Liberian Observer

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The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the United States Department of State has released its 2009 Country Report on Liberia.

Sierra Leone Rebels Were Trained at Camp Nama

A 300-strong force of Liberians and Sierra Leoneans were based in Liberia and trained under a top Sierra Leonean rebel leader before attacking Sierra Leone in 1991, a protected Liberian witness told t

Foreign countries interfered in Charles Taylor's revolution in Liberia and prevented the former president from liberating his people, a witness in Mr.

Sweden Increases Aid to Liberia by 100%

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden, Mrs. Carin Wall, has disclosed that her country has doubled its aids to Liberia by 100 percent.

Sirleaf Congratulates Kingdom of Morocco

MONROVIAI – The President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has stated that the bond of friendship subsisting between the Government of Liberia and the Kingdom of Morocco will continue to be solidified in the years ahead.

THE HAGUE – A defense witness for Charles Taylor has dismissed prosecution assertions that his testimony is contradicting that of the former Liberian president, telling the court that neither he nor Taylor is lying to the judges.

THE HAGUE – As accused former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, wrapped up his testimony on February 19, 2010, he had one message for the judges: that prosecutors have not proven their case against him.

LACC Delegation in Nigeria for Talks with EFCC

ABUJA – The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris, is at the head of a three-member delegation in Abuja, Nigeria, to hold talks with authorities of that country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

‘I Am Attracted by Good Governance’

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MONROVIA – Former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Tony Blair, has said that since the incumbency of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President of Liberia in 2006, good governance has been the center of attraction for him, and that as such, he has come to help support the Government of Liberia’s priorities.

MONROVIA – The failure of the Liberian Senate to confirm all presidential nominees to the Independent National Commission for Human Rights (INCHR) is a major setback to efforts to protect and promote human rights in Liberia, including moving forward the country’s transitional justice agenda, the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) said this week.

Local News

Overcrowded Prison Causes Inmates' Death

The recent death of one of detained inmates at Kakata Central Prison in Margibi County has sparked off concerns in that county.

Today Is J.J. Roberts’ Birth Anniversary

The President of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has, by Proclamation declared Monday, March 15, 2010 as the 201st Birth Anniversary of the late President Joseph Jenkins Roberts,

2 Schools Receive Supplies in Nimba

A consignment of assorted school materials brought into the country through kind courtesy of United Nimba Citizens Council (UNICCO) has been presented to two schools, Kpain Public School near Ganta, and Karn Elementary, Junior and Senior High School in Karnplay, Gbehlay-Geh District.
Nimba County Electoral District #1 Representative, Francis L. Karway who received the school items from UNICCO, presented them to the two schools in the county on Friday, March 5, 2010.
UNICCO is a conglomeration of Nimba citizens based in the United States of America (USA).
The presentation was made through the respective principals of the schools that benefited.
Making the presentation of the items, Rep. Karway asked the principals of the two schools to distribute the supplies among the student populace without making 'a pick-and-choose game'.
According to the Nimba Lawmaker, the school materials which include over 600 pieces of the hard back copy books, 120 packs of color pencils, was sent by UNICCO's New Jersey branch in the USA. The branch is headed by one Habakkuk Dokie.
Responding on behalf of the schools, the principal of Kpain Public School, Rebecca Nyayannoh, expressed her gratitude to UNICCO through Rep. Karway.

Education Minister Dr. Joseph Korto says violence is not the best way of solving problem and therefore students should avoid any impetuous act in approaching matters relating to their education.
Minister Korto made the statement at Brown Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 during a memorial service marking the 94th celebration of Decoration Day.
The Minister told the students that they at the Ministry of Education were cognizant of abuses carried out against students by some instructors, adding that they would not relent to take action against instructors who would be caught in such acts.
Stressing the significance of Decoration Day, Dr. Korto said the dead could be remembered based on their role in society when they were alive. He said laying wreaths on the graves of President William V.S. Tubman and other heroes and heroines on Decoration Day, Wednesday, March 10, was important because, according to him, “these people played some pivotal role in the development of the country”.
He then told the students that the Day was important as it would afford them an opportunity to reflect and imitate the good deeds of some of the past leaders of the country.

Palm Grove Remains ‘Unprotected’

The Decoration Day exercises yesterday gave many tombstones and graves a much-needed facelift, albeit with whitewash and, in some cases, with a small quantity of alcoholic beverages (libation).

‘We Are Saddened By GBV Cases in Liberia’

As gender-based violence (GBV) cases continue to be reported on a daily basis, children are said to be greatly affected.

Denmark Gives US$30M to Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf yesterday, March 8, 2010 announced that the government of Denmark had given US$30 million to Liberia for being the first country to complete the National Plan on Securi

UL and Italy Sign US$4.5M Agreement

The University of Liberia (UL) Tuesday, March 9, 2010 entered into formal agreement with the government of Italy to renovate all existing structures on the Campus of A.M.

