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
Saturday May 4, 2013, the decision by Gbarpolu County Superintendent Allen
Gbowee to present his budget and performance report on flying sheet is now
appearing to be hunting his legacy (if he ever had one). Many saw the
superintendent’s action as deliberate but it is now cleared that the
superintendent and his Principal deputy are both unable to produce a
comprehensive financial report to convince the finance ministry to release new
money to their administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Many
Gbarpolu citizens thought <span style="color: black;">the first task of Hon.
Gbowee and his administration was to ensure equal and unhindered access to all
information concerning the various projects in the County, which as the infant
County history has shown have been one of the most contentious issues in the
county’s political life that to a large extend fueled the political tension in
the county. Superintendent Allen Gbowee and his Development Superintendent
either lacked a vision or the will to enforce whatsoever vision they had for
the development of Gbarpolu County. The budget law which provides the framework
for governance was disregarded and treated with discontent by Superintendent Allen
Gbowee, his development Superintendent Yassah Karmo-Fallah and the County
project management committee (PMC) that should have upheld it. Superintendent
Gbowee and his remote control PMC have become more talkative than doers. They
have demoted themselves from discussing issues to attacking personalities who
speak out on their failed activities in Gbarpolu County.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Investigation conducted at the finance ministry revealed that the Finance
Minister/Ministry is prepared<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
implement the budget law to the fullest against Gbarpolu County Superintendent
and his Development Superintendent who have either failed or are incompetent to
account for over half a million USD disbursed to their administration for
development in Gbarpolu County. In order to dig whole to cover <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>another what Gbowee and Yassah have created in
Gbarpolu County, the pair are now seen <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hunting selected contractors to terminate
their contracts and give those contracts to new companies and collect their
usual percentages or kickbacks <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which
sometime range from usd7,000.00. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
contractor who I spoke to on condition of anonymity explained how his company
was coerced by Gbowee and Yassah to dish out usd 7,000.00 to them as a
condition/kickback to release his contract money to continue his contract.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to a recent project assessment report on Gbarpolu County
by the Bureau of Protocol which was conducted from June 4-5 2013, the
USD300,000.00 (three hundred thousand united states dollars) city layout
project was at 30% even though Superintendent Gbowee and his Development superintendent
Yassah Karmo-Fallah have already received hundred percent of the three hundred
thousand dollars. The reasons for such snail pace speed at which the project is
going can only be explained on superintendent Gbowee’s flying sheet report
which is handled by him only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Disappointment about Bopolu City layout and electrification
projects can be seen in the eyes of Gbarpolu citizens ranging from infants to
elders in all six administrative districts of the County. Some are calling for immediate
political reforms to avoid further chopping by Gbowee and his Development
Superintendent Yassah Karmo-Fallah who were once strong critics of the late
Chief Jallah Lone and other administrations before them. It can be recalled
that Yassah Karmo-Fallah has escaped several consultative meetings meant to
provide clarity on most of their now failed projects in the County. On Saturday
may 4, 2013, a major project inspection meeting was held in Bopolu City. In
that meeting, the Development Superintendent who was suppose to be present at
the meeting to give detail explanations about the status of the various projects
in the county was again absent from the city meeting. Several residents said
the development superintendent was seen in Bopolu just few hours before the meeting
but decided to hide because she lacks the ability to explain anything
substantive especially in front of such huge crowd that was present at the
meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Fresh information coming from Gbarpolu County indicates that
Universal Construction Company headed by Mr. Jallah Mends-Cole is at the verge
of losing all the contracts they currently have with Gbarpolu County. Our
source who called from Bopolu City on Friday morning (7/5/13) revealed that
Chinese contractors were seen on the premises of the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Universal construction company site taking
measurements. Residents are wondering who’s now in control of the contract in
Bopolu City. When contacted, Universal construction company CEO Mr. Jallah Mends-Cole
refused to comment on grounds that his company has not received any official
communication from the county authority so he is not aware of contract
termination. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further investigation into
the various contract issues revealed that Superintendent Gbowee is mute on the
Liberia Renewable Limited, the company that is currently laying out Bopolu city
and another company that is responsible for the electrification project in Bopolu
simply because the two companies are owned by his political God-father, former
Senator Daniel Naatehn, even though it is evident that the Liberia Renewable
Limited has not done any substantial work on the city layout project. In order
to cover up for his dubious deeds, he had instead subjectively selected the
universal construction company to terminate all its contracts and award same to
one Chinese company without a bid thus violating the PPCC law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Already, there’s a suspected PPCC violation on the Gbarpolu Radio
Station project. A Chinese company is currently renovating the vandalized and
isolated radio station without the proper & required procurement procedure.
During the 2011/2012 county sitting in Bopolu City, district delegates
allocated usd 30.000.00 for the construction of a new radio station in Bopolu
city. The money was not used until the last fiscal year sitting which took
place in Gbarma City in Gbarpolu County. During that sitting, additional
usd20.000.00 was allocated for Bopolu radio station bringing the total to usd50,
000.00. The money was meant to construct a new radio station around the superintendent‘s
compound or near the Bopolu Central high school. Surprisingly, there’s a
Chinese company currently renovating the vandalized and isolated radio station
which was initially a community radio station project undertaken by an NGO
across Liberia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that there is
usd50,000.00 to construct the county own radio station, the superintendent and
his development superintendent have again ignored the public procurement
process/procedure which prohibits the selection or awarding of contracts equal
to or over usd10,000.00 to individual(s) or company(ies) without a bid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly’s recent visit to Bopolu
and other parts of Gbarpolu County to inspect the July 26 Independence Day <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>projects ahead of the July 26 Independence day
celebration, the Minister<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>described<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some of the projects as “disappointing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to our source, most of the projects
may not be completed on schedules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-48464653208391369342013-05-11T07:54:00.003-04:002013-05-11T07:54:46.880-04:00Political drama unfolds in Gbarpolu County
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By: J Patrick Kollie</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="mailto:pjkollie@gmail.com"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: blue;">pjkollie@gmail.com</span></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
Saturday May 4, 2013, Gbarpolu County administrative building became a dramatic
political scene when Superintendent Allen Gbowee began presenting a report on
more than half a million dollars projects in the County on a flying sheet. The
audience went wild and out of control as the county caucus chairman Senator
Armah Zulu Jallah struggled to calm the noise down in order for the
superintendent to complete his flying sheet report. When the noise finally calm
down, superintendent Gbowee shamelessly concluded his report but the meeting
took another direction as the caucus chairman announced that the meeting would
be as practical as possible to allow citizens to participate and clear their
chests of any and all grievances surrounding the county projects. The
superintendent’s presentation was followed by what appeared to be a full scale
press conference. Superintendent Gbowee took the heat from hundreds of citizens
attending the meeting. He was overtly seeing confused and sweating as he
struggled to make up some answers to please himself and his political force
behind the scenes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Saturday
meeting was prompted by heavy suspicion hanging over the single biggest county
project that cost usd $300,000.00 (three hundred thousand United States
dollars) for the layout of Bopolu city ahead of this year’s Independence Day
celebration to be co hosted by the western region (Bomi, Cape Mount &
Gbarpolu counties). Funding for the city layout was allocated from the Western
Cluster social development funds for fiscal year 2011/2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was
confirmed that the full amount for the city layout has been disbursed to Hon.
Gbowee and his Development superintendent Hon. Yassah Karmo-Fallah but work on
the projects remains at a snail pace as we move toward the Independence Day
celebration. The million dollars question lingering the chest of thousands of
Gbarpolu County residents is “what happen to the three hundred thousand
dollars?”. Some citizens who could no longer bear the burden of keeping the
questions on their chest raised up their hands to voice out their frustrations.
As Senator Jallah promised to make the meeting as practical as possible, he allowed
as many people as possible to ask what they doubted. Mr. Sam K Zinnah who
represented Gbarpolu County senior Senator J.S.B. Theodore Momo asked Hon.
Gbowee, “during your presentation/report you said the total number of streets
you are working on is 12, are you telling this audience that you spent
$25,000.00 on each street?”. While Hon. Gbowee was preparing to answer the
question, Mr. Zinnah said “Hon. Caucus chairman, I’ve observed that the
superintendent is giving his report on a flying sheet. for Superintendent
Gbowee to preside over half a million dollars budget and come here with a
flying sheet as a report is a joke and another attempt to violate our budget
law. I recommend that you (Caucus Chairman) mandate the superintendent to go
back and prepare a comprehensive financial report and then re convey this
meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Superintendent
Gbowee was seeing trying to fight his way out of the embarrassing question and
statement from Mr. Sam Zinnah. He stood up and pointed at Mr. Zinnah and said
“but this man is on the scholarship committee”. The crow went loud again; some
citizens asked the superintendent, what does that have to do with the question Mr.
Zinnah asked? Senator Jallah asked superintendent Gbowee to sit down and allow
the citizens to give their view on the project instead of trying to respond to
questions in an attacking manner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In about
an hour, the audience exited the administrative hall and headed to the various
project sites. At this point, citizens expected the project implementing
companies to be present at the project review sites to answer questions about
the various project. To the surprise of many citizens, no company
representative(s) was/were seeing around, instead, all three members of the
Gbarpolu County Project Management committee (PMC) were seeing defending the
company instead of defending the county mega resources. Mr. Sam Zinnah was
approached by the PMC chairman Desmond. Desmond said to Mr. Zinnah, “sir, I was
very surprised at your statement in the administrative hall, you are part of
the administration, how then would you be this critical?”. Mr. Zinnah
responded, “I am entitle to my opinion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After conversing with the PMC chairman Desmond,
the secretary of the PMC Mr.Varmah Moore walked bye. Mr. Sam Zinnah asked Mr.
Moore, “sir, I understand you wrote against the awarding of this contract that
the process was marred by fraudulent activities and that the company had no
implementing history anywhere in Gbarpolu or Liberia, why have you suddenly
become an advocate and defendant for the company?”. Mr. Moore got angry and
began calling Mr. Zinnah a surrogate and a bag boy. Mr. Zinnah responded by
saying “look Moore, the question is very simple, could you tell me why you have
change your position?”. Mr. Moore continued in his anger mood without answering
Mr. Zinnah’s question. Zinnah, in an attempt to establish some facts
surrounding the project, asked Mr. Moore, “so who am I surrogate for or to?”.
Varmah Moore said to Mr. Zinnah, “you spent all your life in the States only to
come here and be bag boy to someone?”. Zinnah laughed and said to Varmah Moore,
you are very limited so the only way out for you is to attack me personally. I
am discussing issue here but since you want to go personal, let me tell you a
bit about myself. I choose to come back home. I have the absolute right to do
anything in the legal confines of the laws. Your action here shows that you
have been bought by Naatehn and his disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In my personal opinion, the main objective for political change in
Gbarpolu now should be to secure democracy by instilling checks and balances,
which have been absent throughout the infant county history. Such political
system “in a way” would change all of Daniel Naatehn’s surrogates including the
PMC from diverting the county mega resources to their loosing and back stabbing
political games in Gbarpolu County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
that case, they will no longer usurp so much power and wield such extraordinary
influence over the fate of the majority and by so doing provide the conditions
for sustained growth and development in Gbarpolu County<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The first task of Hon. Gbowee and his administration was to ensure
equal and unhindered access to all information concerning the various projects
in the County, which as the infant County history has shown have been the most
contentious issue in the county’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>political life that to a large extend fueled
the political tension in the county. Superintendent Allen Gbowee and his social
disciple have either lacked a vision or the will to enforce whatsoever vision
they had for the development of Gbarpolu County. The budget law, which should
provide the framework for governance was disregarded and treated with
discontent by the very superintendent and the County project management
committee (PMC) who should have upheld it. Superintendent Gbowee and his remote
control PMC have become more talkative than doers. They have demoted themselves
from discussing issues to attacking personalities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The need for
political reform in Gbarpolu County Now!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
<span style="color: black;">The objective of
political reform in Gbarpolu County now should be decentralization of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Project management committee- giving more
power to the six administrative districts to determine local policies and
development priorities, including such areas as education, social infrastructure
and human development, as well as the power to implement these policies such as
forming their own budgets, financing developmental policies through their
portion of county & social development funds and, collecting certain types
of taxes etc.. the same local authorities should be held accountable for what
happen in their district and they should be made less reliant on such remote
controlled groups like Hon. Gbowee and his remote controlled PMC.
Administrative districts should have a share in managing County assets on their
territories and gaining incomes from it as well for financing projects. To
avoid outright manipulation of local authorities like what happen after Daniel
Naatehn’s so called payroll clean up, particularly Paramount, Clan and Town
Chiefs, article 56, clause <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">B</b> of the
1986 Constitution be revisited and the power to remove these local officials be
transferred to the National Legislature acting upon<br />
a specific number of signatures of the local population in the respective
localities of these officials, certified by the national election commission as
valid. In this way, we might not have town chiefs coming to bring resolutions
of support to Daniel Naatehn out of fear of their names being omitted from the
payroll for not voting for Daniel Naatehn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Owing to the rhetorical
and political tactics now being performed by defeated Gbarpolu County junior
senator Daniel Naatehn, it is recommended that a cap or restriction be placed
on the number of persons to serve on the PMC and the way the selection of
members is done. Saturday May 4, 2013 meeting in Bopolu City exposed the
financial danger Gbarpolu County is currently faced with. It is now overtly
clear that all three of the PMC members have ended up in the pocket of Daniel
Naateh who is known for using cash violent to elbow his way anywhere to achieve
his selfish political motives. This explains why superintendent Allen Gbowee
have succeeded in abusing the system by, on several occasions, awarding bids to
companies with no prior construction history even before these contracts were
advertised, thereby undermining the development of Gbarpolu County. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
<span style="color: black;">There’s unconfirmed
report that with the exception of Jallah Mends-Cole’s construction company,
most, if not all, of the construction contracts were awarded to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
James Folokulah <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the purported General
Manager of Renewable Liberia, a one time staff in the office of former Senator
Daniel Naatehn. Investigation has shown that Mr. Folokulah is not financially
capable of owning such a company that he currently claim to own. From the
initial stage of the bidding process, the PMC secretary was very objective in
his decision or analysis. What cause Mr. Moore’s sudden change of position
remains a misery to many Gbarpolu residents. At the end of the various project
review, many residents believed that the PMC has loss it neutrality and that
there’s a urgent need to either reshuffle or reconstitute the PMC to avoid
further mismanagement of the County mega resources by the Superintendent and
his administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-28376329467216834422012-12-28T20:26:00.000-05:002012-12-28T20:26:35.730-05:00A tribute to a Fallen Social Hero “Chief Armah Marsa Kpissay”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IR3yZYzgO5s/UN5FUIttFKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/59RiTWQVYns/s1600/SAM_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IR3yZYzgO5s/UN5FUIttFKI/AAAAAAAAAa8/59RiTWQVYns/s320/SAM_1754.JPG" width="316" /></a><span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">No one is immune from death and the
pains that it brings to those who lost their love one. On December 27, 2012,
the Towns of Gatima, Lowoma, Kondesu & Sasazu lost a great son, father,
uncle, & grand father to the cold hands of death. On that evening, news of
elder Armah Marsa Kpissay’s death spread around the world like undulating
tornado in the dry desert in the Far East. As I pen this tribute in tears, I’m
left with painful memories of occurrences and events leading to elder Kpissay’s
death. I’m also left with bunch of unanswered questions that only God can
provide answers to.</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
When one finds him/herself in such a painful and tearful dilemma, all one is
often left with are memories of painful occurrences. Some (like me) narrates or
voice out their feelings while others keep those memories as semiprecious stone
worth millions of Dollars care. Papa Armah “as he was affectionally called”
viewed life in a totally prism form than lots of other people do. He most time
saw and treated things in a very special way that probably no one will do after
he’s finally laid to rest. <br />
Today, I pen this tribute in a special way in memory of an elder who opened his
doors to students who were faced with the daunting task of struggling to meet
the expense of their survival and education in a very far away town of Gatima
in what used to be called Lower Lofa County (now Gbarpolu County). <br />
Many days we roamed the hallway of elder Kpissay’s home in search of daily
bread. In those difficult times, he usually reminded us that he did not define
family as those he biologically fathered. He often told us “as long as you are
willing to add value to yourself (by going to school), you are one of mine”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
When I received the phone call about elder Kpissay’s unexpected and untimely
death on that quiet night of December 27, 2012, the night became darkened and
unending, revealing all the struggles he personally helped encouraged us to
successfully pass through. He thought us to begin each day with a new
enlightened way so that we would find in solitude the answer to his many
traditional proverbs. <br />
I managed to but could not hide my emotion from my two young kids who were with
me when I received the phone call. I sat in complete disbelieve that I will never
forget or escape.<br />
Elder Kpissay, you are physically gone today but those of us you leave behind
will never be the same, we will walk around and through Gatima and Mormazu without
your physical guidance. Now you are on your own, we are here alone.<br />
In the great beyond, you will march with your eyes so bright; your thoughts
will become untangle. Today, your wise words, your generosity, & your
courage have led lots of us across the world with pride and strength to cope
with any form of difficulties. You left behind a dent that will never be filled
in your absence.<br />
May the Lord Almighty lead you through eternity & light perpetual shine on
you.</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">By: Sam Kamara Zinnah</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com103tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-67137277523779860202012-12-18T22:16:00.004-05:002012-12-18T22:23:26.146-05:00Did Kofi Woods influence FPA grading system? By: Sam K Zinnah<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On
Sunday December 16, 2012 at about 23:58 hours, just minutes after I concluded
the part one of “The unmasking of Kofi Woods”, FPA released what is now
appearing as one of the most criticized annual grade point ever in it publishing
history. The release entitled “who made it, who flunked”, caught my attention.
