One of Liberia’s major distributors of petroleum products, the Ducor Petroleum Incorporated (DPI) is said to be making progress in building more service stations to help reduce the high rate of thousands of unemployed Liberians.
According to a release from the head office of this Liberian owned company, the DPI has started establishing additional prominent stations in Totota, Bong County, Congotown in Montserrado County and Buchanan in Grand Bassa County.
These stations are expected to employ over 100 Liberians when completed these areas, we will bring you update of this Liberian owned company.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
As Mittal Steel Contract Goes before Senate, Bribery Seems Imminence
To deliberate on the ratification of the world’s largest steel company contract, Mittal Steel, the Senate Committee on Land, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment is today, Tuesday expected to hold public hearing on its agreement.
According to a release, the hearing will take place in the Senate’s Chamber at the Unity Conference Center in Virginia, outside Monrovia. The Committee is therefore calling on the public and interested individuals to attend the hearing.
But as the Senate Committee hearing underway today, reports published in local dailies indicate that the Mittal Steel ratification has been holed up before four legislative committees for the past weeks with reports that some Representatives are forcefully demanding US$10,000.00 apiece, while others have confirmed demanding US$3,000.00 as petty cash to hold public hearings before the bill can be pass.
The local daily quoting Maryland County Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, as saying, “There are some disturbing news coming from committee rooms which indicates that some of our colleagues are demanding US$10,000.00 apiece before a final vote can be taken as regards the Mittal Steel Bill,” Dr. Chambers told reporters.
Speaking further on the issue, Sr. Chambers said, “that may not be the case, but if that is true, then it is absolutely unacceptable because everything that needs to be done with that bill has already be done and I don’t see why the delay in the passage,” the Maryland County Representative stressed.
For his part, House Judiciary Committee Chairman and head of the four committees now deliberating the Bill, Armah Sarnoh said he is not aware of any of his colleagues demanding any money, adding, “that has not been brought to my attention, but we have asked the company for US$3,000.00 as petty cash to enable us to hold public hearing,” Representative Sarnoh in a relaxed mood told reporters.
Some observers who spoke to the GNN expressed disappointment on the part of the House of Representatives to demand a cast token of $US3,000.00 from an investor who is planning to provide job opportunities to jobless Liberians.
“I am baffled and disappointed of this news. You want to tell me our lawmakers can not perform their duties with asking for bribe or cold water?” Sampson Gueh, a student at the University of Liberia Political Science Department in a confused state told the GNN.
Meanwhile, GNN will bring you an update of the Senate Committee hearing as regarding the ratification of the Mittal Steel Contracts in our subsequent report.
According to a release, the hearing will take place in the Senate’s Chamber at the Unity Conference Center in Virginia, outside Monrovia. The Committee is therefore calling on the public and interested individuals to attend the hearing.
But as the Senate Committee hearing underway today, reports published in local dailies indicate that the Mittal Steel ratification has been holed up before four legislative committees for the past weeks with reports that some Representatives are forcefully demanding US$10,000.00 apiece, while others have confirmed demanding US$3,000.00 as petty cash to hold public hearings before the bill can be pass.
The local daily quoting Maryland County Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, as saying, “There are some disturbing news coming from committee rooms which indicates that some of our colleagues are demanding US$10,000.00 apiece before a final vote can be taken as regards the Mittal Steel Bill,” Dr. Chambers told reporters.
Speaking further on the issue, Sr. Chambers said, “that may not be the case, but if that is true, then it is absolutely unacceptable because everything that needs to be done with that bill has already be done and I don’t see why the delay in the passage,” the Maryland County Representative stressed.
For his part, House Judiciary Committee Chairman and head of the four committees now deliberating the Bill, Armah Sarnoh said he is not aware of any of his colleagues demanding any money, adding, “that has not been brought to my attention, but we have asked the company for US$3,000.00 as petty cash to enable us to hold public hearing,” Representative Sarnoh in a relaxed mood told reporters.
Some observers who spoke to the GNN expressed disappointment on the part of the House of Representatives to demand a cast token of $US3,000.00 from an investor who is planning to provide job opportunities to jobless Liberians.
“I am baffled and disappointed of this news. You want to tell me our lawmakers can not perform their duties with asking for bribe or cold water?” Sampson Gueh, a student at the University of Liberia Political Science Department in a confused state told the GNN.
