Liberian Diplomat Speaks On Ellen’s First Term

…Pays Special Tribute; Calls for Collective Support


( Monrovia, January 5, 2012):The Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Liberia in France, Mr. Josephus Moses Gray has disclosed that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s first term in Office is characterized with illustrious achievements both on the domestic and international fronts.



Speaking at an Intellectual Forum Thursday in Sinkor, the Liberian diplomat said it is undisputable fact that the President during her first term in office has made sparkly progress in the creation of an unique system and structure that brought benefit to all Liberians.

According to Mr. Gray, some of the critical areas of major achievements of President Johnson-Sirleaf first term include stability, peace and security, Free Speech& Press Freedom, restoration of basic social services and respect for civil liberties.

The Liberian diplomat also identified construction and rehabilitation of road & bridges, gains in the Foreign Service, fight against corruption, mass improvement in the educational and health sectors, upholding freedom of speech, press freedom and rule of law and justice.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gray has disclosed that Liberia has won back its reputation and regained its lost image through the instrumentality of President Johnson Sirleaf’s dynamic leadership and constructive diplomatic engagements across the world.

He said Liberians travelling abroad can proudly present their passports at any port of entrance in the world and be given a positive reception without being discriminated against.

Commenting on achievements on the domestic front, the Liberian diplomat named the pavement of the main streets in all parts of Monrovia and the famous Robertsfield – Monrovia Highway, Belle Yallah Road, Cotton Tree-Buchanan road, the newly constructed Vai Town Bridge, George Walker Bush Bridge in Barclayville and the rehabilitation several major and feeder roads across the country.

On in the health sector, Mr. Gray said President Johnson-Sirleaf first term witnessed the visible achievements including the Telewoyan Hospital in Voinjama, the Jackson Fiah Doe Referral Hospital in Tappita, and the rehabilitation of Japanese-Liberia Friendship Maternity.

The President also scored high marks in the construction of hundreds of schools across the country and managed to expand secondary school system to accommodate large student population as they move through elementary to high school and then to college, with a free and compulsory primary education policy.

The government also succeeded in reforming the educational system and continues to provide a safe and healthy learning environment, including adequate furnishing and instructional materials for all schools.

Today, he said public schools became cheapest to attend while there is an exodus of teachers from private to public schools owing to attractive salaries in the public schools.

On basic social services, the President succeeded in restoring electricity, water and waste disposal to parts of Monrovia for the first time in decades.

Commenting on gains in the Foreign Service, President Johnson-Sirleaf succeeded in reestablishing Liberia’s lost image and maintained over twenty-six diplomatic missions abroad across Africa, Asia, Meddle East, Europe and America.

Under the Sirleaf’s first term in office, the nation won back its reputation, and regained its financial independence, while the President’s commitment continues to play a major role in the focus of the nation’s foreign policy and international relations.

He further added that during the first term of President Sirleaf, Liberia became the first country in West Africa to pass a Freedom of Information Act, while Liberia can boost of the establishment of over thirty newspapers and about 45 mainstream and community radio stations across the country, a press release circulated by the Liberian diplomat said.

Radio Harper Goes Off In Maryland

….County Authorities Concerned; Manager Points to Damaged Transmitter

The Office of the Superintendent of Maryland County has blamed the continuous closure of the Harper Community Radio Station on the lack of interest shown by stakeholders.

Trainer Bill Jarkloh standing infront of the Harper City Hall in Cape Palmas

The comment by the Office of the Superintendent was a response to inquiries by a team of community radio trainers of the Liberia Media Center (LMC). The LMC trainers visited the county late November but found that the station has been closed since March 2011 due to transmitter deficiency.

But the Administrative Assistant to the County Superintendent, Daniel Williams, reasons that the station has been off the air because neglect as it is not usually considered in the allocation of development funds of the County. He spoke with me in Harper City, Maryland County.

Mr. Williams said Radio Harper is an important tool in stimulating development and social works in the county, appealing to the County authorities and people of the County to considered apportioning part of the Development funds of the county for the benefit of the Station.

Alphonso Wright is an official of Radio Harper. Here he interviews a resident at the General Market in Harper

The Harper Community Radio operates a 350 watts transmitter that covers the entire county, but since the transmitter developed problem last march it is yet to be repaired or replaced due to the lack of funds.

An official of the station, Alphonso Wright told the LMC that the people of Maryland, especially Harper through the Board of Directors has not shown interest in the Radio, a situation which has contributed to the plight of the station.

Consequently, Mr. Wright, who is one of Radio Harper's directors, said the Office of the Superintendent and other interested community people has established an interim Board which has been trying to work towards the reopening of Radio Harper. A random interview with the cross section of residents of Harper has indicated the need for the radio to restore broadcast activities.

Marketers, students and commuters told the LMC that the people of the community has contributed to a drive by the Board of Directors to restore the radio, but expressed surprise that the resumption of broadcast has remained an issue.

The residents accused the management of the station of inefficiency, blaming Martin Nyenkan, the Station Manager of not showing interest in the Radio. Martin Nyenkan was not in Harper at the time, and the LMC was told that he was not scarce from work at the station apparent due to his busy schedule at the Cavalla Rubber Plantation.

