Liberia Lotteries in Crisis, As "Fassue Kelleh Leaves with clean hands"

The Liberia National Lotteries Incorporated which was established by an Act of the National Legislature in 1982 with the sole purpose of financing welfare institutions, especially the disabled and old-folks homes and create jobs for those who are incapacity is said to be falling apart followed the resignation of its Managing Director.

According to report, Mr. Fassue Kelleh has taken his exist from the agency following countless efforts for its revival failed – the inability for the Liberian Government to play its part as a result of previous administrations miss-application of trusted funds from the agency’s coffer.

Mr. Fassue Kelleh former Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) was last year appointed as Managing Director of the Liberian National lotteries by the Liberian leader, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf due to his high profile administrative skills, a position he accepted to return home from the United States of America where according to report he secured a job as a banker.

According to sources, Mr. Fassue left the agency due to what he called the lack of support from the Liberian Government to up keep the institution in good shape and settle delinquents who have played this game over the years.

Recently an employee, Jallah Mendscoe, Marketing Manager of the Liberia National Lotteries in a recent news conference accused his former boss (Fassue Kelleh) of impropriety and miss-management of the agency’s funds, Mr. Mendscole also blamed Mr. Kelleh of draining down financially the Liberia National Lotteries.

This allegation leveled against the former Managing Director of the agency by Mendscole seems not to go down too well with some employees of the agency who described the allegation as” mare fallacy and deformation of Mr. Kelleh’s well earned reputation built over the years.

Also reacting to the allegation, sources closed to the Vice President of Liberia, who is also Chief Patron of the agency, said the allegation leveled against Mr. Kelleh by Mendscole and others has no iota of truth, and lack basic facts to spoil the good character of Mr. Kelleh, who the source described him as a fine gentleman who also mean serious business to sever his country.

“The resignation of Fassue should not be considered as been corrupt, but rather due to the lack of the needy support from the government to uphold the agency’s responsibility to those clients whose payments seems to come forth,” the sources at the Vice President’s office told our reporter.

According to an investigation been conducted by reporters, prior to the departure of Mr. Kelleh from the Liberia National Lotteries as Managing Director, a “Proposed Recovery Project & Action Plan and Prospect for Survival & Growth” of the agency was submitted last July to the Liberian leader, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, stressing, “that the Liberian National Lotteries’ current debts and payable due the various banking institutions, operations cost, winners unpaid awards and balances astronomically shamefully and unbelievably now stand at L$40,663,916.57, or over US$790,000.00.”

Stating further in the report, Mr. Fassue said, “the Liberia National Lotteries sales has immeasurably decreased over the years. In 2004 for instance, each of the bi-weekly draw stood at over LD$200,000.00 – average. Sales have started dipping in 2004 when each draw barely reached LD$170,000.00 and players declined to below 12,000 customers only per draw”.

In the same token, the former Managing Director in a drive to revamp the agency last December (2006) in a communication to the Director General of the National Social Security & Welfare Corporation, Mr. Francis Carbah, said, “the Liberia National Lotteries Incorporated currently stands in dire financially loan to enable management revamp the operations by first paying off liabilities to its customers of over $100,000.00 or L$5.6 million’.

With all of these strives by the former Managing Director of the agency to improve the Lotteries of the nation, several individuals who spoke to this writer have taken exception to Mr. Mendscole’s allegation against the man he said is a credible Liberian.
Investigation continues.

