United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

UNMIL Public Information Office Complete Media Summaries
29 September 2008

Reports from Rivergee County in south-eastern Liberia, say the bridge linking the county to Maryland County has collapsed. The bridge collapsed due to the over flooding of the Gee River caused by heavy down pull of rain. The County’s Superintendent Karku Sampson via telephone said the collapse of the bridge has prevented the movement of motorcycles and vehicles to Maryland County.
· He said the local authority of both counties are presently collaborating to ensured the speedily reconstruction of the bridge. “We are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the bridge is reconstructed in the next few weeks,” he maintained.
· Mr. Sampson also called on NGOs working in the counties to render them some technical supports in order to rehabilitate bridge which is the only major linked between the two counties. Recently, citizens of River gee and other users of the road leading to Maryland County complaint about bad conditions between the both counties.

Head of War Crimes Advocacy Group Arrested
(Heritage, The Monitor, The News, National Chronicle)

·The Chairman of the Forum for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia, Mulbah Morlu has reported been arrested. The Opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) announced the arrest and detention of Mr. Morlu at a news conference on Sunday
·The party said state security picked up Morlu at about 6:00PM on Friday on Broad Street and that he has since been detained at the Headquarters of the National Security Agency (NSA) in Monrovia.
·Authorities of the NSA are yet to comment on the arrest. Mr. Gray expressed concern about the health of Morlu saying few minutes before his arrest he complained of being ill. According to him, this is the fifth time Morlu has been arrested by state security and the second time by the NSA. In previous arrest, he was taken to the police for questioning.

Container Truck Crushed Woman to Death in Monrovia
(The News, The Inquirer, The Monitor, Daily Observer, Public Agenda, National Chronicle, New Vision)

·The Daily Observer reports that thousands of grief-stricken people on Saturday, September 27, 2008 swamped the vicinity of Johnson Street-Slipway intersection when a 40-foot container abruptly fell from a trailer onto a nearby blue pick-up, subsequently crushing a woman to death.
·The Inquirer newspaper quoting eyewitnesses said the accident occurred when a truck with a container onboard from the Freeport of Monrovia and was on its way to central Monrovia to discharge goods, reportedly lost control and collided with a pick-up.
·The victim, whose name could not be immediately obtained, is believed to be a businesswoman who was said to be on her regular business routine when the accident occurred. Several individuals who thronged the accident site to catch a glimpse of the episode recommended to the government to thoroughly regulate the movement of container trucks and enforce safety rules and regulations.

Some Senators are poised to Re-instate Suspended Pro-Tempore Today
(The Inquirer, Daily Observer, Heritage, National Chronicle, The News, Plain Truth, New Vision, Liberian Express)

·The media reports that an agreement to reinstate suspended President Pro-temp, Isaac Nyenabo is expected to be announced by a group of Senators today. This followed a disagreement on the deferral of the re-instatement of Senator Nyenabo after a ruling by Chamber Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie.
·Acting Senate President Pro-tempore, Lahai Lassanah said the re-instatement order by Justice Wolokollie would be discussed next year but some key members of the Senate announced on Friday that the Supreme Court’s ruling will be enforced today. The Senator met on Friday but could not announce the reinstatement of Nyenabo due to the absence of Lahai Lassanah.
·It was gathered that Mr. Nyenabo would be asked to resign immediately following his re-instatement to end the leadership crisis at the Senate. The Daily Observer reports that credible information suggests that the United States Congress has threatened to impose travel restrictions on some members of the Liberian Senate for their failure to adhere to a Supreme Court of Liberia ruling ordering the Senate to reinstate the suspended Senate Pro-Tempore.

