ADVERTISE HERE TODaY.

CaLL 0886472772
VOL. 16. NO. 44 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 PRICE: LD 40
By Leroy M. Sonpon, III from Greenville, Sinoe County

INSIDE THIS EDITION

EDITORIAL
Rescue West Point and Other Monrovia Beaches
See Pg. 4

A Begging Christmas: 10 Ways to Celebrate Christmas, Liberian Style

See Pg. 4

COMMENTARY

-Senator Nyenpan, Supt. Teahjay Point Fingers

Tribal Tension Threatens Sinoe A

www.liberianobserver.com

Celebrate the Season with Hope

See Pg. 3

LOCAL NEWS

Daily Obs e r v e r team back from Sinoe County gathered that that county is on the brink of a tribal conflict owing to the so-called formation of a Kru Section and Sarpo Section, caused by political meddling from both the county Superintendent and members of the countys legislative caucus. Mississippi Street, the principal street of Greenville, Sinoe County, established by the Mississippi Colonization Society, should probably be a beacon of peace and unity in Southeastern Liberia, but with the growing tribal tension amongst the two major tribes, fear is looming over the 150,000 people living in the County. A group of youths, under the umbrella, Concerned Citizens of Sinoe County, admitted to the tribal division in the county, but argued that the Kru

EDUCATION
UL Graduates 38 Doctors, Retires 9 Employees
See Pg. 5

18 Escaped Detainees He Remained Arrested in Voinjama a Devoted LNBA As Gbarnga Security Hub Launches

Senator Nyenpan and Supt. Teahjay

Contd on pg. 21

The Year 2013 in Retrospect: What Did We Do and What Did We Not Do.
See Pg. 13

SCI/ TECH

Manhunt for Others at Large

By Edwin M. Fayia III

eports obtained from legal and security personnel regarding Wednesdays jail break in Voinjama, Lofa

County, have confirmed the arrest of 18 of 40 escaped prisoners. In a briefing with reporters in Voinjama City, Lofa County Attorney Luther B. Sumo explained that officers

-Supreme Court, Others Eulogize Late See story Judge William B. Metzger, Sr. on Pg.21

Member

Casket bearing the remains of Judge Metzger

Contd on pg. 21

Baxter Challenges LFA, Ministry on Poor Representation

See Pg. 23

SPORTS

Liberian Takes Charge of AFLs 23rd Brigade HQ

See story on Pg. 21

23 DAYS to the DRAW ---------- Multiple 13 to GRAND 31th December 2013/CUT-OFF-DAY 7 DAYS deposits, Multiple Chances to WIN. Be aBe winner Multiple deposits, Multiple Chances to WIN. a winner for the 10, GRAND DRAW on January 10, 2014 on January 2014!!!!!!!!

Enjoy Bigger and Better 4G packs with Unbeatable Speed!!!

$59

20GB

50GB

TUESDAY, DEC. 24, 2013indd 2

12/23/13 11:53 PM

DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday, December 24, 2013

World News

Rolf Harris Facing Three Further Sexual Assault Charges

Rolf Harris will face a trial starting in April next year

(BBC) - Rolf Harris is facing three further prosecutions for sexual assault including one against a girl aged seven or eight, prosecutors have said. The three counts are in addition to 13 alleged sexual offences which the entertainer was charged with in August. The new counts are against females aged 19 in 1984, aged seven or eight in 1968 or 1969, and aged 14 in 1975. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the allegations related to one existing complainant and two new ones. The count relating to the 19-year-old involves the same alleged victim as six of the earlier counts. Mr Harris was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, which was set up in the wake of allegations against the former BBC Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter Jimmy Savile. A CPS spokesman said: These three allegations were included in the file sent to the CPS by the Metropolitan Police in August of this year; however, as part of the ongoing review process for all cases, it has been decided that these allegations should be formally added to the indictment as further counts. Evidence relating to these further counts has already been served on the court and the defence, so it is not necessary for Mr. Harris to appear again at magistrates court. Mr Harris, 83, of Bray, Berkshire, will next appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on 14 January. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in September where he was bailed and his case referred to Southwark Crown Court. A preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey in October set his trial to start on 30 April.

(BBC) - Hundreds of Afghan asylum seekers have set up a protest camp in the Belgian town of Mons, demanding to meet Prime Minister Elio di Rupo. Mr di Rupo is also the mayor of Mons, and the asylum seekers say they will camp out in the town square until they see him. They are pressing to be granted residency and for a guarantee that none of them will be expelled. A town official said their cases would be reviewed urgently. Some 350 asylum seekers had set off on a march to Mons from Brussels on Friday. They had previously been occupying a church in Brussels to draw attention to their situation, with the head of the Catholic Church in the

Afghans Set Up Belgian Protest Camp in Mons

Page 2
Foreign Briefs

(BBC) - Hundreds of thousands of households in Canada and the northern US are facing a Christmas without electricity after a severe ice storm on Sunday. About 400,000 customers in eastern Canada and 280,000 in the US state of Michigan had no power as of Monday. In Toronto, a utility has said power will be restored for most residents by Thursday, but that some may not have electricity until the weekend. (BBC) - Shares in US technology giant Apple have jumped 3% after it signed a deal to supply its iPhone to China Mobile. The Chinese firm is the worlds largest carrier and was one of three networks to be awarded Chinas first 4G licences earlier this month. Apple has been looking to boost its sales in China, the worlds largest smartphone market, but has struggled amid growing competition from rivals. (BBC) - The body of a man has been found in a river in Cumbria, as severe weather batters parts of the UK. Rescuers carried out an extensive search after a man was seen falling into the River Rothay, Ambleside. Gale-force winds and heavy rain have disrupted the Christmas getaway for road, rail, air and sea passengers. Train services have been affected, while some ferries and flights have been cancelled. Thousands of homes were also left without power. (BBC) - Russia has sent 75 vehicles to Syria to assist the international operation to destroy or remove its chemical weapons. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said 50 Kamaz lorries and 25 Ural armoured lorries were flown to Latakia last week, along with other equipment. They will be used to help transport chemicals to the Mediterranean port, from where they will be shipped abroad. Syria agreed to abandon its chemical arsenal to avert potential US military action after a sarin attack in August. (BBC) - A German court that told an ISP to hand over details of users who had allegedly been illegally streaming porn online is reviewing its decision. The names and addresses of those identified were used by a law firm to send letters asking for a one-off fee. The firm, Urmann, acting on behalf of Swiss copyright company Archive, targeted users it said had viewed content on porn-streaming site Redtube.

US

China

The protesters say they will stay in Mons town square until they meet Mr. di Rupo
country, Archbishop AndreJoseph Leonard, expressing support for their cause. The protesters spokesman Samir Hamrad told RTBF radio: We want to show the government that it would not be easy for us to go back to Afghanistan. They are scared of returning there. The towns authorities were putting in place an emergency plan on Sunday evening, local media reported. The police and also medical aid are on standby. The main focus is provide them with blankets and food, town spokeswoman Juliette Picry told La Libre Belgique newspaper. Mr di Rupo is currently abroad and is returning to Belgium on Monday.

Mexican President Signs Controversial Oil and Gas Law

investment in oil, gas and electricity. Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with statecontrolled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits. This is the beginning of a new history for our country. We have opened the doors for a better future for all, said Mr Pena Nieto. Oil production in Mexico has dropped from 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million barrels per day. Naked protest Opposition legislators attempted to stop last weeks vote by all means, including piling up chairs to block the entrance to the Congress building. MP Antonio Garcia took off his clothes in Congress to denounce the stripping of Mexicos oil wealth. It was passed by the Senate

UK

Mr. Pena Nietos six-year term began in December 2012

(BBC) - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has signed a controversial law that allows foreign companies to drill for oil for the first time since the sector was nationalised in 1938. The legislation was passed by Congress on 13 December and ratified by a majority of Mexican states. President Pena Nieto says the reform will help Mexico attract the investment needed to boost its falling oil output. The opposition says it damages national interests. The legislation changes three articles in the Mexican constitution and allow foreign

(BBC) - More than 450 jailed members of the Muslim Brotherhood have gone on hunger strike in Egypt in protest at their inhumane treatment, the group says. The prisoners, who include senior aides to deposed President Mohammed Morsi, say they have been denied family visits and access to medical care. More than 2,000 members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been arrested since the overthrow of Mr Morsi. The Islamist president was ousted by the military in July. The Muslim Brotherhood

Jailed Egypt Muslim Brotherhood Members on Hunger Strike

said on its Twitter account that its members had been banned from family visits, legal counselling, medical care and [live in] overcrowded and unhygienic cells. The Brotherhood said that senior figures were taking part in the hunger strike, including one-time presidential hopeful Khairat al-Shater, secretarygeneral of the Brotherhoods Freedom and Justice Party Mohammed al-Beltagi, and Mr Morsis former foreign affairs adviser Essam al-Haddad. The group did not say if Mr Morsi himself was taking part in the strike.

and approved by the lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, a day later. Politicians from the conservative National Action Party joined forces with the governing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) to defeat the opposition. The legislation was then ratified by 24 out of 32 Mexican federal entities (31 states and the Federal District). Mr Pena Nieto will now send a new set of secondary bills to Congress to implement the energy reform. This year we, Mexicans, have decided to overcome myths and taboos in order to take a great step towards the future, he said. Mr Pena Nieto took office in December 2012 promising to review the anti-drugs policies of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, and to boost the countrys economy.

Russia

Germany

Supporters of Mohammed Morsi continue to hold demonstrations

Mr Morsi, Egypts first democratically elected president, was deposed by the military in July after huge street protests against him. He is now facing three separate criminal trials relating

to his time in office. The first trial opened on 4 November but has been adjourned until 8 January while lawyers examine documents.

Celebrate the Season with Hope

Lutheran Preacher Urges
By Judoemue M. Kollie
s Liberians continue to complain about the difficult economic situation in the country this festive season, a Lutheran clergy man has said that there is a need for Christians to be hopeful in the midst of their circumstances. Reverend Charles Freeman, senior pastor of the Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, shared this message during a regular service on Sunday, December 22, at his congregation in Paynesville. Preaching on the theme: The Pronouncement of Hope to the World, Rev. Freeman said that though times may appear hard, Christians must learn to understand that Christs birth brought hope to the world. Faith in Jesus Christ brings

DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Rev. Charles Freeman, pastor St. Matthew Lutheran Church

hope to every Christian in the world. No matter the life conditions those who believe in Jesus may experience, the joy of Christmas always remains, he explained. He described hope as the strong conviction of a better future. Rev. Freeman explained that

Jesus became the redemption of the world by restoring mankinds relationship with God. He told Christians to use the festive season as a time to foster unity and reconciliation among their fellow men. Christmas is a time to forgive those that hate you and to reach the needy throughout all communities. Christianity requires making peace with people, you have to reach out, he told the congregation. He furthered that no matter the difficulties of life in Liberia, situations would eventually improve. Christmas is the annual commemoration of Jesus Christs birth, generally celebrated on December 25th by over a billion people around the world. The birth year of Jesus is estimated among modern historians to have been between 7 and 2 B.C.; the exact month and date of his

birth are unknown. Western Roman Christians made the decision to commemorate the birth of Christ in order to divert attention from the worship of pagan gods. The Christmas customs of various countries have a mix of pre-Christian and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music, exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, and special meals amongst others. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of Christmas involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holidays have become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Gbowee Peace Foundation Celebrates 2nd Annual Breakfast and Talk

By Alvin Worzi

Page 3

MOE Bulletin Stirs Teachers Up again

Flashback: Teachers recent demonstration at the MOE in Sinkor

result, the amount in question has climbed up to US$810 each. We need it now, Bombo said in an interview with the Daily Observer yesterday. Gardner Varnie, a junior student, also spoke, expressing his belief that the MOE was in cahoots with some of its own officials to deny the students their stipend of US$30 as promised by the President. A senior student, Kolu Buluwogie, explained that since the Presidential pronouncement in 2011 concerning the US$30 stipend per student at the teachers college, the students have been paid only two times, and since that time, payment of the money has remained in limbo. The money was paid for the first time in full, and at the time all of the students were satisfied, but the second payment was done in installments through UL Administration; leaving out some of the students in the process, Buluwogie claimed. According to her, the MOE authority has promised them on many occasions, but has never fulfilled any of them. Meanwhile, the students have vowed to sleep in the courtyard of the MOE in Sinkor if they did not get their money Monday. We will sleep here tonight, because we are tired of the false verification statements. All we want is the payment of the money, the protest students shouted in unison. However, the MOE deputy director of communications brushed aside the students claims. Mr. J. Shannor Goe maintained that the listing from the UL Teachers College was conflicting, because the first names submitted

tudents from the William V.S. Tubman Teachers College at the University of Liberia (UL) Monday, December 23rd, staged a peaceful protest on the grounds of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Monrovia demanding a 27-month stipend. The students were demanding their monthly stipend of US$30 each from the Ministry that they claimed had not been paid for over 27 months as promised by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2011. According to various student speakers, who gave conflicting figures, some said the Ministry owns them 27, 12, and or nine months. A sophomore student, George S. Bombo, alleged that the Ministry had promised to do verification of their names before they began their payment, but that verification has since expired and nothing is being done to settle their arrears. The MOE owes some of us (would be teachers) 27 months worth of arrears and nothing is being done to settle that. As a

numbered 600, whereas the second listings contain over 1000 names. According to him, the MOE announcement placed on its bulletin and aired on the radios did not mention the names of students from the UL Teachers College, rather the Ministry had invited teachers who were recently dropped from the payroll to come for very important information. He said, the concerned teachers were requested to bring along their letter of employment from the MOE, previous check stubs from their last salary payment received, identification cards, two passport photographs, letter of attestation from the principal endorsed by the education officers of their respective assignments, and told there should be proxies in this regard. The deadline set to complete the process, Goe said, is December 31, 2013, and was signed by the ministrys director of communications, J. Maxime Bleetahn, and approved by Minister Etmonia David Tarpeh. In Goes opinion, this information was misconstrued by the protesting students, and he called on them to remain calm as the ministry was doing everything possible to verify their concerns.

he Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) on Saturday December 21, celebrated its 2nd annual breakfast and talk under the theme: A Walk for Quality Education, with an indoor program held at the Palm Spring Hotel in Congo Town. The executive director of the organization, W. E. Saydee Tarr, said the GPFA would focus next year on quality education in the country. She said that education is the most powerful weapon a person could use to change the world. Mrs. Tarr said it was time for the concentration of quality education in the country to be addressed, calling on Liberians to see the improvement of the nations education sector as a challenge to everyone and a goal for a better society. According to the executive director, in 2014 they would divert from the issues of women to finding answers towards issues of quality education, adding that over the years The Gbowee Foundation has only focused on issues concerning women and girls. Also speaking at the in-door program was Ms. Magdalene Matthews, who provided insight on education from the youth perspective. Ms. Matthews said human capacity was lacking in the country and was of the opinion that quality education in Liberia was not the norm. Ms. Matthews said

Madam Leymah R. Gbowee

competitions like quizzing and debates in schools were genuine ways of improving and uplifting quality education to post-war Liberia. She expressed gratitude to the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa for their focus next year on bringing quality education to the people of Liberia. Meanwhile, the president of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, Madam Leymah R. Gbowee, has launched a students fund aimed at financing excellent students in the country. According to madam Gbowee, US$25, 000 has been donated and budgeted to settle most of the financial issues relating to her foundations focus on education next year. According to her, the foundation has a research center in the country where students can meet and discuss and learn from those that have the knowledge in various areas of education, especially the sciences. of the land as the Ministrys plan to carry on development in all parts of the country by carrying out key development in the Culture and Tourism sector. Upon receiving the check the Secretary of Ben Town city Mr. Moses Yahweh thanked the Government of Liberia for what he termed as transparency between the GOL and the people of Ben Town. This land is family property and it has been with us since 1930, it was our intention to build a school on the land for our children since we dont have any. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited us in 2008 and asked for the land because the government wanted to build the cultural village there, he stated. He said the President and the land owners reached an agreement that the land would be used for the relocation of the Kendeja culture village and there would also be a school built on the land to help the people of Ben Town. I am satisfied with the agreement between the government and the people of Ben town because there will be a school built on the land, which is a great help to us, Mr.Yarweh concluded.

Information Minister Lewis Brown

the best place to carry on its cultural activities and help boost the countrys tourism sector. He disclosed that the 50 acres of land was sold to MICAT by the people of Ben Town for eighty thousand United States Dollars (US$80,000). He also warned land dealers to desist from selling land in the area, noting that anyone that would buy the land in secret would face the wrath of the GOL and not be allowed to go free. He disclosed that the land was spotted by President Sirleaf a few years ago; because of that the MICAT gave the owner its initial payment of US$50.000, later paying US$20,000 and finally closed up the deal with $US10, 000 yesterday adding to the total payment of $US80, 000. He described the purchasing

MICAT Closes Land Deal with $10,000 USD

For Kendejas New Home

By Gloria T. Tamba

he Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs (MICAT), and Tourism has signed a check for US$10,000 to facilitate the relocation of Kendeja Cultural Village to Ben Town,

Marshall. The signing ceremony took place yesterday at MICAT in Monrovia. According to MICAT Acting Minister Isaac Jackson, the Government of Liberia decided to get 50 acres of land for the relocation of Kendeja in order for the village to have

Tuesday, 5,24, 2013 DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday,November December 2013

Page 4

Published by Liberian Observer Corporation P.O. Box 1858, Monrovia

Liberias First Independent Daily 0886812888, 0886472772 www.liberianobserver.com

Rescue West Point and Other Monrovia Beaches

Is there an emergency fund anywhere in the government of Liberia? Should there be one, we know of nothing more urgent than reinstating the Beach and Waterways Project of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA). Why the urgency? Christmas is here. What treat shall we give the tens of thousands of our children living in West Point, Clara Town, Point Four, Popo Beach, New Kru Town and South Beach? Is it going to be lots of good food, new clothing and footwear, toys and other goodies? Or is it going to be, by woeful contrast, renewed defecation and the indiscriminate throwing of trash on these beaches, inviting swarms of flies, rats and roaches to make the children sick? If nothing is done, and done immediately, the flies, rats and roaches will poison our childrens Christmas and their general wellbeing for the foreseeable future. Instead of giving them a good time, they will get sick with cholera, diarrhea and malaria, brought on by these deadly disease carriers. It was on behalf of these tens of thousands of children in these beach communities that we heard yesterday on our back page, the cry of West Point Commissioner Miatta Flowers. She told our Senior Reporter, Omari Jackson, that she was worried that if the LMA Beach and Waterways Project were not restored, the children and general populations of these areas would suffer the deadly consequences. All of us and our government should remember that the people we are talking about are among the most vulnerable in the society. They are poor and deprived, since the vast majority of their parents are either self-employed petty traders or not employed at all. When the Man whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow uttered these words, The kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these, Christ was talking precisely about the children of South Beach, West Point, Clara Town, Point Four, Popo Beach, New Kru Town and all the nations slum and other impoverished communities. So in all our last minute shopping and other preparations for this most important holiday, Christmas, let us remember these children and do whatever we can to rescue them from this totally unnecessary but deadly malaise. What can we do? What can anyone do? Pick up our cell phones and call someone who cares or should care and who is able to do something about the problem. Pick up ourselves and go find someone who can make the difference. Finance Minister Amara Konneh has left the country. So the next best person to call, visit or engage is the President herself, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Persuade her to get her lieutenants to find the money from somewhere to restore the LMAs Beach and Waterways Project. If we do nothing else for these children, let us do this one. It is not just about giving them a good Christmas; it is about saving lives by saving our environment. Let us remember, too, that in most of our neighboring countries, Sierra Leone, La Cote dIvoire, The Gambia and Senegal, the people are using their beaches to bring in thousands of tourists throughout the year to spend their money and provide jobs for the local populations. Let us begin this Christmas by injecting some pride in ourselves by making our beaches a playground for our children and our people in general. This commitment to protect and make good uses of our beaches will pave the way for the development of the tourist industry in Liberia. There have been talks of the creation of a National Tourism Authority, an autonomous body that will organize tourism in Liberia. This is necessary since the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) has failed to do anything about tourismor culture or even information itself. Let us in Liberia finally realize that tourism is a money maker and a job creator. Let the development of our tourist industry be a New Year resolution that will be taken seriously and forcefully implemented.

We need to transform our beaches into tourist attractions; and not tourist distractions.
OBSERVER CARTOON WITH A. Leslie Lumeh E-mail: leslie@leslielumeh.com www.leslielumeh.com

A Begging Christmas: Celebrating Christmas the Liberian Way

By Patrice D. Juah
Hilarious is one word that best describes Christmas time in Liberia; there are so many interesting things to see and places to go. The nations capital Monrovia, comes alive during this time of year with lots of petty trading, singing, shopping, cooking and entertainment everywhere. One needs to be thoroughly schooled before choosing to spend their Christmas in Africas Lone Star. Below are 10 things the discerning traveler/tourist should look forward to when visiting the country during the holidays: 1. We do not have Santa Claus, but Old Man Beggar who dresses in a raglike costume and begs for gifts. Prepare yourselves to give, give and give. No, you wont be receiving gifts from Santa, honey. :-) 2. Instead of being told Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, youll hear My Christmas is on you or My Christmas is in your blood (or DNA), indicating that no matter what, you cant shake off the need to give money or gifts to the person saying that to you. This leaves you feeling like you owe everybody. Note: Liberian humor is out of this world! 3. Expect to see a lot of petty trading (aka auctions) in the streets. This is the best time to get some colorful and trendy items at affordable prices. The streets are crowded and noisy, but thats not bad since you get to shop. Oh, dont forget to check out Waterside and Ma Juah Markets. 4. Commercial motorbikes, a.k.a PenPen are all over the place. You can hop onto one of these and dash right though the dust! Sounds like that adventure youve always wanted to have, huh? 5. The dryness of the Harmattan Wind creates what I like to call a Winter make - believe, causing many to dress up in winter coats and hats. Liberians are very fond of America and this is the time that most people live out their dream of being in the cold (i.e. America). :-) The wind causes Yanlaypaypay, a fun way Liberians refer to the dryness of skin, which

leaves it looking dull and pale. Be sure to come with enough moisturizers, or get yourself some Donut Grease, Koto or Temple of Heaven, while on the ground. 6. Dont get too carried away now; the begging continues even on Christmas morning. Youll hear a famous festive Liberian begging song, Merry Christmas, Were At Your Door. At this point, Old Man Beggar & Co are [literally] at your door beating drums and singing defiantly. Theyre determined to stay and sing louder until you give them money. 7. Things take a lighter turn later during the day when you start receiving delicious dishes from neighbors and friends. Food is everywhere! All my giving is finally paying off, I hear you say. :) Fact: Liberians are excellent cooks! 8. Theres relative calm the days after Christmas and then things heat up again as the spirit of the New Year sets in. New Years eve is HUGE in Liberia and Watch Night, a time we all go to church to thank God for everything He did for us during the year and for keeping

us alive to see a brand new one. This is a big deal to most Liberians. 9. The Begging is not over yet! Youll hear another subtle begging song: Happy New Year Me Na Die Oh as early as 12 a.m. on New Years Morning. At this point, youre not being forced to give, because everyone is just too busy giving thanks for being alive. You can join in the singing and dancing if you dont have anything to give. Last minute hustle, right? LOL! 10. Expect major withdrawals and stinginess in January after all the holiday giving and spending. :-) You sign up for more fun than youd ever imagine, when you choose LIB for the holidays. Have yourself a Begging Liberian Christmas! Patrice Juah is a creative soul with a passion for poetry, prose and fashion design. She is the CEO and Artistic Director of Moie fashion line and former Miss Liberia 2006-2007.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Page5 4 Page

0886554882/0777544882

o augment the professional strength of the number of doctors in the country, 38 new ones are being trained by the University of Liberia (UL) and added to those already in practice. They are the single largest post war graduate class in the history of the medical school. The 38 new doctors were all schooled at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine-UL. They were part of the 95th Commencement Convocation held recently at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. At the same college, 29 candidates graduated from the School of Pharmacy, while 35 others graduated from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law. Prior to the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 18, the 38 newly trained medical practitioners received their Hippocratic Oath (medi-

UL Graduates 38 Doctors, Retires 9 Employees

The graduating doctors in procession last Wednesday

cal ethics) and were also honored for their academic achievements. The well-attended oath and honoring ceremony was also typified by the conferring of special distinctions and recognition of those candidates/graduates who performed exceptionally during their days in class. Earlier, in his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Liberia Band for Development and Investment (LBDI), John B. Davis, described the graduation of the doctors as the celebration of monumental achievement. This, he said, signifies the highlighting of a small step in reducing the doctor-patient ratio, which stands at one doctor to more than 125,000 patients. Mr. Davis also administered the Hippocratic Oath of medical ethics to the graduates as they pledged to uphold the tenet of their chosen profession. According to the young banker, There is a lot more that needs to be done, and many additional graduating classes far larger than this one would be required before the country can get anywhere in reducing this very dangerous ratio. Your oath writes a new chapter in your professional lives and ensures that you sign a new contract with society. I trust that you will rise to this challenge and discharge the herculean tasks that will accompany the challenge. I trust that you will take the high road to nobility with profes-

Mr. Davis: I trust that

you will take the high road to nobility with professionalism.

Crozierville Youths Get Certificate in Basic Computer Training

A view of young people who earned certificates from the computer training

By Alvin Worzi

welve youths have acquired computer skills from the Antoinette Tubman Community School (ATCS) in Crozierville, Lower Montserrado County. The eleven-month intensive training program held in computer technology was climaxed with a well attended ceremony on Saturday, December 14, in the courtyard of the school. In a special statement, the publisher and managing director of the Daily Observer newspaper, Kenneth Y. Best, promised to bring the people of Crozierville and its surroundings advanced computer training as well as an adult literacy program. With the cooperation of our friend, the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) of Liberia, we will launch the advanced computer training and the adult literacy program very soon, Mr. Best told the gathering. According to him, the two distinct training programs will be hosted on the theme, Each One Teach One, which would help you prepare yourselves for the job market.

