-don’t deceive our people
An executive of the former ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned members of the ruling Unity Party (UP) of Africa’s first democratically elected female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to stop deceiving the international community that all is what he ‘rosary’ as hardship has engulfed the entire country.
“I don’t care how distance the Unity Party government wants to be from the truth, our people are catching hard time; if you want people to sing songs of praises, go to your party headquarters let your partisans do that, but do not deceive our people,” Mr. Lewis Brown said.
Speaking at debate organized by the Students Unification Party (SUP) of the University of Liberia under the theme: “A Critical Look at the Unity Party Led Government after Four Years down the Read, Where are we”? said it is not enough for the government to boast of the number of school buildings that been or are being constructed across the country, but the standards and quality of education that are being offered in those buildings is what matters.
“Save the buildings and teach me under the trees or kitchen but up to standard that I can compute with other students in the region and other parts of the world and represent my-self, my family and the country,” the NPP executive noted.
He said the World Bank recent report rated Liberia very poorly in human resource capacity building or development, adding, that 50% of teachers in Liberia are untrained and if the educational sector must be revamped to allow Liberian students to compute with other students in the region and other parts of the world, the government should place more priority on the educational sector in its budget.
Mr. Brown said the Unity Party led government should rather applaud the oppositions for the level of constructive engagement or criticisms on issues of national concerns being experienced in the country, unlike in the past that oppositions including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and others choose to oppose or disagree with issues by supporting and raging war on the country.
He however commanded the government for the level of enrolment in the primary schools between girls and boys of school going ages.
Defending the other side of the coin, Maryland County Senator, John Ballout said the UP administration inherited what he called ‘a fail state’ that was of no significance and has transformed it into a beacon of hope for the continent of Africa and the world at large.
“Shame on those opposition politicians who have got nothing to offer but to take up the microphones and air waves to confuse the ordinary people by deception and lies,” Senator Ballout said.
He said the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s government has provided the platform and the space for oppositions and others to freely express themselves which was never experienced under past administrations.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Monitor reporter wins human rights reporting award
A reporter of the Equal Chance Communication Limited, publisher of The Monitor Newspaper has been named amongst winners of just ended human rights reporting competition of the Journalists for Human Rights (JHR).
Sam Zota, Junior was on Thursday, February 11, 2010 presented a certificate and a Panasonic mini-cassette recorder in the honorable mention category for his excellent investigation and publications on the condition under which ice were been produced for consumption in the densely populated commercial district of Paynesville by the First United Business Incorporated (FUBI), also known as “Johnson Compound”.
Back in April 2009, seeking to get better understanding of the condition under which ice were been produced in Liberia particularly FUBI, Zota launched thorough investigation at which time it was discovered that ice produced at the FUBI were produced in filths and other unsafe conditions.
The investigation was carried out and the necessary follow ups made to the appropriate authorities concern and the necessary actions taken that brought the needed change to the company and the consuming populace.
Sam Zota is the environment and human rights reporter of the Monitor Newspaper and editor of an environmental blog, (amazingliberia.blogspot.com).
Journalist for Human Rights (jhr) is a Canadian media training organization partnered with the Liberia Media Center in Liberia for five years.
JHR also based in the Sierra Leone and the Congo, had media trainers placed at print, radio and TV media houses throughout Liberia in 2009, to encourage journalists to produce human-rights based feature stories covering the diverse, critical issues confronting their post-war country.
The 2009 Human Rights Reporting Awards competition was inclusive of all media houses and journalists throughout Liberia, and was intended to bring out best of human rights reporting produced by journalists and over 75 journalists participated in the competition.
The ceremony held at the Liberia Media Center (LMC) was graced by the United Kingdom Political Officer, Gillian Dare, the Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, Philip wesseh, LMC’s Lawrence Randall, an array of Journalists for Human Rights trainers including the Country Director, K. Abdullai Kamara among others
Sam Zota, Junior was on Thursday, February 11, 2010 presented a certificate and a Panasonic mini-cassette recorder in the honorable mention category for his excellent investigation and publications on the condition under which ice were been produced for consumption in the densely populated commercial district of Paynesville by the First United Business Incorporated (FUBI), also known as “Johnson Compound”.
Back in April 2009, seeking to get better understanding of the condition under which ice were been produced in Liberia particularly FUBI, Zota launched thorough investigation at which time it was discovered that ice produced at the FUBI were produced in filths and other unsafe conditions.
The investigation was carried out and the necessary follow ups made to the appropriate authorities concern and the necessary actions taken that brought the needed change to the company and the consuming populace.