I repositioned my laptop and began carefully perusing the report card. As I
went deep down the report, I began to see the level of biasness and subjective
reporting. On Saturday December 15, 2012, just day before the report was released,
reliable sources from the ministry of public works saw Rodney Sieh dinning with
minister Woods. Further investigation into the alleged meeting revealed that Minster
Woods and Mr. Sieh’s meeting decided who gets what in the so-called bias report
card that has receive more than 80% negative comments since the publication on December
16, 2012. The December 15 meeting was mainly intended to focus on several
ministers who minister Woods sees as possible contenders in the 2017
presidential elections that President Johnson-Sirleaf will not be taking part
in. Labor minister Varbah Gayflor is not one of the focus persons for the 2017
project but she received one of the worst grades as a result of minister woods
interest at the labor ministry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Investigation into Minister Gayflor’s “D”
average revealed that one of the deputy ministers (name with held for now until
minister woods challenge this report) at the labor ministry is minister woods
very special interest and have been at logger head with minister Gayflor since she
took over as minister of Labor. Internal memo obtained from the labor ministry
showed that minister Gayflor once ordered the suspension of the deputy minister
concern but minister Woods intervention help to halt the situation. Minster
Woods allegedly influenced FPA’s Rodney Sieh to give “D” average to minister
Gayflor with the intention to make minister Gayflor unpopular with president
Johnson-Sirleaf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Minister Woods targets are; Finance Minister Amara
Konneh, Defense Minister Browine Samukai, and Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan.
He intend to use Rodney to do the dirty work by using the media to make the
above cabinet ministers unpopular ahead of the 2017 presidential elections.
Rodney Sieh gave Kofi Woods “A” on grounds that the ministry of public works is
about to pave the major streets in Voinjama, Lofa County. How can grade be
awarded even before work begins? Is this not a clear indication that something
happen behind the scenes that the reading public is yet to know about?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In
2012, the road between Ganta and Voinjama is inaccessible. The old executive
mansion on Broad street is leaking profusely, the Belle Yalla road which
receive millions of tax payers’ money is abandoned, the
Gardnersville-Paynesville red lights or Somalia drive is one of the worsts in
the world, Jamaica road is not different from diamond mine, and Rodney is
blindly busy giving Kofi Woods “A”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At
the ministry of public works, Woods unofficial brother-in-law serves as assistant
minister for planning at the same time serving as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SES Consultant for M&E thereby defrauding
the ministry and Government of money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Minister
Woods have had complex media connection over the years thus giving him enough
time to politically market himself over his cabinet colleagues. During the last
cabinet meeting, minister Woods was overtly heard criticizing his fellow
cabinet ministers about not doing enough to stamp out corruption from
Government. Minister Woods continue to remain silent about his handling of the
abandoned Belle Yalla road project that Government has spent millions of tax payer’s
money on. How could Rodney Sieh not see all of those blunders? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-4852986836265709902012-12-16T22:29:00.001-05:002012-12-16T22:29:27.959-05:00The Unmasking of Kofi Woods’ Deals: the Belle Yalla Road Project, part I of II
<br />
By: Sam K Zinnah<br />
editor-in-chief<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One
opinion piece and one direct respond to issues raised about the most publicized
and now abandoned Belle Yallah Road project has drawn what observers referred
to as “serious attention” to Liberia human rights activist tuned politician Kofi
Woods, II. The tough talking minister is beginning to lose grip on media
control as many attempts by him to stop the publication of my opinion piece in
several local news papers and online magazines have caused the minister some
inner stairs that might not be easily repaired. The unfortunate lesson which
the Honorable Minister is yet to learn is that he is beginning to lose control
of the media gradually. With all the maneuvering he did after my first
publication, he failed to stop other papers from publishing the second one. I
must admit that the Daily Observer, InProfile Daily and <a href="http://www.limany.org/"><span style="color: blue;">www.limany.org</span></a> stood up to the task of
promoting free speech in Liberia. Unlike Mr. Rodney Sieh, Publisher of Front
Page Africa online, who has made promoting Kofi Woods’ impossible mission of
becoming Liberia’s First President with an Ashanti name from Ghana one of his
top priorities. The media institutions showed their commitment to the promotion
of free speech unabated. Since Rodney Sieh started his publication, he has
repeated shown how bias he is about some public officials and other issues affecting
public and private Liberians at home and in the Diaspora. A simple example is
the issue of the Dual Citizenship bill. Mr. Sieh deliberately refused to
publicize the bill and debate until one or some of his favorite politicians
were entangled in the political web concerning their alleged dual status. In
fact, there are other unconfirmed accounts about Rodney and Kofi plan together
at times and Rodney can go after potential contenders for the presidency, all
to the liking of Kofi Woods. Anyway, I will leave this discussion for another
time. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
remains widely undetected by the majority of the Liberia populace is how
Minister Woods has successfully managed his complex media connections to mask
reports about his inability to properly and technically draw an effective
project plan for the Belle Yalla Road. In my recent opinion piece “</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When a Human Rights Activist becomes a politician:
The case of Samuel Kofi Woods, II”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">,
I attempted to exposed some of the Honorable Minister’s covert activities and
further detailed the case involving the Belle Yalla Road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
this two-part series, I will go little bit further compared to the previous
two. The problems surrounding the Belle Yalla Road can largely be blamed on
Minister Woods’ lack of both technical and common sense managerial skills. Why
do I say so? Because it has now become clear to the public that the Belle Yalla
Road started without plan which would include starting point, width, number of
bridges, the end point and duration. To add insult to injury, the project was
never bided but I will deal with the bidding issue separately. The larger
question is, why would anybody start a project which Government put in
US$3million without a plan? Without even a competitive bid! Does this point to
the other side of Kofi Woods which he has been masking for years from the
public? Does it show that the Honorable Minister is or has been in bed with
corruption? Not now! I will deal with this issue in separate article about why
I believe Kofi Woods is not who he has portrayed himself to be all along. To
this end, I would like to send out this SOS call for information on Kofi Woods
current and past activities both in civil society movement and in government.
Send them to <a href="mailto:szinah@yahoo.com"><span style="color: blue;">szinah@yahoo.com</span></a>. Your
identity will strictly be protected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
investigation has revealed that Public works initial estimate cost for the
construction of the Belle Yalla road was put at US $3million for a </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">dusty road which is less than 60 kilometer</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because President Sirleaf was objectively eager
to have the Belle Yalla Road project completed quickly and was willing to put
more taxpayers money into it. Minister Woods saw an opportunity to take a ride
on President Sirleaf (a Former Prisoner at Belle Yalla Prison Compound)
eagerness. With many Liberian Road Building Contractors waiting at the doors of
Ministry of Public Works to take the contract, Minister Woods instead gave this
US$3 million project as a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NO BID</b>
contract to a Nigerian Businessman by the name of </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Praise Lawal.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Why a Nigerian Businessman, not
a Liberian Engineering Firm? The truth many do not know because of the Minister’s
“Kofi” name is that his Father actually came from Nigeria to Liberia via Ghana.
His father was originally born as a Nigerian and left Nigeria as a result of
the Biafra Civil war. May be this will help us understand why a Nigerian
Businessman got a no bid contract at the expense of Liberian Contractors. At
the time of Mr. Lawal’s initial involvement, the Ministry of Public works did
not include the kilometers or miles from totoquelle to Belle Yallah in the
contract. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After President Sirleaf spent the historic 2009 Christmas in Belle
Yalla and left, Mr. Lawal put forth a new argument that the initial information
given him by the ministry of public works was misleading, as such, he couldn’t
complete the contract unless the money was increased from US$3 million dollars
to US$14 million. Mr. Lawal’s argument won him a fair opportunity to shift the
blame from his PEALAT construction company to Ministry of Public works thus
leaving the Government through the ministry of public works to contract an
independent firm (believed to be a Ghanaian engineering firm) called LAMDA to
conduct full calculation of the road and submit the cost to the Government of
Liberia through the Ministry of public works. Surprisingly, the cost of the
Belle Yalla road jumped from the initial us $3million to us $14 million. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
investigation uncovered that LAMDA was asked or directed by Minister Woods not
to publicize the report. According to my investigation, the Nigerian
businessman, Mr. Praise Lawal, managed to get hold of copy of the report
thereby prompting renew argument by his PEALAT construction company to review
the contract. The million dollars and unanswered question remains “where in the
world you can re-negotiate contract value after being signed, work started and
money paid in the amount US$3 million? Not only that, the new contract value is
nearly five times more than the signed contract”. Please, let somebody help me
here. The significant development is that all these happening under the
watchful eyes of the self-declared corrupt-free and anti-waste in government
advocate! Is this the Minister who recently blasted his colleagues at the
recent cabinet commissioning ceremony about not doing enough to fight
corruption?, he maybe right!! They are not detecting or doing enough to expose
his deals. For example, the $3 million dollars no bid contract awarded to Mr.
Lawal’s PEALAT construction company is a clear violation of the public
procurement procedure. Did the PPPC take any action? I leave that with the
public.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Minister who is known for talking tough against contractors
for poor performance has until now remained silent about the Belle Yalla road
issue even though materials for the road are seeing damaged and abandoned on
the road. It is difficult to imagine that the project which started in 2009 is
still not completed and Minister Woods has again requested Government to put in
additional money for the same project in the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2012/2013 National Budget. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Whatever took place between the Minister and Mr. Lawal remains a
top secret. But the symptoms are reflected in how some employees close the
Honorable Minister deal with this contractor. For example, on Saturday December
8, 2012 at about 1:00 pm local Liberian time, a public works ministry employee
identified as Paul Kanneh, who was disgracefully dismissed from the GAC under
auditor general John Morlu for writing false statement with the intent to steal
GAC issued laptop in his possession, went to harass Mr. Lawal with alleged
message that Minister Woods sent him to request for money from Mr. Lawal to
counter recent articles in the local and online news papers about the Belle
Yalla road project. The contractor was frustrated due to the constant wave of
harassment from public works employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Surprisingly, Minister Woods, out of fear for his possible
replacement recently wrote President Johnson-Sirleaf requesting for an excuse
to attend matter outside of the ministry’s work for a good portion of the dry
season. A portion of minister Woods letter to president Johnson-Sirleaf states:
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ref #: SKW-M/MPW-RL/04116/12P<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ref: Request to travel<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To attend the international
advisory board meeting of the Catholic organization for development (CORDAID)
scheduled from January 24-25, 2013</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Besides,
minister Woods is additionally asking president Johnson-Sirleaf to permit him
to travel to the U.S.A from January 26 to February 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></sup>2013 to
continue his medical checkups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to the December 3, 2012
press release published on the executive Mansion website announcing the
postponement of President Sirleaf’s visit to Gbarpolu County, the ministry of
Public works attributed the bad road condition to the heavy rains caused by
climate change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
is surprising about this request is that the Minister has blamed bad road and his
inability to complete projects on time on “climate change” implying too much
rain. If the Minister is genuine about this, why is he taking away good portion
of the dry season which he should be working to attend to personal matter? For
the records, CORDAID is one of the donors funding Minister Woods personal NGO, ‘FINHD’.
