Blackout Extended

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has extended the media blackout on the Presidency and also included the Ministry of Information.

At a mass meeting held at the Headquarters of the PUL Thursday, members agreed that no journalists should provide coverage of the Ministry of Information or attend any of its press conferences during the period of the media blackout.

Like it is done with the Presidency, PUL wants all assigned reporters to stay away from MICAT’s activities.

The latest decision by the PUL comes weeks after similar stay away order was placed on the Liberian presidency for ‘reckless’ and threatening comments by the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) Othello Warrick.

Following Warrick’s statement at the World Press Freedom celebration in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on May 3, 2013, the Press Union of Liberia called on all reporters/correspondents assigned at the Executive Mansion to stay away and refrain from covering the Presidency until there are guarantees for the freedom and safety of Journalists across the country.

The Union also mandated all independent newspapers to print black front pages with appropriate inscriptions with illustrations portraying the danger hanging over journalists following the threat and insults by Warrick.

The PUL also requested radio stations to suspend broadcast form two hours in keeping with the unanimous decision which has since been implemented. Additionally, at Thursday’s meeting journalists agreed that MICAT is the arm responsible to disseminate government’s information especially the presidency; therefore it should be included in the media blackout.

At the same time, a former Senator of Grand Gedeh County, Nathaniel Williams has condemned statement made by Warrick. He supports the ongoing media blackout by journalists and media institutions.

It can be recalled that Othello Warrick, the man responsible for the security of the Liberia presidency threatened to go after journalists who intrudes into presidential intelligence.

He told journalists “be careful in questioning the integrity of Liberians. Be careful because you have your pen [we have our guns]. If you incriminate the character and integrity of Liberians, we would come after you.” Warrick also described journalists as terrorists.

Meanwhile, the PUL President Peter Quaqua says a final statement on the media blackout will be released next Monday when the President returns to Liberia.

House Invites PUL, Warrick

…Over Terror Threat Against Media

The House of Representatives has invited the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Director of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) Othello Warrick over ‘terror threat’ against the Liberian Media.

The House’s decision was based on two separate communications from Representatives Richmond Anderson and Munah Pelham-Youngblood of Montserrado County.

The two lawmakers asked their colleagues to summon the EPS Director to provide clarity for his threatening statement against the media.

In their communications to plenary, the two lawmakers said due to national security implication captured in the EPS boss’ statement, it was important for him to provide clarity on the use of threat against the media which is considered partners to the country’s development agenda.

Representatives Anderson and Youngblood said the EPS Director should be questioned to explain what prompted his statement which has the propensity to jeopardize the fragile peace.

The lawmakers told the House’s Plenary that Mr. Warrick should be questioned to identify individuals in the media who [Warrick] considers “terrorists” in order to remove the dark cloud over the rest.

According to our reporter, the two Montserrado County lawmakers’ communications were opened for discussion, with several representatives including Richard Tingban and Francis Paye condemning the EPS Director’s statement.

According to them, Mr. Warrick’s statement contradicts government’s stance to uphold press freedom including the signing of the Table Mountain Declaration by the President.

Rep. Tingban and others expressed disappointment over the continue silence of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who is the recipient of the friend of this year’s media award.

Our reporter said the debate on the issue became heated, with three lawmakers openly backing the EPS Director’s terror threat while several others condemned his statement.

Representative Bill Twehway, Matthew Zarzar and Mariamu Fofana said the EPS Director has the right to speak, noting that his statement was part of constitutional rights which calls for free speech.

However, the three lawmakers failed to say which part of the Liberian Constitution gives the right to anyone to threaten the other as freedom of speech.

Following the debate, House Speaker Alex Tyler instructed the Chief Clerk to invite the leadership of the PUL and Mr. Warrick to a meeting at the Capital on next Monday at 11 am.

LACC, BRITAIN TO COLLABORATE

--In Fight Against Corruption  

Britain’s Ambassador to Liberia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet says the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) prioritizes the fight against corruption in Liberia and would therefore collaborate with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) in enhancing its work.  

Speaking recently when he paid a courtesy call on the Executive Chairperson and Members of the LACC, Ambassador Dyet expressed Britain’s interest in the work of the Commission and pointed out that the visit had put him a better position to work with the LACC and seek Britain’s assistance to the Commission.   Ambassador Dyet also praised the Commission for the level of awareness being carried out on corruption, particularly citing the erection of educational billboards in strategic areas as well as other educational programs.  