Chinese Company Launches New Malaria Drug …Government Pledges Support
(Heritage, The Inquirer, Daily Observer)
·A new drug set to combat malaria has been launched in the country. The anti-malaria drug called ARCO was launched by a Chinese company, Kunming Pharmaceutical Corporation, at the weekend.
·The Inquirer reports that the launch coincided with the donation of a consignment of the drugs to government.
·ARCO is a new generation of highly efficacious oral fixed does of ACT based combination therapy. Receiving the drugs, the Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Bernice Dahn lauded the Chinese group for the donation and said the issue of malaria is very critical to government. She pledged government support to the initiative.
·Earlier, the Vice President of the Company, Dong Shaoyu said the medicine is very effective in treating malaria.

Judge Denies Motion to Overturn Ruling in Blah vs. Urey Case
(The Inquirer)

·The Civil Law Court of Montserrado County has denied motion to overturn its previous judgment on an earlier Motion to Dismiss a Motion for Summary Judgment in the case ‘Urey vs Blah.’
· In Judge Yussif Kaba’s ruling last week to both parties present in court, he said that the respondent’s request was denied because the court sees no justification to disturb the ruling which this motion is seeking the court to rescind. He said that because the respondent in said case was the same that filed for the motion to dismiss and subsequently filed for a summary judgment, it was the same respondent that elected to have heard the summary judgment. And according to him, the same could not be denied but it was noticed that similar and identical issues raised in one motion was in the same.

In Margibi Murder Trial, State Lawyers Want Judge Step Aside
(Heritage, Public Agenda, Plain Truth)

· State Lawyers in the suspended murder trial involving Margibi Senator, Roland Kaine have asked the Judge of Criminal Court “B” to step aside from all proceedings in the case because he is believed to be biased. The Heritage reports that the State’s request for Judge Korboi Nuta to step aside from the case comes against the backdrop of the Judge’s recent decision to grant an application filed by the defense which was intended to admit the detained Senator to bail.
· According to them, this will serve the interest and purpose of transparent justice and integrity of the proceeding. In a five-count motion filed over the weekend, State Lawyers argued that they would not receive a fair determination of the case as the Judge has already determine that that the State has no convincing evidence against co-defendant Kaine before hearing the case.

Back To School Parade to Kick Off YMCA Membership and Fund Drive
(Daily Observer, The Inquirer)

·A Back-to-School Parade involving some 60 schools in the greater Monrovia area is scheduled to take place this Friday, October 3, 2008, to mark the commencement of the 44th Membership Campaign and Fund Drive of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Liberia. The YMCA was founded in Harper, Cape Palmas in 1881. For over a century the organization has striven to cater to the needs of young people. The theme of this year membership campaign and fund drive is “Inspiring Young People and Communities for Transformation and Self Fulfillment”. It targets 10,000 members and US$100.000. The aim is to recruit members in all 15 counties so that the Y may extend its activities throughout the country.

Radio Summary
Star Radio (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
Group of Senators determined to Re-instate leader
(Also reported on Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Liberian Security arrest Advocate of War Crimes Court
(Also reported on Truth F.M. and ELBC)

Labour nullifies Motorcycle Union's Certificate
·A Ministry of Labour release issued in Monrovia has nullified the operational certificate of the Liberia Motorcycle Union, describing it as a self-styled.
·The Ministry said the certificate in the possession of the union’s leadership was issued by unauthorized personnel saying it has never approved any certificate to such a union.
·The statement said the proposed leadership of the motorcycle union was advised to re-file its documents to certify the criteria for legitimate certification but this has not happened.
·The ministry said the action contravenes provisions of the Labour Practices Law of Liberia, which call for all criteria to be met for granting of certificate.

Juror attacked in Buchanan - in Critical Condition
·A juror serving on the August Term at the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court, Mr. Leroy Zeegar has been attacked by some unknown men in Grand Bassa County.
·Leroy explained that the men entered his house in the Pipeline Community Friday at about 3:00 AM and chopped him all over his body and left him unconscious.
· There has been no arrest so far in connection with the act and the cause of the attack has not been officially established.
However, Leroy was a member of a jury that brought down a guilty verdict for murder against one Judoe Memei last week Wednesday.