Senator Prince Y. Johnson Tours Mali, Senegal

Former rebel commander of defunct Independence National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) now Senior Nimba lawmaker, Senator Prince Johnson leaves the country this week for Bamako and Dakar, capital cities of Mali and Senegal, respectively, as guest of Medi-Lab, an International medical group based in Germany with seven offices in West Africa and Luxemburg.
The ECOWAS parliamentarian will be away for one week and while in the Malian capital, is expected to hold talks with officials of Medi-Lab including some investors, who may wish to invest in Liberia.
According to the office of the Nimba senior senator, his trip to those countries comes in the wake of invitation extended to him in January, 2007, but which he put on hold while he was undergoing medical treatment in a local hospital.
Information gathered from Senator Johnson’s office indicates that his doctor has advised him to move freely at this time. The information further say, he will depart the Robert International Airport this week for the visit to Mali and Senegal purposely to meet and discuss with the investors on the best way to establish a pharmaceutical industry in war torn Liberia.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Upper House’s standing committee on National Security, Prince Y. Johnson told our reporter that he would use the occasion to meet with members of the ECOWAS Parliament from both Mali and Senegal in their respective countries to discuss peace and reconciliation in the region.
The Senator also pointed out that while he is away for one week, his office will remain open for people from his constituency and for any other individuals. The Senator is expected to return to Liberia this weekend.

Willis Knuckles Finally Resigns, As President Sirleaf Expresses Regret, Calls for Immediate Prosecution of all Officials

The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Willis Knuckles who was involved in widely publicized pornographic sex scandal yesterday tendered in his resignation to the Liberian leader, but many Liberians described the latest report as be littled.
Addressing the Nation by radio late yesterday evening at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now Presidential Office, said she received a letter of resignation from her “able and respected Minister” of State for Presidential Affairs, Knuckles yesterday.
She expressed regret for this latest action on the part of the Minister, but said she will uphold the rule of law in the country, and promised to protect the moral value of the Liberian people.
Speaking further, the Liberian leader admitted that "Corruption is still rampant in government," in her thirteen months old government, but however assured the people of Liberia that she would ‘ruthlessly’ deal with it.
The President in a serious note said she would achieve this by prosecuting those involved in corruption in her Government and former administration.
The issue of Knuckles’ widespread sex scandal has created serious among Liberians and even those in the diasporas for what they described as “bringing disgrace to the civilized people of Liberia.
Following the much series of publicities on the issue, several groups including the Press Union of Liberia, students, human rights, church related organizations and even the ordinary Liberian called for the immediate dismissal of Minister Knuckles.
In a related development, the former NTGL Chairman, Gyude Bryant has been found guilty on corrupt charges and is expected to shortly face prosecution.According a local radio station quoting Justice Ministry sources, the former Transitional Chairman will be prosecuted after been found guilty.

DUCOR PETROLEUM COMPANY IN PICTURES

Recently the Global News Network featured one of Liberia's well grounded Companies, the Ducor Petroleum Incorporated (DPI) and its entire managerial staff, and the General Manager and Chief Executuive Officer of the Company, Mr. Amos Brosius.

Detail story of the company is posted on our sister webpage: www.gnn.theliberiantimes.com read on to know those individuals who are making a tremedious effort to place Liuberia amongst the comity of nations in development.

PRESS RELEASE: Speacial Court Regrets Samuel Hinga Norman Death in Sierra Leone

The Defence Office of the Special Court for Sierra Leone was informed yesterday that Chief Samuel Hinga Norman, a CDF indictee at the Special Court for Sierra Leone passed away at 11:15 am in Dakar, Senegal where he was recuperating from surgery. Chief Norman, former Deputy Defence Minister and later Minister of Internal Affairs, was indicted on 7 March 2003 on an 8-count indictment for crimes against humanity, violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Chief Norman had been experiencing health problems that were not life-threatening but needed treatment. As result, he was taken to the L’Hopital Aristide Le Dantec (a military hospital) in Dakar, Senegal on 17 January where he successfully underwent a medical procedure. Chief Norman had been in good spirits after the surgery until 22 February when he collapsed at about 10:55 am. Efforts to resuscitate him failed and he passed away at about 11.15 am. Chief Norman was a great friend of the Defence Office in its duties to facilitate and ensure the rights of accused persons before the Special Court. His death therefore is a tragedy not only to the bereaved family but also to the Special Court and in some particular way to the Defence Office. We express our sympathy to the bereaved family and friends with whom we share this loss. The Defence Office is closely working with the Registry in all the arrangements to deal with this tragedy. #END The Special Court is an independent tribunal established jointly by the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone. It is mandated to bring to justice those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996. To date, the Prosecutor has indicted eleven persons on various charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Ten indictees are currently in the custody of the Court.

