Editorials

Give Them Their Due

Some of the most trying periods of this country during the war were when negotiations were taking place to establish peace under the leadership of an Interim Government. After Doe was captured and killed, Liberia found itself without a leader until Dr. Sawyer arrived with his group to run the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) which was put together in Banjul. This was followed by the several other Transitional Governments which had control of only Monrovia and its environs.

With the West African Military Force, ECOMOG, having established itself in Monrovia, the capital became known as the Safe Haven in the country and was the only area throughout the war that remained under the continued protection of the Liberian flag and the Constitution.

Therefore, a large number of citizens took refuge in the city. Although referred to as Chairmen, those who presided over the several interim governments maintained the legitimacy of the sovereignty of this nation until peace was restored.

Calling for Environmental Policy

What, other than our surroundings to drive home the need for and the importance of a policy for the upkeep and renewal of this important facet of our existence: the environment? Every time we leave our homes and enter a public place we are reminded of what's at stake: the deafening drone from electric generators, cluttered streets, littered neighborhoods and vacant lots, all tell that a threat to the air and our living condition exists.

In order to carry out a change, the Minister of Lands Mines and Energy, Mr. Eugene Shannon, has called for an Environmental Policy to control waste disposal and to protect the air and the soil. Ever since the lights went out in 1990, the air has been polluted with the noise of electric generators and vacant lot garages have multiplied leaving machine oil to leak into the ground and contaminate the soil. Builders remain unconcerned about government efforts to clear drainage and avoid flooded streets. They continue to dump building materials like sand, crushed rocks and soil on the sidewalks and in gutters, thereby leading to clogged drainages.

This means that establishing an Environmental Protection Agency is not enough. What we need now is an Agency with clout; an Agency that `is proactive and can take action that will not only emphasize prevention but one that will inflict punishment where the law is ignored.

Reaching a Critical Milestone

In his latest report on the security and stability of the country, the UN Secretary General has warned Liberians that “it is crucial that the development of the security sector becomes a main priority for the government and the international community so that those institutions become independently operational, and fully resourced” as UNMIL carries out its drawdown for exit.

This warning was made in the report which emphasizes that notwithstanding the successes made in consolidating peace and security in Liberia the limited gains could be rolled back by the “prevalence of impunity.” Thus, peace in Liberia, the report stresses, remains “fragile” due to “ethnic and communal tensions, disputes over access to land and lack of confidence in the criminal justice system.”

This lack of confidence in the criminal justice system is a troubling factor in maintenance of peace and security in Liberia. Therefore we strongly feel that something needs to be done to build up confidence in the minds of the public towards security personnel and in their capacity to handle situations that threaten the peace process.

Elephants Fight Over Decoris Palm

There is a saying in Liberia that when elephants fight, the grass suffers. It appears that the grass is suffering seriously in the southeastern region as elephants in the Executive and the Legislative Branches are in a major row over the awarding of a concession agreement for the operation of this once lucrative agricultural entity in Maryland known as Decoris Palm Plantation. The entity is planted in oil palm, but it has remained dormant for years as a consequence of the 14-year conflict.

Recently, however, the government, through the Inter-Ministerial Concession Committee (IMCC), initiated the process leading to rehabilitation of the farm through a private entity. Five international firms responded and two, BSP and SIFCA, submitted proposals to government. After final evaluation of the bids, IMCC approved SIFCA as the most responsive bidder, according to the Agriculture Minister, Florence Chenoweth, and gave them the nod, even though SIFCA reportedly did not have on hand the full amount required to start operations.

According to the biddings, SIFCA's total investment is over $48 million for the nucleus plantation and the out growers is $16 million; making a total of $64 million.

Meeting the Educational Challenge

The last school year ended leaving all those concerned with the education system in the country troubled at heart. There were massive failures by most of the schools that registered for the annual West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The Ministry of Education is now carrying on a major overhaul of the entire school curriculum including textbooks, teachers’ training, etc.

At the University of Liberia, it was announced that 6,211 students will be placed on probation for poor academic performances. This is further indication that the educational standard in the country has dropped and something needs be done to put the system on an even keel to measure up to world standard.

Authorities at the University of Liberia are very much concerned about the low standard possessed by candidates who apply to register at the institution. Therefore, to put students on their guard and make them realize that the state institution is not entertaining flunkies, nor intend to produce gboogors for the country, has declared that those students with poor academic performance will be placed on probation. In fact, the University's Handbook states that students whose grade points average falls below 2.00 can be suspended for two semesters.