He added that acquired computer knowledge is being used by many people to transform lives in other parts of the country; including the Township of Crozierville. One of the sponsors of ATCS computer-training program, Rocheforte Weeks, called on Liberian youths to help bring about the necessary transformation to the nation through the learning of computer science and other skills. According to Mr. Weeks, the youths can transform the country by taking up the challenge to prepare themselves through attaining knowledge. Following the certification of the graduates, Mr. Weeks urged the youth of Crozierville to take advantage of education for self-empowerment, adding that the computer skills acquired will help them achieve their goals. At the occasion, the Commissioner of Crozierville, Mr. Jones Thorpe, appealed to the government to train people in their respective communities to meet up with the challenges of the job market. According to Mr. Thorpe, the transfer of people from one community to another for jobs was a serious problem affect-

ing the rebuilding process of the country. He then expressed gratitude to those who supported the training program, graduates, and executive staff of the computer-training program for their efforts toward the success of the township of Crozierville. He further admonished students of the ATCS computertraining program to remain resilient in their quest to acquire sound computer knowledge. The marketing manager of the Daily Observer newspaper, Bai Best, also spoke on the importance of computer skills to the new graduates. He called on them to be focused as they go about acquiring computer skills. He cautioned them not to only be convinced by the act of typing, which he said was not all to acquiring computer knowledge. He further called the graduates to take advantage of the various computer applications to easily access information through the use of the internet. The IT specialist and coordinator of the computer-training program, Yarkpai Keller, thanked the YMCA and the Weeks family for their contributions in empowering the youths of Crozierville. Mr. Keller said courses offered in computer science included an introduction to computer system, Microsoft office packages, which also included ms-access, ms-word, and data base creation and management tools as beginner courses for the training program.

sionalism, Mr. Davis urged the graduates. He observed that the country was already plagued with many problems, and as such, the new doctors should see themselves as a small piece of the solution to a better health delivery system. He then acknowledged that the medical field, like any other profession, comes with its own ups and downs its celebrations of success and joy, and its moments of despair and apparent hopelessness. According to him, unlike other developed countries, in Liberia, the medical profession is not an avenue to riches; it is one of the ultimate calls to

service. We perfectly understand the expectations following years of hard study, but here is the irony in our country, sometimes the pay you take home cannot meet all your expectations. Mr. Davis also called on the authorities to do more to advance the cause of a healthy nation, saying that nothing should stop Liberia from attaining the enviable position of being one of West Africas referral destinations for superlative medical treatment. Meanwhile, UL President, Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, has announced the retirement of nine personnel from their long service at the institution. Five of those retired were from the College of Agriculture, inlud ing field workers, a laboratory assistant, and an administrative assistant. They included Moses Borbor, Esther Kpan, Sarah Morris, Philip Bean, and Matthew Kamara. Others were former Associate Professor, Tabeh L. Freeman of the Medical College; Charles Blyeah the Janitor of Plant Operations; James Peter the Plumber of Plant Operations; and Joseph R. Davis the Director of UL Services. Each of them had served the institution between the period of 25 and 42 years.

MOE Dedicates Science Labs in Several Schools

Minister Kotchi performs the labs dedication at HMHS in Firestone as the students look on with excitements

A student leader at HMHS expresses gratitude to NOCAL and MOE for the labs
ibi, and in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount counties respectively. The projects, according to its consultant at the MOE, Victoria Kahn Kennedy, were constructed and funded by NOCAL, and are aimed at improving science education across the country. The exercises are expected to cover the entire country, and are situated in the strategic locations of particular high schools to benefit students in nearby communities. The laboratories contain safety materials for the sciences including goggles, gloves, and coats.

he Ministry of Education (MOE) in partnership with the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) has dedicated several newly constructed science laboratories at various high schools in Montserrado, Harbel in Marg-

DAILY OBSERVER

A South African entrepreneur with a passion for Chinese food proves that you cant keep a good woman down

Indomitable Spirit
Sponsored by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China

CHINA & AFRICA

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Page 6

Businesswoman Tshidi Tau, founder and owner of Tshiditsoe Food and Eatery and a finalist in local radio 702s 2013 Small Business Awards
With the growth of sales, Tau, a finalist in local Radio 702s 2013 Small Business Awards, enlisted the help of five other women and they planted a vegetable garden to

Tshidi Tau displays her homemade chutneys, mixed vegetable pickles and seasonings at a Johannesburg farmers market

(ChinAfrica)

n a chilly spring morning in Johannesburg, Tshidi Tau packs bottles of homemade sauces and pickled vegetables to sell at a farmers market on the outskirts of the city. The well-known South African entrepreneur has experienced both the highs and lows of life and business. Six years ago she was the owner of the first Chinese restaurant in Soweto, Johannesburgs largest urban area, inhabited predominantly by black South Africans. Tau saw her fortunes change when a lucrative business deal went sour. Down, but not out, her indomitable spirit led her to start up a small operation selling sauce and pickles, which had been popular items in her Chinese food business. Despite the challenges, Tau said she hasnt abandoned her hope of resuscitating her Chinese restaurant, and currently caters for events and private functions. Chinese odyssey Like many South Africans, Tau didnt know much about China and Chinese food until she experienced it firsthand in 2004. That year she made the decision to teach English in Liuzhou City, south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, after being drawn by her curiosity about Chinas people and culture. For the first few weeks, life in China proved to be very difficult for Tau. She struggled to get used to the taste of green tea and sweet bread, and ate most of her meals at McDonalds and KFC. Later her Chinese friends taught her how to cook local dishes at home. They took me to the street markets and showed me places where

I could buy vegetables, Tau said. They showed me how to cook rice and how to prepare dishes on a gas stove. On weekends, she would often be invited to their homes, enjoying and learning more about Chinese cuisine until she became familiar with many of the local ingredients and cooking methods. The time I spent in China was wonderful, Tau said. I was amazed by the type of food they ate. Chinese food is light on the stomach, highly nutritious, delicious and nonfattening. Soweto meets China When Tau returned from China at the end of 2004, she had the idea to open a Chinese restaurant in Soweto, but she didnt have the start-up funds for the venture. During that time, she continued teaching and began preparing Chinese food at home after work. She was soon advertising her food via flyers and selling Chinese food to businesses in the area. Things took off in a big way after interviews in a local newspaper and TV station spread the word about her unique choice of cuisine and orders for her Chinese dishes came pouring in. In 2007, Tau founded the Tshiditsoe Food and Eatery, a Chinese restaurant specializing in chaofan (fried rice) and chaomian (fried noodles). She sourced the required vegetables and ingredients from Cyrildene, Johannesburgs Chinatown, and based her business on the concept of offering customers delicious, healthy and affordable food. Tau said each dish was enough to serve two people and cost only $2.50. The business boomed with clientele made up of tourists and locals curious to try Chinese food. Reversal of fortune

As Tau was about to expand, the businessman who held the liquor license selling drinks to her customers and who paid half her rent, pulled out, and she was forced to close down. In South Africa, people often enjoy some form of alcohol with their meals and without this service Taus business took a big knock. At the end of 2007, she closed the restaurant doors, reverting to serving takeaway meals from her home. A year later, Tau received an offer from a highly placed woman in the banking sector with a plan to train and equip young people to operate their own mobile kitchens cooking and selling Chinese food. It was set up as a joint venture, with Tau providing mentorship. With funding secured the project was launched and after training 48 youngsters, the curtain came down after Tau discovered her business partner had stolen the funding for the project. With all her money gone, Tau lost her business and her house as she couldnt keep up mortgage payments. I had to leave my two daughters with my mother. Tau said. I cried when I was alone. From the experience she learned to be more careful about choosing business partners and that pain, or failure, is often the best teacher. Comeback trail For the next three years I struggled to put my life together, Tau said. I told myself I wont be easily defeated. She returned to teaching to provide for her family and began making sauces at home, selling to close friends. A chance meeting with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), an agency of the South African Department of Trade and Industry, led to assistance in lab testing and packaging of her sauces.

Classical Chinese Poems

Border Song (III)
By Lu Lun
Wild geese fly high in moonless night; The Tartars through the dark take flight. Our cavaliers after them go; Their swords are soon covered with snow.

have a steady supply of vegetables needed for producing the sauces. So far we are doing well and making a profit, Tau said. Our mission statement is We eat what we sow. This means that we only make and sell what we would eat ourselves. Tau hasnt abandoned her dream of resurrecting her Chinese restaurant and sees her sauce business as preparing for that eventuality. Ever the entrepreneur, her next plan is to re-visit the concept of mobile kitchens and start a franchise operation fashioned after KFC and McDonalds but serving Chinese food. Each mobile kitchen will directly provide a job opportunity for one person, with a focus on young people, women and those with disabilities, trained

by Tau. To date she has had a positive response from several government departments for funding. Tau also wants to expand her vegetable garden to a farm, which would supply vegetables for the mobile kitchens and sauces. When asked the inevitable question about why she likes Chinese food so much, her answer is always the same. It is so delicious, nutritious and prepared in a healthy way. I love it, my family loves it, my friends love it, my colleagues in school and neighbors love it. No doubt as her business flourishes once again there will be many, many more people in Johannesburg who will love it too.

Explanation

u Lun, a Tang poet from 748 to around 800, a native of Hezhong (present days Yongji, Shanxi Province), whose courtesy name was Jianyan. He was set on passing the imperial examinations at the provincial level when he was young, but had to take refuge in Poyang, Jiangxi, because of the occurrence of the An-Shi Turmoil. At the beginning of the period of Dali, he had been to Changan and sat for the exam several times but all failed. Prime ministers Yuan Zai and Wang Jin knew his talent and tried very hard to recommend him, so he could hold some posts. Yuan Zai was killed and Wang Jin was demoted afterwards, and Lu Lun was involved. Later he assumed office in the army. Lu Lun saw the disasters caused by the war with his own eyes, so his early poems reflected the poverty of the people and the social and economic depression. His later poems are mainly responses and presentations to others. His most successful poetic works are those depicting army life, among which the Border Songs are of powerful and robust style, and are widely spread till today. Lu Lun was ranked among the Ten Talented Scholars in the Period of Dali due to his tal-

ent in composing poems. This poem vividly depicts an intense scene of fighting with only 20 characters. The first part describes the enemys fleeing helter-skelter, while the last part describes the Tang troops brave pursuit and attack. When connected together, the whole poem is like a lively tableau: in a pitch-dark night when the sky was overcast and snowflakes were falling thick and fast, the Khitan invaders who knew that they had lost the battle wanted to seize the opportunity to flee, but didnt expect to startle the soundly sleeping wild geese. The wild geese flied high with fear, notifying the Tang troops who were watching closely. The officers and men took up their bows and broadswords. Lightly equipped on horse back, they began to chase the enemy in spite of the snow.

Their bodies, horses and even weapons were covered with snowflakes. They couldnt attend to all these things and made up their minds to wipe out the fleeing enemy. The Tang troops in this poem represented the winners. However, they didnt relax their vigilance. It should have been time for stopping fighting and taking a rest at night, but the officers and men were prepared at all times to brandish their weapons and go into the battle. Marching and fighting in such a dark night with whirling snow would be very difficult. Yet the officers and men were full of indomitable spirit and militancy. The poem didnt describe the scene of fighting which would be more horrible. The poet left this inevitable outcome for us to imagine, and it made the poem pregnant with meaning.