Sam Zota is the environment and human rights reporter of the Monitor Newspaper and editor of an environmental blog, (amazingliberia.blogspot.com).
Journalist for Human Rights (jhr) is a Canadian media training organization partnered with the Liberia Media Center in Liberia for five years.
JHR also based in the Sierra Leone and the Congo, had media trainers placed at print, radio and TV media houses throughout Liberia in 2009, to encourage journalists to produce human-rights based feature stories covering the diverse, critical issues confronting their post-war country.
The 2009 Human Rights Reporting Awards competition was inclusive of all media houses and journalists throughout Liberia, and was intended to bring out best of human rights reporting produced by journalists and over 75 journalists participated in the competition.
The ceremony held at the Liberia Media Center (LMC) was graced by the United Kingdom Political Officer, Gillian Dare, the Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, Philip wesseh, LMC’s Lawrence Randall, an array of Journalists for Human Rights trainers including the Country Director, K. Abdullai Kamara among others
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sanquin bridge collapse
In less than a month, the newly constructed Sanquin Bailey Bridge linking Rivercess and Sinoe counties including the southeastern region of Liberia has collapsed.
According to informed sources the 190' Sanquin Bailey Bridge was the longest free spanning panel bridge in Liberia and the first bridge launched by a private company (West Construction (Liberia), Inc.) in 30 years.
The bridge collapsed Tuesday, December 22 evening when a truck carrying a huge consignment of timbers apparently destine for Monrovia reached the middle of the bridge.
“The damage done to the bridge is too extensive”, according to McDonald Wrengmous Sinoe County Assistant Superintendent for Development. He told our reporter that the truck also had eight occupants on board including the driver.
Superintendent Wrengmous said it was sad to note that the bridge got damaged in less than a month after it was constructed by a joint team of the Liberia Community Infrastructural Project (LCIP), the Engineering Battalion of the Armed Forces of Liberia supervised by the Ministry of Public Works.
He told The Monitor in a telephone interview Wednesday, December 23, that the appropriate representations have been made to the Ministry of Public Works and the relevant agencies concerned.
The Sinoe County Development Superintendent said the situation has set extreme difficulty among commuters on both sides of the divide especially during the peck of holiday. He said commercial vehicles from the southeast and that of Monrovia have stated exchanging passengers and along with goods.
He said the collapse of the bridge has made traveling to that part of the county extremely difficult due to the impassable condition of alternative route via Grand Gedeh County.
Describing the situation as “a state of emergency” the Development Superintendent expressed hope that those responsible for the construction of the bridge will move in swiftly to ensure that a diversion is created for the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians.
He however added that most of the travelers are currently walking across the old bridge, but not fit for vehicles.
LCIP Information Officer, A. Trokon Tarr confirmed that the Bailey bridge had collapsed and added that an engineering team comprising the Ministry of Public Works and LCIP had been dispatched to assess the level and cause of damage.
Quizzed about the cost of the bridge, the LCIP information officer said he was not aware; but informed Ministry of Public Works sources hinted The Monitor that the bridges cost not less than US$1million.
In a press statement released late last evening states: “the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) announces to the public that on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 there was an accident on the Sanquin River Bridge, Sinoe County.
“The bridge is located between ITI junction and Nyuefueh Town, approximately 2 hours from Greenville. No fatalities were reported. LCIP is working closely with the MPW engineers to determine the next steps to regaining road access to Greenville”, the statement concluded.
According to informed sources the 190' Sanquin Bailey Bridge was the longest free spanning panel bridge in Liberia and the first bridge launched by a private company (West Construction (Liberia), Inc.) in 30 years.
The bridge collapsed Tuesday, December 22 evening when a truck carrying a huge consignment of timbers apparently destine for Monrovia reached the middle of the bridge.
“The damage done to the bridge is too extensive”, according to McDonald Wrengmous Sinoe County Assistant Superintendent for Development. He told our reporter that the truck also had eight occupants on board including the driver.
Superintendent Wrengmous said it was sad to note that the bridge got damaged in less than a month after it was constructed by a joint team of the Liberia Community Infrastructural Project (LCIP), the Engineering Battalion of the Armed Forces of Liberia supervised by the Ministry of Public Works.
He told The Monitor in a telephone interview Wednesday, December 23, that the appropriate representations have been made to the Ministry of Public Works and the relevant agencies concerned.
The Sinoe County Development Superintendent said the situation has set extreme difficulty among commuters on both sides of the divide especially during the peck of holiday. He said commercial vehicles from the southeast and that of Monrovia have stated exchanging passengers and along with goods.
He said the collapse of the bridge has made traveling to that part of the county extremely difficult due to the impassable condition of alternative route via Grand Gedeh County.