FINHD has been invited to CORDAID scheduled conference to defend its request
for continued support. Therefore, Minister Woods is now using both his profile
in government to solicit support for his private organization. If this is not another
form of corruption, then I do not know what else is it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-41591310180727326952012-12-01T19:02:00.001-05:002012-12-01T19:06:25.580-05:00Singing his own praises, a direct respond to Joe Lacky Freeman, a.k.a Kofi Woods, II <br />
Barely five days after the publication of my opinion piece about Liberia’s former human rights activist turned politician and public works minister Samuel Kofi Woods, you “Joe Lacky Freeman”, a man believe to be operating under a pen name swung out in defense of the minister. What you failed to clearly address in your Russian-style covert propaganda are the issues raised in my opinion piece. Instead, you overtly opened and raised your ‘political vuvuzela’ and began signing your own praises under a newly combined western and traditional style name (Joe Lacky Freeman). Unfortunately, the praise singing ‘vuvuzela’ failed to realize that my opinion piece is solely based on documentarily facts and not fallacies. In your rejoinder entitled “the benefit of a human rights activist becoming a politician, the case of Liberia’s public works minister Kofi Woods” you outlined bunch of praises and left out the issue of the abandoned Belle Yalla road project with the intent to put your audience under the impression that my opinion piece was just another noise from a minority corner. As I mentioned in my article, it is easy to condemn, criticize and challenge a relatively inconsequential regime that you are not a part of and refer to others in such regime as “humiliating leaders”. <br />
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I am not usually carried away by shower of empty praises especially coming from pen names. How can you “Joe Lacky Freeman” not read my point that minister Woods is known to carry from one ministry to another his Comptroller and Procurement Director, thus undermining continuity principle of government and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the civil service Agency?”. During my investigation while in Monrovia, I visited the Labor and public works ministries, the Monrovia YMCA and was able to confirm that the current Financial Comptroller at Public Works was the Finance Officer at YMCA when Kofi Woods was Executive. When he took over Ministry of Labor, he sent for the same man, Abraham Samukai (Defense Minister brother), to return and work with him at Labor. As expected, he took him again to Ministry of Public Works when he became Minister in 2009. This time, he took six employees from Labor with him to Public Works. Interestingly, all of them from the Finance Department and Procurement Department and appointed them to the same positions at Public Works. The fundamental question is, why the Former human rights man carries with him from one public office to another the same people in finance and procurement? What is he hiding that he cannot work with other Liberian financial experts? Is the Minister not aware of the rights of Liberians he has removed and replaced them with his handbag comptroller and Director of Procurement? Is he not aware of the Civil Service Standing Orders? These are some of the questions raised in my article which the praise singer Joe Lacky Freeman (aka Kofi Woods) failed to address. In my judgment, the evidence I have gathered about Belle-Yella Road project are so overwhelming that the Minister can only resort to singing praises of what he has done at MOL and MPW. But that is not the issue! The issue is, the Government of Liberia has spent over $7million United States dollars on a farm-to-market road which is just 40 minutes driving distance and the project has been abandoned. There is clearly an appearance of collusion and corruption under the Minister’s watch. This is the Minister who recently blasted his Cabinet Colleagues for not doing much to stamp out corruption in government. The reality is Public works ministry under minister Woods is no different from previous failed and disappointing administrations. It is business as usual!<br />
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According to Joe Lacky Freeman rejoinder in defense of Minister Woods, Ministry of Public Works contracted out the Belle Yalla road but the ministry is not responsible for damaged materials. What you again failed to tell the public is “who is the contractor in charge of the Belle Yalla road project”. Information gathered from credible sources revealed that a Nigerian contractor was awarded the Belle Yalla road project. According to information gathered during my investigation, the Nigerian business man allegedly paid back 30% of the US$7million Belle Yalla Road contract money as a kick back for awarding him (the Nigerian Business man) the contract. My source informed me that the Minister who is known for talking tough against contractors for poor performance has until now remained silent. It is difficult to imagine that the project which started in 2009 is still not completed and Minister Woods has again requested Government to put in additional money for the 2012/2013 National Budget.<br />
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My investigation shows that some of the contractors who have been awarded contracts based on Fiscal Budgetary Allocation for 2012/2013 include Lebanese businessman Farwaz ($7.9 million) and $3 million dollars to the Nigerian Business man who have abandoned the Belle Yalla road project while other Liberian owned construction firms roam around the public works ministry without receiving a penny from their own Government. The current state of affairs at MPW is disappointing and a disservice to the taxpayers. Anyone who doubt my information would do well to contact Liberian Engineering Firms who are seeking contracts with Public Works under Minister Woods, do not take my word for it. I have credible information which I cannot release now until I return to Liberia in two weeks to take another group of Journalists to inspect the Belle-Yalla Road project. <br />
Mr. Freeman gave some specific technical information in his rejoinder which I strongly believe came directly from Minister Woods’s desk. His three pages long rejoinder exhaustively contains disinformation which have been discredited by many and will soon further expose his Minister. In your rejoinder, you asserted that “there have been sustained media reports about the failure and slow pace of the Belle-Yella road project. Contrary to those claims, the Belle-Yella Project is ongoing, but experiencing some delays in term of implementation. <br />
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When I recently asked Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services, Victor B. Smith about the status of the project, he acknowledged that there were delays, but quickly attributed these delays to several reasons including financial difficulties”. Perhaps your biggest disinformation which flew in the faces of all the journalists that went with me on the Belle Yalla road assessment have further exposed your poor media propaganda intended to mislead the public. I challenge your false rosy hymnal praises. I will be in Monrovia in few weeks. If in fact a Joe Lacky Freeman actually exists, I will invite you along with several journalist of your choice to go with me to verify your claim that the Belle Yalla road project is ongoing. Please make sure to come with proper academic and national identity to ensure that there is a real Joe Lack Freeman. <br />
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I cannot end this piece without a pledge to the people of Gbarpolu county and to officials of the Ministry of Public Works. To my people of Belle Yalla, I have your backs and I heard your cry loud and for long. I say the night has been long and your day is coming soon. For the Ministry of Public Works officials, you have me to content with for the rest of 2013. I will follow every single thing which the Ministry of Finance has put in the budget for road construction in Gbarpolu, particularly, starting with the Belle-Yalla Road. If it takes me to organize street protest before your offices to draw public attention to the full completion of the road, it will happen. To achieve this, I am returning to Liberia in December 2012 to prepare for the cause. We will help President Sirleaf to stamp out corruption in Government by playing our civic role as good citizens. <br />
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To ensure a system of transformation with the intent to touched various aspects of the Liberian society, from consciousness to culture, values and community with the goal to rebuild our nation’s image so as to stimulate growth, and to provide opportunities for local and national involvement in productive activities in not only Monrovia but rural Liberia as well. I firmly believe these things can be done by providing farm to market roads and secure environment. In this respect, road, one of which matters most to the people of Belle Yalla and its environs should not be taken for granted especially by the man who condemned and criticized others so loud when he was not in Government. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-89035927007247662222012-11-15T15:17:00.001-05:002012-11-15T18:48:14.244-05:00When a human rights Activist becomes a politician: <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong>When a human rights Activist becomes a politician</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">The case of Koffi Woods</span><br />
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By: Sam K Zinnah</div>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Clayton, Delaware</div>
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szinnah@yahoo.com</div>
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Clayton, Delaware; <strong><span style="font-size: large;">W</span></strong>hen one of Liberia’s most vocal human rights activists “Mr. Samuel Koffi Woods” was tapped as Public Works Minister in 2009 by Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, most Liberians were of the hope that Public works ministry would get some administrative facelift at last. What was absent from the hope was the fact that most experts of these advocates of human rights understand at least that when the microphones are off, work begin in the real world. In that case, eyes and other attentions becomes focused on reality and the influence over internal abuse of resources draws local and international attentions. In activitism, it is easier to condemn, critise and challenge a relatively inconsequential regime that you are not a part of and refer to others in such regime as “humiliating leaders”. As a Human Rights activist, little did Koffi Woods know that sometimes quiet diplomacy is more effective than a public rebuke. As the old saying goes, “what goes around, comes around”. </div>
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After three years of sitting in the driver’s seat as Liberia’s minister of Public Works, the real world has encircled minister Woods, as his operations are becoming “dismal,” characterized by constant drumbeat for his immediate resignation. In May 2009, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf promised to spend her first ever Christmas in a Town, once notoriously known for hosting tax invaders and political prisoners in Liberia. The announcement was heavily criticized by opposition politicians and other individuals who had different perception about the president’s intentions. Some said President Johnson-Sirleaf’s action was intended to score political point while others saw it as a favor for Gbarpolu County. <br />
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But the road to Bella Yella was impassable, a road that represented how backward Liberia has sunk after 14 years of civil war. Minister, Kofi Woods “after the unceremonious departure of his predecessor, Luseni Donzo from public works” was tasked with the responsibility of executing the president’s promise, principally building the road to Bella Yella. Five years later and with more than US$7 million dollars budgeted, allotted and expended, the Belle Yalla road project has become a dismal failure, and exposed Minister Wood’s real colors, as a man who has spent considerable time on public gimmicks than real performance. Covertly Spending on the media and fortune hunters thinly disguised as student leaders to give him undeserved image boost as an anti-corruption campaigner.<br />
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Over the years, Minister Woods has successfully made effective use of the media thus making him to appear as the most effective Government minister. Several attempts to expose minister woods' poor handling of major road construction projects in Liberia has been suppressed by the minister’s complex networks of media connections. But his media cartel connection can only bury so much and no more. It is becoming priceless for the minister to keep covering up. <br />
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On July 31, 2012, I escorted a team of journalist to inspect the Belle Yalla road project. Driving from Totoquelle to Belle Yallah, the road is nothing but a mere political propaganda site designed by the public works ministry to give false impression to the president. The condition of the road could not permit the team to cross Mbelekpalamu bridge. After making excessive use of our 4wheel drive vehicle, we were forced to park our vehicle on the top of Mbelekpalamu hill and rolled up our pants and make our way to one of the abandoned bridges. At the Mbelekpalamu bridge, we saw huge pile of damaged bags of cement left behind by contractors. While taking pictures, we saw a gentleman walking towards us. As he approach us, Daily observer journalist Steven Binda, asked “how are you sir, do you work here?”. The gentleman answered “hello, yes I work here, I am the security here”. At that point, all cameras turned to the gentleman. Journalist Binda requested an interview and he agreed to grant an interview. <br />
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Holding firm my camcorder, I carefully focused on Journalist Binda and the gentleman. In his first question to the gentleman, Journalist Binda asked “what’s your name sir?”.The gentleman answered “my name is Mohammed Siryon”. The full interview which is currently in my possession, revealed that the abandoned construction materials meant for work on the Belle Yalla road are now being carried back to Monrovia by the contractors, while Minister Woods and his crew continue to put president Sirleaf under the impression that works are ongoing on the Belle Yalla road project. <br />
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Few days after my return from the Belle Yalla road, I visited several news papers and released few of the pictures from my trip to those news papers for publication. In response to my investigation, one of Minister Woods’s deputies appeared on Truth FM to tell the Liberian people that the contractors were working on the Belle Yalla road and that critics were nothing but opposition detractors. I immediately picked up my phone and call the studio to challenge the deputy minister’s claim. I explained to the Journalists in studio that I had just returned from the Belle Yalla Road with enough evidence to show that the project was abandoned. I volunteered to drive to the studio with my evidence to disprove the deputy minister’s claim, but I was told by the journalists that the program was almost at the end and that they could not entertain me. My hope was that the journalists in studio would provide a balanced debate by giving me a formal invitation on their talk show to proof my case against the public works ministry but that hope became a mere imagination and dream that was never realized until I left Liberia on September 23rd 2012.<br />
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My visit on the most publicized, but now abandoned, Belle Yallah Road gave me more reason to lunch more probe on the minister’s activities. My follow-up investigation In Monrovia revealed a lot about Minister Woods’ operational and financial activities. He is known to carry from ministry to ministry his Comptroller and Procurement Director, undermining continuity principle of government and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the civil service Agency. I visited the Monrovia YMCA, Labor Ministry, and public works ministry and was able to confirmed that some of the positions named above came with the minister from YMCA to Labor Ministry and now public works. I also obtained a copy of a private communication between a highly placed person and Minister Woods, in which Minister Woods was asked to resign from the Sirleaf government since 2007 if he was unhappy with what was happening in the Government at the time. This followed after there was a leak about his secret undermining of the Government image in the early months. According to the communication, Minister Woods appeared before the sender of the communication and complain about salary differences that existed between some ministries/individuals in Government. The Minister pleaded with the highly placed person and negotiated his salary. <br />
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After more than four years as Minister of public works, Minister Woods is still fighting to shift blames on his predecessor for major projects that are stay in ruins. How can anyone believe that former public works minister Donzo is responsible for the bad road conditions that exist on the Somalia drive? Why did the Minister not refuse supervision and implementation of Agreements signed by Former Minister Donzo? What is remarkable, however, is that minister Woods activities are still shadowed by the believe that he’s a Human Rights activist but the issue of the abandoned Belle Yalla road should be used to re-evaluate the minister’s real activities since he joined government. <br />
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Why any of these matter in Minister Woods’s administration? It turns out to our peril, that the Human Rights activist activities are being exposed gradually. One would expect Minister Woods to expose these ills “such as the Belle Yalla Road project” but he is now quiet and even suspected to be deeply involved in covering up. In addition to a pundit class that continues to draw deeply from the well of comforting moral certainties and platitudes that are suppose to be Minister Woods greatest Human Rights legacy, more than four years worth of pure Liberian style politics is beginning to slip the Rights activist into political and reality positon. Many things are coming out under his administration that is making people to believe that the Minister is “just another Liberian politician” as he is slowly failing to actively promote and protect human rights every where he can through different means other than micro phone criticism. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-7856921873311477362012-09-30T21:11:00.002-04:002012-09-30T21:19:08.230-04:00Did Justice Minister “Tah” order Police (PSU) brutality in Gbarpolu County?By: Sam K Zinnah<br />
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On April 26, 2012, life once again became unpleasant & unbearable for residents of portion of Kongba District in Gbarpolu County when some members of the Police Support Unit (PSU) led by Officer Theopheolus Dunor arrived in Kongba District and began beating, looting & shooting between the legs of civilians thus leaving hundreds of affected towns residents to flee for safety. The PSU officers’ actions brought flashback of painful memories to residents of Kongbar when they began discharging fire arms among peaceful civilians. A victim narrates “I swear! I thought the rebels were back again. They were behaving like real rebels. They reminded me of NPFL days”.<br />
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Like any war victim, it is very difficult to dismiss memories of the civil war that left painful memories with Liberians. When one experiences war such as the brutal and senseless Liberian civil war, all that one often remembers are memories of painful occurrences and otherwise. Many store these memories as images of their experiences. Some keep them as stories worth telling later on while others use them as their daily guard against mistakes.<br />
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On April 27, 2012, more than 15 victims of PSU brutality in Kongbar District in Gbarpolu County gathered at the Capitol building in Monrovia to log complain to their county law makers and to demand justice. While in Monrovia, Gbarpolu County senior Senator J.S.B Theodore Momo Jr called and asked me to gather some information from the victims while he rush back to the capitol building. I immediately drove to the capitol building and met the victims. There was frustration expressed in the faces of the victims. Some were sitting on the ground while others were standing in small groups discussing the horror experienced by them. I introduced myself and softly explain to them the message from the senior senator. In the process of explaining myself, the victims regroup and listened attentively. After my introductory speech, I asked the group to designate one person to explain the occurrences to me. They quickly designated three people who were victimized in different locations to each explain their encounter with the PSU officers along with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) rangers in Kongba District, Gbarpolu County. <br />