Sponsored by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China. Please send your comments to the following email: chinaemb_lr@mfa.gov.cn

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 9 7

Job advertisement Programme Manager Statement of Work

Position: County Loan Extension Agents Areas of Assignment: Montserrado&Margibi,Bong, Nimba, Lofa& Grand Bassa Counties. The Liberia Food and Enterprise Development (FED) program us is a five-year, USAID funded project, that focuses on spurring development through a focus on increasing agricultural productivity, profitability and improving human nutrition; stimulating private enterprise growth and investment; and building technical and managerial human resources capacity. The FED project has three main components: Component 1: Increase agricultural productivity and profitability and improve human nutrition; Component 2: Stimulate private enterprise growth and investment; and Component 3: Build local technical and managerial human resources to sustain and expand accomplishments achieved under objectives one and two. As part of Component 2, the County Loan Extension Agents under an independent contract, will assist the Access to Finance Officer with all activities related to improving access to finance for beneficiaries (farmers, farm based organizations, and small and medium enterprises) in the four value chains FED supports: cassava, rice, vegetables, and goats. Responsibilities: Access to Loans The County Loan Extension Agents will identify enterprises (lead farmers, FBOs, M/SMEs) that require capital to start-up and/or expand and assess the support they require in order to be able to access credit; Assist Access to Finance Officer to work with lending institutions to further develop agribusiness loan and leasing products, provide technical assistance to improve institutional capacity for agri-lending, expand operations into underserved markets, and to link them to FED beneficiaries who qualify for and are in need of credit; Assist in the development of curriculum for training related to accessing finance or financial services for FED beneficiaries; Assist and mentor FED beneficiaries with loan requirements (e.g. record keeping, opening bank accounts, writing simple business plans and loan applications) Village Savings and Loan Association: Assist in developing FED-specific VSLA training and program; Recruit Community Field VSLA Officers in assigned county; Conduct VSLA TOT training for Community Field VLSA Officers; Assist Community Field VSLA Officers in Awareness, Training, and Closeout phases; Execute Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with VSLA beneficiary groups in assigned counties; Conduct monitoring and weekly/monthly reporting of all VSLAsactivities in assigned counties; Assist with selection, procurement, and delivery of VSLA training materials as needed; Collaborate with the Communications and M&E teams to contribute to reporting, monitoring and evaluation of Component 2 activities; Any other duties assigned by Access to Financer Officer;. Required Qualifications: At least 3 years of professional work experience in banking, financial services or related field. Prior experience working with VSLAs preferred; Experience working on USAID projects, grants and funds management or equivalent and agriculture a plus; Good Excel and Word skills; Excellent written and oral communications skills, including experience in reporting and contributing to monitoring and evaluation of donor-funded programs; Demonstrated leadership capacity; Minimum of a Bachelors degree in a relevant field; Must be willing to reside within the assigned county for the duration of the project (approximately 1 year.) Note that the first month will require residence in Monrovia. Location: Montserrado/Margibi, Nimba, Lofa, Bong, and GrandBassa as assigned. Interested applicants are asked to send their CVs/ Cover Letters in person at the Food and Enterprise Development Program (FED), office: Monrovia: 6th Street, Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor Deadline for application is January 3, 2014 by 5PM. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. FED is an equal employment opportunity employer that is committed to gender equality. Women are encouraged to apply.
No.
1

Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Request for Quotation (RFQ) Supply of Wooden and Plastic Crates for fresh vegetables packaging
RFQ No. Date Title Issuing Office & Address for Submission of Quotes RFQ-MDF-077 December 18, 2013 Supply of Wooden and Plastic Crates for fresh vegetables packaging DAI USAID Food and Enterprise Development (FED) 6th StreetSinkor, Monrovia

FEDMDF@dai.com

Contact Person for Questions regarding office location or admin details Anticipated Award Type Delivery Date Basis for Award MDF Manager Telephone: +0886547541 Fixed Unit Price Purchase Order One week after signing of Purchase Order An award will be made based on the Price, Availability, Quality, Delivery Timeframe and Referencesto the vendor whobest meets all the requirements specified in the RFQ.

PURPOSE: DAI, implementer of theUSAID funded Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program, invites qualified vendors to submit quotes for the supplywooden and plastic crates for fresh vegetables packaging(see Appendix A for details) in support of program implementation.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF QUOTES: Quotes should be submitted on vendors pro-forma invoice via hard copy in a sealed envelope, as follows: RFQ-MDF-077 Market Development Fund Food and Enterprise Development Program 6th Street, Sinkor Monrovia, Liberia Applicants wishing to submit Quotes must do so on or before the 27th December, 2013 at 5pm. The following documents must be included in the Firms Quote: (Offerors are advised to read carefully and ensure that a complete set of documents are submitted.) Vendors quotes should have duly authorized signature and company stamp/seal using Appendix A as a template for the format. The submission letter must include the following items: 1. The firm will certify a validity period of 6 months for the prices provided. 2. Verification that the vendor possesses at least one year of relevant in-country experience providing quality Agriculture equipment. 3. A list of at least 3 current and/or former clients which your firm has provided similar inputs for along with clients contact person, telephone number, quantities provided and dates. 4. The prices per unit and total price shall be entered on the attached price schedule. (See AppendixA.) 5. Copy of Current Business Licensefrom the relevant Ministry(or other licensing office as pertinent for Liberia) 6. Submission of Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) for awards above $25,000 7. To obtain the DUNS number, log on to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/index.jsp DAI will not award any contract in the sum of 25,000 and above to vendor who does not have a DUNS number. In addition, to determine a Vendor as responsible, DAI will consider the following factors: 1. Firm must possess an active Business License 2. Vendor must not beincluded on the US Government EPLS/SDN blocked persons/ organizations list DAI may award a purchase order without discussions. Therefore, initial quotes should contain the Vendors best terms from a price and technical specifications standpoint. Issuance of this RFQ in no way obligates DAI to award a purchase order and Bidders will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with the preparation of this Quote.DAI/FED also reserves the right to issue multiple awards and also reserves the right to procure only selected items from selected vendor(s).
Appendix A
Item/Description
Wooden Crates for fresh vegetables packaging (Length-19/12 inches, Height- 9 inches) Plastic Crates for fresh vegetables packaging(Length-19/12 inches, Height- 9 inches)

Qty.
1440 pcs 1440 pcs

TOTAL

Unit

Unit Price

Note: Please indicate the manufacturing country of the equipment.

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 8

!"#$%!"&'(%)$"&'(*)+,$#-'.'/*&0",*')%,1%,"#$%!

NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY & WELFARE CORPORATION

SEASONS GREETINGS

AS WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS 2013 AND USHER IN THE NEW YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND STAFF OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY & WELFARE CORPORATION (NASSCORP) EXTEND HEARTY FELICITATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO HER EXECELLENCY MADAM ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA; VICE PRESIDENT JOSEPH N. BOAKAI, THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF LIBERIA, AS WELL AS OUR MANY BENEFICIARIES, REGISTERED EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. MAY THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON ABIDE WITH US IN THE NEW YEAR AND THE YEARS AHEAD. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

A MESSAGE FROM THE NASSCORP FAMILY

Pictorial of the Launching Ceremony of the National Integrity Barometer Report Published by the National Integrity Forum, with Sponsorship from the UNDP,
Held at the Royal Grand Hotel,Thursday, December 19, 2013

DAILY OBSERVER Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Page 3 9

Cllr. James N. Verdier, Chairman of NIF, making opening remarks at the Report Launch

Hon. Oblayon Nyemah of LIPA at the Report Launch Ceremony

L R: Commissioner Joseph Acqui of the LACC, the French Ambassador and Mr. Raymund Johansen of USAID Liberia listening to remarks at the occasion.

: Dr. Geetor S. Saydee making presentation of the Integrity Barometer Report to the gathering.

Commissioner Elizabeth Sele-Mulbah of the Governance Commission at the Launch Ceremony.

Representatives of both the media and other public institutions in attendance

Officials of the GAC pay attention to the presentation

View of the left wing of the table at the Report Launch Ceremony

(L-r) The French Ambassador, Mr. Raymund Johansen of USAID Liberia and Mr. James Verdier listen keenly to a presentation

At the table: Rep. Acarous Gray, JPC Director Roosevelt Gould, Emmanuel Peterson of LEITI and FLY president Mohammed Nasser

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 13 10

eventeen (17) Officers of the LNP are leaving for training in Post-graduate Certificate in Public Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on 5th January 2014. This is part of the effort the Government of Liberia and the British Government to equip them for leadership as UNMIL

Liberia National Police (LNP) Officers Leave for Training in Ghana

draws down. A pre-departure briefing was presented by UNPOL, UNDP and LNP leadership at UNDP Conference Room on Thursday, December 19, 2013. Below are pictures.

Acting UNPOL Commissioner, Cesar Hawthorne making remarks (Source: UNDP/ JSP, December 19, 2013)

LNPTA Commandant, Samuel Dakana making remarks (Source: UNDP/JSP, December 19, 2013)

UNPOL Reform & Restructuring Coordinator, Jane Rhodes making presentation (Source: UNDP/JSP, December 19, 2013)

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Robert Saah sharing his experience as a member of the first batch of LNP Officers who have benefitted from the training (Source: UNDP/JSP, December 19, 2013)

Cross section of LNP Officers who will be going to GIMPA (Source: UNDP/JSP, December 19, 2013)

Participants at the pre-departure briefing (Source: UNDP/JSP, December 19, 2013)

DAILY OBSERVER

A. DECLARATION: I, Lee Oliver Dia Mitchell, of the City of Seventy-second, Paynesville, Monrovia, Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia, am of sound mind, and not acting under duress, menace, fraud or undue influence of any person or persons, and do hereby make, publish, and declare this instrument my last Will and Testament, and do hereby revoke any and all other Wills and Codicils heretofore made by me. B. IMMEDIATELY UPON MY DEATH: I hereby make the following specific request upon my DEATH: -I hereby direct that in the case of my demise, there should be no autopsy/post mortem -I hereby direct that my mortal remains be laid to rest within THREE days at our Familys plot at Millsburg, Montserrado County -I hereby direct that there should be no EMBALMENT.

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF REVEREND FATHER LEE O. DIA MITCHELL

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 11 11

N. MY FIVE (5) ACRES OF LAND AT THE SARPO COMMUNITY, GREENVILLE, SINOE COUNTY: In Greenville, Sinoe County, I have five (5) acres of land in the Sarpo Community. This property should be re-surveyed and manage by My son, Rev. Fr. John Worjloh Mitchell for his benefit, his sisters, Doryehn, Duwele and Dinah Mitchell, and brother Dormah Mitchell.

O. MY PROPERTY AT KINGSVILLE, LOWER CAREYSBURG, MONTSERRADO COUNTY: We have one (1) lot in Kingsville (No. 7 gate), lower Careysburg. This should be divided into two parts. Half a lot should go to my brother, George. My portion of half lot should go to my daughter, Theta. P. THE FRANCES MITCHELL MEMORIAL ACADEMY, KAKATA, MARGIBI COUNTY. Regarding the Frances Mitchell Memorial Academy in Kakata, I direct that my position as Manager goes to George, and whatever shares I should get must also go to him. If George should die, the said shares should go to my sons, Leo Dakanah, John Worjloh, and Leonard Oliver Dormah Mitchell. Q. MY PROPERTY ON MAMBA POINT, MONROVIA: The property on Mamba Point, Monrovia, otherwise described as 98 Wellington and Haider Apartments, should be treated as a HOMESTEAD, and should be under the control of my wife, Georgiana, during her natural life. When she dies, all my children should benefit, with Darkanah and John being in charge to ensure that all their sisters and brothers have equal share. However, the shares should be calculate after the sum of $200 (two hundred US Dollars) has been deducted from proceeds of the Homestead for each month as support to the Episcopal Ministry of Rev. John Worjloh Mitchell. THIS PROPERTY SHOULD NEVER BE SOLD! R. THE RESIDUE OF MY ESTATE AND PROPERTY: I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the rest and residue of my estate, all property over which I have power to dispose of to my wife, Georgiana Rosezetta Mitchell during her natural life. S. AUTHORIZATION & SUBSCRIPTION: I, LEE OLIVER MITCHELL, HEREBY AUTHORIZE MY EXECUTOR/EXECUTRIX TO EXERCISE ALL POWER, RIGHTS, DISCRETION AND DUTIES DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION AND DISPOSITION OF MY ESTATE AND PROPERTY DESCRIBED ABOVE. I SUBSCRIBE MY NAME TO THIS WILL THIS 29 DAY OF OCTOBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 2008.

