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LAWMAKER, AND ELLEN WANT BRYANT'S GOVERNMENT AUDITED FOR CORRUPTION From Cholo Brooks/Liberia Hon. James Banney, member of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA), has called for an "immediate independent audit of the National Transitional Government of Liberia. Banney, a representative of the former National Patriotic Party of Charles Taylor in the House of Representative said the audit was necessary because "The Transitional Government is characterized by rampant corruption which is hindering the growth and development of Post-War Liberia". The Liberian Lawmaker spoke to journalists recently at his Capitol Hill office, He said the former government of Charles Taylor "Was much better than the current NTGL which every Liberian opted for, for the common good of all". Rep. Banney explained that vehicles purchased for the legislators and cabinet ministers by the past government were far less expensive as compared to the ones purchased by the NTGL, adding, "They are very expensive at the expense of the suffering masses". Recently, a representative at the House of Representative was given a Grand Cherokee Jeep valued over US$56,000.00, while other officials in the NTGL received Neon Lxise Sedan each at the cost of US$27,000.00. Up to now civil servants have not receive their eight months salaries. Other lawmakers talked to on this issue also expressed their displeasure on how the Bryant government is being run. "We have gone from bad to worse, we thought Charles Taylor was eating up the people's money, instead it is another way around". Paul William, a petty trader told this writer in Monrovia. In a related development, the Chairperson of the Governance Reform Commission (GRC) Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said the level of financial malpractices in the public sector is indeed unprecedented, and stressed that it forbids the tenant of good governance. "We must find ways to correct this to make sure that the NTGL perform to international standard to which we committed ourselves when we agreed with the donors at a conference early this year," she added. Madam Sirleaf spoke during a news conference recently in Monrovia.
NTGL VICE CHAIRMAN LAUNCHES $20 MILLION GSM
COMPANY
From: J. Cholo Brooks
The American Cellular phone company, CELLCOM yesterday launched its operations
in Liberia with an initial investment capital of over $20 million. The Vice
Chairman of the National Transitional of Liberia, Wesley Momo Johnson launched
the fourth in the numbers of GSM companies in the country.
The NTGL Vice Chairman during the official launching program of the company,
said the emergence of CELLCOM in the communication industry would help to
provide employment opportunities for Liberians.
He praised the CELLCOM management for the expension and hoped that it will
provide quality services to its many consumers in par with international GSM
company. He however admonished the management to cooperate with the relevant
government agencies responsible for telecommunications in the country, and
develop network system where the population will benefit from this new
technology in Liberia.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, Mr. Willie D. Knuckles
Jr. told the gathering of government officials, diplomats and prominent
business people during the program, that CELLCOM "wishes to assume that there
will be an open market, fair competition, and that GSM users will receive
quality services at a fair and affordable
cost".
Presently there four GSM companies in the country, including LONE STAR
COMMUNICATIONS, LIBERCELL, COMOUIN and now CELLCOM. Many Liberians are
expressing happiness in the increased GSM technology in Liberia.
LIBERIA'S DIAMOND SANCTIONS TO BE LIFTED, ESTABLISHES
APPRAISING OFFICES
Says Minister Mason
From: J. Cholo Brooks/Liberia
The UN backed Diamond Sanctions imposed on Liberia is to shortly be lifted
following an invitation extended the Government of Liberia by the Chairman of
the Kimberley Diamond Certification Scheme to attend the organization's
annual plenary in Quebee, Canada, Liberia's Land, Lands, Mines and Energy
Minister told journalists Monday.
The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1343 in 2001 imposing sanctions on
Liberian diamond export due to the alleged involvement of the former
Government of Charles Taylor in the Sierra Leonean crisis.
Minister Mason told a news conference that his delegation's presence at the
Wuebee Kimberley Process annual plenary is the result of the NTGL's compliance
with all the diamonds of UN Security Council Resolution 1343.
He said due to his government complete compliance with the sanctions regime on
diamond, the UN Security Council has encouraged the Liberian Government to
become a participant of the Kimberley process Certification Scheme.
The Liberian Lands, Mines and Energy Minister told journalists that the
meeting was "very rewarding", divulged that the Liberian delegation met with
the Chairman of the Kimberley process, according to to Minister is expected to
visit Liberia later month and early January, 2005.
He also disclosed that his ministry is presently constructing a diamond
appraising office, at the cost of over $150,000.00, he said this office when
completed will host an international appraising counterpart from he Kimberley
Process.
Meanwhile, Minister Mason has pledged his Government's willingness ro comply
with the Kimberley process to the leter and added that following the visit of
the Kimberley delegation to Liberia, the UN Security Council may reconsider
its decision to lift sanctions on Liberia.
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The Liberian Group, Ltd. 617-230-1982 "Serve The Masses" Copy Right 1999 |