Meanwhile, GNN will bring you an update of the Senate Committee hearing as regarding the ratification of the Mittal Steel Contracts in our subsequent report.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Snowe Faces Police Tomorrow to Answer Corruption Charges - Will he escape justice?
The former Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives, Mr. Edwin Melvin Snowe is expected to face a team of investigators at the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police on charges of corruption on Tuesday.
Last week the former speaker was invited at the police station to answer to corruption charges levelled against by the ECOWAS Audit Team, the UN Panel of experts, the European Union and the LPRC Tax Force, linking him to the misapplication of over a Million United States Dollars from the LPRC coffers during his tenure.
The former speaker who is currently serving as Representative for District #5 in Monrtserrado County has since denied the charges levelled against him, blaming Mr. Harry Grieves, Jr., current Managing Director of the LPRC of being behind the plot to disgrace him.
The former speaker may likely be stripped off his legislative immunities during the investigation. However, some political observers who spoke to the GNN late last night by way of mobile phone believes that invitation extended the former speaker by the police may lead him forfeiting his immunities as a lawmaker.
Since the beginning of this year, the former speaker has been facing series of challenges regarding his qualification to lead that august body. The first was a call by his colleagues to have him removed as Speaker, and now he is now been invited by the police to answer charges of corruption.
“Former Speaker Snowe is heading for his disgrace again, this time he is been sought to prove his innocence on the misappropriation of millions of United States Dollars while at the LPRC; what good for John also good for Paul – You pull robe, robe pull bush,” Patrick Tuckers, an employee at the LPRC who preferred not to be named told the GNN in an interview.
Many who spoke to the GNN over the weekend called on the Liberian government not to be selective in dealing with corrupt officials, “since these former officials are been chased, the same should be done with the current ones, who believes that the culture of impunity should be their livelihood,’ John Dennis, a local rights advocate adding his voice to the Police/Snowe fracas said.
Speaking further Mr. Dennis said Liberians have suffered for too long in the hands of individuals who feel that they are always untouchable whenever crime is committed by them, especially the misapplication of public funds, “the days of government officials eating tax payers’ money at the detriment of the sufferance massive are over. These guys must face justice,” Mr. Dennis stressed.
Last week the former speaker was invited at the police station to answer to corruption charges levelled against by the ECOWAS Audit Team, the UN Panel of experts, the European Union and the LPRC Tax Force, linking him to the misapplication of over a Million United States Dollars from the LPRC coffers during his tenure.
The former speaker who is currently serving as Representative for District #5 in Monrtserrado County has since denied the charges levelled against him, blaming Mr. Harry Grieves, Jr., current Managing Director of the LPRC of being behind the plot to disgrace him.
The former speaker may likely be stripped off his legislative immunities during the investigation. However, some political observers who spoke to the GNN late last night by way of mobile phone believes that invitation extended the former speaker by the police may lead him forfeiting his immunities as a lawmaker.
Since the beginning of this year, the former speaker has been facing series of challenges regarding his qualification to lead that august body. The first was a call by his colleagues to have him removed as Speaker, and now he is now been invited by the police to answer charges of corruption.
“Former Speaker Snowe is heading for his disgrace again, this time he is been sought to prove his innocence on the misappropriation of millions of United States Dollars while at the LPRC; what good for John also good for Paul – You pull robe, robe pull bush,” Patrick Tuckers, an employee at the LPRC who preferred not to be named told the GNN in an interview.
Many who spoke to the GNN over the weekend called on the Liberian government not to be selective in dealing with corrupt officials, “since these former officials are been chased, the same should be done with the current ones, who believes that the culture of impunity should be their livelihood,’ John Dennis, a local rights advocate adding his voice to the Police/Snowe fracas said.
Speaking further Mr. Dennis said Liberians have suffered for too long in the hands of individuals who feel that they are always untouchable whenever crime is committed by them, especially the misapplication of public funds, “the days of government officials eating tax payers’ money at the detriment of the sufferance massive are over. These guys must face justice,” Mr. Dennis stressed.
GNN Boss to Receive Int'l Media Award for "Good Reporting"
L/R: Brooks seen interviewing the Bangladeshi Commander and UNMIL Force Commander
The Head of the Global News Network and Publishers of the GNN News Online, Mr. J. Cholo Brooks has been nominated among 15 selected journalists coming from the five continents of the world to participate in the 2006 Lorenzo Natali Prize Award for working journalists.