Alan Doss Visits Indian UNMIL Female Police Headquarters In LIberia

Monrovia, Liberia - The UN envoy in Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss has welcomed the arrival of the Indian Formed Police Unit - FPU – to Liberia. Mr. Doss was addressing officers of the unit during a visit to their headquarters in Congo Town, near Monrovia. The unit, made up 105 female officers with 20 male supporting staff, is the first largely female FPU to be deployed to a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Mr. Doss being conducted round by the India FPU Contingent Commander Dhundia
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative said FPUs have a very important role to play in Liberia. “We have to be ready for incidents of public disorder, which is not surprising in a country emerging for a long and violent civil war”, he acknowledged. He added that UNMIL aims to manage public order without resorting each time to a military response. “I am quite confident that with your help we can maintain a peaceful, stable and violence-free environment in Liberia.”
He told the Indian police officers that a female police unit is an extra bonus for the mission. “We know from police experience around the world that women officers are good at handling potentially violent situations.”
Mr. Doss said that UNMIL wants to help Liberia build its own FPU type capacity within the Liberia National Police so that the Government can deal effectively deal with problems of public order without unnecessary violence or bringing the military on to the streets.
Earlier, the Indian FPU Contingent Commander Seema Dhundia gave an audio-visual presentation highlighting the structure, composition and responsibilities of the Central Reserve Police Force - CRPF - to which the FPU belongs. The CRPF is often called upon to deal with public order problems and emergencies all over India.
Mr. Doss greets one of the Indian peacekeepers.
Commander Dhundia took Mr. Doss on a guided tour of various sections of the India FPU headquarters, which included an inspection of the Unit’s riot control equipment and vehicles. She later presented him with a replica of the 2,000 years old Ashoka Stambha (Pillar), a national emblem of India.

In a related develoment, the UN envoy in Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss, has commended Liberia for the tremendous progress the country has witnessed since the start of the UN peace mission in the country in 2003, but cautioned against complacency. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Liberia was speaking at a ceremony at the Roberts International Airport, about 45 kilometres outside Monrovia, during which 301 officers of the Ukrainian Aviation Unit were honoured with UN medals for their contribution to the UN peace mission in Liberia.
“Through the efforts of the democratically-elected government and the international community, Liberia is now on the path to recovery after years of conflict and violence”, he observed, but warned that “outbursts of violent public disorder and troubles in neighbouring countries must not be allowed to undermine the consolidation of the peace in Liberia”. Mr. Doss stressed that UNMIL will remain vigilant to ensure that security conditions enable the government to move ahead with its programme of national reform and renewal.
The UN Envoy commended the Ukrainian Aviation Unit in UNMIL for their dedication and professionalism. “The helicopter gunships that this unit manages, provide a critical and unique armed capability for the peacekeepers of this mission” adding that “our blue helmets know they can rely on this overhead support for border patrols and in times of crisis”. Mr. Doss noted that the Ukrainian Aviation Unit also provided transport and cargo airlifts and undertaken medical evacuation missions across Liberia.
The UN envoy urged the peacekeepers to abide strictly by the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance of sexual abuse and exploitation, calling on commanders and officers to lead by example to get the message across to all their troops.
Mr. Doss inspects Ukrainian officers on parade
The occasion was held on Ukraine’s “Defender of the Motherland Day”, a day on which Ukrainian military and war veterans are remembered and honoured. Among the dignitaries present at the medal-awarding ceremony were UNMIL Deputy Force Commander Major-General Mohammed Tahir and Ukrainian Contingent Commander Colonel Shluharchuk Taras.