C. CONCERNING MY FUNERAL/BURIAL: -I desire that everything is done in moderation. -Church tradition provides that the Episcopal Church (Diocesan Office) will make available adequate funds towards funeral expenses. -A memorial Service can be arranged at a later date if the Church cannot fit it into the schedule. -The entire Funeral and Burial ceremony will be directed by my wife, Georgiana, aided by my brother, George, my Cousin, Clariss. If any of the above should predecease me, Thomas and Richlieu Mitchell should be added in the same order. D. CONCERNING THE READING OF THIS WILL AND TESTAMENT: The full text of this will and Testament should be read 40 days or more after my death in the presence of: i. my wife, Georgiana Rosezetta Mitchell, and her (our) children ii. my brothers: George, Thomas, Richlieu iii. my cousin, Clariss The meeting in which the reading will be done is purely private and only close friends of the Mitchell Family could be invited to attend. The Custodian of this Will and Testament will extend invitation to all of the above mentioned to meet for the said purpose at my Seventy-second Residence at a stated time. Thereafter, s/he will go ahead with the meeting, except if my wife, Georgiana, and brother, George, are not be available. The full text of the Will and Testament must be read by my brother, George, or my son, Rev. John Worjloh Mitchell After reading, one copy of the document should be turned over to my wife, Georgiana, and the other copy to my brother, George. E. INTRODUCTION OF MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY CONSIDERED IN THIS WILL I am a married person, and my Spouse is Georgiana Rosezetta Mitchell. My children (both natural and adopted) are Leo Dakanah Mitchell; John Worjloh Mitchell; Leonie Doryehn Mitchell-Taylor; Leeta Duwele Mitchell; Leanna Dinah Mitchell; Leonard Oliver Dormah Mitchell; Lysanna Mitchell; Felicia D. Mitchell; and Teta M. Mitchell. F. THE EXECUTOR/EXECUTRIX OF THIS WILL: I nominate and appoint my wife, Georgiana, my Cousin and my Brother, George, as Executor/Executrix of this Will. In the event that the Executor/Executrix shall predecease me or fails to serve as such, I nominate and appoint Bro. Thomas Mitchell as Executor. I further direct that the appointee hereunder shall not be required to give any bond for the faithful performance of his duties. G. PAYMENT OF JUST DEBTS, FUNERAL EXPENSES, ETC. I order and direct that my just debts, funeral expenses, expenses for the administration of my estate and inheritance, Taxes upon said estate and inheritance, except those, if any, which are secured by mortgage or deed of trust, shall be paid as soon after my death as may be practical. H. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF MY MINOR My lump sum death benefit in the amount of US$ 5,000.00 (five thousand US Dollars) from the Episcopal Church in America should be given to my wife. She will use same to care and manage affairs of the minor children. In the event that my Spouse predecease me or fail to serve as such, then I nominate Thomas and George, my brothers. All my property will be on the charge of my wife Georgiana, until she dies, and no property should be sold for no reason whatsoever. I. MY HOUSE AT SEVENTY-SECOND: My house is situated in one of the two lots our late mother bought for me and my brother, George. I direct that this house be given to my son and daughter, Dormah and Dinah. The second lot which adjoins mine, should be given to my younger brother, George, so he can construct his own house if he so desires. J. MY HOUSE AT THE HARDLANDVILLE, GRAND BASSA COUNTY: I also direct that same arrangement be made with the four lots property left for us in Hardlandville, Grand Bassa County, by our Mother. I direct that said property be resurveyed into two equal parts. The two lots with the house thereon should be given to my daughter, Doryen. The second two lots should be given to my brother, George Z. Mitchell. K. MY THIRTY-FOUR (34) ACRES OF LAND IN JOHNSONVILLE: I have thirty-four acres of land in Johnsonville, Monrovia, Montserrado County. I direct and order that the property be surveyed, and ten (10) acres therefrom should be given to my brother, George. The remaining twenty-four (24) acres should be divided such that Dakanah, John, Doryehn, Duwele, Dinah, and Dormah receive each three (3) acres; the rest of the children, Lysanna, Felicia and Teta, receive two (2) acres each. L. MY PROPERTY LEFT IN GANTA AND KARNWEE, NIMBA COUNTY: Regarding the property left in Ganta and Karnwee, Nimba County, I direct that they be divided into two equal parts, with one portion going to my brother, George, and the other going to my son, Dakanah. M. MY TWO HUNDRED (200) ACRE PROPERTY ON BELLEFANAI ROAD I order and direct that my two hundred (200) acres property on the Bellefanai Road should remain with my children, with Dakanah being in control, and should ensure that proceeds are shared with his siblings-Dakanah, Dormah, Lyssana, Felicia and Theta.

T. DECLARATION BY WITNESSES: On the day written below, Rev. Fr. Lee O. Dia Mitchell declared to us, the undersigned, that this instrument consisting of FOUR (4) pages, is his last WILL and TESTAMENT, and requested us to act as WITNESSES to it. He thereupon signed this Will in our presence, all of us being present at the same time, we now in his presence, and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as WITNESSES. It is our belief that Rev. Fr. Lee O. Dia Mitchell is of sound mind and under no constraint or undue influence whatsoever.

DAILY OBSERVER

Programme Marking the Training of 42 Participants on Small Hydro-Power Project Development in Liberia, Held from December =9 -19, 2013 in Monrovia.

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 16 12

Dr. Girish Chanda Singh Gaur, Training Facilitator Institute of Technology, Roorke, India

Mr. Augustus Goanue, RREA Excutive Director

Mr. Rana Patrap Singh- Project Manager UNIDO, Vienna, Austria. JPG

Mr. Machael McGovern - Chief of Party LESSP and Winrock International. JPG

Mr. Hun-Bu Tulay, Representative of the participants making a statement

UNIDO Project Coordinator to Liberia, Mr. Abraham Sackie

One of the paticipants receiving a certificate of achievement

Another paticipants receving a certificate

Both participants and facilitators posted for group photo

Cross section of participants

DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Page 13

nother year has come and gone again; so quickly that I can vividly remember writing similar article a year ago, like it was yesterday. Yet, that time has come again when we look back at the activities in our ICT sector, both our triumphs and our failures. The former often form part of our legacy, while we reflect and embrace the latter and find ways to improve on them in the ensuing year. So, lets take a look at what happened in 2013! We saw significant improvements in ICT education as Starz College of Technology continues to increase its capacity to accommodate more students. We heard about the W.V.S. Tubman Universitys drive to include a Computer Science Program in its offerings in 2014. This program provides significant benefits to Liberia as it will be one of the very few that will prepare students for software development. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT in Liberia has been one of the many areas of ICT for which I have been a passionate advocate. I believe it will enable us to be PROSUMERS (producers and consumers), divorcing us from the culture of being mere CONSUMERS. This initiative will also give young Liberians the skills needed to develop software and systems that can AUTOMATE processes in government (e-government), business and other areas. We saw one of Lonestar Cell Foundations many efforts to build a digital Liberia in Harper, Maryland County. In collaboration with W.V.S. Tubman University, Lonestar Cell Foundation embarked upon a US$100,000 ICT capacity building initiative that is intended to benefit the Harper community as well as high school students in that area. It will give them the opportunity to garner ICT training and develop the capacity needed to make them knowledge workers; the type of workers needed in a 21st century environment and in particular, what will soon be a digital Liberia. In our ICT sector, we currently have SIX(6) major players or stakeholders:

By: Darren Wilkins | DWilkins@SaharaTechnology.Com | 0777129092/0886703789

The Year 2013 in Retrospect: What Did We Do and What Did We Not Do
Ministry of Post and Telecom (Policy Maker), Liberia Telecom Authority (Regulator), LIBTELCO (National Operator), (other operators- Lonestar, Cellcom, Novafone, West Africa Telecom), ICT Schools and institutions, and ICT Firms. The Ministry of Post and Telecom makes policies and handles the postal services. It has made strides with EMS and other postal services. LIBTELCO has made strides; it has CDMA, one of the best technologies. We managed to connect to the ACE optical fiber cable (although it seems we may have paid for more than what we need). The other operators have made significant strides too: Sim card used to be $65, today its about a dollar or less. Previously, youd have to stand in line at LTC (now LIBTELCO) to make a phone call to the USA. Today, I am able to make a phone call to the USA from RiverGEE. We saw Internet access increase. Today, more than 5 STM1s have been lit and capacity on them is running out fast. This means, the number of DIGITAL CITIZENS in Liberia has increased as well. We now have ONLINE RADIO stations, we can chat and video conference, and we can watch videos online (despite latency and other performance issues). We have slowly and painfully begun ONLINE LEARNING SERVICES. Our churches have embraced and are beginning to integrate technology to help build capacity of their members. In addition, they have begun using ICTs to bring the message of the Lord to Liberians. Today, churches use modern sound systems, lighting systems, communication systems, wireless microphone systems, etc... Additionally, there has been a paradigm shift in how the word is delivered in some churches; churches now use multimedia (i.e. Powerpoint Presentation) to deliver the word of the Lord. We have seen the social medias impact on our democracy and our economy. We have seen our Civil Societies utilize technology to enhance our democracy through their presence on the World Wide Web and the social media. We saw a renaissance that phased out what we knew as and Communications Technology Association of Liberia (ICTAL) that was founded a year ago do much in terms of advocacy in ensuring equity within Liberias ICT sector and the integration of ICT in Liberia And disappointingly, our universities still have students standing in lines to register courses, and classes are still crowded with students looking from windows of classrooms. The solution to this problem is the implementation of online registration and distance learning programs. We are connected to a submarine fiber optic cable yet our government institutions are not fiber-optically connected. We do not have e-services (e-health, e-banking, e-commerce, e-agriculture, etc). We have not automated services in ministries, agencies, organizations, etc. Schools have not integrated technology in their classrooms and their curricula, and most disappointingly, the Ministry of Education has no National Education Technology Plan. Our policy makers, I have come to realize, still view ICT as merely getting online to check email, ignoring the fact that even our funding partners like the UN, USAID, and EU have all indicated that ICT is sine qua non to economic

Comium, giving birth to what we now know as Novafone. This renaissance brought a new experience in mobile phone and Internet services to Liberians. We also saw Internet subscription costs drop noticeably as was observed by West Africa Telecoms (WAT) subscribers. Much is being done to ensure that broadband reaches the customer (LAST MILE technology). The innovative endeavors of our private operators (Lonestar, Cellcom, Novafone, West Africa Telecom, et al) have made most Liberians leapfrog into the 21st century. They continue to provide new experiences in terms of access to the Internet and mobile phone services, despite the 4G and 3.9G debate that lures. Our Government continues to realize and embrace the benefits of using Free and Open Source Software (which is also mentioned in its National ICT Policy Document). Free and Open Source Software or FOSS is being implemented at the Liberian Legislature through the support of the National Democratic Institute of International Affairs under the sponsorship of USAID. Indeed, FOSS has penetrated the Liberian spectrum and is gaining a momentum (www. Legislature.Gov.Lr). We saw the reappointment of a Board of Commissioners at LTA with the retention of majority of the previous commissioners, and the advent of two new commissioners. We also saw the Internet Society of Liberia (ISOC) elect its new corps of officers and its attempt to rejuvenate to be a part of Internet Governance in Liberia. And while the above occurred, we managed to

participate in the West Africa Internet Governance Forum. Above, I have mentioned our most significant achievements that occurred during and even before the year 2013. Below, I tell you about some of our shortcomings and a few developments I consider to be unfortunate. Despite the progress made above, we are still struggling to understand the impact that technology can have on our economy, most especially, on education. Hence, our struggle to integrate technology in schools; not even at university level. We did not see Information

development. I am deeply disheartened to mention in this article, two developments that occurred during the year in review. They include the fiasco that occurred at Novafone involving the use of a SIM BOX to defraud the government, and the suspension of the entire Board of Directors of LIBTELCO. It is my hope that the Novafone issue will be resolved and their reputation restored. In addition I would like to see a solution to the issues surrounding to suspension the Board of Directors of LIBTELCO, so that it can be restored, or replaced (if necessary) to allow them to continue providing governance to that entity. Finally, I am sure I have omitted a lot of developments that occurred in the ICT sector in 2013. But that was not done on purpose, so please forgive me if I did. I look forward to 2014 to see radical changes in our ICT sector; changes that will lead to capacity building, increased access, and innovation. Innovation is the driving force behind competition and ultimately sustainable economic growth. Until next week, Carpe diem and Merry Christmas!

Dear Readers,
The Daily Observer invites you to nominate individuals for our 2013 Person Of The Year. It should be someone who you feel has made the most impact in the life of a group, a community or the nation. Pls SMS your nominations to 0886472772. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Deadline for Submission is Friday, December 27, 2013. Thank you! The Editor

DAILY OBSERVER REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 15 14

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE- IMPROVING ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY Grant No: TF011340 NATIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES: ACCESS TO JUSTICE (ADR) ADVISOR Request for Expressions of Interest
1. Introduction The Government of Liberia has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) toward the cost of strengthening Governance Improving Access to Justice and Accountability and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to payments under the contract for the recruitment of a National Consultant. 2. Background Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including various forms of mediation, arbitration and other justice services, is regularly referenced as a solution to challenges faced by the Liberian justice system, including: increasing congestion of court dockets; high numbers of land disputes; significant costs of litigation; procedural delay; and the adversarial nature of proceedings. The Ministry of Justices three-year ADR project will explore ways by which the justice system can be more responsive to the needs of Liberians and examine means of resolving disputes outside of the formal legal process. The overall objective of the ADR project is to determine how ADR is being used in the Liberian context and pilot models that increase the effectiveness, accountability and sustainability of local ADR initiatives through some form of institutionalization or support by the MOJ. 3. Objective of the Assignment The objective of the assignment is to provide management, administrative and technical advice and support to the Ministry of Justice on the establishment of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Liberia through the piloting of ADR system in four counties. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the National Consultant in collaboration with the International Consultant will be responsible for helping to facilitate, consensus building and design of the pilot ADR activities; and establishment of pilots in four counties. The consultant will work in close collaboration with officials in the MOJ, in partnership with key strategic partners including the Judiciary, the Law Reform Commission, the Land Commission, the Liberia National Bar Association, Tribal Governors Association, representatives of civil society groups, community leaders / elders and chiefs and justice actors. The Ministry of Justice now invites eligible individual Liberian nationals to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CVs, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions). Qualifications The Access to Justice (ADR) National Consultant shall have the following educational and professional qualifications: a. Graduate degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, or related areas; b. A minimum of five years of relevant working experience; c. Experience working on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and working with traditional communities in Liberia strongly preferred; d. Excellent writing and communication skills; e. Demonstrated experience in conducting research on issues related to Dispute Resolution in similar contexts; f. Familiarity with Liberias social and legal systems An Individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Banks Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers dated January 2011. Interested individual consultants may obtain further information at the address below from Monday to Friday between 0830 hrs and 1630 hrs during working days. Expressions of Interest, clearly marked Access to Justice (ADR) Advisor National , must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail or email, by 1400 Hrs no later than January 14, 2014. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. The ADR Program Ministry of Justice, Third Floor Ashmun Street, Monrovia, Liberia Or By e-mail: adr.liberia@gmail.com

Raise Your Hand Foundation

SEASONS GREETINGS

The President and Members of the Board of Directors of Raise Your Hand Foundation in the United States, the Management and staff of the Raise Your Hand Foundation Liberia Inc., extend warmest felicitations and sincere best wishes to the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph N. Boakai, Speaker and Members of the 53rd National Legislature, the Judiciary, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Partnering Institutions, Scholarship Recipients, and all peace loving Liberians a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. As we celebrate this festive season, it is our prayer that the Almighty God continues to shower His blessings upon you all.