  In response, the Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Allison lauded Ambassador Dyet for including the Commission in his visitations.

The LACC boss briefed the British Ambassador on the activities of the Commission and assured him of the LACC commitment to the fight against corruption in Liberia despite the numerous challenges it was faced with.

The LACC Executive Chairperson also spoke about progress made by the Commission in the area of prosecution and education, which she said demonstrates that the LACC would remain resolute in the fight against corruption in Liberia.

Sime Darby Begs Citizens

…Presents Ritual Items     

Sime Darby Plantation Liberia has apologized and presented several items to the people of Senjeh-District for traditional rituals.

Sime Darby head of Upstream Project, Roslin Azmy Hassan, said the presentation of the items was a result of previous meeting held with chiefs, elders and traditional leaders as well as other members of the district in which the people requested for the items to carry out traditional ceremony in the district.

Mr. Hassan said items include a cow, several rolls of white cloth, 40 bags of rice, one drum of cane juice, tobacco and US$2,000.00 for the people of the district.  He said the process is also intended to permit the company carry out its expansion exercise.

“A lot of issues have been trashed out in the meeting just now, and we are very happy that we can work in the future…there lot of things that Sime Darby can do, if we are given the opportunity to develop the land…” Mr. Hassan said.

He promised the people of the district of his company’s commitment to the development of areas in its concession agreement.

The Sime Darby’s Head of Upstream Project also said the company would continuously engage the people of district through dialogue for mutual understanding and way forward.

Also speaking, Bomi County Senator Lahai Lassana said the ceremony was a sign of apology to the people of the county and fulfillment of the people’s traditional belief.

However, Senjeh District Representative and Chairman of the House’s Statutory Committee on Judiciary told his colleagues to be cautious in handling the land situation in the county.

Cllr. S. Gayah Karmo said the issue of land is a critical issue that needs to be handled with care and restraint.

“Why do I say we need to be cautious, because at the end of the day the people will have no other land to even farm or break wood, so I don’t want people to just look at it as pure traditional issue of the exchange of gifts…we have to be farsighted…” Rep. Karmo warned.

Meanwhile, a man seven committee was constituted to identify the various cornerstones and areas that will be cleared by the company.      

LWSC Loses 70% Income To Thieves

…Readjusts Tariff Structures  

The Management of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) says the corporation is losing more than 70% of what should be its gross income to thieves and damaged pipes in the country.  

LWSC Managing Director, Charles Allen said the issue of loss was posing serious challenge to the entity’s revenue generation and financial viability.  

Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia, Mr. Allen said the corporation currently pumps about 7.5 million gallon of water daily, out of which 70% is lost to either thievery or sometimes caused by damaged pipes and other conditions.  

He identified the Old road community as a case in point where serious thievery was noticed and the proper corrective measure is being put in place to remedy the situation.

Mr. Allen said it was also observed that corporation was pumping about 400,000 gallons of water daily to only 300 legal and registered customers.  

He said it was necessary for the entity to readjust its current tariff in order to meet various costs, including diesel fuel, pipes and fitting, labor, chemicals among others.  

Speaking earlier, LWSC Board Chairman, Kimmie Weeks said the entity sees the recent audit report released by GBSI, an international auditing firm based in Washington D.C., as a road map to address some of the challenges facing the corporation.

Dr. Weeks clarified that the audit on the LWSC by the GBSI was commissioned by the Board of Directors and not by any other person or organization as being perceived in some quarters.

The audit, revealed among other things, serious lapses in the management of the resources of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) due to ‘incompetence of the board of director of the corporation’.   

The report, released on April 18, 2013 by the Washington D.C firm, further revealed that LWSC is financially insolvent; thereby running at a loss annually and charging rates that do not adequately recover its costs.

The report also indicated that review of the LWSC’s Commercial Operations showed glaring weaknesses in all areas, which if not addressed, would fundamentally impair the organization’s ability to meet its mission of providing safe drinking to the people of Liberia.

However, the LWSC Board Chairman said the outcome of the audit was intended to identify the organization’s weaknesses and bring forth recommendations for improvement.