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According to eyewitness & victim Patrick W Gwaikolo,” On April 26, 2012, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor and his co-officers entered Timber Village in Kongbar District and put civilians under gun point. While under gun point, Officer Dunnor informed the Town residents that he was sent in the District by Justice Minister Christina Tah to effect arrest of people believed to be doing illegal mining and hunting in the District. After few hours, Officer Dunnor reportedly left Timber Village and proceeded to Amtel Camp where he reportedly entered and search houses while holding pistol/fire arm.<br />
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On the same date (04/26/12), PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor reportedly preceded to another Town called Kumgbor. While In Kumgbor, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor allegedly hand cuff few residents and discharged fire arm between the legs of several residents thus causing pandemonium in the town. <br />
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After spending the night in Kumgbor, Officer Dunnor went to Camp Alpha on April 27, 2012 and continued his looting, intimidation and assault on civilians. During his looting extravaganza, PSU Officer Theophilus Dunnor went to Wango village where he and his team assaulted and brutalized tribal (Gio) Governor John Tuah leaving him (Tuah) severely injured. Tribal Governor Tuah was rushed to Monrovia and was admitted at the John F. Kennedy hospital where he spent few days undergoing treatment. After victim Gwaikolo’s narration, I suggested that Police be contacted. We were joined by Gbarpolu County electoral district #3 representative Hon. Getrude Lamin. We went to the Liberia National Police headquarters where we contacted the CID department to report the incident. After few questions from the CID officer Alfred T. Quire, we were told to report to the LNP headquarters on Friday April 27, 2012. <br />
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On Friday 04/27/2012 upon return to the LNP headquarters, the CID Department chose Tuesday May 1, 2012 as the date to conduct preliminary investigation into the report. On Tuesday May 1, 2012, victims, and other Gbarpolu County citizens assembled in the conference room located in the CID Department on the second floor of the LNP headquarters to witness the preliminary investigation of alleged PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor and victims of his looting, intimidation, assault and brutality. The CID team was led by C/Supt Alfred T. Quire. The process was observed by Gbarpolu County public defender Cllr. James Lebah. Also in attendance was Chairman of the Gbarpolu County Association in the U.S. “Mr. Sam K Zinnah who is also a law enforcement officer in the U.S. State of Delaware.<br />
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The process turned into intimidation instead of investigation. C/supt. Alfred T. Quire was seeing screaming and yelling at victims with intent to intimidate the victims while the alleged perpetrator , PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor was in full uniform and was seeing relaxing and laughing. At some point, Officer Dunnor was seeing whispering to the investigators thus making him part of the team investigating his victims. Prior to the investigation, one of the victims quoted Officer Dunnor as saying “this case is a dead case; you guys are wasting your time, I told your that I was sent by the Justice Minister”. After CID/supt Alfred T. Quire’s yelling contest, victims were told to return to the LNP headquarters to get their charges. The day after, the man who was severely brutalized “John Tuah” was rushed to Monrovia on motorbike. Tuah, whose condition was critical, was taken to the LNP headquarters to be seen by the so called investigators.<br />
Tuah was taken upstairs on the second floor and placed on the floor of the CID conference room where he stayed for hours without being attended to nor seeing by and of the CID officers. Upon my arrival at the LNP headquarters to follow up on the status of the pending charges against the brutalized victims, I was notified that John Tuah was in the CID office but was unable to sit nor talk. I immediately went to the CID conference room where I saw John Tuah laying flat on the floor. I snapped few digital pictures of victim Tuah and decided to go to CID/supt Alfred Quire’s office to notify him about victim Tuah’s condition. I walked towards officer Quire’s office which is located three doors from the CID conference room. Upon arrival at officer Quire’s office, I attempted informing officer Quire about victim Tuah’s condition but officer Quire burst into harsh and unethical verbal attack on me. He screamed “get away from my office! Go to the CID commander and tell him your story!!” at that point, I decided to respond to his unethical behavior. I said to officer Quire “sir, do not scream at me! I’m not here to beg you for any thing, am simply here to make sure you look into this case. I sat in that conference room and watch your unprofessional and unethical behavior yesterday. I’m very disappointed in someone like you who suppose to be a professional Officer”. Officer Quire appeared very surprise at my bluntness.<br />
He sat behind his desk holding his head like it was about to explore. At that point, I gave him one of two options “either you do your job or I go down stairs and bring a pressman who will do your job”. Officer Quire stood up behind his desk and began screaming at the top of his voice again “you can’t bring press man inside here”. I responded to him by saying “unless you tell me this is your private building or you are hiding something inside here, I will bring press man in here. I went down stairs and search for a journalist. When I finally located one journalist from Truth F.M, I took him upstairs in the CID conference room where victim John Tuah was laying flat on the floor. We took some photos of victim Tuah and took him away from the LNP headquarters where he stayed for hours without any attention from the CID officers. We took PSU victim John Tuah to several real where the story was told to journalists and later took him to Sky TV where another interview was done. The story was broadcast on two TV stations and several radio stations. <br />
<br />
On May 3, 2012, Gbarpolu County senior Senator J. S. B. Theodore Momo addressed a detailed letter to Justice Minister Christiana Tah and CC to Police Director Chris Massaquoi, VP Joseph Boakai. In the letter, the Senator described the alleged Police brutality in Kongba District Gbarpolu County and urged the Justice Minister to investigate and take appropriate actions where necessary. During a follow up inquiry visit paid to the LNP headquarters by Senior senator Momo and junior Senator Armah Z Jallah and few of the victims on July 6, 2012, the head of the LNP CID department col. Flomo was asked about the status of the case since in fact the case has been languishing between the Justice Ministry and the LNP for more than two months. Col. Flomo explained that he was instructed by his boss to charge the victims and send them to court. He said “I was not instructed to investigate the case; I was only instructed to charge these people and send them to court”. When asked why he has not charged the victims as instructed by his boss, col. Flomo said “there has been lots of intervention from all ankles thus making it difficult to move forward with this case”. <br />
<br />
Col. Flomo announced that the Police was in possession of items reported to his office by PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor who led the looting extravaganza in Kongba District, Gbarpolu Couty. Col. Flomo named the items as LD10.000.00, 26 pieces of diamond, and several gram of gold dust. Col. Flomo told the two senators and the victims that the LNP was ready to return the items to the victims. The Col. Instructed one of his staffs to dial the acting Police Director’s number to enable him to establish contact. When acting Police Boss Rose Striker was contacted, the two senators and the victims were instructed to proceed to the Acting Police Boss office. Upon arrival at Acting Director Striker’s office, Senior Senator Momo laid the premises for the visit and the potential danger or clash that lies ahead if the issue in Kongba was not properly investigated. <br />
<br />
In her respond, acting Police boss Rose Striker offered her sincere apology to the victims and regreted any inconvenience the action of the PSU or the LNP may have caused the PSU brutality victims and the residents of Kongba. She promised to conduct full investigation into the allegation and deal with any LNP officer(s) found guilty or liable. The LD10.000.00 was returned to Ms. Botoe Kanneh while the 26 pieces of diamond was displayed on acting Police Boss Striker’s desk to be reviewed by Senator Momo and Senator Jallah and the victims. The diamond and the gold could not be signed for because the owners were not present. <br />
<br />
Opinion<br />
<br />
To ensure a system of transformation with the intent to touched various aspects of the Liberian society, from consciousness to culture, values and community with the goal to rebuild our nation’s image so as to stimulate growth, and to provide opportunities for local and national involvement in productive activities in not only Monrovia but rural Liberia as well. I firmly believe these things can be done by providing secure environment. In this respect, security, one of which matters most to the people of Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole should not be taken for granted especially by the head of Liberia’s justice Ministry. <br />
<br />
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If nothing is done to punish PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor and his co officers for their alleged involvement in the PSU brutality in Kongba District, Gbarpolu County, many political pundits and observers will believe that officer Theophilus Dunnor’s action in Kongba was ordered by Justice Minister Christiana Tah. Prior to the preliminary CID investigation into the allegation of PSU brutality in Kongba District, Officer Theophilus Dunnor was overtly heard telling his victims “nothing will come out of this case, you people are wasting your time”. Officer Dunnor’s statement has come to reality. To date, nothing has happen to the officers that allegedly took part in the brutality in Gbarpolu. The question “did Justice Minister ordered the PSU brutality in Gbarpolu” remains unclear.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-77034587182689869202012-05-03T19:32:00.001-04:002012-05-03T19:40:35.314-04:00PSU looting backfired in Gbarpolu CountyBy: Sam K Zinnah<br />
<br />
What appeared to be a well planned looting extravaganza in Kongba District in Gbarpolu County has back fired in Monrovia. On Friday April 27, 2012, a group of marketers and victims ran to Monrovia from the diamond rich and mining town of Kumgbor to blow alarm on Police Support Unit (PSU) Officer Theophilus Dunnor who claimed he was sent to Kongba District by Justice Minister Christiana Tah to effect arrest of people believed to be involved in illicit mining and hunting in the District. <br />
According to eye witnesses and victims report, PSU Officer Theophilus Dunnor and his team of looters arrived in Timber Village on April 26, 2012 and placed several residents under gun point while they randomly search and loot houses in the Town. One of the victims narrated that Officer Dunnor displayed a letter he claimed was given to him by Justice Minister Christiana Tah to carry on a mission in Kongbar District in Gbarpolu County.<br />
<br />
A well detailed letter from the office of Gbarpolu County Senior Senator J. S. B. Theodore Momo addresses to Justice Minister Christiana Tah and CC to Acting Police Director Chris Massaquoi surfaced at the Capitol Building ahead of Acting Police Director Chris Massaquoi’s confirmation. <br />
<br />
Preliminary investigation into the alleged brutality by PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor shows that Officer Dunnor walked away from the police investigation or intimidation room in grand style while his victims were charged with bunch of bogus charges including “criminal facilitation”. The investigation which later turned into intimidation was led by C/Supt. Alfred T. Quire who was overtly seeing screaming and yelling at Officer Dunnor’s victims while Officer Dunnor was peacefully relaxing near the investigators.<br />
<br />
<strong>Gbarpolu County Senator J.S.B. Theodore Momo writes Justice Minister Tah</strong><br />
<br />
<em>Minister Christina Tah,</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Our attention has been drawn to the action of PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor who claimed he was recently sent to Gbarpolu County by your office. According to eye witnesses and victims account, Officer Theophilus Dunnor and three other officers arrived in Kongba District on April 26, 2012 and began arresting, beating civilians and allegedly shooting between the legs of several residents of Kumgbor thus leaving many of our citizens in fear while many others are still believed to be seeking refuge in neighboring Villages.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>According to one of the victims “Patrick W. Goikolo,” On April 26, 2012, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor and his co-officers entered Timber Village in Kongbar District and allegedly put civilians under gun point. While under gun point, Officer Dunnor allegedly informed the Town residents that he was sent in the District by Justice Minister Christina Tah to effect arrest of people believed to be doing illegal mining and hunting in the District. After few hours, Officer Dunnor reportedly left Timber Village and proceeded to Amtel Camp where he reportedly entered and search houses while overtly holding pistol/fire arm.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>On the same date (04/26/12), PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor reportedly preceded to another Town called Kumgbor. While In Kumgbor, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor allegedly hand cuff few residents and discharged fire arm between the legs of several residents thus causing pandemonium in the town. </em><em><br /></em><br />
<em>After spending the night in Kumgbor, Officer Dunnor went to Camp Alpha on April 27, 2012 and continued his looting, intimidation and assault on civilians. During his looting extravaganza, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor went to Wango village where he and his team allegedly assaulted and brutalized tribal (Gio) Governor John Tuah leaving him (Tuah) severely injured. Tribal Governor Tuah was rushed to Monrovia and is currently admitted at the John F. Kennedy hospital where his condition has been described as “critical”. </em><em><br /></em><br />
<em>After the above allegations against PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor, some residents/victims and marketers from Kongbar came to Monrovia and went to my office at the capitol building and notified me and other Gbarpolu County Law Makers about the incident. We immediately contacted the CID Department at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police to report the action of Officer Dunnor. </em><em><br /></em><br />
<em>On Friday 04/27/2012, the CID Department chose Tuesday May 1, 2012 as the date to conduct investigation into the report. On Tuesday May 1, 2012, victims, and other Gbarpolu County citizens assembled in the conference room located in the CID Department on the second floor of the LNP headquarters to witness the preliminary investigation of alleged PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor and victims of his looting, intimidation, assault and brutality. The CID team was led by C/Supt Alfred T. Quire. The process was observed by Gbarpolu County public defender Cllr. James Lebah. Also in attendance was Chairman of the Gbarpolu County Association in the U.S. “Mr. Sam K Zinnah who is also a law enforcement officer in the U.S. State of Delaware.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>According to the observers, the process turned into intimidation instead of investigation. C/supt. Alfred T. Quire was seeing screaming and yelling at victims with intent to intimidate the victims while the alleged perpetrator , PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor was seeing relaxing and laughing. During the so called investigation/intimidation process, PSU officer Theophilus Dunnor was overtly seeing whispering to the investigators. Prior to the investigation, one of the victims quoted Officer Dunnor as saying “this case is a dead case; you guys are wasting your time”. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Hon. Minister Tah, from all indications, your administration has proven and continued to proof to be ready for a system of transformation which has touched various aspects of the Liberian society, from consciousness to culture, values and community with the goal to rebuild our nation’s image so as to stimulate growth, and to provide opportunities for local and national involvement in productive activities in not only Monrovia but rural Liberia as well. We believe these things can be done by providing secure environment. In this respect, security, one of which matters most to the people of Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole has come under question as a result of Officer Theophilus Dunnor’s team and the CID Department of the Liberia National police. On Tuesday May 1, 2012 while three of Officer Dunnor’s victims were placed on criminal bench and charged with criminal facilitation, Officer Dunnor walked away in grant style and said to his victims “I told you this is a dead case”.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>To clear doubt, I’m requesting a full investigation of the above allegations with the involvement of independent civil organizations and details of same be made available to the Gbarpolu County legislative caucus as soon as possible.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Senator J.S.B. Theodore Momo</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Senior Senator, Gbarpolu County</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>Republic of Liberia</em><br />
<em><br /></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-85916299470079581832012-01-11T20:47:00.001-05:002012-01-11T20:51:00.256-05:00The timely departure of Gbarpolu County Superintendent, "what's next?" By: Sam K Zinnah<br />
Editor-in-chief<br />
Post-Conflict Liberia<br />
<br />
On January 11, 2012 the news of Gbarpolu County Superintendent Boima Quaye Taweh and his deputy for development Rev. Emmanuel Kerkula’s dismissal spread around the world like a hurricane wind blowing sand in a Far East desert. Gbarpoluians in Gbarpolu, Liberia and other parts of the world are now looking forward to the constitution of a new team to join the newly elected law makers of the county. <br />
<br />
<br />
Several Liberian news papers reported that the Gbarpolu County Superintendent and his deputy’s dismissal were as a result of misapplication of county development funds. With the schedule induction of the newly county elected law makers on January 16, 2012, there is a huge need for alternative county wide introspection in Gbarpolu County. <br />
<br />
Ahead of the official announcement of the Superintendent and his deputy for development dismissal, report surfaced that the newly elected junior Senator Armah Zulu Jallah had already submitted the names of Mr. Isaac Varmah as acting Gbarpolu County Superintendent and Mr. Thomas Koiwu as development superintendent but sources closed to the internal affairs minister described the junior senator’s recommendation as a mere political joke. One source said the trend of political governance in Gbarpolu County needs to be seriously review by the incoming law makers. <br />
<br />
Reliable sources have confirmed that the current and incoming law makers are faced with the dilemma of selecting the replacement of the outgoing Superintendent. According to the source, previous selections have been done differently. This time, the source note “we are not basing our selection on district preference, we will be choosing our next superintendent base on qualification and delivery capability”. <br />
In my personal opinion, the main objective for political governance in post-war Gbarpolu County and Liberia should be to secure democracy by instilling checks and balances, which have been absent throughout the County and Liberia's long history. Such political system “in a way” would limit or reduce the abuse, misuse and misapplication of the county and public funds and to limit certain group of peoples’ extraordinary influence over the fate of the majority and by so doing provide the conditions for sustained growth and development.<br />
<br />
Political democracy on the other hands has produced different definitions based on continent and form of Government. In matured democracies, political democracy is expressed and practiced in different ways because of systems put in place to track, monitor, identify perpetrators or violators of the system and provide punishment based on laws and rules put in place by the system. In Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole, the first task of political democracy should be to ensure equal and unhindered access for all to decentralized form of Government, which as history has shown had been the most contentious issue in Liberia’s political system that to a large extend continued to fueled the level and form of imperial leadership in Liberia.<br />
Since the creation of the county development funds which is meant to decentralized government control over the level and process of development in Liberia, local leaders have either lacked a vision or the will to enforce whatsoever vision they had for the development of the county (ies).<br />