Describing the situation as “a state of emergency” the Development Superintendent expressed hope that those responsible for the construction of the bridge will move in swiftly to ensure that a diversion is created for the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians.
He however added that most of the travelers are currently walking across the old bridge, but not fit for vehicles.
LCIP Information Officer, A. Trokon Tarr confirmed that the Bailey bridge had collapsed and added that an engineering team comprising the Ministry of Public Works and LCIP had been dispatched to assess the level and cause of damage.
Quizzed about the cost of the bridge, the LCIP information officer said he was not aware; but informed Ministry of Public Works sources hinted The Monitor that the bridges cost not less than US$1million.
In a press statement released late last evening states: “the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) announces to the public that on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 there was an accident on the Sanquin River Bridge, Sinoe County.
“The bridge is located between ITI junction and Nyuefueh Town, approximately 2 hours from Greenville. No fatalities were reported. LCIP is working closely with the MPW engineers to determine the next steps to regaining road access to Greenville”, the statement concluded.
Dr. Kpoto faces indictment?
In Jarwalay’s death
Mr. Ziama Kpoto, son of a renowned Liberian politician, Kerkura B. Kpoto, has accused the Liberian National Police (LNP) of hiding Dr. Robert Kpoto from facing justice in the case involving their sister, Jarwalay Kpoto-Wisseh who was killed in a tragic motor accident in Oldest Congo Town, outside Monrovia, last September.
According to investigation conducted by our reporter, Dr. Kpoto and the late Jarwalay were in the back of an unmarked vehicle on that fateful early morning of September 14 at about 1:30 am when a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) vehicle marked 025 heading to the Paynesville, Jacob Town ran into the parked vehicle where the girl was later pronounced dead on arrival (DOA) at Du-side hospital in Firestone.
Mr. Kpoto, who walked into our newsroom to express the family frustration over the delay to investigate the case, noted that it was rumored within the family that Dr. Kpoto was constantly having an affair with the late Jarwalay and was warned on several occasions by some family members to discontinue such illicit affair.
According to the investigation, Mr. Ziama Kpoto said the family is of the strongest opinion that the police allegedly received bribe from either Dr. Kpoto or UNDP for which the case has been entirely buried.
He is, however, appealing to the Ministry of Justice and rights organizations in the country to come to the assistance of the family which is seeking justice in death of their sister and daughter.
When Dr. Kpoto was contacted to comment on the issue, he simply replied our reporter: “My brother the case is with police and I will advise you to please contact the police for any information relating to this matter.”
However, the police confirmed that there is pending investigation into the matter, but Dr. Kpoto who is principal suspect in the case was out of the country for several months.
The police investigator, who begged for anonymity, said now that Dr. Kpoto was back into the country, the case would resume. He, however, failed to state the exact date for the hearing, but noted that he could be indicted.
Despite reports by the police that Dr. Kpoto was out of the country, independent investigation conducted revealed that he (Dr. Kpoto) had all along been in the country and that he was only out of the country for three days following the accident.
Meanwhile officials of the UNDP have remained tightlipped on the issues. Investigation into the matter continues.
Mr. Ziama Kpoto, son of a renowned Liberian politician, Kerkura B. Kpoto, has accused the Liberian National Police (LNP) of hiding Dr. Robert Kpoto from facing justice in the case involving their sister, Jarwalay Kpoto-Wisseh who was killed in a tragic motor accident in Oldest Congo Town, outside Monrovia, last September.
According to investigation conducted by our reporter, Dr. Kpoto and the late Jarwalay were in the back of an unmarked vehicle on that fateful early morning of September 14 at about 1:30 am when a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) vehicle marked 025 heading to the Paynesville, Jacob Town ran into the parked vehicle where the girl was later pronounced dead on arrival (DOA) at Du-side hospital in Firestone.
Mr. Kpoto, who walked into our newsroom to express the family frustration over the delay to investigate the case, noted that it was rumored within the family that Dr. Kpoto was constantly having an affair with the late Jarwalay and was warned on several occasions by some family members to discontinue such illicit affair.
According to the investigation, Mr. Ziama Kpoto said the family is of the strongest opinion that the police allegedly received bribe from either Dr. Kpoto or UNDP for which the case has been entirely buried.
He is, however, appealing to the Ministry of Justice and rights organizations in the country to come to the assistance of the family which is seeking justice in death of their sister and daughter.
When Dr. Kpoto was contacted to comment on the issue, he simply replied our reporter: “My brother the case is with police and I will advise you to please contact the police for any information relating to this matter.”