Truth F.M. (News monitored today at 9:00 am)
Chinese Company Donates Malaria Drugs to Liberia

*****
Note:

The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.

Liberian government and UNMIL lunch Album

UNMIL News services

UNMIL Public Information Office Complete Media Summaries
12 September 2008

[The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.]

Newspaper Summary
Liberian Government and UNMIL Launch Album of ‘Star is Born’ Winner
(The Informer ,The Inquirer, Daily Observer)

· The Liberian Government and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) will today formally launch the album, “Keep on Trying” recorded by the 2007/2008 winner of ‘A Star is Born’ National Talent Hunt, Moses Swaray. The event will showcase Liberian musical performances and lead to the symbolic hand-over of the albums/CDs to the star of the evening, Mr. Swaray.
· This event also forms part of the original package for the winner of the contest, which included US$1,500 educational stipend, an opportunity to work with UNMIL Public Information’s Community Outreach outfit in its nationwide sensitization campaigns, and a recording deal provided by Creative Sounds Studio in Monrovia. Moses Swaray is a young musician of growing stature in the Liberian music industry and has been communicating positive messages throughout Liberia in support of anti-crime, stop-rape, and other initiatives. He won the competition from a field of over 1000 persons that registered for the auditions.

US$2.7m Grant for Women Development
(Daily Observer)

· The World Bank in collaboration with Nike Foundation and the Liberian government have signed a US$2.7m grant agreement. The grant would go toward the Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and young women project undertaken by government through the Gender Ministry.
· World Bank Country Manager Ohnene Owusu Nyanin said the project reflects the World Bank’s commitment to the empowerment of young women through access to work. He said the project is aimed at empowering girls and young women by giving them marketable skills and linking them to employment opportunities.
· Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and Varbah Gayflor, Minister of Gender and Development signed on behalf of government. The two senior officials commended the Word Bank and Nike Foundation for providing the grant.

Former NTLA Speaker Breaks Silence on alleged Plans to Incriminate Him in a Coup Plot
(Heritage)

· Former National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) Speaker, George Dweh who was booted out of his position during the regime of Charles Gyude Bryant has broken silence denying his involvement in an alleged coup plot to remove the government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
· A local daily, Renaissance Newspaper in its September 10, 2008 lead story captioned “Secret Plan to Unseat Ellen’s Government, Charles Bennie, Others Linked”.
· The story among other things alleged that Mr. Bennie and others have been holding secret meetings at the home of former transitional Speaker Dweh near St. Bridge on the Bushrod Island to unseat the government. Speaking Thursday, he denied holding meetings with Bennie and others to take power in the country. The former Speaker said those concocting the rumour are evil-minded people trying to incriminate him in the alleged plot.
· Liberia.

Seven Armed Robbers Arrested In August
(National Chronicle)

· The Liberia National Police (LNP) says seven armed robbers were apprehended in the month of August. According to an LNP press release, three of the robbers were accused of breaking into the compound of the Christian Evangelistic Ministry in Sinkor and taking away valuable items. The release said the items were taking away by the criminals but were retrieved by the police. He named the items as a 2.5 KVA generator, 5KVA generator, pieces of lappas, six yards of lace materials and US$10,000.

Senate Confirms Anti-Corruption Commissioners amidst Public Outcry
(The Inquirer, The Analyst, The News, Public Agenda, National Chronicle )

· The media reports that despite protests from civil society and two Opposition Political Parties, the Senate has confirmed Cllr. Frances Johnson Morris and three other nominees of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The other nominees are Sandra Howard-Kendor, Moulai Reeves and Ousman Kanneh.
· The confirmation took place Thursday following a report by the Committee on Public Corporations and Autonomous Commissions. Speaking to journalists, Acting Senate Pro Temp Lahai Lassana said after a session of the body, the senate thought it expedient to confirm the nominees.
· The hearing was disrupted on Wednesday after a debate ensued between Senators that an amendment was made to the Anti-corruption Law. Earlier, the Opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Liberty party opposed the appointment of the commission on grounds that they had deep connection with the status quo and feared that the team may not be impartial.

