Speaker Bhofal Chambers told the management of Firestone its decision is not only inhumane but similar to strangulating a helpless person to death, just as in the case of the late George Floyd. Capitol Hill, Monrovia – House Speaker Bhofal Chambers has led members of the House of Representatives in condemning Firestone Liberia’s anticipated action to lay off 374 employees on Liberia’s Independence Day- July 26. The people of Liberia are saying that it is inappropriate to do that now,” the Speaker said in his closing remarks. The decision was based on a motion by Rep. Acarous Gray (District #8, Montserrado County). Several lawmakers including Representatives Edward Karfia of Bong County, Ellen Attoh, Ben Fofana, Ivar Jones all of Margibi, along with Mariamu Fofana and Clarence Massaquoi of Lofa County also condemned the company’s decision.

Gertrude Nyaley, the technical manager of the community forest department of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the government agency that oversees the sector. “This is an interesting development and speaks volumes to the continuous meddling in community forest activities by county authorities. This situation has plagued community forest activities across the country and complicates the work of the FDA.” Nyaley said the FDA would investigate the matter. Communities can sign logging contracts under the CRL but not until they reach a forest management agreement with the FDA. Vambo and Marloi are at the boundary-harmonization stage of a nine-step, legal process for community forest status, according to Nyaley.

Of the allocated amount, Nimba County received US$1.55 million, Grand Bassa, US$1.02 million, while Bong got US$527,000, representing their respective SDF shares of 50 percent, 33.3 percent and 16.7 percent. “The Movement expresses great dismay at the comical display by the Government of Liberia in remitting the amount and making it a newsworthy issue. It is also requesting the Nimba County Legislative Caucus and the Government of Liberia to mandate the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full-scale audit of the operations of the Nimba County Social Development Fund and the County Development Fund covering the period after the last audit to ascertain that the funds were used in keeping with law and procedures. It is during the setting decisions are made to expend the fund garnered from the SDF and County Development Fund (CDF). The group called for the County’s legislative caucus to proceeds with the hosting of the next County Council sitting in a manner and style that will reflect the true and genuine wishes, aspirations and desires of the majority citizens of Nimba County.

Tolbert and his officials’ sins, according to the coup’s leader, Master Sargent Samuel Kanyon Doe were misrule of power, corruption and nepotism. The self-professed Prophet Zor says the death of Tolbert, along with other officials was a national tragedy that has brought curse to the land. “This year mark us 40 years going to war and instability, and trouble and lawlessness being so much in Liberia. Responding to why he was meeting with these selected groups, Prophet Zor explained these institutions, through their actions or inactions led to the war and mayhem. “The reason is the killing of President William R. Tolbert, Jr.

Prior to Covid-19, Bone and her children ate two meals a day, but now, it is either one meal a day or none. Both partners appreciated Oxfam for the support adding that the cash transfer is the first to empower women through cash transfer during the pandemic. Shah Liton, Country Director, Oxfam in Liberia said the effect of the pandemic has also largely affected Liberia with an already poor economy. Each project participant received $109.50 United States dollars to their mobile money accounts. Currently, Bone with a smile beaming across her face, displays the text showing receipt of payment on her phone via mobile money.

Leaving WVST/MCSS, Mrs. Cooper founded her own educational institution, FOUNDATION HOUSE, in the family residence off Tubman Boulevard in Oldest Congotown. Mrs. Cooper returned to Liberia during the transitional years to help consolidate the peace. Serving initially as Appointment Secretary of Madam Sirleaf, Mrs. Cooper later became Deputy Chief of Protocol in the Executive Mansion and later Chief of Protocol with the rank of Ambassador. After the death of Ambassador Cooper, the family has set up a Foundation Scholarship Fund in memory of Ambassador and Teacher Harriet Eleanor Cooper. Contributions can be made Mr. Himien Cooper via E-Mail: [email protected] and Ms. Sharon Cooper via E-Mail [email protected].

Liberia: ‘I Am Not Running’ – Rep. Koffa Staying out of Grand Kru Senatorial Race to Serve His DistrictRep. Koffa said there was no compelling reasons to quit his current position given him by the people of District #2 in Grand Kru CountyMonrovia – Representative J. Fonati Koffa (District #2, Grand Kru County) has announced he will not be contesting the senatorial seat in Grand Kru County in the upcoming midterm elections. There have been speculations that Rep. Koffa, who chairs the House’s Judiciary Committee would be contesting in the December 8, 2020 Special senatorial elections. However, in a statement issued late Monday, July 13, Rep. Koffa said there was no compelling reasons to quit his current position given him by the people of District #2 in Grand Kru County. “Many have been the speculations and calls that I run for the senatorial position in the 2020 midterm elections. Rep. Koffa has been touted as one of several members of the House of Representatives who will be contesting for a senatorial seat in the ensuing special elections.