<br />
In order to put some form of system in place to punish wrong doers, there’s still a need for constitutional reform. In my opinion, The objective of constitutional reform is the decentralization of state management - giving more power to the regions to determine local policies and development priorities, including such areas as education, social infrastructure and human development, as well as the power to implement these policies such as forming their own budgets, financing developmental policies, collecting certain types of taxes etc.. Likewise local authorities should be held accountable for what happen in their regions and they should be made less reliant on central authorities.<br />
<br />
Local authorities should have a share in managing state assets on their territories and gaining incomes from it as well for financing projects. To avoid outright manipulation of local authorities, particularly Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs, article 56, clause B of the 1986 Constitution be revisited and the power of the President to remove these local officials be transferred to a credible and well scrutinized National Legislature acting upon a specific number of signatures of the local population in the respective localities of these officials, certified by the national elections commission as valid. In this way, we might not have town chiefs coming to bring resolutions of support to high ranking government officials out of fear of losing their jobs. <br />
<br />
<strong>Social transformation</strong><br />
Social transformation has been one of Liberia’s’ complex issues yet to be well analyzed by Liberian government or Liberian sociologists. From all indication, what has worked for one county or group of people have not work for the next. Triggered by the planetary crises, Liberia should be undergoing a whole-system of transformation of all aspects of it society, from consciousness to economy, from values to politics, from technology to organizations. Some of these forms could be used to transform cultural, society, and community in Liberia.<br />
Liberia’s social aspect’s long-term goal should be to rebuild the country's damaged social infrastructure in such a way to serve as a stimulus for economic growth, as well as to provide opportunities for ex combatants, internally displaced persons and refugees to get involved in productive activities. In this respect, the things that matter most to ordinary Liberians would need to be addressed such as health care, infrastructure, education and jobs. One of the mistakes of the past was that development in Liberia was never people-centered. It was always centered literally speaking in the Executive Mansion & in the President’s inner circle’s pockets. This time, the government is allocating county development funds which audits have shown been skimmed into the pockets of either county officials and their cronies and the rest to the counties. Once these funds land in the local areas, the intended beneficiaries are left waiting in limbo. This explains why the people as a whole feels themselves estranged from the process of state governance and this in turn provide an inducement to the population to eventually take to violence as a means to realizing themselves when and as soon as this became possible.<br />
<br />
The simple fact is that there will never be integration or healing the wounds in Liberia unless people begin to feel empowered, that they have a stake in the county or country's future. The Liberian legislature should pass a historic law that will comprehensively establish national development benchmarks that will serve as a blue print against which all current and future national development policy from one administration to the next in a consistent manner to ensure speedy and systematic development of Liberia.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-43690267754443777882012-01-07T10:19:00.003-05:002012-01-07T10:39:50.196-05:00Political ax to fall in Gbarpolu CountyBy: Sam K Zinnah<br />
Editor-in-chief <br />
Clayton, Delaware, <br />
<br />
Report coming from Gbarpolu indicates that Gbarpolu County Superintendent Boimah Quaye Taweh and some members of his leadership team are set to be suspended for time indefinite. Full details of Superintendent Taweh’s indefinite suspension are not known yet but independent and other sources are suggesting that the Superintendent and his team are said to be involved in some uninvestigated financial mal practices. According to reliable sources from Gbarpolu County’s political capital “Bopolu”, The junior Senator elect, Hon. Armah Zulu Jallah” has immediately recommended Mr. Isaac Varmah as acting Superintendent and Mr. Thomas Koiwu as acting Development Superintendent pending investigation into the alleged involvement of Superintendent Taweh and his County Team into the financial mal practices in the County.<br />
Few county official s were contacted this morning to verify the unconfirmed reports but they all refuse to comment on the issue because of it sensitive nature at this very important political time in the history of the county. Efforts are underway to confirm the report and follow the trend of the investigation of the County officials involved. <br />
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Unconfirmed sources also disclose that the recommendation made by Junior senator elect Armah Jallah has met stiff resistance from the Internal Affiars Minister who is to verify and made recommendation to the President for proper appointment or nominations. The source states "Hon. Jallah is from the opposition bloc, his remarks during the just ended campaign and elections were kind of derogatory, he’s likely to be seriously and politically monitored during his administration as junior senator for Gbarpolu County”.<br />
Full details of this story will be published as it becomes available.<br />
Stay tuned.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-75798902981831687512011-12-26T21:07:00.001-05:002011-12-26T21:29:07.485-05:00A new novel "Concealed" published by Sang N. Kromah<div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><img height="96" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKu6pcauvlI/TvknEDTjIiI/AAAAAAAAAWo/U1m1oA3scpA/s320/Concealed.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 174px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 25px; visibility: hidden;" width="62" /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKu6pcauvlI/TvknEDTjIiI/AAAAAAAAAWo/U1m1oA3scpA/s1600/Concealed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKu6pcauvlI/TvknEDTjIiI/AAAAAAAAAWo/U1m1oA3scpA/s320/Concealed.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="207" /></a>By: Sang N. Kromah <br />
<br />
My debut novel, Concealed <br />
10.15.2011! http://sangkromah.com/ <br />
Designed By: Matthew Maniscalco & Sang Kromah (author)<br />
<br />
Illustrated By: Matthew Maniscalco<br />
<br />
When sixteen year-old Bijou Fitzroy and her nomadic grandmother leave New York City to live in a home in the sleepy town of Sykesville, Maryland, Bijou thinks she will finally be able to live a normal life and be like everyone else. This move will be permanent, and Bijou cannot be anymore thrilled. After years of being shut away by her grandmother, Bijou will finally able to interact with peers, make friends, go to school, and live like a normal teenager.<br />
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Moving around and being homeschooled definitely made it difficult to make friends, but there are other reasons for Bijou’s solitude. With eyes that constantly change from gray to green to a honey-coated shade of brown and an ability to feel exactly what other people are feeling, the concept of obtaining closeness is more of a fable than a reality. Although her eyes are beautiful, their constant shift in color instills a sense of fear within other people and causes them to look away. Bijou’s premonitions, blackouts, and semi-prophetic dreams of a faceless boy don’t help her social musings either. Regardless, she decides to attend the local high school.<br />
Bijou is immediately introduced to Sebastian Sinjin, a quirky and unusually beautiful boy who doesn’t seem to belong in a high school in small town Maryland. Sebastian is also special. Instead of looking away from Bijou, he makes direct eye contact with her. And when he shakes Bijou’s hand something dark and familiar begins to awaken within her as an electric shock surges through her body. Bijou soon finds herself deeply attracted to Sebastian, who remains aloof and often acts like Bijou doesn’t exist.<br />
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Despite the pains of having her first real crush, Bijou makes friends quickly and excels in all of her classes…well, all except for Mythology with Mr. Jennings. Mr. Jennings’ class starts off great with endless discussions of djinn and how they conceal themselves from the human eye, but things soon take a turn for the worse when the stories of the mythical creatures begin to take shape in Bijou’s life.<br />
<br />
Editor's note:<br />
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Rush now and grab your copy before it runs out!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-3912377949255807292011-12-05T19:24:00.008-05:002011-12-18T20:33:23.725-05:00The need for alternative county wide introspection in Gbarpolu County<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> By; Sam K Zinnah</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Editor-in-chief</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The November 8, 2011 legislative elections results ushered in new breed of law makers in Gbarpolu County. The results changed the ways that people of Gbarpolu County are going to feel, listen, do things politically and relate to one another. Everyone I talk to during the political campaign expressed concern that the County was leaning toward a new political era. Their political friendship was being shaped by either political rhetoric or fallacies but some admitted that reality would set in after casing the ballots.</div><br />
The feelings expressed were as divided as polling stations across the county. One thing voters were very passionate and united about was “change”. Subjects like road construction and development were discussed in commercial vehicles, market places, front and back porches, farm roads and drinking spots around the county. The idea that the campaign was very peaceful and that the electorates had something to contribute to the rest of the world by campaigning peacefully and hoping for a violent free transparent elections meant a historic shift not only in Gbarpolu County political but Liberia as a whole.<br />
<br />
For Gbarpolu County, the November 8, 2011 marked a transcending moment of one of the many obstacles confronting the County. The ghost of painful political memories stand buried. The coming years are likely to be auspicious for political actions and countywide renaissance as sign by the incumbents’ response to the elections results. In my opinion and political view, the time has come for Gbarpolu County to force the hands of history for its own good.<br />
The outcome and incumbents response to the November 8, 2011 elections must give Gbarpolu County a pause and reasons to re-evaluate its political future, monitored the next years to come and strategize the next course of political actions. <br />
As to the orderliness, fairness, credibility and transparency of the electoral process, it was in this case, unlike other pre-war instances, very objective. To underline the fairness and transparency of the process, the ruling Unity Party, in Gbarpolu County, lost three of the four legislative seats to the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).<br />
<br />
True enough, if the process was compared to the 1985 and 2007 undertakings which were fraught with overt and gross irregularities, the results would be far different. What stands more laughable is the electoral credibility factor raised by opposition CDC. As transparent, peaceful and fair as the electoral process was, and as welcomed as CDC convenience factor was, the allegations of CDC ascertaining the credibility and validity of the electoral process in which they (CDC) won 15 legislative seat nationally and three legislative seat out of four in Gbarpolu County and kept the seats won while alleging that the electoral process was not fair, clearly expose their political motives.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When legislative elections results were announced, it was clear that the entire incumbent lost their legislative seat in Gbarpolu County. The losers accepted the results and congratulated the winners in that there were no protests or rejection of any results.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was clear that the dignified people of Gbarpolu had spoken through the ballot box. What I quickly said to myself was “it would be a dreadful mistake to move on to doing business as usual without closely looking at events and analyzing the anger that brought about the recent political change in Gbarpolu County”.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRAWe2AXJI/TuUBmGjfyiI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/woMrCZcHnOM/s1600/Chief+Sam+ZInnah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; height: 163px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 176px;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GaRAWe2AXJI/TuUBmGjfyiI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/woMrCZcHnOM/s1600/Chief+Sam+ZInnah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Sam K. Zinnah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Frankly, this time should be used for alternative county wide introspection; not a moment for cross and unbridled triumphalism despite the deep political divide in the County. Maybe some political opponents have been under or mis judged in the past. The next six or nine years will provide the new breed of law makers the opportunities to move the county in the direction they portrayed during their political campaign. Six or nine years may sound like a century but in the twinkle of an eye, we will be back to the ballot box to be evaluated for our campaign promises and to be politically rewarded. If the newly elected law makers fail to address the obvious and not-so-obvious pitfalls on which their campaign were based, they too should be prepared for similar and even more dissembling political actions against them at the ballot box comes the next elections.</div></div><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSMzyHdUeQ/Tt1gzDAzTDI/AAAAAAAAAVo/LRrLcGDTd1s/s1600/Chief%2BSam%2BZInnah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSMzyHdUeQ/Tt1gzDAzTDI/AAAAAAAAAVo/LRrLcGDTd1s/s200/Chief%2BSam%2BZInnah.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 32px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: -34px; visibility: hidden;" width="193px" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-59923373656613784682011-11-30T19:28:00.003-05:002011-11-30T19:54:18.664-05:00In Liberia, Scratch card scammer exposed, but helped by police to escape justice<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYf4CBFXXsQ/TtbOCGqecMI/AAAAAAAAAVA/1EovRBM5NUY/s1600/SAM_1632.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYf4CBFXXsQ/TtbOCGqecMI/AAAAAAAAAVA/1EovRBM5NUY/s320/SAM_1632.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680954515518288066" /></a><br />By: Sam K Zinnah<br />Law enforcement officer, State of Delaware<br /><br /> On Thursday September 29, 2011 at approximately 7: 15 pm local time, scammer Alfred Wenyu, the man believed to be behind the major scratch card scamming in Liberia was caught right handed in another attempt to scam one of his many victims. Mr. Sam K Zinnah who was previously scammed by Alfred Wenyu on September 16 and 17 was already on the alert for the suspected scammer.<br /><br /><strong>How he scammed me</strong><br /><br />On September 16, 2011 while returning to Barnersville, I received a phone call from a lone star cell number “0880978527”. After answering my phone, the caller introduced herself as Senator Gloria Musu-Scott and thanked me for the rating given the government of Liberia during my interview on ELBC radio on September 15, 2011. The caller said she was on her way to Gbarpolu County to campaign for Unity Party. At that point we ended the conversation and terminated the phone call. Few minutes later, I received a phone call from the same lone star cell number “0880978527”. This time, the caller said “Mr. Zinnah, this is Senator Musu-Scott again, I need a favor from you. Am in Gbarpolu County campaigning but I just ran out of scratch card and would like for you to send me $20.00 scratch card or transfer”. I understand you have a meeting with Senator Naatehn on Monday. He invited me to that meeting also. I will pay your money after the meeting. Without hesitating, I immediately call my nephew and instructed him to send the $20.00 scratch card to the designated number “0880978527”.few minutes after my instruction, the scratch card was electronically transferred to the designated number. <br /><br /> On the morning of September 17, 2011, I received another phone call from a 0777201575 number. The caller introduced herself as Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris and said “Mr. Zinnah, this is Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris, the head of the anti-corruption commission. I’m in Gbarpolu with Senator Musu-Scott on the campaign trail. We were together last night when you sent the $20.00 transfer to her phone. I too just ran out of scratch card, please send me $20.00 card, I will pay you back when I return to Monrovia on Monday morning”. Again, I instructed the transfer of $20.00 scratch card to the designated number “0777201575”. The transfer was made and confirmed by the recipient. On the evening of September 17, 2011, I discussed the transaction with a government official who happens to be Cllr. Johnson-Morris’s former work mate at the NEC who dismissed the possibility of Cllr. Morris asking for scratch card in such dubious manner. The NEC official informed me that I was a victim of scam. <br /><br />It was at this point that I became to organize my puzzle to enable me prepare my plans to capture the scammer. On the evening of September 18, 2011, I attempted calling the two suspicious numbers from another phone number. After dialing the 0880978527, the phone rang twice without respond. I hung up and dialed the 0777201575 number. Again, the phone rang twice without respond. After the two attempts, I was at least sure that the numbers were working numbers. On Monday morning (09/19/2011, I drove to Lone star offices to inquire about the process of getting information on any active phone number(s). I was told to file the case with the Liberia National Police who will then order the phone company to release information about the allege phone numbers to a competent court of jurisdiction. <br /><br />Determined to capture the scammer, I left the lone star office and drove to The Liberia National police headquarters. Upon arrival at the LNP headquarters, I went to the front desk and explain the transaction to a female police officer who then directed me to the second floor CID division. I went upstairs and met with a plain clothes officer who asked me to explain the transaction to him. Again, I explained the transaction to the CID officer. I was sent to another room on the same second floor where I was again asked to explain the case/transaction to another plain clothes officer who was sitting behind the desk with a huge ledger-like log book. I for the third time explained the case or transaction to the officer who later told me to return to the first “CID” room to register the case. I returned to the first room and was place in the queue where I sat for almost 15 minutes without talking to anyone. <br /><br />After 20 minutes, another plain clothes officer appeared in the office and sat behind the desk with a big ledger like log book. The plain clothes officer asked, “sir, why are you here”? for the fourth time I explained the transaction to the officer who later told me that I had to go to the Barnersville police station to file the case. Frustrated about the handling of the case, I decided to design my own strategy to capture the suspected scammer.<br /><br />I left the LNP headquarters and return home. While strategizing the capture of the scammer, another call came from the same 0880978527 number. Again, the caller claimed to be Senator Gloria Musu-Scott but this time in Nimba County with the President. She said “Mr. Zinnah, I’m campaigning in Nimba with president Sirleaf. Please send me $20.00 scratch card”. I told the caller that my phone was experiencing some technical problems but I was still willing to help. The caller said “thank you so much” without even asking or knowing how I was going to help. I said to the scammer “my friend Mary Broh is also with the president in Nimba, I will call and ask her to transfer the requested scratch card to your phone”. The caller immediately rejected the offer and said “oh! I’m not in the same group with Mary Broh, I’m in another village with the president but that’s ok, we can do it another time”. My relax tune of conversation gave the caller no clue about my plans to capture him and have him place behind bars.