President Sirleaf Makes More Appointments in Government
(Heritage The Inquirer)

· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made more appointments in Government, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate. According to an Executive Mansion release, those nominated are, Mr. Arthur W. B. Fumbah, Deputy Minister for Expenditure & Debt Management, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Roderick Smith, Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Public Work; Mr. Charles Carpenter, Deputy Minister for Rural Development, Ministry of Public Works; Mr. Isaac W. Jackson, Jr., Assistant Minister for Culture at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Mr. George K. Yango, Assistant Minister for Community Services, Ministry of Public Works. Others are Mr. William Slour, Assistant Minister for Operations at the Ministry of Public Works; Mr. Edsel Smith, Assistant Minister for Technical Services, Ministry of Public Works among others.

Peace Corps-Liberia Signs MOU with Partners
(The Analyst, Heritage)

· The US Peace Corps-Liberia has signed Memorandum of Understandings with the Ministries of Education and Health and the World Food Programme. Under the MOU, US Peace Corps volunteers would work with rural training institutes, learning resource centres and WFP school feeding program. The volunteers would also serve the health sector, teaching at the midwifery school expected to open next month in Zwedru.
· The Country Director of US Peace Corps, Lucianne Philips said eighteen volunteers are expected next month to immediately begin work. According to Madam Phillips, the volunteers would initially serve for eight months in Lofa, Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties. Madam Philips hopes a full Peace Corps program would be developed within two years. Education Minister Joseph Korto, Deputy Health Minister Vivian Cherue, and US Peace Corps Regional Director for Africa Henry Mckoy signed for their respective Agencies.

Liberia, Libya Launch Campaign against Food Insecurity
(Daily Observer, The Inquirer, The News)

· The government of Liberia with support from Libya has launched the “Green Programme” at the Ministry of Agriculture site in Gardnersville. The Green Program is a campaign initiated by the Libyan government in Benin recently to intensify agricultural programs in Africa. According to the Libyan Charge D’affairs in Liberia, Mustapha Al-Raash the campaign targets the fight against hunger and poverty in Africa. The News newspaper reports that the launch coincided with the commissioning of eight tractors given by the Libyan government which is to herald the beginning of an agro-mechanized campaign in Liberia.

Radio Summary
Star Radio (News monitored today at 8:00 am)
Court Grants Motion for US$500M Cocaine Case to Make Trial Docket
· Criminal Court “C” has granted a motion to advance the 500 million cocaine case involving nine Ghanaians on its trial docket.
· The court’s decision followed legal argument between State and Defense lawyers Thursday.
· The Defense team argued that the motion was not filed within the statutory period something state lawyers admitted to.
· Judge Emmanuel Kollie granted the motion because the Defense agreed for the case to begin despite the State failure to proceed in keeping with law
· The trial is expected to commence next week.

Dwarzohn Residents Protest Over Land Dispute
· Residence of Dwarzohn in Margibi County yesterday carried placards seeking the intervention of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the ongoing land dispute with the Defense Ministry.
· Both parties are claiming ownership to a parcel of land in the Dwazohn community.
· President Sirleaf assured them she would hold a meeting with both parties to look into the situation.


TRUTH F.M. (News monitored today at 10:00 am)
President Sirleaf Commissions 5 Officials of Government Today
· A Ministry of Foreign Affairs release issued in Monrovia said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is expected to commission five government officials today.
· Those to be commissioned include Governance Commission Chairman, Dr. Amos Sawyer, Yah-sua Weh Dorliea and Dr. Jabaru Carlon of the Governace Commission.
· Others are Dr. Alhassan, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commany Wesseh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations.

President Sirleaf Signs Several Legislations
· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has signed several legislations submitted by the leadership of the joint House and Senate committees on Executive.
· The Legislation presented yesterday include an act prohibiting the sale and use of tobacco products by persons under 18, an act ratifying the investment agreement entered into by Government and Novel Liberian Inc as well as the act ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty among others.