INVESTOR'S PROFILE: A Look at Ducor Petroleum Incorporated, the company making the difference

As Liberia gradually returns to the state of genuine stability under the leadership of Africa’s first female President, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian entrepreneurs are making all efforts to rebuild the Liberian economy which was destroyed over a decade ago as a result of a civil war.

One of these finest and industrious Liberian entrepreneurs who is striving to boost the growth of the Liberian economy through the establishment of a company to rapidly reduce the high rate of unemployment in the Country is no other but the General Manager of the Ducor Petroleum Incorporated, Mr. Amos P.K. Brosius, I.

Despite his appearance at first sight which confuses people due to his youthfulness and simplest interaction with people, Brosius manages the most reliable and serviceable petroleum distribution stations throughout the country, the Ducor Petroleum Incorporated, a subsidiary of the Monrovia Oil Trading Company (MOTC).

Due to its reliability and professionalism of its workforce, DPI services to the NGO community as well as International Organizations and Churches throughout the Country is been appraised by thousands of Liberians for the level of professional services has been provided by this Liberian owned company.

DPI headed by this learned Liberian, has grouped strategic areas in Monrovia for its service provider, including Bushrod Island Jamaica Road junction, where the Head office of the company is located, Center Street (Central Monrovia), Lone Star Filling Station in Gardnersville (Jacob Town).

For its outstations, DPI covers Ganta; Nimba County, Buchanan; Grand Bassa County Totota/Gbarnga, Bong County and Kakata, Margibi County. According to Mr. Brosius, it is his management’s desire to spread its wings through the length and breathe of the country by providing professional and reliable services to the nation.

With the support of his partner and major supplier in the petroleum business, the Monrovia Oil Trading Corporation (MOTC) which was established six years ago is said to be making a tremendous move alone with the DPI in helping to create and build confidence in the Liberian economy.

The setting up of DPI’s distribution networks throughout the country and managed by a staff of trained Liberian energetic professional individuals has indeed proven that this company is doing everything possible to empower Liberians in order to become masters of themselves in the future.

Mr. Brosius a 1996 product of the nation’s highest institution of learning, the University of Liberia where he sincerely earned for himself a BBA Degree in Accounting is happily married to beautiful and charming Ms. Hawa Fatta, now Mrs. Hawa Fatta Brosius, both are blessed with four (4) kids, two boys and three girls with ages 8, 5, 2 and one month old baby.

Mr. Brosius who believes in hard work and honesty has over the years worked with several reputable companies, including the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation (LPMC), and Mobil Oil Liberia Incorporated where he was also admired due to his professional handling of his assigned job, as Accountant.

While working at Mobil Oil Liberia Incorporated, he was privileged to have undergone several local and international exposure and training in Togo, Senegal, the Ivory Coast and the Republic of Ghana acquiring various techniques and experience through the sponsorship of Mobile Liberia limited, a gesture which he highly pleased with.

His professional services at Mobile at that time made his former bosses and other employees to missed him; being a man of integrity and diligent, others urged him to work for them but refused on ground that he was opting for his own business to help reduce and help to employ his fellow compatriots.

While also at this company (Mobil Oil Liberia Incorporated), according to some of his former workmates, the DPI Executive was always wining the hearts and minds of his bosses and receiving the highest appraisal every year from the company’s overseas office in Europe and the Americas. Similar honour was also given him at the end of last year (2006) when several media houses, honoured him for his valuable contribution to the state and its people.

His dream has today has become a reality, being a proud man to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of one of Liberia’s most reliable petroleum distributors which is measuring arms with some of the country’s biggest distributors in such business, “our services will cover the entire country, just give us some time”, Mr. Brosius relaxed behind his giant size desk in his office located at Jamaica Road Junction, Bushrod Island boastfully said.

When asked about his philosophy, the Gasoline and Petroleum guru smile and said, “The best way to happiness is to seek to make others happy”. Her said he has invested over half a million United States Dollars into the business and hope to invest more for the benefit of the Liberian people who will be catered to through the distribution of his products Nationwide.