According to a communication from the 15th Lorenzo Natali Prize of the European Commission-DG Development addressed to the GNN boss, and signed by Zuzanna Podosek-Perrin, said, “You wrote an article entitled “Rural Liberia Gets Face-Lift from UNMIL Bangladesh Engineer Contingent which appeared on Friday, June 29, 2006 which appeared in the Liberian Times. That article of quality drew our attention and asked that you to compete the Lorenzo Natali Prize 2006 of European Commission.”
The communication further said, “The European Commission has committed itself to support and congratulate the written press journalists who will have shown remarkable judgement in their articles on Human Rights and Democracy issues in the development world,” the European Commission-DG Development communication said.
“A donation of 50,000.00 EUROS are envisaged for 2006 in order to reward the 15 selected journalists who are written and online press and working for local media in the following five world regions: Europe (Member States and Central, Eastern and Mediterranean Europe) Africa, Arab World, Iran and Israel, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean,” the communication further stressed.
The communication also disclosed that the winners of the award are expected to be invited for the handing-over of the prizes which will “proceed in Brussels in May 2007.”
Mr. Brooks a former Correspondent of the BBC African Service prior to setting up the GNN worked for several news online including the http://www.africanevents/, http://www.trouwnewspaper.com/ of the Netherlands, http://www.limany.org/ and http://www.theliberiantimes.com/. His institution the GNN also publishes two weeklies, The Star and The Weekend Newspapers.
Mr. Brooks’ fearless coverage of events especially during the early days of the Liberian Civil War 1990-1996) made him to win the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) 1994 “Foreign Correspondent of the Year Award”.
According to a communication from the 15th Lorenzo Natali Prize of the European Commission-DG Development addressed to the GNN boss, and signed by Zuzanna Podosek-Perrin, said, “You wrote an article entitled “Rural Liberia Gets Face-Lift from UNMIL Bangladesh Engineer Contingent which appeared on Friday, June 29, 2006 which appeared in the Liberian Times. That article of quality drew our attention and asked that you to compete the Lorenzo Natali Prize 2006 of European Commission.”
The communication further said, “The European Commission has committed itself to support and congratulate the written press journalists who will have shown remarkable judgement in their articles on Human Rights and Democracy issues in the development world,” the European Commission-DG Development communication said.
“A donation of 50,000.00 EUROS are envisaged for 2006 in order to reward the 15 selected journalists who are written and online press and working for local media in the following five world regions: Europe (Member States and Central, Eastern and Mediterranean Europe) Africa, Arab World, Iran and Israel, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean,” the communication further stressed.
The communication also disclosed that the winners of the award are expected to be invited for the handing-over of the prizes which will “proceed in Brussels in May 2007.”
Mr. Brooks a former Correspondent of the BBC African Service prior to setting up the GNN worked for several news online including the http://www.africanevents/, http://www.trouwnewspaper.com/ of the Netherlands, http://www.limany.org/ and http://www.theliberiantimes.com/. His institution the GNN also publishes two weeklies, The Star and The Weekend Newspapers.
Mr. Brooks’ fearless coverage of events especially during the early days of the Liberian Civil War 1990-1996) made him to win the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) 1994 “Foreign Correspondent of the Year Award”.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Liberians Want former Transitional Chairman Prosecuted for corruption as "deterrent", but others disagreed
As the legal battle to prosecute former National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), Chairman, Businessman Charles Gyude Bryant heats up, several Liberians in Monrovia and its environ are calling on the Liberian government to speedily bring to justice their former leader who has been charged for corruption. During an in interview with cross section of Liberians over the weekend, a team of GNN reporters gathered that most of those interviewed called for the prosecution of former Chairman Bryant and six former officials who have been charged of stealing millions of United States Dollars from government coffers.
“Former Chairman Bryant must face justice, and if found guilty be prosecuted. This will serve as a deterrent for others who are presently serving in this government and want to do the same, by stealing the Liberian people’s money,” Junior Sumo, a taxi driver given his impression about the issue said.
“We hope what has been started by this government, the Ellen led government to prosecute former officials for corruption will continue ….it should not be limited to only former Chairman Bryant’s government alone,” a middle age petty trader, Sarah Barclay in a serious tune said.
“The culture of impunity in our society must stop. Let Bryant and his former officials be given a free and fair trail, and if found guilty be brought to justice to face the full weight of the law,” Samuel Johnson, II, a student of the AME Zion Community College in Monrovia told the GNN.