However, the police confirmed that there is pending investigation into the matter, but Dr. Kpoto who is principal suspect in the case was out of the country for several months.
The police investigator, who begged for anonymity, said now that Dr. Kpoto was back into the country, the case would resume. He, however, failed to state the exact date for the hearing, but noted that he could be indicted.
Despite reports by the police that Dr. Kpoto was out of the country, independent investigation conducted revealed that he (Dr. Kpoto) had all along been in the country and that he was only out of the country for three days following the accident.
Meanwhile officials of the UNDP have remained tightlipped on the issues. Investigation into the matter continues.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
One of every 10 children dies of curable disease in Liberia
December 16, 2009
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says one out of every 10 children born in Liberia die of all forms of curable diseases before reaching the age of 5 years.
The Agency said although there has been some level of improvement in the death rate (child mortality) among children, unlike 6 years ago when mortality rate of children was at 2 out of 10 children.
UNICEF Communication Officer, Louis Vinio, told reporters in Monrovia that there has also been some level of improvement by the government of Liberia in the number of enrollment amongst children in Liberia to about 40-50%.
“For the past 6 years, especially under this administration of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, there has also been some major improvement in protecting and promoting the rights of children in Liberia, but there are still more that needs to be done in putting into place and improved by us as provided in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” (government and partners), Mr. Vinio said.
The CRC, adopted by the United Nations in 1989 and ratified by the Government of Liberia in 1993, seeks among other things to promote and protect the rights of every child, no matter their sex, colors, religions, ethnic backgrounds etc.
Article 4 of the CRC states, “Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to making sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. When countries ratify the Convention, they agree to review their laws relating to children, this involve assessing their social services, legal, health and educational systems, as well as levels of funding for these services….”
It further states in article 2 that, “The Convention applies to all children, whatever their race, religion or abilities; whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from. It doesn’t matter where children live, what language they speak, what their parents do, whether they have a disabilities or whether they are rich or poor, and no child should be treated unfairly on any basis”.
The UNICEF Communication Officer said children are mostly portrayed in the media as mere victims of crimes and other forms of abuses and needs to be improved.
“The issue concerning children goes beyond being portrayed as mere street sellers, being out of school, engaged in force labor and being victims of crimes and abuses, but rather there are some positive things that needs to be highlighted as provided in the CRC,” he noted.
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says one out of every 10 children born in Liberia die of all forms of curable diseases before reaching the age of 5 years.
The Agency said although there has been some level of improvement in the death rate (child mortality) among children, unlike 6 years ago when mortality rate of children was at 2 out of 10 children.
UNICEF Communication Officer, Louis Vinio, told reporters in Monrovia that there has also been some level of improvement by the government of Liberia in the number of enrollment amongst children in Liberia to about 40-50%.
“For the past 6 years, especially under this administration of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, there has also been some major improvement in protecting and promoting the rights of children in Liberia, but there are still more that needs to be done in putting into place and improved by us as provided in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” (government and partners), Mr. Vinio said.
The CRC, adopted by the United Nations in 1989 and ratified by the Government of Liberia in 1993, seeks among other things to promote and protect the rights of every child, no matter their sex, colors, religions, ethnic backgrounds etc.
Article 4 of the CRC states, “Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to making sure children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. When countries ratify the Convention, they agree to review their laws relating to children, this involve assessing their social services, legal, health and educational systems, as well as levels of funding for these services….”
It further states in article 2 that, “The Convention applies to all children, whatever their race, religion or abilities; whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from. It doesn’t matter where children live, what language they speak, what their parents do, whether they have a disabilities or whether they are rich or poor, and no child should be treated unfairly on any basis”.
The UNICEF Communication Officer said children are mostly portrayed in the media as mere victims of crimes and other forms of abuses and needs to be improved.
“The issue concerning children goes beyond being portrayed as mere street sellers, being out of school, engaged in force labor and being victims of crimes and abuses, but rather there are some positive things that needs to be highlighted as provided in the CRC,” he noted.
170 SGBV cases for prosecution
posted, December 16,2009
The Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Crimes Unit of the Ministry of Justice says since its establishment in February this year, it has recorded at least 170 cases of sexual and gender based violence especially rape over the past 10 months for prosecution.
The Chief Prosecutor of the SGBV Crimes Unit, Cllr. Felicia Coleman said out of the 170 cases, 74 cases were reported through the sgbv hotline established by the Unit and the remaining 96 cases were either reported by parents, relatives or community members, among others.
“Since the establishments of this Unit and the Criminal Court “E”, there were about 17 SGBV cases already on the dockets of other courts that were transferred to this court and we indicted additional 18 persons which came up to 35 cases and of this we’ve prosecuted 4 and one is currently being tried,” the SGBV Chief Prosecutor told reporters recently in Monrovia.