WE POINT to the Friday, July 10 incident involving NPHIL and Dr. Alaric Tokpa – a prominent Liberian politician. In that incident mistakes were made with the test result of Dr. Tokpa. DR. TOKPAH had planned to travel on July 10 to the United States and was only awaiting his COVID-19 result. In this case, Dr. Tokpa suffered a grave injury. We cannot allow these incidents like the ones involving Dr. Tokpa.

The communication continues: “As you cannot possibly ignore, AML has been granted exclusive mining rights by the Government on the former LAMCO concession pursuant to the MDA. If Solway Mining were to persist and proceed with any unlawful activities, AML will have no choice but to defend its prior and prevailing rights,” AML letter ordered. One needs not further emphasize that claims to concession rights must be matched by performance compliance. The Mines and Energy Minister emphasized that Liberia as a sovereign state has all the right to conduct research, exploration, development and exploitation of its minerals. He assured ArcelorMittal that Solway Mining exploration activities would no way interfere with their smooth operations and premised on the metes and bounds of the defining Solway’s Mining exploration area.

MONROVIA – As rape and other sexual violence abuses against women and girls continue to escalate in Liberia, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major General Prince C. Johnson, has called for the introduction of a law seeking death penalty for rapists in the country. – Major General Prince C. Johnson, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia“Government has to take leadership, especially like strengthening our laws. We as leaders need to come up and speak against these things that people will see and know that we are serious. She noted that women and girls must develop ways to protect themselves from rape and other forms of sexual violence. Women need to speak out and little by little, we will change the society”.

The pests have destroyed 2,000 hectares of crops in the district, spreading to six towns in the last two days, the agriculture coordinator in the county has said. Nah said the armyworms have attacked crops in the six towns – and considering the poor rain prospects this will affect the harvest immensely. According to him, the outbreak poses a significant threat to smallholder farmers, mainly maize farmers and has become a threat to food security. “Farmers should not have planted maize again having struggled with the pests for the better of the year. Benson Kolliegboe, a farmer in Kpaquelleh, is among those who planted maize in June because he thought the pests had been eradicated.

But what now appears to be a stumbling block for the coalition in Bong County is how to come out for a consensus candidate. “In 2020, Yallah and I will dance it in Bong County because he will not be re-elected,” Howard-Taylor said of Yallah in 2018. Howard-Howard’s popularity in Bong County is unmatched. This is a popularity that coalition can bank on to win Bong County, according to many partisans of the coalition in the county. “This is a woman who defied all the odds to win two successive elections in Bong County.

Report says Obadiah Garbee pointed the gun at his big brother after family confusion broke out among them and the Poro master [country devil] intervened to investigate the two in the Poro shrine. Both of them were accordingly charged seven animals (livestock) with L$8,500.00, which caused Nelson Garbee to escape to seek justice from the Liberia National Police. Based on the complaint from the Town Chief, the two police officers were sent to enforce an arrest, but citizens of the town insisted that the country devil was in control and therefore forced the two officers out of the town. A similar incident occurred in 2019 when some police officers had gone to enforce an arrest in Ganta. In early 2019 country devil allegedly flogged to death a 33-year-old man, Samuel Mansuo in Zuoplay Town in Doe Administrative district near Tappita in eastern Nimba.

Patience Sumo had requested a separation which was endorsed by the elders of the village and witnessed by relatives on grounds that she and her fiance were incompatible as they were often engaged in quarrels and accusations. “I Patience, I am saying Darius and I relationship should stop, we have talked, nothing has happened to improve the relationship and I want to be alone,” Patience stated in the document. “When Darius killed Patience, he escaped. Upon hearing the information, we ordered our men, because there is a community watch forum in our township. After his falling, we apprehended him and turned him over to the police in Kakata” James Weetor, Borlola Township Commissioner, told FPA.

AssuranceIt can be recalled that employees and contractors of MANCO recently submitted a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to the company’s management. Separate meetings have been held between the senior management team of MANCO and the employees and contractors to address their concerns. Mr. Fadel, however, assured the aggrieved employees and contractors that their concerns will be adequately addressed by the company’s management. Madam Deborah Smith maintained that the union will continue to engage the company’s management to address some additional concerns raised by the aggrieved employees and contractors. She requested all employees and contractors to return to work on Tuesday, July 14, as the company’s management takes steps to address their concerns this week.