Government, OSIWA Sign MOU for Scholarship for Law Students
· A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Government and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has been signed in Monrovia for the provision of 50 scholarships for deserving law students at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
· The MOU is aimed at providing students the opportunity to further their legal studies and at the same time work for government for a period of three years after their studies.
· The scholarship comes at a time government is said to be in dire need of competent lawyers.

More Appointments in Government

Senate Confirms Anti-Corruption Commissioners
(Also reported on Truth FM, ELBC)

UNMIL News

United Nations Nations Unies

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)


UNMIL Public Information Office Complete Media Summaries
10 September 2008

[The media summaries and press clips do not necessarily represent the views of UNMIL.]

Newspaper Summary
Remains of Sierra Leone's military leader Discovered in Northern Liberia
(National Chronicle)

· [sic:] The former Sierra Leone Junta leader Johnny Paul Koroma is said to have been found in northern Liberia, particularly in Foya, Lofa County.
· Special Court Investigators along with Liberian and Sierra Leonean security officers exhumed the remains more than two weeks ago. It is suspected that former confidants of now detained former President Charles Taylor are believed to have provided tip-off on where the former Sierra Leonean military leader was buried. Forensic studies are now being conducted in Sierra Leone to confirm the identity of the remains. If the result is positive, the discovery would bring to two the number of senior Sierra Leonean rebel commanders killed in Liberia. In 2002, the Charles Taylor government ordered the execution of Sam Bockari alias Mosquito on the grounds that he resisted arrest.

Long time Political Activist says TWP should account for its role in Liberia
(National Chronicle, The News, The Informer, Heritage)

· A long-time political activist says representatives of the True Whig Party must come forward to present their party’s position on history to the truth commission.
· Dr. Marcus Dahn argued the TWP must account for decades of injustices and brutality against the people of Liberia.
· The True Whig Party ruled Liberia for more than one hundred years and was widely known for suppressing Liberians who were not from the Americo-Liberian class.
· The former Progressive Alliance of Liberia official said when the TWP present its side of the story and apologize then some form of reparation must be given to its victims.
· Dr. Dahn also told the TRC representatives of the Doe regime must also gave accounts for mal-treatment of civilians and those who were killed under the regime.
· He recalled some great nations have apologized to their citizens for crimes committed so why these two past regimes can not apologize for their actions.
· Mr. Dahn maintained the change advocated by PAL was now becoming a reality and said it was good that they stood firm and made sure that it happened.
· The Progressive Alliance of Liberia opposed the one-party rule of the True Whig Party and advocated for a multi-party system for Liberia.


Additional appointments in Government
(The Analyst)

· President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made new appointments in government. Those appointed include Mrs. Hawa Goll Kotchi, commissioner, Governance Commission, George Y. Miller, Assistant Minister of Lands Survey and Cartography, Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy. Others are George Wisner, Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Philomena B. Sayeh, Director-General, Center for National Documents and Records. The appointments by the President are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Seven ‘Vigilante’ Members Charged With Armed Robbery
(News)

· The Monrovia Magisterial Court at the Temple of Justice Tuesday charged seven men of the Neezoe Community with armed robbery. Defendants Bob Sonkarley, Henry Konbloyon, David Johnson, D. Valentine Talery, Adam Sokpah, Emmanuel Zubah and Alfred Massaquoi were arrested by the Liberia National Police based on a complaint filed by Sylvester Gbaryan and Jallah Argbah.
· The accused were forwarded to the Magisterial Court Tuesday by the Liberia National Police on previous charges of aggravated assault, but following interview by Magistrate Wondah Sondah, their charges were augmented to armed robbery.
· According to the Arrest Warrant, the defendants on 6 September 2008, with criminal intent attacked the complainants, beat, tied and subjected them to intimidation and harassment by using guns and other deadly weapons and took away an amount of LD$10,000.