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 14 15

SEASONS GREETINGS

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Vice President Joseph Boakai

The CEO,Management and Staff of ArcelorMittal Liberia extend warmest wishes this Holiday Season to Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, the Speaker, President Pro-Temp and members of the 53rd Legislature, as well as the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia. Let this Season of Light guide our way into a New Year of fruitful endeavor.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 12 16

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Office of the Superintendent Nimba County Social Development Fund

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Office of the Superintendent Nimba County Social Development Fund
Sanniquellie City, Nimba County
INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR PURCHASE OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IFB N0. NC/NCB/003/12/13
1. The Nimba County Administration has received funding from AccelorMittal/The Government of Liberia through the County Social Development Fund and intends to use portion of the fund towards the purchase of one new vehicle to facilitate implementation of projects in the county. 2. The County therefore invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply of one new vehicle as indicated below:

Sanniquellie City, Nimba County

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IFB N0. NC/NCB/002/12/13
1. The Nimba County Administration has received funding from AccelorMittal/The Government of Liberia through the County and Social Development Funds and intends to use a portion of the fund towards the implementation of infrastructure projects in the county. 2. The County therefore invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for execution of the projects as indicated below:

Lot Description A 1 Elementary School Construction 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elementary School Construction Junior High School Extension to Snr High School Elementary School Extension to Jnr High School Elementary School Construction Elementary School Construction Administrative Bldg Completion Administrative Bldg Completion

Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Location Kinon Town, Yarmein Administrative District. Gbonnie Town, Yarmein Administrative District. Gbarpa Town, Yarmein Admin District Zolowee Town, Sanniquellie Mah Admin District Sanniquellie Airfield Community, Sanniquellie Mah Admin District Gehwee Town, Sanniquellie Mah Admin. District Baylehglay Hdq, Zoe-Gbao Admin. District Payee Hdq, Gbor Admin. District

3. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) method of procurement specified in the Public Procurement & Concessions Acts (PPCA), and is open to all eligible bidders. General Qualification Criteria: Contact person, phone number Companys profile including brief history and past performance record with at least three references Companys Articles of Incorporation (including Notary Certificate) Valid 2013 Ministry of Commerce Business Registration Certificate Ministry of Finance current Tax Clearance Bid security of 2% of quoted bid price by bidder in absolute value drawn on a reputable bank in Liberia Availability of spare parts Vehicle maintenance workshop (Added advantage) 4. Interested Bidders/Firms may obtain additional information and bids documents from the Procurement Officer in the Office of the Superintendent in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County starting from Wednesday November 27, 2013, (Monday to Friday) 9:30am to 4:00pm daily for a non-refundable fee of US$100.00 (One Hundred United States Dollars). Bidders may bid for more than one lot. 5. Deadline for bids submission is Friday, December 27th, 2013 at 12:00 noon and bids will be immediately open in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend at 1:00pm in the conference room of the Administrative Building in Sanniquellie City. 6. Sealed bids indicating lot number and name, labeled: IFBN0. NCA/ NCB/003/12/13 written on back of envelop must be delivered to the Procurement Officer in the Superintendents Office, Sanniquellie City, Nimba County, not later than December 27th, 2013 at 12:00 noon. 7. No alternative bids or electronic bids will be accepted. Late bids will be rejected and returned unopened. 8. The County Procurement Committee reserves the right to reject or accept any bid submitted and to annul or postpone the exercise at any time without incurring any liability or assigning any reason thereto. Invitation for Bid and Award of Contract will be offered to qualified bidders in accordance with procurement procedures applicable under Republic of Liberia PPC Act. NOTE: ALL FIRMS/BIDDERS WHO EARLIER APPLIED IN RESPONSE TO THE LAST IFB ARE REQUESTED TO UPDATE THEIR BID DOCUMENTS AND RE-SUBMIT WITHOUT MAKING ANY FURTHER PAYMENT. All Bids including the above required documents must be addressed to: The Procurement Director Nimba County Snniquellie City, Liberia Contact: 0886493075/0886-570-719 Signed: Secretary/Procurement Committee Nimba County Approved: Chairperson/Procurement Committee & Superintendent, Nimba County

Lot Description Qty B 1 Diesel Double Cabin 4WD 1 Nimba County Pickup, 5 speed Transportation

Location

3. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) method of procurement specified in the Public Procurement & Concessions Acts (PPCA) and approved by the Public Procurement & Concession Commission (PPCC), and is open to all eligible bidders. General Qualification Criteria: Contact person, phone number Companys profile including brief history and past performance record with at least three references Companys Articles of Incorporation (including Notary Certificate) Valid 2013 Business Registration Certificate Valid Ministry of Public Works Certificate (Current) Valid Tax Clearance Bid security of 2% of the quoted bid price by bidders in absolute value drawn on a reputable bank in Liberia Capacity to pre-finance construction works 4. Interested Bidders/Firms may obtain additional information and bid documents from the Procurement Officer in the Office of the Superintendent in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County is starting from Wednesday, November 27, 2013, (Monday to Friday) 9:30am to 4:00pm daily for a non-refundable fee of US$100.00 (One Hundred United States Dollars). Bidders may bid for more than one project. 5. Deadline for bid submission is Friday, December 27, 2013 at 12:00 noon and bids will be immediately open in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend at 1:00pm in the conference room of the Administrative Building in Sanniquellie City. 6. Sealed bids indicating the lot number and project title, labeled: IFBN0. NC/NCB/002/12/13 written on the back of envelop must be delivered to the Procurement Officer in the Superintendents Office, Sanniquellie City, Nimba County, not later than December 27th, 2013 at 12:00 noon. 7. No alternative bids or electronic bids will be accepted. Late bids will be rejected and returned unopened. 8. The County Procurement Committee reserves the right to reject or accept any bid submitted and to annul or postpone the exercise at any time without incurring any liability or assigning any reason thereto. Invitation for Bid and Award of Contract will be offered to qualified bidders in accordance with procurement procedures applicable under the Republic of Liberia PPCC Act published and approved, September 2005. Consideration will be given to the most responsive firms/entities that have the capacity to provide pre-financing service to the projects. NOTE: ALL FIRMS/BIDDERS WHO EARLIER APPLIED IN RESPONSE TO THE LAST IFB ARE REQUESTED TO UPDATE THEIR BID DOCUMENTS AND RESUBMIT WITHOUT MAKING ANY FURTHER PAYMENT. All Bids including the above required documents must be addressed to: The Procurement Director Nimba County Sanniquellie City, Liberia Contact: 0886493075/0886-570-719 Signed: Secretary/Procurement Committee Nimba County

Approved: Chairperson/Procurement Committee & Superintendent, Nimba County

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 17 6

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

SEASONS GREETINGS
The Management of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) extends season greetings to Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia; Vice President Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai; The Speaker of the Honorable House of Representative; The President Pro-Temperate of the Honorable House of Senate; The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia; The Diplomatic Missions near this Capital; our local and International Partners; and the peace loving people of Liberia; May God Almighty grant you, Madam President and your Government the strength, Courage and Grace to foster peace, unity, and reconciliation among our people.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Liberia Telecommunications Authority

12th Street Sinkor Tubman Boulevard, Monrovia, Liberia

SEASONS GREETINGS

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 18 7

VACANCY
CICA Motors Liberia Inc. former Reelin (Liberia) Inc., the distributor of TOYOTA, YAMAHA and BRIDGESTONE Products in Liberia is accepting applications for the position of a SECRETARY. Qualification: 1. Must have a Diploma in Secretarial Science A Bachelors Degree will be an advantage in Secretarial Science or Management; 2. Must have a very good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office package; 3. Must be proficient in both written and spoken English Spoken and Written French will be an advantage; 4. Must have worked within a reputable institution or company for not less than three years; 5. Must be between the ages of 25 and 35; 6. Must be a Liberian. All applications must be submitted to the below address on or before Monday, December 30, 2013 at 4 pm: Ref: Vacancy for Secretary The Human Resource Supervisor CICA Motors Liberia Inc. Sayon Town, Bushrod Island Monrovia, Liberia Only short listed candidates will be contacted

DAILY OBSERVER

Tuesday December 24, 2013

Page 10 19

DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23, 2013 Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Page 20

By Dinfin Mulup (Courtesy: Howwemadeitinafrica. com)

Report Highlights 2014 Trends in Mergers and Acquisitions

economic recovery in many developed countries, and that M&A activity is essentially procyclical, it is natural that multinational companies that want to expand their businesses through M&A are turning towards highgrowth African economies, said a finance director in Zimbabwe. 2. Chinas influence The growth of M&A activity will be driven by acquisitions by Chinese companies. Most deals will be in the energy, mining and utilities sector as China seeks to secure raw materials to satisfy the huge demands of its own industries. Three of the top 10 deals of 2013 involved Chinese companies. The biggest of these transactions, with a value of US$4.2bn, was China National Petroleum Corporations acquisition of a 28.57% stake in Eni East Africa Spa from Eni Spa. Chinese companies also see the potential to sell their products to the African market, and are looking to set up their own plants in the region by acquiring African companies. 3. Energy is the lead sector The energy sector accounts for the largest share in terms of both volume of deals and value this year. Nearly all respondents (95%) tipped energy mining and utilities to be among the busiest over the 12 months. A South African head of corporate development said the energy sector has gained tremendous value and foreign investors are flocking in to acquire energy support so they can gain access to the energy resources available. Oil, gas and mining assets in Africa are crucial for global companies in terms of securing reserves and ensuring continued production with high margins. Indeed, most deals in extractive industries will have foreign companies partnering with local companies, said the director of a private equity firm in Togo. 4. The middle class effect Africas burgeoning middle class is inspiring increased M&A activity in the consumer sector as local and global firms capitalise on rising demand. More than half of respondents said the consumer sector will be busiest in terms of M&A in 2014. The opportunity presented by Africas booming middle class is proving irresistible for global consumer companies, which are increasingly expanding their operations to target brandhungry consumers. This trend is not limited to foreign companies with domestic consumer companies also growing their business regionally through M&A, said one Angolan financial director. 5. Outbound activity to Europe Amongst respondents who expect an increase in outbound M&A from Africa, some 24% take the view that Europe will be the principal destination. This was attributed to favourable valuations in Europe. A financial director in Zimbabwe said outbound M&A activity will be directed towards Europe to acquire technology and distressed assets. African companies want to go global and learn the practices of foreign companies so that they can become more competitive in the global market. Considering the distressed situation in Europe and superior technology and famous brands they have, African companies will first prefer European countries for outbound deals, said a partner at a private equity firm in South Africa. 6. Cross-border acquisitions by African firms on the rise African companies expanding in the region account for the largest share of M&A deal volumes and this is expected to rise in 2014. The portion of African acquirers has remained broadly steady since 2006, generally accounting for 50%-60% of total deal volume in each year. I think African companies are looking to expand regionally and grow their market share so that they can reduce the competition from foreign companies and prevent foreign companies from dominating their markets, said one partner from a law firm in Nigeria. African companies have a lot of cash on their balance sheets, which gives them confidence and aids getting the approval of stakeholders. 7. South Africa is lead acquirer South Africa was identified as the regions most active cross-border acquirer. Notably, South African outbound M&A is expected to rise as South African companies continue to pursue opportunities across

he recently released Deal Drivers Africa report highlighted trends to expect in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the continent in 2014. The reports research is based on interviews with 100 M&A practitioners operating in Africa, including corporate executives, private equity investors, investment bankers and legal advisers. The report was published by media company Mergermarket in collaboration with law firm ENSafrica and South African-based bank Nedbank Capital. Here is what to watch out for in M&A activity in 2014. 1. M&A activity on the rise M&A activity is expected to increase in 2014. Investors will be attracted by the regions high rate of growth, improved governance and huge wealth of still relatively untapped natural resources. Our region is among the fastest growing in the world. This growth is set to continue over the coming years. Considering the sluggish

y favourite e x a m p l e for Virgin [Group] was when Sir Richard Branson launched double beds on Virgin Atlantic And a journalist said to Sir Richard Branson: This is a brilliant idea. How did you come up with this idea? And Sir Richard Branson said: I didnt come up with the milehigh club I just decided to give consumers what they wanted. This example was highlighted by Carl Bates during a Business Partners seminar in Cape Town, South Africa concerning the difference between product and promise in business. Bates, a New Zealandborn business speaker,

By Kate Douglas (Courtesy: Howwemadeitinafrica. com)

Why Business Success Comes From Offering a Promise, Not a Product

the continent. After South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana were expected to be the next most active cross-border acquirers over the next 12 months in Africa. A managing director in Tanzania attributed this to the two countries strong economic growth. 8. Private equity exits on the rise More than half of respondents expect a spike in private equity exits to increase over the coming 12 months due to the attractiveness of other emerging markets. Despite this, the vast majority of respondents expect an increase in private equity activity over the coming year. Price reductions in other emerging markets have given rise to exits in Africa. Valuations in Africa are rising as the demand for African operations increase, leading investors to look for new markets to invest where the valuations are lower and the return on investment is greater, explained a finance director in Algeria.