As others want Bryant and others prosecuted, some others interviewed by the GNN expressed displeasure of how former Chairman Bryant and his officials are be persecuted by the Liberian people, “this is like a biblical story; those without sin must be the first to throw stone. Many of those who are calling on the prosecution of Bryant and others must be careful; if you’re in glass house don’t throw stone. This is what I can say,” Elizabeth Collins a businesswoman said.
Last week former Chairman Bryant was finally indicted and charged by a Grand Jury for “theft of property” for allegedly diverting over one-million United States Dollars during his tenure as chairman of the former NTGL. According to reports, the former chairman refused to justify to the investigators on how he utilized the US$1,397,255.00 in question.
According to legal practitioners here the former chairman’s act is in violation of Chapter 15, Section 15.51 (a,b & c) of the new penal law of Liberia which states that a person is guilty of Theft if he knowingly takes, misappropriates, converts or exercises unauthorized control over, or makes an unauthorized transfer of an interest in the property of another with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof.
For his part, former chairman Bryant challenged those who accused him of stealing money from the nation’s coffers, “"If you can prove that I committed crime when I was in office, go to the court. My lawyers will vigorously defend me. We have laws in our country. The constitution is clear,” the former Liberian leader boastfully told reporters in Monrovia.
“Former Chairman Bryant must face justice, and if found guilty be prosecuted. This will serve as a deterrent for others who are presently serving in this government and want to do the same, by stealing the Liberian people’s money,” Junior Sumo, a taxi driver given his impression about the issue said.
“We hope what has been started by this government, the Ellen led government to prosecute former officials for corruption will continue ….it should not be limited to only former Chairman Bryant’s government alone,” a middle age petty trader, Sarah Barclay in a serious tune said.
“The culture of impunity in our society must stop. Let Bryant and his former officials be given a free and fair trail, and if found guilty be brought to justice to face the full weight of the law,” Samuel Johnson, II, a student of the AME Zion Community College in Monrovia told the GNN.
As others want Bryant and others prosecuted, some others interviewed by the GNN expressed displeasure of how former Chairman Bryant and his officials are be persecuted by the Liberian people, “this is like a biblical story; those without sin must be the first to throw stone. Many of those who are calling on the prosecution of Bryant and others must be careful; if you’re in glass house don’t throw stone. This is what I can say,” Elizabeth Collins a businesswoman said.
Last week former Chairman Bryant was finally indicted and charged by a Grand Jury for “theft of property” for allegedly diverting over one-million United States Dollars during his tenure as chairman of the former NTGL. According to reports, the former chairman refused to justify to the investigators on how he utilized the US$1,397,255.00 in question.
According to legal practitioners here the former chairman’s act is in violation of Chapter 15, Section 15.51 (a,b & c) of the new penal law of Liberia which states that a person is guilty of Theft if he knowingly takes, misappropriates, converts or exercises unauthorized control over, or makes an unauthorized transfer of an interest in the property of another with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof.
For his part, former chairman Bryant challenged those who accused him of stealing money from the nation’s coffers, “"If you can prove that I committed crime when I was in office, go to the court. My lawyers will vigorously defend me. We have laws in our country. The constitution is clear,” the former Liberian leader boastfully told reporters in Monrovia.
As Sirleaf Launches Nation-wide Cabinet Meetings, Marylanders in high Gear for the arrival
Thousands Marylanders Await President Sirleaf Arrival, as she Launches Nationwide Cabinet Meeting
Preparation is said to be in progress in Harper, the administrative capital of Maryland County – home of Liberia’s 18th President, the late President William V.S. Tubman for the arrival of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in that part of the country at the end of this month.
Already a high power delegation of technical staff from the General Services Agency (GSA) is currently in Harper to conduct an assessment in order to prepare damaged public buildings for the arrival of the President in the county, according to the GSA Director General, Mr. Willard Russell.
The GSA Director General said after the assessment an estimate would be submitted to the Central Government at which time the funds will be provided for what he called, “quick action would be put in place for all the renovation of these damaged facilitates, including the Presidential Guesthouse, the City Hall and the Administrative Building,
Speaking to the GNN via mobile phone, an Executive of the Maryland Union, John Willie said preparations are been made for the arrival of the president, adding, “we are making necessary preparations to give the city a face-lift for the arrival of our mother,” Mr. Willie in a jolly mood said.
Observers believed the move by the president to take members of her cabinet to the people worth commendable, “this exercise been undertaken by her would afford those individuals in her government who over the years refused to visit their counties to do so by force,” Mr. Willie further told the GNN.