US$500M Cocaine Suspects Appear in Court Today
(The News, The Inquirer, New Democrat, Daily Observer)

· The Daily Observer reports that Captain Oteng Akrasi Osei of the (IMO 6806559) Blue Atlantic vessel, along with his eight alleged crew members, charged and indicted for drugs trafficking, are expected to appear in court for trial today, Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
· The assignment of the case follows an indictment of the defendants months after they were arrested and released on a LD$3,000.00 bail by dismissed Judge Milton Taylor. In February this year, Liberian security officials reported that 2.5 metric tons of cocaine valued US$500 million was seized from nine Ghanaians who were arrested deep in Liberian territorial waters by officers on a French Navy patrol boat and brought to Monrovia and turned over to Government.

Radio Summary
Star Radio (News monitored today at 9:00 am)
Corpse of Johnny Paul Kromah Discovered in Lofa

PAL's official wants TWP explain position on history

New appointments in Government

Confirmation hearing of Anti-corruption commissioners ends in confusion
· Report says the confirmation hearing of members of the Anti-Corruption Commission has ended in confusion.
· The Senate Committee conducting the hearing has therefore postponed the hearing to Thursday.
· Details on what led to the eruption of the confusion will follow in our subsequent broadcast.
JPC wants dismissed Assistant Minister arrested
· The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission has questioned what it considered the failure of government to arrest and prosecute Thierry Swarthy Genesis.
· Mr. Genesis served as Assistant Minister of Postal Affairs but was sacked by President Sirleaf for alleged corrupt practices.
· Following his dismissal, Mr. Genesis was asked to turn himself over to the Justice Ministry for prosecution.
· The Executive Director of the JPC, Cllr. Augustine Toe said the procedure was unusual in the country’s political history.
· Cllr. Toe said if the government believes Genesis was dismissed on corruption charges it should have arrested him by now.
· He said a dismissal that borders on criminality needs no preferential treatment for the accused.
· Cllr. Toe observed while others were arrested for corrupt acts, the government chose to ask Mr. Genesis to turn himself over to the Justice Ministry.

FIND suspends Regional Officer

· The Regional Program Officer of the Foundation for International Dignity has been suspended.
· A statement issued in Monrovia said the Board of Directors of FIND said Dixon Gblah is suspended for what the board termed administrative ineptitude.
· A FIND statement said Mr. Dixon Gblah suspension took effect on June 16 at a regional meeting held in Monrovia.
· The statement called on all partners including local and international NGOs not to do business with Mr. Gblah in the name of the foundation.
· FIND however, assures its numerous partners that contracts entered into before the suspension of Mr. Gblah remain valid.

West Africa Police Reform forum opens in Monrovia

· A two-day conference on Police Reform in West Africa opens today in Monrovia.
· The conference is to assess the extent, challenges and successes in Police reform in Anglophone West African Countries.
· It brings together security and law enforcement officials from Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
· Security team from each country would make a presentation on the state of Police reform in the country, highlighting initiatives and challenges.
· A statement from the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association said Justice Ministry Philip Banks would deliver the Keynote Address.
· According to the statement, the regional Police reform forum is being hosted by the CLEEN Foundation based in Abuja, Nigeria.
· The CLEEN Foundation focuses on pubic safety, security and justice through empirical research, advocacy and demonstration of programs.

Population Act suffers setback – Speaker accused of manipulation

· There has been a major setback in the House of Representatives over the draft population threshold Act. The House of Representatives has deferred further discussions on the Act to January 2009.
· The decision followed days of controversy in the House on the passage of the Act.
· The Act seeks to increase the population threshold from twenty thousand to forty-five thousand in line with Article 80 of the Constitution.
· The Chairman of the House Elections and Inauguration Committee said the passage of the Act was allegedly stalled by Speaker Alex Tyler.
· Representative Gabriel Smith of Grand Bassa County said speaker Tyler manipulated the deferral of the discussion because Bomi County would be affected. The House Speaker Tyler refused to comment on the accusation by Representative Gabriel Smith when approached by journalists.