Carl Bates, managing director of Sirdar Global Group

mentor, author and global entrepreneur, is the founder and managing director of business advisory and solutions company Sirdar Global Group (and is also CE of the Sirdar South Africa Group). During his presentation, Bates told business owners there is a fundamental difference between a business that delivers a product and a business that delivers a promise. His Virgin Atlantic example shows how Branson, founder of Virgin Group, focused his business strategy on delivering a promise to meet the needs of consumers, rather than on products. If you think business is about creating money you will never create the wealth you could otherwise create in business, explained Bates, noting the irony

in this statement. If you understand that business is not about making money, its about delivering a promise, you will fundamentally change the game. He added that the role of an entrepreneur should be to undertake a promise to consumers and the role of the enterprise should be to hold that promise. The most successful businesses on the planet understand the context of promise. The Disney World example Another example of an enterprise that understands the importance of delivering a promise in business is Disney World, which Bates said holds the promise of creating magic. The way Disney operates in everything they do demonstrates the use of their promise. For instance, the way Disney World disposes of its rubbish.

Bates highlighted that Disney World in Florida, the US has around 100,000 people walk through its gates and up its Main Street USA each day. Could you imagine the amount of rubbish that would be put in rubbish bins up and down Main Street USA on any given day? Could you imagine a 20 ton truck driving up Main Street USA on the way to Cinderella Castle? It would break the magic. So what do they do? They empty every rubbish bin in Disney around the world from under the ground. According to Bates, when Disney World in Florida was hit by a hurricane in 2006, they managed to get up and running almost immediately. The hurricane hit Disney World in Florida at 3pm one afternoon. At 9am the next morning Disney World in Florida opened without a single sign of damage to the average [visitor]. This, explained Bates, is an example of how Disney sticks to its promise of creating magic for consumers, no matter what.

To highlight his point, Bates asked his audience if they had heard of Knotts Berry Farm in California and only one person raised his hand. Its arguably a better theme park than Disney, Bates said. The critics say its a better theme park. I have been there its a better theme park than Disney if you define a theme park by the specifications of the product. But, he added, in a room full of people who have heard about Disney World, only one person has heard about Knotts Berry Farm. Bates said this was because the one delivers a product while the other delivers a promise. He recommended that every entrepreneur reads Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell. Disney is about the concept of promise. They understand that their business is about creating magic. The challenge for us as entrepreneurs, if we truly want to succeed, is to understand the difference between product and promise and choose the game we want to play, he concluded.

DAILY OBSERVER Tuesday, December 24, 2013

section alias 48 Kru Section and the Sarpo section called Six Sarpo Sections were established to promote unity, development, and peace among tribal groups, but the interferences of political actors have overshadowed the original status quo. Edward Kanmoh, secretary of Concerned Citizens, and three other members, Nelson Myers, Jlakon Blamoh, and Bill Wleh, told the Daily Observer that the seed of tribal discord was planted by Senator Mobutu Nyenpan, and Representative Matthew Zarzar. This allegation was denied by Curtis Jackson, Elijah Doe, and

Tribal Tension

Page 21
ome of tribal equilibrium, but because of pervasive politicking by Senator Mobutu Nyenpan and Rep. Matthew Zarzar, tribal disunity is hurting the county, Superintendent Teahjay said. Senator Nyenpan refuted Superintendent Teahjays allegation and labeled him as the virus of the county. He told the Daily Observer that prior to the appointment of Superintendent Teahjay, the people of Sinoe were peaceful and united, but the emergence of Teahjay brought disunity among the tribes. Teahjay is a virus in Sinoe, can you imagine he has publicly told the people of Sinoe that this is the time for Kru people, because they are in majority. From 1955-1962, he joined the former Liberia Mining Company (LMC) where he served as Mail Clerk and later Accounts Clerk. He served as Justice of the Peace and Associate Magistrate from 19621964, and from 1964-1970, the late Judge Metzger was appointed as Traffic Court Judge in then Bomi Territory; and was again promoted as Circuit Judge for Bomi County in 1978. He finally served as Ad Hoc Chief Justice for a Special Court Constituted at the Supreme Court of Liberia from 2003 to 2004. Judge Metzger was joined in holy matrimony with Marsay Manobah in Bomi Hills in 1955 and was blessed with several children; his wife predeceased him. Later in 1962, Judge Metzger and Bernice Stubblefield tied knots in Monrovia and the union was again blessed with several children. The late Judge was a memAttorney Sumo sounded an urgent appeal to the Liberian Government, specifically the Ministry of Justices Correction Unit, for logistical support that would ensure the protection and safety of the detainees. Attorney Sumo also added that under the Liberian law, pretrial detainees should not be kept in jail indefinitely as the Liberian Government would be accused of human rights violations. The Sinoe County Senator also boasted of tribal equilibrium in his employment and said there is evidence that Teahjay has pursued Kru men to avoid dating Sarpo women. Despite the heating up of the in-fighting between the Sarpos and Krus in 201, Sinoe County Police Chief Superintendent Lloyd B. Togba said there has not been any major standoff. There is no tribal disunity though there are Kru and Sarpo Sections, and we believe they are there for development, Police Supt. Togba said. Efforts to contact Rep. Matthew Zarzar by mobile phones proved futile. ber of several fraternities, including poro society, Grand United Brothers of Friendship (UBF), Grand Order of Odd Fellows (GUOOF), and Grand Junior Warden and Honorary Deputy Grand Master, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons, Republic of Liberia. He is survived by his widow Mrs. Bernice Stubblefield Metzger; his children William Jr., Wayne and Wilmot (USA), Winifred, Wilhelmina, Maima, Kula, Jenneh and Wilfred. Siblings: Dr. Kanda Golafale, Mrs. Miatta Metzger Sherman (USA), Momodu and Dao; several grand and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and host of other relatives, including the Dagosehs, Konuwas, Mabandes, Sheriffs, Simpsons, Teahs, Shermans, Kamaras, Dunbars, Kannehs and friends in Liberia and abroad. When contacted yesterday, Lofa County Superintendent George Dunor also underscored the need for improvement of the Voinjama Correction Palace in Lofa County. Supt. Dunor stated that since the Wednesday Voinjama Correction Palace jail break and subsequent arrest of some of the detainees, Lofa County has remained calm and peaceful.

By J. Burgess Carter

He Remained

Alexander Wah, members of another youth group -- Youth United for Development, who accused Superintendent J. Milton Teahjay of igniting and promoting disunity among Sarpos and Krus in the county. The Concerned Citizens explained that Sen. Nyenpan and the late Nelson Wah Bah secretly told the Sarpos not to vote for a Kru candidate, which caused Sen. Joseph Nagbe to emerge as Junior Senator. They also argued that prior to the elections of Rep. Zarzar of District #3, who replaced the late Rep. Bah, Rep. Zarzar also, promised to reconcile the Kru and Sarpos, but

has since failed to do so after getting elected. Mr. Jackson, described the allegations as a fabrication and a lie. He argued that the elections of Sen. Nyenpan and Rep. Zarzar were based on their non-ethnic campaigns in Sinoe. He stated that the formation of the Sarpo Section was created in the 1980s to primarily foster peace, while the Kru Section was founded after the civil war. The president of the Tatweh Youth Group, who is also the head of the Federation of Liberian Youth branch in Greenville, Hilary Quiatoh, also confirmed the division among the two major tribes. The Kru and Sarpo Sections depict a division, but we want served as deacon. Supreme Court Bench The Supreme Court Bench was led by Chief Justice Francis Saye Korkpor and Associate Justices, who in their tribute, expressed sadness over the home going of Judge Metzger, whom they described as a brilliant legal mind. Family Tribute The family tribute, read by one of Judge Metzgers younger siblings, Mr. Clarence B. Metzger, narrated how close his brother was to the family, saying it did not matter how far apart they were, he was always in contact; and as such, important news about him was relayed from the United States where some of the family members reside. Judge Metzger died November 26, 2013 at the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia after months of illness. He was in his 89th year. Attendees Among those who attended his funeral included members victed rapists, murderers, and pretrial detainees. The Lofa County Attorney explained that the Prisons Superintendent and staff have complained about the lack of equipment to protect the crowded jail compound in Voinjama. Other constraints, according to Atty Sumo include lack of vehicles, communications equipment, and safe drinking water. Constant delays on the part

to suggest peace conferences and meetings for the sake of bringing peace to our people, Mr. Quiatoh said. When our reporter contacted Sinoe Superintendent J. Milton Teahjay, he said there was no tribal disunity in Sinoe County, but indicated that the48 Kru Section and Six Sarpo Sections were purposely founded to promote development, peace, and unity. Superintendent Teahjah admitted being responsible for the reactivation of the 48 Kru Sections, but clarified that it was wrongly perceived. He claimed it was intended to foster peace, development, and unity among the Kru tribe. Compared to past Superintendents, my office is the epitof the Cape Mount and Bomi Counties Legislative Caucus, Trial Judges of Liberia, and the Chairman of Unity Party, Cllr. Varney G. Sherman, among many others. He was buried in his hometown of Damballa on Saturday, after a night of wake-keeping. The late Judge Metzger was born on October 1, 1925 unto the union of Mr. Boima Kelkeh Metzger and Mrs. Jembeh K. Metzger in Damballa Town, Porkpa District, Grand Cape Mount County. Bill, as he preferred to be called, attended elementary schools in Damballa, and the Mambo Episcopal Elementary in Tewor, District and later the St. Johns Episcopal High School in Robersport as well as the Laboratory High, now William V.S. Tubman High in Monrovia, where he graduated with a Diploma. He later matriculated to the University of Liberia for a semester under the watchful eyes of Dr. T. Ebenezer Ward. of the local court system have led to overcrowdedness at the Voinjama Correction Palace, resulting in the current jail break, Attorney Sumo also asserted. We are making steady progress in cracking down on the escaped prisoners wherever their hideouts may be in order to ensure the protection and safety of the citizens and residents of Voinjama and other towns, Attorney Sumo assured.

espite retiring several years prior to his demise, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has eulogized the late former Ad Hoc Supreme Court Justice William B. Metzger, Sr., as a devoted member of the black robe family. Reading a tribute on behalf of the LNBA during wakekeeping over the remains of the fallen former judge at the Trinity Cathedral Catholic Church on Broad Street last Friday, a spokesman of the Association, Cllr. James Verdier, recalled the role the late Judge Metzger played to help inspire him and others to reach where they are today. Cllr. Verdier, who was recently nominated as Chair of

of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) personnel from Gbarnga, Bong County, have launched a manhunt for the escaped prisoners. Attorney Sumo said that as a result of the cooperation of local residents in the villages, several of the escaped detainees from the Voinjama Correction Palace would all be

Escaped Detainees

the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), further recalled that Judge Metzger--even in his retirement years--remained a staunch member of the LNBA and travelled with the Association to several parts of the country to attend annual conferences. Rt Rev. Hart Funeral Discourse In his funeral discourse last Friday, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jonathan B.B. Hart, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Liberia, challenged the bereaved family and friends of Judge Metzger to emulate his good Christian virtues. As a devout Christian, Bishop Hart remembered how many Sundays; he left Bomi Hills where he spent the better part of his life, to come to Monrovia for service whenever a Priest was unavailable to conduct Mass at the St. Paul Episcopal Church where he

arrested soon. The ERU security personnel have been deployed in Voinjama City in order to beef up the strength of the police for the Christmas and New Year season. On December 18, Voinjamas central corrections facility was hit by a massive jail break. A majority of the escaped prisoners were con-

By C.Y. Kwanue

Liberian Takes

he Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) last week moved closer to operational independence when a Liberian Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col), Daniel Ziankahn assumed command of the 23rd Brigade situated at Edward Biyan Kessely Barracks, near Camp Schefflin, Margibi County. The Liberian took over command from a Nigerian Army officer, Colonel S.K. Adorkor. According to the a statement from the US Embassy in Monrovia, this change of

command in the restructured AFL marks the first time that a Liberian officer has commanded the unit in four years. The change of command ceremony, the statement said, featured a passing of the colors, an official transfer of authority, and a display of the lineages of previous commanders. The assumption of brigade command by Lt Col. Ziankahn, who is described as one of the AFLs best leaders, is a seminal event in Liberias progression toward fully commanding its own military. The United States and ECOWAS military mentors have conducted sustained military-to-military training

(L-R) S.K. Adorkor and Zhankhan

engagements with the AFL to help them build a more professional and capable military force one that will effectively contribute to the overall security environment and that is a force for good within Liberia. The restructuring of the AFL became necessary following the adaptation of the Comprehensive Accra Peace Accord in 2003 that finally put an end to 14-long years of civil strife. Since that time, the strength of the new AFL has been between 1,000 to 2,000; with some being placed on perpetual absence without official leave (AWOL), while some have also been dropped from the official list for various reasons ranging from indiscipline to disorderly conduct among others.

