Open letter to LRA

Hon. Alfreda Tamba

Commissioner General, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA)

Republic of Liber

Honorable Commissioner General,

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.

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, 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.
 

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.
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.

 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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

How the above Government Institutions can contribute

Transport Ministry: 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.

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.

Justice Ministry: 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.

Liberia National Police (LNP), 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.

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.

Ministry of Finance, Development & Planning; 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.

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.

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.  

 

Sam K. Zinnah

szinnah@gmail.com

Two Top Internal Affairs Officials in Corruption Web!!

By: J. Patrick Kollie

pjkollie@gmail.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

1.       List of participating bidders and qualification criteria

2.       Minutes of procurement committee & bid opening meetings, including attendance record

3.       Bid evaluation Panels report/recommendations

4.       Bid evaluations criteria 

5.       Finding of a review proceeding held upon the complaint of Atty. Harris F. Tarnue

6.       Copies of the signed contract and

7.       Copies of bid advertisement and other related document not specifically named herein.

The qualification requirement listed by Superintendent Gbowee in the advertisement reads below:

-Current business registration certificate

- Current valid tax clearance certificate

-Ministry of Public works certificate

-Instant Financial statement

-Ability to pre finance per stage

-Past performance records/report, including project title, Project location, Project value, client’s full addresses and contact number(s).

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:

1.       Review the procurement proceedings and tendering process leading to entry into of the said illegal contract with Renewable Liberia Limited

2.       Hear, determine and declare whether or not the cited provisions of the PPCC were violated

3.       Cancel or cause to be cancelled,” voidable contract” entered into in violation of the PPCC Act, and

4.       Declare such further rights and remedies complainant would be entitled to under the PPCC Act.

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.

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.

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”. 

Conspiracy or Gross Incompetence

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.

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, “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:

1.       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.

2.       That, the assessment report of the Public Works Resident Engineer of January 28, 2014 certified the work

3.       That, the 1^st payment was made in April 2013

4.       That, the 2^nd payment was made in October 2013

5.       That, the 3^rd and final payment as retention was due in January 2014 but up till now is has not been paid,

Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, and couple with the fact that the 3^rd 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”.

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?

New Gbarpolu County PMC Chairman Draws Corruption Lines

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.

In a well written letter to Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh dated June 28, 2015, Chairman Zinnah wrote:

“Cllr. Sannoh,

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.

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.

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.

Hon. Minister, the holding from the June 6, 2013 PPCC’s ruling reads as follows:

 “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”.

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”.

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”.

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.

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”.

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”.

Suspected owners of Renewable Liberia Limited

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deputy and Assistant Ministers denied knowing about PPCC ruling & GAC report

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.

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.

-Liberia’s uncertain future- Hunted by war/economic crimes

 Liberia’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.

Liberia is so 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?

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 us to our very death.

Will we keep rewarding acts of malfeasance?

The trend of globalization in international politics and fight against crimes is changing. 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.

We, intellectuals, technicians, politicians, activists, religious leaders, traditional leaders, etc need now than ever before to demonstrate a cocksure nature and approach to fighting 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 greeted with almost 12 years of economic degradation 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.

In this business, the powerful crooks and killers will threaten a total State’s collapse and retrogression

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.

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.

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   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 by Blaise Campaore via Cote D’Voire, we are quite aware, spread to Sierra Leone, and later to Guinea.

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 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.

Similarly, western partners in whose countries suspected Liberian thieves have deposited huge savings and investments 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.

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”.

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 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.

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).

Where are the Progressives?

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.

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.

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?.

 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.

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 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”.

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.

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!!.

By: Sam K. Zinnah

szinnah@gmail.com

Former Chief of Staff and Policy advisor

Office of former Gbarpolu County Senior Senator

J.S.B. Theodore Momo, Jr

Why Gbarpolu County budget may not be approved by Finance Ministry

By: J. Patrick Kollie 

 pjkollie@gmail.com

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.

Many Gbarpolu citizens thought 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.

Investigation conducted at the finance ministry revealed that the Finance Minister/Ministry is prepared  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  another what Gbowee and Yassah have created in Gbarpolu County, the pair are now seen  hunting selected contractors to terminate their contracts and give those contracts to new companies and collect their usual percentages or kickbacks  which sometime range from usd7,000.00.  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.

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.

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.

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  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.  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.

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

 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.

Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly’s recent visit to Bopolu and other parts of Gbarpolu County to inspect the July 26 Independence Day  projects ahead of the July 26 Independence day celebration, the Minister  described  some of the projects as “disappointing”.  According to our source, most of the projects may not be completed on schedules.

 

Political drama unfolds in Gbarpolu County

By: J Patrick Kollie

pjkollie@gmail.com

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 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.

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.  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 

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  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.

The need for political reform in Gbarpolu County Now!

The objective of political reform in Gbarpolu County now should be decentralization of  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 of the 1986 Constitution be revisited and the power to remove these local officials be transferred to the National Legislature acting upon
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.

  

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.  

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   Mr. James Folokulah  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.

 

A tribute to a Fallen Social Hero “Chief Armah Marsa Kpissay”

 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.

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.
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).
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”.

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.
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.
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.
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.
May the Lord Almighty lead you through eternity & light perpetual shine on you.

 

By: Sam Kamara Zinnah

Did Kofi Woods influence FPA grading system?

 By: Sam K Zinnah

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.

 

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.

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?

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”

At the ministry of public works, Woods unofficial brother-in-law serves as assistant minister for planning at the same time serving as  SES Consultant for M&E thereby defrauding the ministry and Government of money.

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?  

 

 

 

 

 

The Unmasking of Kofi Woods’ Deals: the Belle Yalla Road Project, part I of II

By: Sam K Zinnah
 editor-in-chief

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 www.limany.org 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.

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 “When a Human Rights Activist becomes a politician: The case of Samuel Kofi Woods, II”, I attempted to exposed some of the Honorable Minister’s covert activities and further detailed the case involving the Belle Yalla Road.

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 szinah@yahoo.com. Your identity will strictly be protected.

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 dusty road which is less than 60 kilometer.   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 NO BID contract to a Nigerian Businessman by the name of Praise Lawal. 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.

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.

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.

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  2012/2013 National Budget.

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.

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:

“Ref #: SKW-M/MPW-RL/04116/12P

 Ref: Request to travel

 To attend the international advisory board meeting of the Catholic organization for development (CORDAID) scheduled from January 24-25, 2013”

 

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^, 2013 to continue his medical checkups.

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.

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?