<br /> <br /><strong>How he was captured</strong><br /><br />On September 29, 2011 at about 2 o’clock local time while touring Monrovia city hall, I received a call from 0776853290. The caller introduced himself as Alfred Wenyu “the blind musician”. He said “Mr. Zinnah I’m a blind musician scheduled to travel to Ghana over the weekend. I’m looking for donation to help with my trip. Is there any way you can help?” deep down in my heart, I was convinced that the caller was my target. Relaxed and very confident, I expressed interest in providing some help or donation for the caller’s trip to Ghana but suggested to see him in person to deliver some other items I would also like to donate to him from the U.S. I asked him to direct me to his house to drop off the donation but he became a bit insecure and suggested that he instead meet me at a location other than his home. To give him more assurance or security, I accepted his suggestion but he immediately hung up and put his phone on 21 (to inform callers that his phone is switched off but in actuality, he will receive message for every miss call). I attempted calling him several times but all effort to reach him was not successful. At about 5:25 pm I sent him a text message that read “sir, am trying to reach you to give my contribution but your phone is switched off. I will be going out of town in the next 20 minutes and might not come back until after the elections”. Less than a minute after the text message was sent, Alfred Wenyu called back and asked “where are you now?, I gave him my location and advised him to meet me at the lone star gas station in Jacob town. He said “ok, let me ask motor bike to bring me there”. <br /><br />I arrived at the gas station and anxiously waited for the arrival of Alfred Wenyu. Few minutes later, a dark skin, skinny criminal looking guy with kids eye glasses arrived on a motorbike and parked in the gas station. He pulled out his old bonanza phone tied with rubber stripes and attempted to call me. I walked to the motorbike and introduced myself to him as Mr. Zinnah. I held his right hand and assisted him to get off the bike. After successfully getting on the ground, Wenyu pretended as if he was a blind man. I held onto his right hand and guided him to the table where he sat while I order a drink for him. The order for cold fanta was placed for Mr. Wenyu who sat and covertly watch me with one eye while I walked around for his cold drink.<br />The cold fanta was served. Mr. Wenyu took the first drag out of the battle and lay back in the white plastic chair to help settle his thirst. I pulled a nearby chair and sat close to Mr. Wenyu and took a deep breath. My first question to him was “sir, how did you get my number?” he responded by saying “from somebody”. At that point, the suspicion was heating up over his head. My second question to him was “sir, where are you from?”, he responded “my mother is from Gbarolu County””. When asked what was his mother’s name, Alfred Wenyu murmurs his mother’s name and said “you know I just came from campaigning in Gbarpolu. At this point, I was one hundred percent convinced that I was sitting with the man who have succeeded in scamming hundreds of people in Liberia over the past years. <br /><br />Being so confident that my hands were on my most wanted man, I decided to break the news to Alfred Wenyu. I said to him “sir, I was duped twice few weeks ago by a scam network believed to be operated by you, we can either find a mutual solution to it right here or take it to court where I will present all the evidence against you and be left with the judge to sentence you to jail”. I instructed Wenyu to wait for me at the table while I talk the motorbike man that transported him to the gas station. I slowly approached the motorbike rider and confronted him with the issue. I asked him to talk to his colleague to either tell the true or they both face the full weight of the law. The motorbike man agreed to negotiate the deal. While the two suspected criminals were discussing, I immediately alerted the Jacob’s town police with the help of the Jacob town community leader “Mr. Tokpa” who was at the Lone Star gas station during the incident. When police arrived at the gas station, they questioned Alfred Wenyu who agreed to being the guy behind what is believed to be Liberia’s biggest scratch card scam group. When taken to the police station in Jacob town, Alfred Wenyu confessed to the police and asked for pardon based on his blind condition. I said to Alfred Wenyu, “sir, we are not trying to prosecute you because you are blind, we are trying to prosecute you because you are a suspected criminal”. Wenyu was ordered by inspector Bacuba Jallah to remove his shade from his face. I stood few inches from Wenyu to observe or authenticate his claim of being blind. Wenyu refused to remove the shade from his face and argued that the breeze affects his eyes without the shades. Inspector Bacuba Jallah removed the shade from Wenyu’s face and it was noticed that Wenyu’s left eye is damaged while his right eye was shinning like a bright star. To test Wenyu’s vision, I attempted to poke his right eye with my right hand, Wenyu quickly dodge my hand and took a step backward from where I stood. We were all convinced that Wenyu was not telling the true about his condition.<br /><br />After Wenyu failed the vision test, Inspector Bacuba Jallah ordered one of the female officers at the station to take statement from both the complainer and the defendant. At this point, I confiscated suspect Wenyu’s cell phone and decided to check his call and other activity logs in his phone. In his incoming call log, I saw calls that I had placed to him prior to our meeting that led to his capture or arrest. My next stop in his phone was his phone book/contacts. In here, shocking contacts were seen. Some of the names I can still vividly recall were: President Sirleaf, H.B. Fahnbulleh, Joseph Boakai, Senator Daniel Naatehn, Senator Musu-Scott, Hon. Frances Johnson Morris, Senator Barlue, Cllr. Jerome Korkoya, Mr. Robert Sirleaf, & Senator Momo. Determined to get the source(s) of Wenyu’s data collection, I moved my search to his text messages box. I discovered text messages from different lone star phone numbers to Wenyu. The question that came to my mind was “why lone star numbers only?”. From one lone star number, a number was text to Wenyu without name. Few minutes after the text was sent, the sender noticed that the number was not named. The same number was resend this time with name to identify the number. The number read “06…… and was named H.B. Fahnbulleh. After figuring out the intent of the message, I was convinced that Wenyu was operating with external help.<br />Wenyu’s incoming text message box was jammed with transfer messages received from different phone numbers with transfer amount ranging from USD$5.00 to $20.00. One of the numbers I identified was that of Cllr. Jerome Korkoya of The Dunbar &Dunbar law firm and also a representative aspirant in Bong County. At about 8:00 pm local time I placed a call to Cllr. Jerome Korkoya to ask him whether he had been dubbed by any scratch card scammer. At the top of his soft spoken voice, he answered in the affirmative, “yes!” He (Cllr. Korkoya) in turn asked, what happen Sam?, I said to him, “Sir, I’m also a victim but I got hold of the guy and we are currently at the Jacob Town Police Station. I asked Cllr. Korkoya, “how much did you transfer to him?” he said he transfer $60.00 total to the scammer before realizing that it was a scam. I asked Cllr. Korkoya to text me the number he transferred the credit to. In less than a minute he text me a number 0880978527 which matched the number used as Musu-Scott to scam me. When asked Cllr. Korkoya what name was used during the transaction, he said the caller posed as Senator John Barlue and that he (Senator Barlue) was stranded on the highway. <br /><br />Cllr. Korkoya was very excited about the apprehension of the scammer but said he could not make it to the police station because he was in Bong County. He promised to follow up on the case upon his return from Bong County after the elections. <br />After concluding with Cllr. Jerome Korkoya, I called Senator Musu-Scott who was also campaigning in her County. She too was very interested in the details of the story. <br />I completed my few contacts and got back to the female police officer who was ordered to take statement from me and Wenyu. I prepared my statement and presented it to the officer in charge. Again, I pulled out my cell phone and this time, placed a call to True FM. I spoke to Chris Salee and broke the news to him about the capture of the man believed to be behind the scratch card scam group in Monrovia. I was interviewed live during the 9:00 o’clock pm news hour on True F.M. After the news, calls began pouring in from Alfred Wenyu’s victims from different parts of Monrovia.<br /> <br /><strong>Evidence beyond reasonable doubt</strong> <br /><br />On the morning of September 30, 2011, I returned to the Jacob Town police Station and ask for two police officers to escort me to the suspect’s house. CID commander Stephen McClain and CID officer Ballah along with the motor bike driver and suspect Alfred Wenyu escorted me to the suspect’s house. Upon arrival to the suspect’s house, we identify a lady claiming to be the suspect’s girl friend. Suspect Alfred Wenyu, led by his girl friend, entered the room. Using his hands as guide to locate his bag, suspect Wenyu walked by the walls and reach out to the Colombo block window where his bag was hanging. He grabbed his bag and began searching in the smaller packets where he had his numeral sim cards. He pulled out three sim (subscriber identity module) cards and handed them to CID officer Ballah.<br /><br />After suspect Wenyu handed the sim cards to officer Ballah, I asked suspect Wenyu, “do you have anything in here that we need to include in our investigation?” suspect Wenyu responded, “no”. I turned to suspect Wenyu’s girl friend who was sitting on the half inch filthy looking mattress and asked, “lady, do you have anything private in here that you need to get out?” she responded, “yes I do”. I asked whether it was money or something else. The lady said she had some money in the room that she needed to get out. I instructed her to get the money out. <br />While she was making effort to make her way to where the money was hidden, I asked, “who owns the money and how much is it?” the lady said the money in question was USD$385.00. Of the total, suspect Wenyu owned $100.00. I took out my pen and began jotting down information from both suspect Wenyu and his partner in crime. When asked about the rest of the money, the lady claimed the $285.00 was given to her by her uncle. She lifted the taint and grubby looking mattress and took out the money. I ordered her to hand the money to officer Ballah. When she did, officer Ballah counted the money in the presence of everyone in the room. The amount was confirmed by officer Ballah. With my pen pointing to my note pad, I asked her “what’s your uncle’s name?, she responded, “he’s Nathaniel Dahn”. Asked where was Nathaniel Dahn at the moment? she said Mr. Dahn was at work around the red light market. I again ask, “what’s your uncle’s contact phone number?” the lady said she did not have contact number for her uncle. My suspicion began gaining ground at that moment. I folded my note pad and said to officer Ballah and officer McClain “I think we can go back to the police station now”. Before exiting the room, I informed the suspect’s girlfriend that we were taking the money ($385.00) with us to the police station and that she should tell her uncle to contact the police station. <br /><br />While on our way out of the house, we met an elderly man sitting on the front porch of the house. I greeted the man and ask “sir, do you live here?, he answer “yes”. I took out my note pad and ask “what’s your name sir” he responded “my name is Nathaniel Dahn” I compared the name to the one given me earlier by suspect Wenyu’s girlfriend. The name given by the man matched the one given by Wenyu’s girlfriend. Suspect Wenyu’s girlfriend ran to mr. Dahn and began speaking Gio while pretending to be taking something from the man’s right ear. CID officer McClain ordered the lady to stop talking and back off from Mr. Dahn. When the lady did step away from Mr. Dahn, I asked Mr. Dahn, “sir, did you give money to this lady?” Mr. Dahn responded “no, I did not give her money”. My suspicion and doubt about the statement taken from the lady were finally confirmed. The lady stood few feet away from us and stared at everyone with huge disappointment and guilt expressed on her face. CID officer McClain ordered the lady cuff. The silver looking hand cuff was placed on the lady’s hands while suspect Wenyu look on. The two (Wenyu & his girlfriend) were ordered to pose for a photograph. Officer Ballah photographed the two partners in crime. I too pull out my camera and took few snap shot at them for my personal record.<br /><br />After the photograph, the lady requested to talk to me and the two CID officers. When she was granted the time to talk, she asked not to be taken to the police station because of some health complications she was faced with. She explained the nature of the problem and was released to stay home. Investigation continued with her boyfriend Wenyu. We proceeded to and boarded the car along with suspect Wenyu & his motorbike driver and headed back to the police station with the evidence collected during the search.<br /><br />While in route to the police station, I asked suspect Wenyu, “sir, now that you and your girlfriend has given us conflicting statements about the money, what’s next? Are you ready to tell us the true? I further informed suspect Wenyu that I was very determined to expose his activities and to break his criminal empire. I further informed him that I was going to the phone companies to get his phone logs which would include the transaction of all the sim cards collected during the search of his room. Suspect Wenyu took a deep breath and said “ok, let me say the true, the scratch card or transfer I get from impersonating is what I sell to get money. I asked specifically if the $385.00 that was in the possession of the CID officer was raised from scratch card sale, Wenyu answered “yes”.<br /><br />Upon arrival at the police station, we decided to authenticate the three sim cards collected from suspect Wenyu’s room during the search. Officer Ballah placed two of the sim cards in his personal phone. I went through my phone book and located two of the numbers used to scam me. I dialed 0880978527 (Musu-Scott), Officer Ballah’s phone (hosting the confiscated sim card) rang, thus confirming that suspect Alfred Wenyu was the man behind the scam operation that has victimized many Liberians including top government officials. After confirming the numbers, I asked CID commander Steven McClain, “now that we have the evidence beyond reasonable doubt to prosecute suspect Wenyu, what’s next?”, McClain responded, “we have all the evidence we need to prosecute this man, we will keep the evidence, transfer him to south beach (pre-trial) until the court decide the hearing or court date. We or the court will notify you once the date is set”.<br /><br /><strong>Evidence destroyed by Police</strong><br /> <br />On Monday October 10, 2011 I returned to the police station to check on the status of the case, to my surprise, I was informed by CID officer Ballah that suspect Alfred Wenyu was released. When asked what happen to the evidence, officer Ballah said “we give the blind man his money because it was not part of the investigation”. officer Ballah further informed me that the case was sent to the Paynesville Town Hall and that I should go there to check on the status. I stood by the police station, facing the soccer field near the Somalia drive and began profusely sweating. After few minutes, I returned to the CID office and asked officer McClain “sir, what happen to the $40.00 suspect Wenyu overtly agreed to getting from me by impersonating as Musu-Scott, who’s going to pay me back?”. Officer McClain responded, “The court will decide that”. Frustrated over the handling of the evidence, I turned around to exit the CID office. One of the officers asked me “sir, so what you get for us na?” I responded “do I look like an investor to you?”, their smiling faces quickly change thus matching my frustrated face. So, we became paste like ugly baboon but deep down in the officers’ heart, they collected their share of the $385.00 confiscated and pretended as if they return the money to the suspect.<br /> <br /><strong>Note</strong>: part two will be published if the alleged police station or officers respond.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-42241448083296547682011-11-16T12:52:00.001-05:002011-11-16T12:54:58.699-05:00UNMIL Public Information Office Media Summary[The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.]
Local News on Liberian Issues
Behind Closed Doors – Ellen, Tubman Talk
[Daily OBSERVER and New DEMOCRAT]
• The standard bearer of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change, Counsellor Winston Tubman Tuesday met with incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf behind closed doors.
• The meeting, which took place at the Trinity Cathedral on Broad Street, was aimed at achieving reconciliation to move the country forward.
• The meeting between Sirleaf and Tubman, both Harvard University scholars and formerly of the United Nations was organized by the Dean of Trinity Cathedral, Dr. Herman Browne.
CDC Plans Black Friday - Partisans Take Petro-Bombs Lessons
[The New Dawn]
• Reports have hinted that some members of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) are insisting on carrying out the party’s planned mass demonstration in Monrovia Friday, against official warnings.
• This follows the cancellation of the one announced for Monday, November 14 during a news conference hosted by its standard bearer, Winston Tubman Saturday at the party’s headquarters in Congo Town.
• The reports further indicated that some CDCians referred to as ‘Generals’ of the Monday November 7 uproar were seen at the party’s headquarters in various groups discussing the strategies for the demonstration at the community levels in order to confuse and subdue state security in their efforts to prevent them.
• The “November 7 Generals” most of whom are ex-combatants of defunct Liberian warring factions, according to the reports, were seen conducting practical training for a select group of partisans in producing and targeting petro-bombs in various areas of the city during the planned Friday demonstration.
CEMESP Welcomes Re-opening of 4 Media Houses, But With Caution
[The New Dawn]
• The Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) has said it welcomes the reopening of four media houses recently ordered closed by Criminal Court ‘A’ as a necessary action to promote peace and stability in Liberia.
• However, CEMESP is concerned that the wording of the ruling suggests a limit to media reporting in the future.
• The media group’s statement comes in response to a ruling by Criminal Court Judge James Zotaa in which he found the media organizations guilty of propagating hate messages, though he rescinded the petition to close the stations.
• CEMESP considers the ruling as a gag order on the freedom of the media to freely report, and an inducement to other actors to continue censoring the media in Liberia, given that the media is prone to reporting issues of transparency and accountability that are necessary in the fight to curb corruption.
CDC County Chairs Want Results Accepted
[Daily OBSERVER, INSIGHT, New DEMOCRAT and The INQUIRER]
• The 15 county chairpersons of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) have issued a statement calling on their leaders to accept the results of the just concluded run-off presidential election after the party leader, Counsellor Winston Tubman rejected them.
• The county chairpersons want their leaders accept the result and push for a government of inclusion.
• But party chair, Geraldine Doe Sheriff expressed no knowledge about the document.
• She remarked “There must be an ulterior motive for doing that. Maybe they have been bought over by the ruling party.”
Go and Sin No More – Criminal Court Judge Warns Media Houses
[Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage, Heritage, IN PROFILE DAILY, INSIGHT, New DEMOCRAT, PUBLIC AGENDA, The ANALYST, The Independent, THE INFORMER, The INQUIRER, The New Dawn, The New Republic and The NEWS]
• The Judge of Criminal Court ‘A’ has strongly warned proprietors of three local media houses recently shutdown by government for allegedly broadcasting “hate messages and misinformation” not to repeat such act.
• Judge James Zotaa gave the warning Tuesday at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia when he ordered the reopening of POWER FM/TV, LOVE FM/TV and KING’s FM and CLAR TV, respectively following a week-long closure.
• The judge instructed the Information Ministry to revoke permits and licenses of the three media institutions in case of a repeat of such act.
• The judge ruled against the media outlets following series of conference hearings with them and state prosecutors at the Temple of Justice, but reserved punishment for the sake of free press and information.
• Judge Zotaa said he was convinced having thoroughly viewed the state’s evidence, and concluded that the respondents did use their media outlets to disrupt public security, safety, general welfare, among others.
It’s Official - Ellen Wins Run-Off
[Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage, Heritage, IN PROFILE DAILY, INSIGHT, NATIONAL CHRONICLE, New DEMOCRAT, PUBLIC AGENDA, The ANALYST, THE INFORMER, The INQUIRER, The New Dawn and The NEWS]
• The National Elections Commission (NEC) Tuesday declared incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and running mate Joseph Boakai of the governing Unity Party winners of the just concluded November 8 presidential run-off election.
• The election was largely boycotted by the leading opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
• NEC through acting Chairman Elizabeth Nelson made the declaration in Monrovia during the pronouncement of final results of the polls.