But Mr. Nyenkan refuted the claim, saying that the Station has closed because of the transmitter problem, and that his office is working harder to ensure that it secures funds for its repair; reports Bill K Jarkloh/1 Nov. 2011.

Maryland Administration Accuses Contractors
...Supt's Office Cites Insincerity

The Office of the Superintendent of Maryland County has envisage the need to renovate the Harper Administrative Building to provide adequate offices that will allow the free and unhindered operations of all offices representing central government.

Here is Mr. Daniel Williams, the Administrative Assistant to the County Superintendent

Mr. Daniel Williams, the Administrative Assistant to the County Superintendent, said the County's Administration has been running the affairs of Maryland from the Harper City Hall where it is at Present.

He told a joint interview of Radio Harper and the Liberia Media Center recently that renovation of the Harper Administrative Building has become inevitable if the County Administration should avoid the embarrassment of inadequate offices.

Cataloging some of the County's development achievement, Williams hinted the County Administration's renovation and refurbishing of the JJ Dossen Hospital at US$50,000, the purchase a truck to facilitate the road construction works, construction and rehabilitation of schools, clinics and roads amongst others.

He however called on the people of Maryland County to consider the seat of government in the County, Harper City.

The Administrative Assistant to the Maryland County Superintendent, who said some $600,000 is of the County Development Funds (CDF) presently in the county's coffer, noting that plans are at foot to commence the reconstruction of the County Administrative Building in Harper.

He said four clinics and five schools have so far been constructed at the level of the four districts in the county. Besides, he spoke of the rehabilitation of the River-Gee to Harper Highway through a firm contracted by central government.

But he complains the insincerity of some contractors who usually run with funds given them without completing the term of their contracts.

He clarified that all contractors at the used by county authorities are approved by the relevant central government authorities without local authority input, although attempts to contact the Ministries of Public Works, Finance, Justice and Internal Affairs, who are usually involved with the bidding of contractors, have not materialized.

However, Williams made specific reference to a contractor firm he identified as KASAD. According to him, KASAD was given several thousands of dollars for the rehabilitation of the Cape Palmas High School, but the contractors absconded without completing the contract.

The Administrative Assistant noted that the County Administration has informed Central Administration at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the matter.

He then called on Marylanders to contribute to the development of the County, and urged the Maryland County Legislative Caucus to cooperate with the County Administration in forging the development agenda of the programs County; reports Bill K Jarkloh/21 Nov. 2011.

Monday New Year Celebraction Canceled for 2012

...Constitutional Reason Cited

(MONROVIA, LIBERIA – December 30, 2011): It has been announced in Monrovia that Monday, January 2, 2012, is not a holiday. According to the Executive Mansion, the day is a regular work day.



The general public, business houses and other institutions are therefore urged to carry out their normal activities if they so desire.
Although no reason was given in an Executive Mansion release announcing this, political and legal pundits put it at constitutional reason

Chapter VI, Article 50 of the Liberian Constitution of 1986, "...The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for a term of six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections...."

Usually, holidays falling on Sundays are celebrated on Mondays. However, it is said that the decision to breach this usual way of holiday celebration is to ensure that the the President's inauguration, which falls on the third working Monday of the New Year goes unquestionable and unchallenged.

According to the pundits, canceling the first working Monday will would disqualify the February 16, 2012 inauguration of President Sirleaf constitutionally, since it would render the January 16 Monday the second working Monday of the year contrary to the Constitution's provision under Article 50.

Meanwhile, nine prisoners from the Monrovia Central Prison have been granted Executive Pardon by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Those pardoned include six men and three women who have been held at the prison for minor offenses. The decision was taken Friday, December 23, by the Liberian leader during a visit to the Prison as part of a Christmas goodwill gesture.

The President urged those released to remain peaceful and law abiding citizens. “The next time you violate the law and you are caught, you will not stay in the central prison; you will be sent to the prison in Grand Gedeh County,” the President cautioned those ordered released.

According to an Executive Mansion release the Liberian President has directed the Ministry of Justice to review the cases of other inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison who have been held for minor offenses.

“I’ve asked them to look at each of your case, the person who did not commit a serious crime ... if you did armed robbery or you did murder, rape, I can’t help you. But if that’s something small; they will look at you and say yes they can do it, then, they can work on that next week.”

The President later presented a purse of US$1,000 to members of the kitchen staff of the prison. She thanked the staff for their commitment to duty. The Chief Executive also presented some food items including rice and fish as well as toiletries, mattresses, slippers, coal pots, among other items to the prison.

The Liberian leader was accompanied to the Central Prison by Solicitor General Wilkins Wright and other officials of government.

Earlier, the President distributed Christmas gifts among mothers and babies at the Maternity ward of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital.