The SGBV Unit was created under the Ministry of Justice to, among other things, initially prosecute and adjudicate cases of SGBV in a special court (Court “E”) and provide rapid investigative and prosecutorial response to complaints of sexual assault, abuse and exploitation in order to justly and fairly hold perpetrators accountable and provide support to victims.
The Unit project is rolled in three phases for 54 months, and the first 18 months will coordinate and prosecute cases exclusively in Montserrado County in the new Criminal Court E.
Cllr. Coleman said the Unit currently has only four prosecutors and needs additional prosecutors in order to carry out its function of speedily prosecuting SGBV cases.
Objective 4 of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) under the Rule of Law and Governance Pillar further challenges the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender and Development to develop and implement measures to ensure protection of vulnerable groups within the justice system, in particular during detention, to address the elderly and those with disability.
The Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Crimes Unit of the Ministry of Justice says since its establishment in February this year, it has recorded at least 170 cases of sexual and gender based violence especially rape over the past 10 months for prosecution.
The Chief Prosecutor of the SGBV Crimes Unit, Cllr. Felicia Coleman said out of the 170 cases, 74 cases were reported through the sgbv hotline established by the Unit and the remaining 96 cases were either reported by parents, relatives or community members, among others.
“Since the establishments of this Unit and the Criminal Court “E”, there were about 17 SGBV cases already on the dockets of other courts that were transferred to this court and we indicted additional 18 persons which came up to 35 cases and of this we’ve prosecuted 4 and one is currently being tried,” the SGBV Chief Prosecutor told reporters recently in Monrovia.
The SGBV Unit was created under the Ministry of Justice to, among other things, initially prosecute and adjudicate cases of SGBV in a special court (Court “E”) and provide rapid investigative and prosecutorial response to complaints of sexual assault, abuse and exploitation in order to justly and fairly hold perpetrators accountable and provide support to victims.
The Unit project is rolled in three phases for 54 months, and the first 18 months will coordinate and prosecute cases exclusively in Montserrado County in the new Criminal Court E.
Cllr. Coleman said the Unit currently has only four prosecutors and needs additional prosecutors in order to carry out its function of speedily prosecuting SGBV cases.
Objective 4 of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) under the Rule of Law and Governance Pillar further challenges the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender and Development to develop and implement measures to ensure protection of vulnerable groups within the justice system, in particular during detention, to address the elderly and those with disability.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Visitation disrupts Police functions
-police boss
December 23,2009
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Marc Amblard said the constant visitation by journalists to police cells around the country disrupts the daily functioning of the police.
“There is nothing we get to hide at various police cells, but we can not allow journalists to visit police cells every other day because it disrupts normal working of the police,” he said.
He urged the journalists to group themselves and communicate with the police in order to be allowed to adequately cover the activities of the LNP.
Mr. Amblard assertion was in response to a question posed to him as to why the police was denying journalists from visiting police cells around the country.
Liberian Journalists for Human Rights and Good Governance (LJHRGG) was among individuals and groups that have been denied visitation by the police in recent times.
The LJHRGG had earlier asked the permission to visit various police cell and detentions centers, but was denied.
According to the communication, the objectives of the visitation were amongst other things, intended to get clearer picture of the condition of these holding cells/detention centers.
There have allegation of series of rights violation and abuses at various police holding cells and the Monrovia Central Prison.
The Justice Ministry recently declared that anyone including journalists wanting to visit the Monrovia Central Prison should bear responsibility of their own security and safety.
December 23,2009
The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Marc Amblard said the constant visitation by journalists to police cells around the country disrupts the daily functioning of the police.
“There is nothing we get to hide at various police cells, but we can not allow journalists to visit police cells every other day because it disrupts normal working of the police,” he said.
He urged the journalists to group themselves and communicate with the police in order to be allowed to adequately cover the activities of the LNP.
Mr. Amblard assertion was in response to a question posed to him as to why the police was denying journalists from visiting police cells around the country.
Liberian Journalists for Human Rights and Good Governance (LJHRGG) was among individuals and groups that have been denied visitation by the police in recent times.
The LJHRGG had earlier asked the permission to visit various police cell and detentions centers, but was denied.
According to the communication, the objectives of the visitation were amongst other things, intended to get clearer picture of the condition of these holding cells/detention centers.
There have allegation of series of rights violation and abuses at various police holding cells and the Monrovia Central Prison.
The Justice Ministry recently declared that anyone including journalists wanting to visit the Monrovia Central Prison should bear responsibility of their own security and safety.
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