• The Unity Party received 607,618 of the total votes, which translate to 90.7 percent, while the opposition CDC obtained the total votes of 62,207 representing 9.3 percent. According to the NEC, a total of 694,412 votes were cast during the run-off.
• International observers from ECOWAS, the AU and Carter Center have declared the polls as peaceful, free, fair and transparent.
NDC Opposes Result - Says UP lacks mandate to govern
[IN PROFILE DAILY]
• "Liberia belongs to all Liberians, those at home and abroad, minorities and majorities alike, settlers and indigenes, all the same. However, unlike the past and having graduated from fifteen years of a bloody civil conflict in the search of democracy, no one group or groups of Liberians should ever be allowed again to govern our country without a popular and legitimate mandate from the vast majority of the sovereign people of Liberia – a mandate determined by genuine democratic elections, void of fraud, reflecting the expressed wishes and aspirations of the vast majority of the people," a statement from the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) issued in Monrovia recently indicated.
• The NDC said fraudulent elections have always remained part of the principal causes for pushing conflicts in Liberia and other parts of Africa and stressed "that is why both ECOWAS and other peace building partners of Liberia, including the United Nations and the United States Government in particular, ought to be very sensitive to, cognizant of, and guided by this very important element as a matter of strategic positioning".
• Hence, the statement said declaring Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf president under the circumstances amounts to a blatant disregard for the sovereign people of Liberia.
• "This the opposition will not accept. Moreover, the international community runs a serious risk to do business with a minority group that is incapable of winning democratic elections, and prefers to grab power undemocratically, despite the huge financial resources and other strategic advantages that were available to it," the party said
Reporters without Borders Writes Ellen
[The New Dawn]
• The international media group, Reporters without Borders has written President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf voicing concern about the fact that the second round of the presidential election a week ago was marred by the suspension of four opposition media and by violence against journalists covering clashes between police and demonstrators.
• The group urged the President in its communication Tuesday to demonstrate a commitment to establish conditions that favor freedom of the press and opinion.
• Reporters without Borders also want the Sirleaf-government to ensure that those responsible for the violence against the journalists are punished.
Weakening multiparty Democracy? - CDC in Disarray as Leadership cooperates with Government
[FrontPage]
• Conflicting signals appear to be emerging from the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) over their standard bearer’s latest change of mind to recognize and cooperate with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Unity Party-led Government.
• Reports say Ambassador Winston Tubman’s pledge to cooperate with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sparked uproar among executives of the CDC as if the decision on his part was unilateral.
Radio Veritas (news monitored at 9:45 a.m.)
Court orders radio stations reopened
• Three radio stations down by the Government of Liberia a week ago for allegedly broadcasting ‘hate messages’ during the run-off election, have been ordered re-opened by the court in a ruling handed down Tuesday by Judge James Zotaa of Criminal Court A who said he was pardoning the stations even though they are guilty.
• He warned that their licenses could be revoked if they engaged in similar act again.
• But the head of one of the stations, Aaron Kollie said the court’s action was a ‘miscarriage of justice’.
• He emphasized that the broadcasters have done no wrong and will not heed the judge’s warning.
Police advisor dismissed
• Reports say President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sacked the Special Advisor to the Liberia National Police Paul Mulbah for failing to perform the task for which he was appointed.
• Mr. Mulbah, a former Director of Police is currently the Chief Executive Officer of one of three media institutions shut down by the government.
Liberia gets status in tourism organization
• Liberia has been admitted into the United Nations World Tourism Organization with Assistant Information Minister for Tourism, Aissa Bright who just returned from a tourism conference saying the move will attract international assistance to Liberia.
UNMIL Radio (news monitored at 1:00 p.m.)
Election contenders to get certificate
• The National Elections Commission has said that a ceremony to certificate the winners of the 2011 legislative and presidential elections will be held next Monday at the commission’s headquarters.
• The Acting Chairman of the commission, Elizabeth Nelson made the announcement when she declared President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf winner of the presidential election race, and asked all the contenders to make their campaign expenditure available to the commission.
US urge Liberians to accept the November 8 poll results
• The Government of the United States has called on political parties and their supporters to accept the result of the presidential election won by incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, even though the second round of the election was boycotted by the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change.
• Meanwhile US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has congratulated President Sirleaf for her victory.
International clip on Liberia
Liberian Court Orders Reopening Of Closed Media Outlets
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Liberia-Stations-Reopened-Quaqua-16november11-133942013.html
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/11/16/liberian-judge-orders-re-opening-of-closed-radio-stations/
A Liberian judge Tuesday ordered the re-opening of four radio and three television stations sympathetic to the opposition which the government shut down one day before runoff elections. The government accused the stations of broadcasting hate messages and spreading misinformation aimed at causing insurrection and disorder. Press Union of Liberia President Peter Quaqua, who was in the courtroom, says the judge, James W. Zota, did not make evidence available to the lawyers representing the media institutions. Quaqua says he views the action against the stations, and the subsequent court proceedings, as an attempt to frighten the media away from reporting critical issues in Liberia. “The judge ruled that the petitions filed by the Ministry of Justice and the Information Ministry were corroborated by the evidence the Ministry of Justice provided to the judge. Dramatically, that evidence was never produced in court,” he said.
International clips on West Africa
Ivory Coast
Paris Club cuts Ivory Coast's debt burden
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7AF03920111116
http://news.yahoo.com/paris-club-defers-forgives-1-8bn-ivory-coast-191254031.html
The Paris Club of creditor nations said members agreed on Tuesday to reduce the Ivory Coast's foreign debt burden and said reforms underway should lead to further relief. The West African nation's creditors in the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the repayment of some of the country's debts over a 10-year period. Repayments of arrears on those payments were rescheduled over eight years. The informal grouping of creditor governments said in a statement that the measures would reduce the country's debt service payments and arrears due by the end of June 2014 by $1.8 billion. Of that amount, $397 million would be canceled. Ivory Coast is rapidly recovering after last year's disputed election reignited a civil war that killed some 3,000 people and displaced more than 1 million. "Participating creditors noted that following the crisis that the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire has gone through, the Government has quickly revived economic activity and resumed negotiations with the Paris Club," the statement said.
Traditional chiefs take on Ivory Coast's post-war ills
http://news.yahoo.com/traditional-chiefs-ivory-coasts-post-war-ills-072236474.html
Could crowns, scepters and ritual sacrifices save Ivory Coast? Some of its traditional chiefs are seeking to help in the reconciliation of the long-divided country, but not everybody agrees. Sporting an enormous crown and a multicolored robe, Awoula Amon Tanoe, king of the small Ivorian tribe called the N'Zima Kotoko, is a man who parts the crowds, carried by strong porters to the sound of a sacred tam-tam. "His Majesty" presided this month over the annual Abissa festival of the N'Zima people, which drew thousands of visitors to Bassam, the former colonial capital which is close to Abidjan and renowned for its beaches. The theme for 2011 was "reconciliation". A career diplomat in his 70s, Aman Tanoe was named vice president of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR) set up by President Alassane Ouattara at the end of September, after years of conflict in the West African nation.
****Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-76205728975172837502011-11-15T11:36:00.001-05:002011-11-15T11:48:17.413-05:00ICC, Not just Francophone Ivory Coast, come to Anglophone Liberia too!By Bernard Gbayee Goah
President, Operation We Care for Liberia
While crimes sponsored, committed, or masterminded by a handful of individuals go unquestioned in Liberia popularly known as “Little America” amongst its West African neighbors, the International Criminal Court judges have given the ICC's prosecutor the go-ahead to open an investigation into post-election violence in neighboring “French Ivory Coast”.
However, if the ICC should come to Liberia as a result of some kind of intervention only to concern itself with investigating post-election violence after the 2011 elections, justice would not be considered served to Liberia’s 15 years’ war victims. Few questions that must be answered are:
1.What if Post elections violence does not occur in Liberia during these elections period, will Liberia’s current war victim receive justice at all??
2. Will the ICC have interest in investigating crimes committed in Liberia from 1979 - 2003?
The above are questions that must be addressed and not just the investigation of post elections violence. The fact is there are war crime suspects in Liberia right now walking freely while victims of war pray for justice that may not come at all if nothing is done.
Unlike Ivory Coast where evidence of war crimes are still under investigation, in Liberia, evidence shows Ms. Sirleaf played a central role in the planning, financing and directing of a war so brutal, so violent and so devastating that experts have labeled it one of the worst in modern History. Ordering the NPFL forces to attack the then overcrowded City of Monrovia shows the extent to which Ms. Sirleaf was willing to go in order to become president. The NPFL carried out her orders and thousands of innocent people were killed.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her accomplices must account for their role in the 15-year carnage in Liberia that claimed more than 250,000 lives, raped countless mothers, children, and wrecked the county’s entire infrastructure. This is the right thing to do, even if it means carrying out citizens’ arrest. After all, democracy is not an event to be observed only during the period of election or on Election Day; rather it’s a way of life.
Even though her testimony at Liberia’s Truth Commission hearing proved otherwise, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has claimed consistently during these elections period that she had no role in the war that maimed and killed innocent people and destroyed the country’s entire infrastructure. She must be presented an opportunity to exonerate herself in a war crime court. If Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is responsible, as the evidence indicates, regardless whether such crimes were committed in Liberia or in elsewhere pre or post 2003, it would be a travesty of justice to have indicted former president Charles Taylor and removed him from office; but yet allow Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to remain head of state even though she also financially supported as well as ordered a rebel group (NPFL) to committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
If the people of Liberia and the rest of the world allow rape, torture and murder to go unpunished, soon there will be nothing left to protect. This is why it is important for the International Community to break the cycle of ignorance and untimely death by holding accountable those bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity whether in Liberia or elsewhere on this planet. And yet … surely, the United States of America and the United Nations could both help by standing with war victims in Liberia but … behold the US Ambassador to Liberia befriends Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf while UN peace keepers currently control the security of the country in which a war crime suspect (Madam Johnson-Sirleaf) runs the affairs of Liberia’s war victims. The need for post-war justice is a step toward lasting peace, stability and prosperity for Liberia.
Lastly, with the help of France and the Ivorian people, the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have given the ICC's prosecutor the go-ahead to open an investigation into post-election violence in the French Ivory Coast. Let the ICC also come to the aid of war victims in Liberia. After all, Anglophone (Liberia) needs protection too. Liberia needs a war crimes tribunal that is capable of dealing with atrocities perpetrated against defenseless men, women and children during the country's brutal war.
Without justice, peace shall remain elusive and investment in Liberia will not produce the intended results.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-72213500209037518272011-08-18T10:06:00.005-04:002011-08-21T21:43:48.170-04:00Professor Alaric Tokpa outline his Campaign Purpose for the Liberian Legislature<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSYteA-mw/Tk0cZujhLdI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A3oRVk_i3Ek/s1600/Alaric_pic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajHSYteA-mw/Tk0cZujhLdI/AAAAAAAAAUE/A3oRVk_i3Ek/s320/Alaric_pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642197136484412882" /></a>
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<br />By:Sam K Zinnah
<br />Clayton, Delaware
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<br />The man who was once seeing languishing behind bars as one of the many political prisoners in the notorious Belle Yallah prison is likely to return as a representative of that part of Liberia.
<br />Ever since his ascendancy to student politics in Liberia, Mr. Alaric Tokpa has had great interest in creating some form of good political governance through peace, unity, accountability and transparency not only at a student level but national level as well.
<br /> Few months ago, Professor Tokpa declared his intention to challenge Unity Party Incumbent Representative Dickson T. Yarsiah in Gbarpolu County Electoral District # 2. Professor Tokpa’s declaration is widely accepted and supported by citizens and residents of Gbarpolu County electoral district # 2. One elder said “this is long overdue, we will do all we can to support you”. Few days after declaring his intention, a website http://alarictokpa.com/ was launched by some of his many supporters in the Diaspora.
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<br /><strong>Background </strong>
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<br /> Born unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tokpa on August 2, 1958, Alaric Tokpa came to prominence as a national student leader in the early 1980s and has since captured public attention as a consistent advocate for progressive social change in Liberia. From 1978 to 1979, Alaric served as Chairman of the Student UHURU Movement (at the William V.S. Tubman High School), the leading secondary school political party organization in twenty century Liberia. In that role, he agitated for the release of political prisoners (i.e. university student leaders, leaders of national political organizations – All Peoples’ Freedom Alliance, Movement for Justice in Africa, Progressive Alliance of Liberia) who were accused by the government of William R. Tolbert for organizing the rice uprising of April 14, 1979 in which about a hundred protesters were killed by the police. This led to a near encounter between students of Tubman High and the Guinean army in Sinkor, Monrovia. The neighboring Guinean army had been called into Liberia to back the insecure government after the mass protest.
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<br /> In 1980, the year in which non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia overthrew the Tolbert Government in a bloody coup d’état, he entered the University of Liberia and was immediately elected Assistant General Secretary of the Student Unification Party (SUP), the most prominent university student political party in Liberia to date. In 1981, he was elected General Secretary of SUP. In the same year, he became General Secretary of the Liberia National Students Union (LINSU). Through hard work and painstaking endeavors, he and his colleagues gave LINSU prominent places in the All Africa Students Union, the International Union of Students and the World Federation of Democratic Youth. And through his able and selfless leadership of a vibrant secretariat, the regional unions of LINSU were organized and effective opposition to the excesses of the military dictatorship was mobilized in the 1980s. In the absence of national opposition political parties to the military junta, the national student movement played the leading role of opposition to the military government and is on record for inspiring the campaign for military disengagement from politics in Liberia. For his part in the latter campaign, Alaric was to suffer prolong neglect and humiliation; but, because of that experience, he earns a special place in the Liberian political class today.
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<br />The banning of student democratic political activities in December, 1981 was mainly aimed at preventing him and his colleagues from eventually taking the leadership of the powerful University of Liberia Student Union which the dictatorship feared. Yet, this was to intensify his opposition to the draconian policies of the military dictatorship. Alaric led the advocacy and struggle for the unbanning of the student movement. Because of this, Alaric (then General Secretary of the Liberia National Students Union) was sentenced to the firing squad (January 1982) among four other national student leaders. That he and his colleagues were reprieved did not deter him from active opposition to military rule.
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<br />On suspicion of participation in the “underground publication”, REACT against the military, he and five others were subsequently banished to the maximum prison at Belle Yallah where he spent a year (1985) of hard labor. The truth is that he was a part of the defiant “patriotic pamphleteering” campaign, but the national security system could produce no proof. In reality therefore, his latter imprisonment was a continuation of punishment for opposing the oppressive policies of the military government, and also for his part in the campaign for democratic transition and military disengagement from politics. But he carries no malice or grudge due to past suffering and even thinks that prison life (because of the very small part he played in the struggle for the emancipation of his people) was a rewarding experience that money can never buy.
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<br />When war started in late 1989, Alaric was a master student at the University of Ghana. Upon graduation from the University of Ghana in 1990, he did just what many others could have avoided. He returned to Liberia in the midst of war and actively participated in the peace movement through the Campaign for Freedom and the Liberia Advocacy Group, which brought together the major civil society organizations in the country.
<br />But no sooner did the notorious warlord, Charles Taylor come to power in July 1997 than it became clear that the country needed to go beyond the election of autocracy and democratize. In June 1999, Alaric launched the effort to form the New DEAL Movement, which is the only political party that organized and registered in Liberia under the oppressive administration of Charles Taylor. Today, Alaric is nationally acclaimed as the Founding Chair of the New DEAL Movement, Liberia’s only social democratic party which has led the efforts to bring together Liberian opposition parties under the banner of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC). Moreover, it is interesting to note that Alaric has continued to excellently blend the academic with the politician.
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<br />Accordingly, Alaric is former head of the political science department at the University of Liberia where he currently lectures as Assistant Professor. He has also studied and held teaching positions in Ghana and the United States. After the Liberian civil war (1989 – 2003), Alaric served as Civic Education Administrator (2006 – 2007) in the training of the new post war army, the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and was frustrated by the extent of executive imposition on the Liberian legislature in disregard for constitutional purview. In addition, he has provided consultancy for civil society organizations (i.e. Liberia Democratic Institute, Green Advocates, Foundation for Human Rights and Democracy) and INGOs (i.e. United Nations Development Program, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Irish International Charity - Trocaire) in the areas of training and research. Also, he is the National Investigator of Afro barometer in Liberia. Afrobarometer is a comparative series of national public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, markets and civil society in Africa.