Reject not the Values that Sustain Us

About seventy-years ago an ambitious merchant began the construction of a large store on Ashmun Street. It would have been the first store to be erected in that part of town. At the time the Executive Mansion was located on Ashmun Street.

It was the building that now houses the General Accounting Commission. The State Department was just across the street, on the spot where the Ship Registry Office, LISCR, now stands. The Post Office was nearby, and the Bank of Monrovia was a stone's throw, across Randall. There was a city ordinance restricting the use of Ashmun Street as a business center. But this Merchant was not aware of the City Ordinance and began his construction near the Bank of Monrovia on Ashmun Street.

The late Samuel D. George, a member of the House of Representatives from Montserrado County, was outraged when he saw what was taking place. He made the necessary inquiries and in no time the Ordinance was invoked and the construction stopped. Ashmun Street was a prohibited business area and not allowed to be turned into a shopping or business center. Even long after the Executive Mansion was transferred to Capitol Hill, Ashmun Street, particularly its downtown section, continued to be seen as Holy Ground. Today, city ordinances seem to be a thing of the past. Now, even petty traders have invaded the area and have reduced this historical site to disuse.

Identifying with Pakistan

Liberia is to keep the peace, provide security and monitor the activities of Liberians as we settle down and reconcile with ourselves in moving forward rebuilding our country.

It is noted that there are about the 49 troop-contributing countries represented in Liberia under the UN flag, Pakistan had the largest unit and was the first to set up military component outside Monrovia.

According to an UNMIL periodical reporting on the activities of the Peacekeeping operations, “beyond providing security, which is their core mandate, the Pakistani peacekeepers have adopted schools and established vocational and skills training centers. In addition they cater to the sick through free medical camps even in the remotest parts, and reconstruct basic infrastructure, including roads and bridges.” They are located in Tubmanburg, deployed in Zorzor, Yeala, and in Foya, Lofa County; they are in Cape Mount. Not only do they keep the peace and rebuild structures, roads and bridges. They also undertake small scale community projects to engage directly with the local population.

The Flag, a Symbolism

Some years ago a prominent lawyer always told this story in court to portray the significance of the flag to the security and protection of one's rights and civil liberties.

A court was in session and a man in distress who had nothing to do with the case in court, came running, broke the decorum of the court and did not stop running until he reached near the Judge's bench, grabbed the flag erected near the Judge and wrapped it around him.

Shocked and taken aback, the judge finally came to himself, found his gabble, rapped it asking the intruder what was the meaning of his interruption. In breathless tones and breathing heavily, still frightened, the intruder explained that he was being chased unlawfully and he felt that his only refuge at hand was the flag in the courtroom.

He went on: “I have always been told that the flag is our final protector. And no one can touch you once it is wrapped around you. I saw the courtroom opened and I knew the flag was there. Your Honor, there was nowhere else to run; I know I am safe with this flag around me.”

The Ducor Sequel

The habit of caving into brute force seems to have become a part of the Liberian psyche. This is an obvious demonstration that war is not a good thing, and Liberians should not threaten others about “war, war, war!”

This week men and women stood up against Government's attempt to take possession of the surrounding area of Ducor after a long period of negotiations and payment to some of the squatters.

On Wednesday night, under the cover of darkness, the wreckers along with police moved in with full force and began evicting and demolishing houses. Some arrests were made, but the exercise has continued in a peaceful manner with occupants taking away their belongings.

This is how it should be in an atmosphere of law and order. And the sooner our people begin their re-education about how to live in a democracy, this glorious land of liberty shall be fully enjoyed by all.

Yesterday's ruckus at Mamba Point created an awful picture of Monrovia and telephone calls began coming in from abroad in order to find out what was happening in Liberia. Someone postponed his trip while others have promised a watchful eye on developments.

The Ducor Slippery Slope

An ugly scene unfolded on Tuesday at the Ducor Intercontinental Hotel on Snapper Hill, overlooking Mamba Point, when illegal residents and squatters, brandishing sticks, placards, stones and broken bottles, created a riotous situation as the Government attempted to take possession `of the surrounding areas of the Hotel structure.

For many long months and hours of negotiation, pacification and agreed understanding, it was presumed that at long last there had been created a meeting of minds between those occupying the Rocky Hill area around the hotel and government. Therefore, everything would go ahead as planned.

But as Housing Authority forces moved forward to demolish, they were confronted by an angry mob - men, women and children - all armed with bottles, tools, sticks, stones and placards to challenge government. Some of them cried out, “We will fight war here!” “We are willing to die today!”

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