DAILY OBSERVER Tuesday, December 24, 2013

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU
Place a number from 1 to 9 in every empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box containing all the numbers from 1 to 9. No number can appear twice in a row, column or 3x3 box. Do not guess you can work it out by process of elimination. GOOD LUCK!

ANGEL BELLS BETHLEHEM CANDLES CANDY CANE CAROLS DECORATIONS EGGNOG FAMILY FRANKINCENSE FRIENDS FRUITCAKE GABRIEL GIFTS GOLD GREETING CARDS HOLLY ICICLES JESUS JOSEPH LIGHTS

Christmas

The Other Page

MANGER MARY MISTLETOE MYRRH ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA SHEPHERDS SKATES SLEIGH SNOWFLAKES SNOWMAN STABLE STAR STOCKING THREE WISE MEN TOBOGGAN TOYS TREE WREATH

With Fumbah Kromah & BSG

My peopo ohhh, Yor come for me ohhhh! Soon-a I buy my Christmas gifts, de bana-men dem jeck everytin!

Last weeks results:

POLITICALLY X-P-DIENT
With A. Leslie Lumeh

But, Your Honor Suh, Of course Im a Liberian!

Circle the 10 differences between the two illustrations below:

BRAIN GAME

WITH Fumbah Kromah

Last weeks results:

Tuesday, November 5, 24, 2013 DAILY OBSERVER Monday, December 23,2013 2013 Tuesday, December

Page 4 Page 23

Fo r ad qu ve ick rt ise bu in sine th ss is re sp su ac lts e ,

Baxter Challenges LFA, Ministry on Poor Representation

-But SG Alphonso Armah Says LFA Works on Case By Case Basis
By Omari Jackson

Read more sports articles on the Daily Observer website @ www.liberianobserver.com/sports

Champion Jaytee Gets Heroic Welcome

onathan Armah Baxter, former striker of Bomi County, Bame, Mighty Barolle, St. Josephs Warriors and finally the NPA-Anchors Football Club shows little emotion, for he is as tough as the hills of Bomi County. But when it comes to the demise of footballers who held his hands, at one time and encouraged him to pursue his dream as a footballer, and those he played along with, the apparent lack of interest by sports officials at both the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Liberia Football Association leave him with many questions. This year, Jonathan Armah Baxter was at a church where former Bomi County strongman Mark Finos funeral was held, and sadly there was no sports official presence to support the family as well as bid the deceased goodbye. Then at the funeral of former Lone Star and Invincible Eleven player, Pete Roberts, in Monrovias Bardnersville, who was also the immediate past president of the LFA SubAssociation in Bomi County, there was no sport official present. At least it is at such an occasion that Liberia should honor her heroes, J. Armah Baxter said, out of frustration. When Baxter learned that

LFA Scribe Alphonso Armah and Jonathan Armah Baxter

there was no material or financial assistance to those mentioned above; and there was also none to the late Victor Sieh, who had died several months previously, he was filled with shame. This should not be happening to athletes who made the country proud when they were so young and made it a necessity for Liberia to be recognized in sports, Baxter told journalists at the time. And when last Thursday, December 19, when there was no official from either the LFA or the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the funeral of former St. Josephs Warriors President David L. Bropleh, held in Monrovia, Jonathan Baxter thought it was too much to let it go without a comment. But when he learned that neither the Ministry of Youth and Sports nor the LFA has a standing policy instructing the two organizations about what must be done from them in a period of death, Baxter said sports officials should by now have crafted such a policy. This should not be too difficult, Baxter said, I hope that the ministry and the football association should be thinking about this. Though the LFA provided U$300 towards the late Broplehs home-going but provided more than U$10,000 to the late Frank Seators family, the disparity did not sit well with the one-time goal-poacher, Baxter. No one needs to demand stakeholders to see the need to come up with a policy that spells out the standard contribution from the LFA towards spectacular and memorable events to start the year. Set to take place at the iconic 65 000 sitter Cape Town Stadium which will also host all Group A matches, including the Quarter Finals and Final, the Opening Ceremony will set the tone for what is set to be a ground-breaking tournament. Themed Celebrating Africas Home Champions, the Orange CHAN 2014 Opening Ceremony will showcase the diversity and beauty of Africa with its fusion of African arts, music and dance. The Opening Ceremony, scheduled to officially mark the start of the Orange CHAN

CHAN 2014 Brings Out Top Artists

the funeral of its members, Armah said. In reaction LFA Secretary General Alphonso Armah yesterday told the Daily Observer that while crafting such a policy may not be an ideal solution, the LFA has always been supportive of families who lose members who were once affiliated with the football association. On many occasions family members who decided to inform the LFA whenever there was a former affiliate who died, only sent a letter informing the LFA about the homegoing without informing the association its intended role. In such an occasion, Secretary General Armah said, it makes it difficult to know what the family wants the LFA to do. He said LFA Boss, Musa Bility is sympathetic to issues that affect anyone connected to the association but pointed out that whatever conditions that might have happened in the past, the LFA stands well prepared to console any of its members in the best available material and financial support possible. Secretary Armah said the LFA takes decisions on a case by case basis when there are funds available and therefore it is unfortunate that at a particular point in the past it seemed that more attention was paid to support the home-going of others than others. Once the LFA is aware of the recommendations of a particular situation, SG Armah said, we work with the family to provide needed contribution as much as we can. 2014 will start at exactly 16h00 and will boast great performances by Jimmy Dludlu, The Soil, Zolani Mkhiva, Jessica Mpangeni and a whole lot more wonderful musical talent the country possesses. In orchestrating this magnificent production, the LOC has appointed non-other than renowned choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo who was behind the exceptional Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Afcon 2013. Orange CHAN 2014 will be the first major event of the year when South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy.

Dwight Trokon Joseph--Champion

Mvuzo MbebeCHAN 2014

South Africa 2014 has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the Opening Ceremony of the tournament is one of the most

he Local Organising Committee of the Orange African Nations Championship

ver 300 youths including members of the Master Russian Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, formerly Scorpion Taekwondo Club stormed the Robert International Airport on Sunday night, to give US based mixedmartial champion, Dwight Trokon Joseph, a heroic welcome. The welcoming, according to the organizers, was an honor to the unbeaten fighter, who won the Dynasty Combat Sports Featherweight Championship belt after six undefeated fights, on Saturday, August 24, 2013 in Nebraska. The 24-year-old, alias Jaytee, on the Saturday, December 14, 2013 won his seventh indisputable fight in the Chuka Willis Victory Fighting Championship. In an exclusive interview with reporters, Jaytee expressed his surprise over the welcoming ceremony and stated that he is proud to come home (Liberia) with his belt. I am astonished but happy to be home and will be here for a month to rest, he said. Accordingly, the Dynasty Combat Sports Featherweight Belt is expected to be turned over to the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports. At the welcoming party, the Master Russian Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, under Junior Pewee-Russian, performed a pomsae (a drill in taekwondo), along with cultural and folktale songs. We are here to express our appreciation to Jaytee for the good fights so far, and we brought these kids to tell them that Jaytee was once a student like them and also want to urge them that he can be their mentor, Master Russian said. He added: We are proud of Jaytee; seven fights, seven wins, no loss and draw. Master Russian is the vice

By Leroy M. Sonpon, III

president for technical affairs of the Liberia Wushu Association and the former vice president for technical affairs, Liberia Taekwondo Federation. Mr. Eric Nagbe, the head of the friends and fans Jaytee, told the Daily Observer, Jaytee is a symbol of inspiration, and is worth emulating. For his part, the Executive Director of the Center of Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) Malcolm Joseph, who is also an uncle to Jaytee, told reporters that the welcoming ceremony is also to encourage Jaytee in his career. According to the US Mixed Martial Arts website Jaytee began his winning spree on April 28, 2012, as a featherweight, knocking out Roland Gonzalez . His second fight was on June 30, 2012, in Lightweight (155 pounds), defeating Matt Zuroski in the Disorderly Conduct/Fireworks Mixed Martial Arts on Saturday, December 15, 2012. He also whipped Tyler Bell in the Victory Fighting Championship, with a technical knockout. On January, 3, 2013, Jaytee defeated James Reed in the Victory Fighting Champions with an arm-triangle choke. On Friday, April 12, 2013, Jaytee flogged Tony Ortega in the Disorderly Conduct/ Spring Bawl and then on Saturday, August 24, 2013, he smashed Morgan Schulz in the Dynasty Combat Sports 2/Summer Showdown with a rear naked choke and won the Dynasty Combat Sports Featherweight Belt. Jaytee is the son of Liberias eminent Certified Public Accountant Theo Joseph of Baker Tilly Liberia. He attended the Early Learning Foundation School and the J. J. Roberts United Methodist School in Liberia, and is a graduate of Doane College in Crete, Nebraska with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.

Fo r ad qu ve ick rt ise bu in sine th ss is re sp su ac lts e ,

ADVERTISE HERE TODaY. CaLL 0886472772

VOL. 16. NO. 44 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

What Did Dr. Owl Say?

Dogs understand each other by their barking and men by their words.
Dr. Owls African guest

Police Get Involved in Community -Promise Peaceful Christmas Cleanup Exercise

West Point Commissioner Flowers fears cholera break in the township
done for our Zone II Base. Representing the United Nations counterparts of the police, Madam Marufau Barimah admits that the community has been helpful to the Police Depot in the community. She didnt say how the community has been helpful, but added: Security is everybodys responsibility.

PRICE: LD 40

Col. Massaquoi spearheads clean-up exercise

day, December 22, sent out an impassioned call for the halted Beaches and Waterways Project to continue unabated. The Beaches and Waterways Project, an initiative launched by the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), paid West Pointers to keep the beaches and other parts of the township clean. However, with the cessation of that project, Commissioner Flowers fears cholera outbreak in that township, which is one of Liberias biggest slum communities. Most of the community dwellers live in a very unhygienic condition. They use the bank of the Mesurado River on one side and the beach of the Atlantic Ocean on the other side as defecating sites. Just before Col. Massaquoi and others could begin the cleanup exercise, he disclosed that the police had put a strategy in place in order to secure the protection of citizens and residents alike and together sustain the peace during this festive season. I want you to enjoy your Christmas and your New Years Day and I can guarantee you that you will have a peaceful holiday season, the police boss told West Pointers. Col. Massaquoi also called on the township residents not to be afraid of the police as they are there to provide protection; adding: This is why the Liberia National Police is taking its community relations to the people. He said the polices visits to the various zones and depots in the communities are its way of celebrating the season with the communities members. He said all that communities can do is respect the police and the police will in turn respect you. He urged communities to develop a kind of relationship with the police that would include a crimerelation reporting, comprising report cases involving rape.

fficers of the Liberia National Police, including their overall boss, Col. Clarence C. Massaquoi, Monday, December 23, launched a community cleanup exercise, beginning in West Point. Police Director Massaquoi and his fellow Liberian officers were joined in the exercise by other officers servicing in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The polices cleanup exercise is being held under the theme: Taking the Police to the Community, and it is mainly going to target communities with police depots. Director Massaquoi and his officers were likely responding to the plea from West Point Commissioner Miatta H. Flowers. Commissioner Flowers, in a Daily Observer interview Sun-

Most West Pointers use the Mesurado as defecating site

He told speaking out was the best way of identifying with the police and or helping the police. He challenged the community to help reduce crimes, whether it is armed robbery or others. Madam Rose Stryker, Deputy Police Inspector for Administration, also said their visit in the communities was to say thanks to those communities for helping to maintain peace and security in the country. Madam Stryker further stated: We have brought sweets for the children to say a Merry Christmas and this is a small token to the children. We have also come to help you clean the community; we are saying to you that we hold West Point dear to us for what you have

The Daily Observer invites you to nominate individuals for our 2013 Person Of The Year. It should be someone who you feel has made the most positive impact in the life of a group, a community or the nation. Pls SMS your nominations to 0886472772. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Deadline for Submission is Friday, December 27, 2013. Thank you! -The Editor

Dear Readers,

Published by the Liberian Observer Corporation (LOC), 23 McDonald Street, P.O. Box 1858, Monrovia, Liberia; Tel: 06 812-888; 06 578476; and 06 472772; Printed by the Observer Printing Press; Bai S. Best, Marketing Manager; Lindiw Khumalo Yasiah, Business Strategist; Publisher & Managing Director, Kenneth Y. Best.

TUESDAY, DEC. 24, 2013indd 1

12/23/13 11:53 PM