“We’re not looking for a rosary audit, but we’re looking for a road map that will fix the corporation…” he said.

Dr. Weeks stated that during the period of the audit, no member of GBSI contacted any member of the LWSC Board for clarification as stated in the report.

The report revealed that despite holding regular meetings, the audit did not find meeting minutes as the LWSC could not provide auditors the minutes during the period of audit despite multiple requests.

The auditing firm states that the refusal of the LWSC management and the BOD to provide these documents leaves room for question; this, the LWSC Board Chairman termed as untrue. Writes,

“My Doubts Are Cleared…”

…Sen. Lassana Softens Tone On July 26 Preparations

 Nearly a month after expressing doubts and frustration about the success of this year’s Independence Day celebration in Western Liberia, Bomi County Senator Lahai G. Lassana says he is optimistic that the celebration would be held as planned.   Tubmanburg, Bomi County, was selected as the official host venue for the program while Robertsport and Bopolu cities would serve as co-hosts.   Sen. Lassana, along with other citizens of Bomi and Cape Mount counties in April expressed doubts over the successful hosting of the event due to the slow pace of preparation in the three counties. At that time, the Senator blamed the Executive, through the Ministry of Finance for the delay in making funds   available for the celebration.

However, in an interview at the Beafinie Public School in Senjeh-District, Bomi County, Sen. Lassana said his doubts about the success of the occasion are cleared due to cordial relations existing between the Ministry of Finance and the County leadership.

“At that time the Ministry of Finance was dragging her feet, but has just released the balance money and we expect to send them another resolution which I think will be signed this week by the Legislative Caucus of Bomi…and I am hopeful that Amara Konneh’s administration will swiftly act…” Sen. Lassana added.

With less than two months to the July 26 celebration, the Bomi County Senator also expressed optimism that all incomplete projects will be ready before July this year.

“As long the money is in the possession of the county, my doubts are cleared…” he expressed confidence.   In previous interviews Sen. Lassana said he was frustrated as Chair of the Bomi Legislative Caucus that projects that should have been completed before the 26 celebration were in deplorable condition due to the apparent failure of the Ministry of Finance to provide funding for the completion of those projects.

However, independent investigation conducted by THE NEWS showed that most of the projects that should be dedicated during the celebration are still far from completion.

Bridges along the road are still being constructed while the Clay Guest House and other major projects in the county are yet to be completed.

Ban On Sand Mining Intensifies

 In continuation of its ban on beach and sand mining, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy on Thursday confiscated a 15-ton truck load of blocks in the 11th Street and Watanga communities in Monrovia.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy for Communication and Priority Initiatives, Arthur S. Massaquoi, told journalists that since the ban were placed on beach sand mining, certain unscrupulous individuals have created block factories along the beaches.

He said these individuals buy a truck load of river sand, move it near the beaches and use several loads of beach sand to mold blocks.

Mr. Massaquoi said since the illicit sand miners have now created block factories along the beaches in the name of using river sand, government has taken a decision to confiscate the blocks in order to discourage them from engaging in illicit beach sand mining.

Massaquoi warned that anyone caught molding blocks along the beaches would be arrested and prosecuted and the blocks will be seized.

Prosecution Prays For Continuance

...In IBIS-Liberia US$49,000 Case
The Prosecution in the IBIS-Liberia US$49,000 case involving Mr. Mark Sampson and three others at the Criminal Court “C” has requested the court for more time to study the case file.

The prosecution attorneys told the court that they have not had enough time to study the case file; therefore, the court should grant them time to do so.

Following the prosecution’s plea, defense counsel interposed no objection to the request.

The judge presiding over the trial Yussif Kaba granted the request and scheduled the case for next Monday, May 20, 2013.

The Judge also told the jurors who were selected Wednesday to go home and return on Monday.

It can be recalled that the grand jury of Montserrado County indicted Mr. Sampson and three others for Theft of Property and Forgery. The defendants have already pleaded not guilty to the charges thus joining issue with the state.

Mr. Sampson and others are accused of forging the signatures of IBIS-Liberia Country Manager and others to falsely order the payment of over US$49, 000 to one of the defendants.

According to the indictment, the defendants connived and criminally forged the signatures of IBIS-Liberia executives to dupe the entity of the amount.