According to the Liberian Chief Executive the holding of her cabinet would be done throughout the country on a rotational basis, the first county to witness the arrival of these cabinet members and Chief Executive will be Maryland County.
Preparation is said to be in progress in Harper, the administrative capital of Maryland County – home of Liberia’s 18th President, the late President William V.S. Tubman for the arrival of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in that part of the country at the end of this month.
Already a high power delegation of technical staff from the General Services Agency (GSA) is currently in Harper to conduct an assessment in order to prepare damaged public buildings for the arrival of the President in the county, according to the GSA Director General, Mr. Willard Russell.
The GSA Director General said after the assessment an estimate would be submitted to the Central Government at which time the funds will be provided for what he called, “quick action would be put in place for all the renovation of these damaged facilitates, including the Presidential Guesthouse, the City Hall and the Administrative Building,
Speaking to the GNN via mobile phone, an Executive of the Maryland Union, John Willie said preparations are been made for the arrival of the president, adding, “we are making necessary preparations to give the city a face-lift for the arrival of our mother,” Mr. Willie in a jolly mood said.
Observers believed the move by the president to take members of her cabinet to the people worth commendable, “this exercise been undertaken by her would afford those individuals in her government who over the years refused to visit their counties to do so by force,” Mr. Willie further told the GNN.
According to the Liberian Chief Executive the holding of her cabinet would be done throughout the country on a rotational basis, the first county to witness the arrival of these cabinet members and Chief Executive will be Maryland County.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
FPA Discloses Sam Wlue's Arrival In the U.S.
Mr. Sam Wlue
According to informative FrontPageAfrica News Online, the fortmer Commernce Minister Samuel Wlue who reportedly fled Liberia amid an investigation into his alleged corrupt activities during the National Transitional Government of Liberia, has arrived in the United States.
Wlue, according to unimpeachable sources arrived in the U.S. on Friday and is reportedly in the Philadelphia area where has friends and relatives. Philadelphia is also the home to Tiah J.D. Slanger, the former Commissioner of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs, who fled Liberia in 2005 after being charged with economic sabotage.
In Corrupt Charges: Sam Wlue Escapes Justice; Flee the Country, As Snowe Faces Police for Questioning
Liberia's Justice Minister, Francis Johnson - Morris One of the charged officials for corruption in the former Charles Gyude Bryant’s government, (The National Transitional Government of Liberia) Mr. Sam Wulue has reportedly escaped the country, according to Justice Ministry Sources.
Sam Wlue, former Minister of Commerce and Industry and four others in the former government including former Chairman of the NTGL were charged for allegedly steeling millions of dollars from the country’s coffers by the Liberian Government.
According to sources, the former Minister escaped while under bound issued by the Magisterial Count in
For his part, the former Chairman of the NTGL, Mr. Bryant was also charged for stealing more than $1 million from Liberia's coffers while in office.
Gyude Bryant, who led the interim government from October 2003 until when current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took office in January 2006, had previously been accused of embezzlement in a report issued by the Economic Community of West African States.
Police had questioned Bryant in recent months as part of a wide anti-corruption campaign, and government officials said they finally had enough information to issue charges.
'Mr. Bryant has been formally charged with theft of property,' Information Minister Laurence Bropleh said, adding the figure of $1.3 million 'could go higher.'
Bryant took office as the country emerged from civil war and totalitarian rule by Charles Taylor, who fled into exile in
Bryant declined to comment on the charges. One of his lawyers said they were awaiting the government's proof.
'If you make a charge, make sure you can support the charge,' Samuel Clark said. 'It is just not fair to make allegations when you have no proofs of those allegations.'
Bryant had said earlier that he believed he would be protected by immunity given to sitting heads of state.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Ducor Petroleum Intensifies operations in 3 More Counties, Provides More Jobs
Amos P.K. Brosius, I.
CEO of DPI
The management of Ducor Petroleum Incorporated says it has started massive operation for the construction of more station in the suburb of Speaking to the GNN the Chief Executive Officer, Amos P.K. Brosius, I. , said his Company has taken the initiative as of next week to tackle two Counties, including Margibi and Grand Bassa.
He said presently his Company is in Nimba andBong Counties
Due to the high rate of unemployment, DPI is working to help in reducing this high rate of Unemployment in the country.
He said presently his Company is in Nimba and
Due to the high rate of unemployment, DPI is working to help in reducing this high rate of Unemployment in the country.
READ www.businessnewswatch.blogspot.com for more stories on this company
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