Baptist Seminary Inducts New President

Reverend Arnold G. Hill has been inducted into office as 5th president of Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS). Reverend Hill was inducted into office at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Paynesward City on Robertsfield Highway on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. He replaces Reverend Shelton J. Seidi.
In his inaugural speech, Rev. Hill called for unity within the LBTS and pledged to remain focused in his drive to unite the Church by God's command. He also called on church leaders and partners of LBTS to stand by his administration during this difficult time of the Church.
“God has spoken to us and He is in control. I am asking Him to hold me in His eternity that we may lead our people and not rule them,” he added.
According to the newly inducted president, it is unfortunate that the Baptist Church, the cornerstone of Liberia, finds itself at the backseat today. He said LBTS has positioned itself to be a Baptist university as means of following the examples other churches. “We will achieve this by your support and God's support,” said.
Rev. Hill holds a Master of Divinity Degree and Religious Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina (NC), USA.
He is a renowned Baptist and a native Liberian. He completed his early education in Liberia.

LLCNW Celebrate Int'l Women Day

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The Liberia Labor Congress National Women (LLCNW) Committee on March 8, 2010 celebrated 100 years the International Women Day (IWD) in Monrovia with pomp and pageantry and an elaborate parade on the principal streets of the nation's capital.
In a statement read at the occasion, it was disclosed that March 8, 2010 marked the 100th year of International Women Day around the world.
According to the statement, people of different backgrounds celebrated the contribution of women to ending inequality and exploitation, to ending oppression of all kinds.
In Liberia, the statement added, there have been some important achievements in organizing, collective bargaining and workplace rights and participation of trade union women in the revision of the decent work bill of Liberia.
The statement also stressed that women play a critical role in the economies of developed and developing countries, in their homes, communities and their unions.
The statement further indicated that women participate in agriculture activities, decision-making and contribute to the socio-economic and political life of societies.
The statement also emphasized that if the number of women in the workforce and in trade unions is to increase in Liberia, the international community should develop the working women through capacity-building programs and sustainable livelihood activities.

APM Terminal Wins US$120M Bid

The Government of Liberia, through the Inter-Ministerial Concession Committee (IMCC) for the Freeport of Monrovia, has declared a Dutch-based port giant, APM Terminal, the winner and highest ranked bi

ArcelorMittal Renews Commitment to Liberia

Global steel giant, ArcelorMittal, has renewed commitment to maintaining its investment in post-conflict Liberia. Speaking in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County on a visit to Liberia to get first-hand information on his company’s operation in the country, ArcellorMittal’s chief financial officer, Aditya Mittal, said his company has “no plan to pull out of Liberia.”

He said ArcelorMittal considers the Liberian Government as a strong partner that is willing to address the plight of its country and improve the lives of its citizens.

Mr. Mittal’s visit to Liberia coincided with the Cabinet Meeting held in Zwedru, the provincial capital of Grand Gedeh County.

Mr. Mittal and other senior members of the board of directors of ArcelorMittal, met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other senior officials of Government including National Investment Commission (NIC) Chairman Dr. Richard V. Tolbert and assured them of “no pullback” plans by his company.

ArcelorMittal is investing over US$1.5 billion in Liberia’s iron ore industry, specifically in the Northern mining town of Yekepa, Nimba County.

The global iron ore giant last year laid off a number of its employees in Liberia as a result of the global financial crisis, creating fear that the company would scale down full operations in the country.

Logging Co. Promises 1,000 Jobs

SINOE – After signing social contracts with Sinoe and Grand Gedeh counties, the management of Geblo Logging Incorporated has promised to provide at least 1,000 job opportunities to Southeasterners.

‘Putu Mountain Mining Is Not Illegal’

MONROVIA – Amidst push back by Monrovia-based citizens of Grand Gedeh against ongoing prospecting in the Putu Mountains, Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Chris Bailey has labeled the criticisms as misleading.

Sime Darby Restores Guthrie’s Pride

After barely 25 days of operation in Liberia, Sime Darby has begun restoring pride to Guthrie, the country’s second largest rubber plantation.

In Anticipation of Log Shipments:

MONROVIA – When construction works are completed on the second station, which includes a sawmill, log yard and other work shops by Bargo and Bargo (B & B) Enterprise Incorporated in April, the sawmill will be the only one in Monsterrado County to be erected by a logging company, the chief executive officer of B & B told journalists early this week.

Boakai Launches Lofa Investment Corporation

VOINJAMA – The Vice President of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai, has launched the Lofa Investment Corporation, aimed at bringing sustainable development to the county.

Sime Darby Takes Over Guthrie for 60-Year Operation

WESTERN LIBERIA – A Malaysia-based multinational entity, which signed an US$847 million concession agreement with the Government of Liberia (GOL) last April to cultivate oil palm and rubber in four counties, finally took over the Guthrie Rubber Plantation last Friday, January 1, 2010.

Saleeby Reminds LBDI of Founders’ Vision

MONROVIA – Former Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) president, Elie Saleeby, has reminded the bank’s current management and members of the board of directors not to depart from the vision of the bank’s founders as a development bank.

Two Int’l Port Operators Submit Bids for Modernization of NPA

MONROVIA – Efforts toward revitalizing and modernizing the operations and facilities of the National Port Authority (NPA) have gained momentum, with two reputable international port operators tendering bids for the reconstruction of the severely deteriorated 60-year-old general cargo pier.