Given his message to his fellow Liberians who may want to grow to become successful in business, Mr. Brosius urged them to “learn to be honest and committed and live within your means and pay your taxes regularly. These are the recipes for a successful businessman or woman”, the young Liberian business man stressed.

Mr. Brosius due to his hard work and interest in helping to reduce the high rate of unemployment in Liberia has also involved himself into farming. Presently he is operating a 10 acre farm land on the Monrovia/Roberts field highway where vegetables of all kinds are being harvested.

Speaking further, Mr. Brosius said 10 to 15 persons have been hired daily at a rate of US$5.00 per person, making sure that the ‘Green Revolution’ that was launched prior to the Liberian civil war regains its status. “This farm was recently harvested with lots of cabbages and other edibles vegetable,” Mr. Brosius.


Several Liberians spoken to by this writer called on other Liberian entrepreneurs to follow the good example of Mr. Amos Brosius who has taken the nationalistic initiatives to provide jobs for Liberians.

A U.S. based Liberian Cleric J. Samuel Reeves Talks about the moral and ethical situations in Liberia

A Liberian United States based Cleric, J. Samuel Reeves has been speaking on the moral and ethical situation in Liberia, see full text below
My Fellow Liberians and Friends of Liberia:

As we come to closure on issues of religion and the Christian Church in Liberia in the social justice dimension of our beloved country, Liberia, especially during recent debates on ethical and moral entreats in high places of the Liberian Government, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Mr. J. Rodney Chesson, Mr. George Fahnbulleh, Mr. Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr. and Mr. Sam Togba Slewion for their scholarly engagements. Additionally, I would like to thank the many Liberians and friends of Liberia that picked my brain, sought my opinion and questioned my silence on the situation at bar. Dr. Mariah Y. Seton, Father James N. Wilson, Deacon Solomon Reeves, Mr. Robert Sayon Morris, Rev. Samuel Mbayo, Mr. Benoni Tarr Grimes, Mr. Stanford Peabody and others spent many hours with me on the telephone discussing the situation. A big thanks to all of you for the frank and candid intercourse on the ethical and moral destiny of the country we love so dearly.
I pray that the Christian Church in Liberia will wake up from theological and Christological misconceptions that the church and its leaders should stay out of politics and just preach the Word of God. This misconception of the role of the Christian Church in Liberia is repressive and alienating. Under out constitution, all Liberians are stock holders in Liberia and all Liberians have the right to participate at all levels of their country’s affairs and to aspire for any positions they so desire. Regrettably, the Christian Church in Liberia is so colonized, misinformed and theologically impotent that it sometimes lends itself to misinterpretations of the Bible, promotes classicisms, stands on the side of the oppressors and becomes insensitive to the needs of the oppressed.
The Christian Church in Liberia should invest considerable energy and time in purging itself of uncritical approaches to matters concerning the church and state. It should adapt a holistic ministry that ministers to the total person and treats all Liberians with respect, dignity and honor. If the Christian Church in Liberia believes that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully human, it cannot emphasize spirituality and de-emphasize social, economic, political, military and other human elements that affect the Liberian people. Is it not true that as the Son of God, Jesus Christ represented God perfectly and as the Son of Man, he participated in flesh and blood issues?
In fairness to the Christian Church in Liberia , however, it has and continues to serve as bacon of hope for our people. It has and continues to provide nurture, encouragement, empowerment and mediation at all levels of the Liberian society. Like Jesus Christ, the Christian Church in Liberia has been and continues to serve mediatorial and reconciling roles in healing the wounds of Liberia and in building relations between divided and antagonistic forces.
The Christian Church in Liberia has and continues to experience temptations, frustrations, persecutions, unfair distribution of the country’s resources and taken for granted by the rich and powerful in Liberia, but it continues to shine as light in all dark and shadowy areas of Liberia. Religious leaders have been and continue to be taken for granted and disadvantaged by the rich and powerful in Liberia because most of our leaders operate under the myth that government is for evil, immoral, corrupt and unethical monsters who come to power for the sole purpose of exploiting, manipulating, stealing, killing and destroying the Liberian people and the Liberian nation. I grantee that this nonsense will stop and that I will return to Liberia this year to help enlighten, engage and empower our people to the reality that true governance, the minimization of corruption in high places and genuine healing of our beloved country, Liberia, are impossible until God and Government reconcile and partner for wellbeing, peace, prosperity, security and tranquility of all Liberians.
My fellow Liberians and Friends of Liberia, in union strong success is sure, we cannot fail...With hearts and hands, our country caused defending... With God above our rights to prove, not only that we will, but we must over all prevail. I thank you and may continue to bless the Republic of Liberia.