Another Promise Fulfilled: Old Vai Town Bridge

 - Now King Zolu Duma Bridge Dedicated

 (MONROVIA, LIBERIA - December 30, 2011): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday dedicated the bridge linking the City of Monrovia to the commercial district of Bushrod Island. Speaking at the dedication, the President thanked all those who played leading roles, including Ministers of Finance who spearheaded negotiations for the construction of the bridge, past and present Ministers of Public Works, other government agencies, the World Bank, as well as the Chico Construction Company and the Government of China for the partnership. 

 According to an Executive Mansion release, the President thanked Liberian workers for their dedication to the project and expressed satisfaction at its completion. She directed the Ministry of Public Works to continue to utilize the services of the workers in other areas following the completion of the bridge. 

The President said government will work with property owners along the Mesurado River to improve the area which she observed is becoming a big sewer that will not be allowed. “So we ask the cooperation of all of those who have property around here to make sure that Monrovia becomes beautiful also like other cities, to make sure that we have a presentable city.” 

To protect the bridge, the President mentioned the construction of a fence. Any attempt to destroy it, she cautioned, would have a “compensatory response.” The Chief Executive urged Liberians to use the bridge in the right spirit, to protect, maintain and secure it, and avoid acts that would undermine its lifespan. 

The President disclosed that the leadership of the Ma Juah Market, in Clara Town, has agreed to be relocated, to make way for a parking lot at the site. Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods, in remarks, thanked all those who contributed to the successful completion of the bridge, particularly the Liberian workers who he described as the “real heroes that have made this bridge possible.” The Minister drew attention to the consistent theft and abuse of the nation’s infrastructure, and urged those responsible to join the government in efforts to build, adding, “It is men of courage and commitment that build; it is men of weak character who tend to destroy.” 

 He defended government’s decision to construct a wall along the bridge, owing to the threat of potential theft, sand mining and other dangerous activities along the banks of the river.

 “This bridge belongs to Liberia and all of you; you must join us in owning it, in protecting it and in ensuring that its integrity is sustained. The President announced that the Via Town Bridge will now be known as the Zolu Duma Bridge, in honor of a former chief of the Dey tribe who  played a leading role in providing the land to the Settlers for the construction of the bridge. 

 Initially used as a railway bridge to transport crushed rocks to construct the jetty at the Freeport of Monrovia, the Vai Town Bridge was constructed between 1935 and 1936. 

In November 2006, the bridge, which had been transformed into a two-lane roadway and used by vehicles and pedestrians, collapsed. Funding for the construction of the US$16 million bridge was provided by the World Bank upon a request in 2006 by the Government of Liberia for funding assistance for the demolition of the collapsed bridge and the construction of a new one.

Pres. Sirleaf Dedicates Via Town Bridge

Renames It King Zolu Duma Bridge


(MONROVIA, LIBERIA - December 30, 2011): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday dedicated the bridge linking the City of Monrovia to the commercial district of Bushrod Island.



Speaking at the dedication, the President thanked all those who played leading roles, including Ministers of Finance who spearheaded negotiations for the construction of the bridge, past and present Ministers of Public Works, other government agencies, the World Bank, as well as the Chico Construction Company and the Government of China for the partnership.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the President thanked Liberian workers for their dedication to the project and expressed satisfaction at its completion. She directed the Ministry of Public Works to continue to utilize the services of the workers in other areas following the completion of the bridge.

The President said government will work with property owners along the Mesurado River to improve the area which she observed is becoming a big sewer that will not be allowed. “So we ask the cooperation of all of those who have property around here to make sure that Monrovia becomes beautiful also like other cities, to make sure that we have a presentable city.”

To protect the bridge, the President mentioned the construction of a fence. Any attempt to destroy it, she cautioned, would have a “compensatory response.”

The Chief Executive urged Liberians to use the bridge in the right spirit, to protect, maintain and secure it, and avoid acts that would undermine its lifespan. The President disclosed that the leadership of the Ma Juah Market, in Clara Town, has agreed to be relocated, to make way for a parking lot at the site.

Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods, in remarks, thanked all those who contributed to the successful completion of the bridge, particularly the Liberian workers who he described as the “real heroes that have made this bridge possible.”

The Minister drew attention to the consistent theft and abuse of the nation’s infrastructure, and urged those responsible to join the government in efforts to build, adding, “It is men of courage and commitment that build; it is men of weak character who tend to destroy.”

He defended government’s decision to construct a wall along the bridge, owing to the threat of potential theft, sand mining and other dangerous activities along the banks of the river. “This bridge belongs to Liberia and all of you; you must join us in owning it, in protecting it and in ensuring that its integrity is sustained.

The President announced that the Via Town Bridge will now be known as the Zolu Duma Bridge, in honor of a former chief of the Dey tribe. King Durma played a leading role in providing the land to the Settlers for the construction of the bridge.

Initially used as a railway bridge to transport crushed rocks to construct the jetty at the Freeport of Monrovia, the Vai Town Bridge was constructed between 1935 and 1936. In November 2006, the bridge, which had been transformed into a two-lane roadway and used by vehicles and pedestrians, collapsed.

Funding for the construction of the US$16 million bridge was provided by the World Bank upon a request in 2006 by the Government of Liberia for funding assistance for the demolition of the collapsed bridge and the construction of a new one, according to an Executive Mansion release.