President Sirleaf dedicates new markets

· President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says she remains committed to improving the conditions under which market women carryout their businesses.
· President Sirleaf said she would continue to seek funding to improve market buildings not just in Monrovia but across the Country.
· She spoke when she dedicated an extension of the Jorkpen Town Market.
· The extension was built under the Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund, sponsored by friends and partners of the President abroad.
· President Sirleaf also officially opened at the market, a savings window of the ECO bank to enable market women safe their money and access loans.
· She encouraged the marketers to take advantage of the ECO Bank services to better their lives.
· The President assured the marketers of the construction of a cold storage facility and the introduction of an adult literacy program.
· The head of the Sirleaf Market Women Fund, Varbah Gayflor also assured the marketers that all is now set to develop a day care and school for their children.
· Newly renovated market buildings in Paynesville, Duala and Barnersville were also dedicated by the President.

Youth group donates to JFK Medical Centre

· Youth Action International has donated huge quantity of medical equipment to the John F. Kennedy media centre.
· The cost of the donation was put at fifty thousand United States Dollars.
· Making the donation, the Executive Director of the Group, Kamie Weeks said this was his institution’s way of identifying with the JFK.
· He said the donation was in fulfilment of his 2007 Independence Day speech for stakeholders to pay attention to the health sector.
· Mr. Weeks promised that the gesture will continue all over the country with Gbarnga earmarked to be the next.
· The youth group also presented over one hundred thousand U.S. dollars worth of school materials to the Special Project School in the Stephen Tolbert Estate.
· The equipment comprises of text books of all subjects and advance dictionaries.
(Also reported on Truth FM, ELBC)

Bong, Grand Bassa citizens initiate self-help project

· Citizens of two districts in Bong and Grand Bassa Counties have begun a self-help project to rehabilitate a road linking the two counties.
· The districts are Yelequelleh in Bong County and District Number 2B in Grand Bassa County.
· Yelequelleh District representative to the Bong County Development Council said the project is the citizens’ initiative to address the problem of transportation.
· Mr. Edward Kaffiah said the citizens have begun the side brushing of the road, the filling of potholes and the re-conditioning of bridges.
· Mr. Kaffiah believes the rehabilitation of the road would allow vehicles into the area and enable the locals to bring their produce to town.
· He revealed to Star Radio a woman recently died at delivery due to the inaccessibility of the road to vehicles.
· Mr. Kaffiah hopes the self-help road rehabilitation by the citizens of the two districts would shortly be completed.

Man found guilty for killing brother in Lofa
· The 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa County has found a 20-year-old man guilty of murder.
· Our correspondent said Kortee Jallah was convicted for killing his elderly brother, Massaboi Koleulieh in Gorwormai Village in March this year.
· According to our Correspondent, Koleulieh was killed when he had gone to stop Jallah from beating his wife for grasshopper.
· Our correspondent said grasshopper is widely eaten by some people in Lofa County.
· He added that Jallah admitted to committing the crime during the trial.
· Assigned Judge Sekajipo Walloh is expected to announce the sentence of Kortee Jallah.
(Also reported on Truth F.M. and ELBC)

District Commissioner suspended in River Gee

· Report from River Gee County in south-eastern Liberia says authorities of the county have suspended the Commissioner of Sarbo District for time indefinite.
· Star Radio gathered Madam Regina Nyenpan was suspended for what the authorities called administrative reasons.
· The authorities have appointed Mr. Peter Toweh as Acting Commissioner while Madam Nyenpan serves her suspension.
In another development, Star Radio further gathered that the immigration Commander in the county, Col. Romeo Kossugba has been transferred. Our source said immigration authorities in Monrovia made the decision and named Deputy Commander Victor Bartue as Acting BIN Commander.

·