Rev. J. Samuel Reeves, M. Div., M. A.
Doctoral Student, Virginia Union University
Reaching 100 US Towns and Cities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Television in 2007.
Cell: 612-703-6145

As Gov't Declares Journalist Wanted for Pornographic Photos, His Lawyer Takes Exception, Says His Client is Right

A scene of people reading yesterday's photocopied of the paper

Credit from NDN
Pronouncement by the Liberian National Police Force declaring journalist Sam Deam, Publisher of the Independent Newspaper wanted for publishing pornographic photos of Minister Willis Knuckles as created serious concern among practicing and non practicing journalists, describing his action as 'unprofessional' and endangering the journalism profession. A cross of section of journalists who spoke to the GNN today expressed total disappointment on the part of the Independent newspaper Publisher.
"Sam Deam has violated the code of ethics of this noble profession, the Liberian Government should have allow the press Union of Liberia (PUL) to handle its member instead of being declared wanted by the State," Paul Noring for Editor of the Liberian News Agency (LINA) speaking to the GNN said.
Several callers on a local radio Talk Show said they were also disappointed and worried about the future of their children who said they said saw this orgy photograph of Minister Knuckles in public.
The callers called on the Press Union of Liberia to handle the issue, "these guys need to be monitored, look what this paper has done to our children with this kind of pictures been showing to them", another caller in a disappointing mood said.
Following the publication of Minister Knuckles' orgy photos, several persons including young people were seen with photocopied of the scene. Due to the demand of this by the public, the paper was sold as high as $LD135-150.00 per copy, while a photocopy of the scene was also sold at $LD50.00.
Meanwhile, the legal representative of journalist Deam, Cllr. Serenus Cepheus told a local radio station that sees nothing wrong for his client (Deam) to be wanted by the State, "My client has done nothing wrong to be wanted by the Government," Cllr. Cepheus told the public on the radio.

For Publishing Pornographic Photos Gov't Orders Publisher Arrested

The Liberian Government has ordered the arrest of the Publisher of the Independent Newspaper, Mr. Sam O. Deam for publishing in his newspaper pornographic photos of Mr. Willis Knuckles, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs yesterday.

The government at the same time has ordered the Liberian National Police to arrest anyone in the city and its environ caught in possession of these photos.

The Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Liberian National Police, Steven Zargo yesterday told a local radio that the paper's Publisher was wanted for violating Section 18.1 of the Penal Code of Liberia.

The code prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials without minimizing the risk of exposure to children under sixteen.

Commissioner Zargo also said the Police would meet the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia on the matter.

Following this pronouncement by the police yesterday evening, plain clothes security officers picked up Mr. Dean while on his way home last evening, and taken to an unknown location.

Speaking on the issue the President of the Press union of Liberia, Mr. George Barpen confirmed that the management of the paper has committed some ethical transgression in its journalistic performance, but said the government was too fast have ordered the arrest Mr. Dean instead of the union taken its stance to deal with the issue of ethical transgression on the part of the paper's Publisher.

Details will follow in our subsequent publication