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<br />Alaric has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Liberia and holds a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in political science from the University of Ghana. He is currently pursuing PhD research (at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia) on Diaspora studies and thinks that the Liberian Diaspora has an important role to play in the reform and development of the Liberian homeland.
<br />Alaric has remained consistent in the advocacy for concrete democratic change and believes that government should go beyond textbook economics and pay close attention to the basic needs of the people in order to be relevant. A believer in human rights, gender equity and economic justice, Alaric also supports the notion that nature has rights. His selflessness and long years of struggle for the democratization of Liberia has given him enviable connection with and Influence over the youth and grassroots communities. An adherent of the positive values in democratic politics, Alaric has the added advantage of being a descendant from the chieftaincy in his native homeland. He is therefore well schooled in the practice of consensus democracy.
<br />Alaric is well known, connected and respected in the Liberian political class, civil society, business community and lager society. Ironically, despite his humility and widely recognized ability to serve, successive governments have hesitated to invite him into national administration due to his persistent advocacy for human rights, economic justice, social democracy and uncompromising stance against wide spread corruption.
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<br />Alaric has seen the rise and fall of several governments in Liberia. He therefore believes that until government refines itself, cling to democratic principles, and pursue people-center policies, instability and a vicious cycle of violence will continue to characterize Liberian politics. Thus, the core content of his electoral campaign for the representation of his people will be informed by town hall meetings, focus group discussions, and a survey of public opinion on the way forward. In view of its relative autonomy of executive prerogatives, he thinks that strengthening the legislature is a significant point of departure in the quest for governmental reform in Liberia.
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<br /> Campaign Purpose for the Liberian Legislature (House of Representatives)
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<br />Vision: Improve social economic conditions and create better future for the children and residents of District Number Three, Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole.
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<br />Mission: To work hard for people-centered governmental policies and better public service delivery as well as the mobilization of the popular participation of district residents in decision making, implementation and the pursuit of development activities.
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<br />Current Aim: To secure support for electoral success in order to provide exemplary legislative service that will improve the quality of the Liberian legislature and positively impact executive and judicial functions for the purpose of bettering the conditions of the Liberian people.
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<br /><strong>Major Objectives</strong>
<br />• To fight bad laws and support the formulation of good laws.
<br />• To promote human and peoples’ rights as well as the rights of nature.
<br />• To collaborate with other potential legislators for the purpose of promoting government reform and the improvement of public service delivery.
<br />Specific Objective
<br />Use mandate of people and legislative authority to mobilize residents of District # 3 in Gbarpolu County to find for themselves answers to five basic concerns:
<br />1. Building of consensus on general needs of district
<br />2. Building of consensus on the way forward
<br />3. Achievement of agreement on how to make progress
<br />4. Collective formulation of ideas on what can be done to improve conditions
<br />5. Attainment of commitment on cooperation for the improvement of conditions
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<br /><strong>National Context</strong>
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<br />Since the establishment of the Liberian state in 1847, the legislature has essentially functioned as a subordinate of the executive branch of government, despite its constitutional powers and oversight of executive institutions. In post war Liberia, the uncritical attitude of the legislature toward executive appointments, the approval of bad concession agreements and the growing dissatisfaction with the national budget process as well as patterns of reconstruction, development, employment and public service delivery threaten to undermine the building of post war peace and stability. The situation is exacerbated by the high level of corruption and abuse of power in government.
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<br />Even though official documents capture the context of the national problem, they are severely limited in the construction of the required strategies for addressing them. For example, the development priorities outlined in the Gbarpolu County Development Agenda (roads, health facilities and educational facilities) and the four pillars of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy (consolidating peace and security; revitalizing the economy; strengthening government and the rule of law; rehabilitating infrastructure and delivering basic services) leave no place for the participation of the people in post war reconstruction and development. Like other county development agendas, these two national and regional programs are limited because they completely ignore the capacity of a post war people to participate in the conversation about themselves and contribute to the improvement of their own lives. Generally marginalized and dispossessed, the people of Liberia are treated as passive recipients of development assistance, at best, and neglected subjects, at worst. Therefore, in view of the urgent need to improve the security of the state and the state of security, the change of government orientation is imperative. Except by introducing violence into the political process (which should be avoided), the legislature is well suited to inspire such a change.
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<br />Moreover, a major problem of governance in Liberia is the lack of standards, the absence of suitable policy and institutional frameworks, the attachment of low value to creative, homegrown solutions, and the unequal distribution of national opportunities and possibilities. There is the need for laws, statutes and policy alternatives to reverse the trend.
<br />With its oversight responsibilities and relative autonomy of executive prerogatives that usually demean well meaning government functionaries, the improvement of the quality of the legislature has the potential to positively impacting the nature of the executive branch of government and induce hope in the population. These are the main motivations behind Alaric Tokpa’s quest for legislative representation.
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<br /><strong> Local (District) Program </strong>
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<br />• Support, promote and explore every possible means for the construction of motor roads, health centers, quality schools and general market.
<br />• Pay close attention to women, children and youth concerns as well as improvement in the economic conditions of residents.
<br />• Support human rights protection and the promotion of social and economic justice.
<br />• Encourage popular participation in dialogues on development.
<br />• Help protect integrity of environment and cultural rights of indigenous residents.
<br />• Pursue implementation of government policy agenda for district.
<br />• Promote transparency and accountability.
<br />• Explore ways to generate productive employment opportunities for young people.
<br />• Find means for the training of teachers and health workers.
<br />• Support and promote respect for the interest and concerns of teachers, health workers, midwives and other public servants.
<br />• Organization in-service training for teachers and health workers.
<br />• Support adult literacy and night school programs.
<br />• Support improvement of human security and rule of law for all.
<br />• Promote peace, unity, and sports.
<br />• Instill idea of hard work and voluntarism in youth.
<br />• Inspire involvement of district residents in self-help initiatives.
<br />• Initiate district youth brigade for cooperative venture in housing
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<br /><strong>construction.</strong>
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<br />• Seek support for and promote cooperation for massive housing program and the improvement of agricultural production.
<br />• Encourage the proper structuring of the local market system and improvement of general market locations.
<br />• Help identify micro loan scheme for market women and encourage local savings mobilization.
<br />• Support small business education.
<br />• Find means for the construction of children playgrounds.
<br />• Seek scholarship support programs for needy students.
<br />• Map community resources and ensure community participation and interest in business negotiations.
<br />• Encourage social service delivery by government and development partners.
<br />• Find ways to bring community radio and telephone communication to district.
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<br /><strong>National Agenda</strong>
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<br />• Work for the review of bad laws and the enactment of good laws.
<br />• Take initiatives for the institutionalization of non-partisan collaborative relations and cooperation for the promotion of progressive legislation, policies and collective actions.
<br />• Support the protection of human rights, the rights of nature and the rights of the defenders of human and environmental rights.
<br />• Promote the legislation of stiff penalty for human rights violation and abuse.
<br />• Support advocacy for the promotion of social and economic justice.
<br />• Support comprehensive attention to the burning concerns of women, youth and children as well as improvement in the economic conditions of the Liberian people.
<br />• Support improvement of security and rule of law for all.
<br />• Support and promote respect for the interest and concerns of teachers, health workers and other public servants.
<br />• Support the promotion of accountability and transparency as cardinal government policy position.
<br />• Mobilize agreement over the need for constitutional review.
<br />• Work to improve the budget and public expenditure tracking processes.
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<br />• Mobilize for the allocation of more budget support to areas of national priority needs (i.e. education, health, teacher education, health education, national road construction, agricultural production, clean water, electric power, transportation, communication).
<br />• Support national investment in hydro electric power generation.
<br />• Promote national investment in domestic agriculture and farm to market roads for increased production and improved trade.
<br />• Support national investment in water transport for international trade.
<br />• Pay particular attention to improvement in the quality of legislative oversight responsibility of executive and judicial government institutions.
<br />• Strive for concession agreements and business investments to serve the best interest of the country and the Liberian people.
<br />• Promote the idea of national investment in the construction of uniform educational and health facilities across the country.
<br />• Support government investment in low cost housing programs.
<br />• Support government investment in public works and mass employment.
<br />• Strive to improve the quality of legislative representation in the
<br />
<br /><strong>international system.</strong>
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<br />• Support for government investment in the installation of a national think-tank of Liberians with interdisciplinary background.
<br />• Support the documentation of Liberians and the financing of planning for future development.
<br />• Support policy reforms for improved governance.
<br />• Promote legislative reform and ethical training.
<br />• Support judicial reform, the election of judges and the election of local government officials.
<br />• Advocate for legal proceedings and stiff penalty for corruption, abuse of official prerogatives and misuse of public resources.
<br />• Advocate for government devotion to domestic revenue generation, budgetary expenditure on national priority needs, and the alignment of public expenditure and foreign assistance with national priority needs.
<br />• In the event that the exploitation of oil begins in Liberia, advocate for public participation in the debate on the future use of oil money.
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<br /><strong>International Initiative </strong>
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<br />• Engage Liberian Diaspora in dialogue on the way forward.
<br />• Search for development partners and mobilize assistance for district.
<br />• Work with Liberian Diaspora to identify partners for development assistance.
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<br /><strong>Principles of General Policy</strong>
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<br />• Focus on close attention to women, youth and children concerns and rights.
<br />• Promotion of unity, hard work, development, transparency and accountability.
<br />• Involvement of District residents in decision making process.
<br />• Involvement of citizens in planning the future of the district.
<br />• Mobilization of citizens for voluntary contribution to district development.
<br />• Support for the empowerment and improvement of local and traditional leadership.
<br />• Support for the protection of the environment, forest resources and cultural heritage.
<br />• Devotion to reversal of rural-urban migration trend.
<br />• Pursuit of government and development partners for attention to District.
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<br /><strong>Core Principles of Service</strong>
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<br />• Unity and Hard Work for Development
<br />• Consultation and constant dialogue
<br />• Accountability and transparency
<br />• Hard work and perseverance
<br />• Self-evaluation and upholding of focus
<br />• Humility, respect and teamwork
<br />• Multi-partisan cooperation in the national interest
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<br /><em><strong>Motto: The time has come.</strong></em>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32149627.post-32815024205165001212011-06-13T16:40:00.001-04:002011-06-13T16:45:26.789-04:00Living with agony, people alive but searching for life: an eye witness account.By: Sam K Zinnah<br />Clayton, Delaware<br /><br />Former head of the political science department at the University of Liberia, Alaric Tokpa who has declared interest in unseating incumbent, Representative Dickson Temo Yarsiah, have described his initial tour of his electoral district as “successful beyond expectation”. Mr. Tokpa said he was well received by the chiefs, elders, traditional authorities, women, youth, students, religious community and small business community. Mr. Tokpa said he visited ten towns and finally sponsored soccer and kickball tournaments for the youth from sixteen towns of the electoral District # 3 political sub-division. He said the tour and the events were cost intensive, labor intensive and time consuming. Yet, they were all worth the attention. From one town to the other, he walked day and/or night through tick rain forest for hours. That experience was not as agonizing as the encounter with general despair and loss of hope – no motor roads, no health centers, no clean drinking water, no good schools, no good homes, abject poverty in the midst of riches (i.e. gold, diamond, logs, rich agricultural land, possibility of flourishing tree cropping).<br /><br />The young people are absolutely tired of carrying pregnant women and other sick people in hammocks for hours “un-end” in search of motor roads to urban health centers. Hearing reports and stories of constant deaths in such circumstances became unbearable to the candidate. Mr. Tokpa started the tour by involuntarily crying in the first town meeting where a woman cried uncontrollably for the loss of a young lady who had recently carried a triplet but was only blessed to leave behind one child, as the other two died unborn along with her in a hammock in the dense forest. He subsequently rolled over to grieving in his heart, very aware that the cries of leaders are not to be visible in our Liberian traditional culture. So his heart started to harden. Eventually, it almost became normal to live with agony, with people alive but searching for life. However, he would suddenly realize, as was his occasional experience, that there is a natural limit to human suffering and ability to absorb pain. He could not totally ignore the urge to express sorrow over the deep suffering of a potentially industrious people.<br /><br />In general, it would appear that the future of the people in the land he seek to represent is bleak. But he observed them, searched their hearts and found resilience, courage and great heroism. He covertly said to himself “They need leadership, motivation and direction; they can become a success story”. But as it is, what Mr. Tokpa observed in Gbarpolu County Electoral District # 3 is a reserved army of insurgents that are vulnerable to the deception of any potential warlord. In any post war situation where many are battle tested, this is dangerous. Mr. Tokpa feels a compelling obligation to work with his people. His aim is to secure support for electoral success in other to provide exemplary legislative service that will improve the quality of the Liberian legislature and positively impact executive and judicial functions for the purpose of bettering not only the people of Gbarpolu County Electoral District # 3 but the conditions of the Liberian people as a whole.<br /><br /> So as he reflect on the centralized condition of national government and elected local government authorities, he now feels challenge to make a contribution to Liberian national history that will (practically) register as a profound political statement in activist scholarship. <br />Mr. Tokpa was in Ghana attending a research conference of Afrobarometer (a series of comparative public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, civil society and markets in Africa) where he had access to better internet access to communicate his eye witness account with me. As he narrated, I vividly pictured myself once growing up in the very/identical conditions he was describing to me. As he prepared to return to Liberia to begin his second tour through Bokomu , another District within his electoral District, He have no doubt about what awaits him as he has already seen a lot during his initial tour of parts of Electoral District # 3. He said “I also look forward to additional surprises and I am preparing my heart for calm. Incidentally, the adventure has great research value. And each time that I embark on a tour of imagination, I look forward to collaboration with other nationalistic Liberians to capture the experience of our people who I can see living in centuries behind today”.<br /> <br />The problem is grave and it is common to encounter legitimate request for assistance in every town. The teachers according to him, were the first to admit that they are untrained place holders until appropriate interventions can be made in the educational sector. Mr. Tokpa observed that while the need to call education ministry authorities attention to this problem is urgent, there are immediate requests for blackboards and chalks. He said some existing blackboards are all damp because they are under leaking thatch roofs. So one popular request is for zinc and nails to construct schools. Most students can't even afford copy books or uniforms. Nor have most teachers materials with which to teach.<br /><br />Another observation he made is in the area of midwives. He said in the absence of health centers, the midwives association has become a very important part of the decision making structures in all the towns because of the important roles that they play in delivery. Their overwhelming request is for materials to work with. So, one of the first things that he did after the tour was to arrange a meeting with the registrar general of the Liberia medical and dental association, Fortunately, The registrar General is presently inspecting health centers in Monrovia and he could relate to the situation. Mr. Tokpa said The Registrar General who recently returned home from A U.S. State of New Jersey to help his Country was alarmed when the situation in Electoral District # 3 was brought to his attention.<br /><br />young men are requesting for chain saws (power saws) to do the continuous self help work of road cleaning on the foot paths. Large trees fall on the roads almost on a daily basis. They have to be removed or by-passed. Makeshift bridges over streams and creeks must be constructed almost always, as movement between the towns is constant.<br />He said “I was keen to find out from these young men why they have left school for the gold fields and other economic ventures. Their response was singular - shame. They said they could not afford to sit in class with their children and "compete" for knowledge when they needed to be taking care of their families. They admitted interest in learning but through night schools. They always repeated the interest in adult literacy schools”.<br /><br />The candidate thinks such developments need both quick impact and well thought out interventions. But as he suggested to his people, interventions will have to be incremental and well spread out (indiscriminately) until it all come together. Mr. Alaric Tokpa’s vision is to improve social economic conditions and create better future for the children and residents of District Number Three in Gbarpolu County and Liberia as a whole.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054352826062091343noreply@blogger.com0