MOVING THE TRUCKS

AFL Female drivers on the move, What a man can do, a woman can do even better……..

By: Mae Azango/staff writer

Standing proudly in front of a heavy duty army truck, proud women of the new Armed Forces were very happy to be moving a heavy duty truck usually driven by men.

The women were all part of the training exercise last week at the old Camp Jackson military barracks in Bellehfani Bong County. During the training exercise, it was observed that the female drivers sleep in their trucks at night because they believe that if anything should happen and they are far away from their trucks, it would be difficult to get to the trucks, unlike when they are inside the trucks. 

Private first class, Caroline Doe says driving a truck is a tedious task.  “We cover long distances if the mission cover that distance, but the AFL taught me how to manage and take care of a truck well. “

Test in jungle

Explaining some of their experiences and difficulties when driving a truck on a bad and muddy road, Doe says they usually engage the four-wheel drive to get them through. 

“I can remember the last time when we went to repair a bridge, the female drivers drove from EBK military Barack outside of Monrovia to Sinoe County in the Southeast. We had a recent test when the road we traveled, had heavy mud due to a heavy rainfall. We all were wondering how to cross the mud and we were also carrying men in the trucks on a mission. We had the confidence, so we engaged the four wheel and put our trucks in number two, and climbed the hill and through the mud.” 

The 34 year-old female officer and a mother of two said she learnt to drive a truck in the army three years ago and she is very proud to be driving a truck.

 “I feel very good about the new Army, because when the females are driving the trucks, people who come around are amazed to see women operating a heavy truck, because normally we take the lead.  We are about seven women driving these trucks and we also drive fuel tankers and Ambulance.”  

More women needed                         

The other women in the back ground said they feel very good and proud leading a convoy of Army vehicles with men in the back of the trucks. “Long ago, only men used to drive these trucks, but now we the women in the army are taking the lead to carry the men places and not the other way around.”

Private Sumo, holding an RPG says AK 47 is very small for her, so she only deals with RPG. “AK 47 is too local for me, so I leave it with the men, because I can even do it better than any of them.”

Private First Class Doe took the time to encourage her friends to join the new Army and drive trucks because they are few doing this job so they need more women to join them.

 “I would like to tell my friends out there to join the new army during the recruitment. We pray you all should come in the numbers to join us on the field.”

SAMUEL KANYON DOE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED

OUR VISION 

Our vision is to build what we refer to as "Empowerment Centers." These "Empowerment Centers" will be constructed in underserved and impoverish communities we serve.  We wish to first begin in Liberia then worldwide. We seek to provide a multitude of medical, educational and social services. These services range from the building of medical clinics, constructions of educational facilities to social needs such as food banks, child care, sports and recreation. 

OUR MISSION

‘For the cause of the people Empowerment is NOW’

The Samuel Kanyon Doe Foundation was founded to enrich the lives and welfare of individuals, families and communities in Liberia and worldwide.  Led by our beliefs in love, peace, justice, equality, unity and EMPOWERMENT.  It is the foundation’s principle belief that by providing individuals with the necessary life skills, knowledge, support and education you EMPOWER them to become self-sustaining members of their society communities.

ABOUT US

As children of the Late President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Samuel Kanyon Doe, we are proud to announce the creation of The Samuel Kanyon Doe Foundation! Through his loving memory and legacy, we his children developed this foundation.  Our father was a great visionary who achieved so much in his short life.  As a father he was loving, kind, humble and extremely loved by many.  As a man his humble beginnings defined who he was as a person and provided him with much humility and gratitude.  Above all, we as his children thoroughly understand the great love and passion he had for country and its' people.  With this in our hearts and on our minds, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Foundation has been established.

Samuel Kanyon Doe's legacy will forever live on in his wife, children and grandchildren.

SKD’s LEGACY (In Brief)

At the tender age of 29 Samuel Kanyon Doe became the youngest president in the world at that time and the first native President of Liberia since her independence in 1847.

In 1989, our father received the Africa Man of the Year award for his great achievements.

Here are a few of SKD's achievements:

• Broke down ethnic, political, financial and social barriers in Liberia.

• Introduced the first multi party election system in Liberia's history.

•Increased the minimum wage of public sector employees at all level to $200 a month by the early 80s.

•Created affordable education by heavily subsidising local government schools; also, reduced tuition at most boarding institutions by nearly 75% by 1982.

•Historic educational achievement as literacy rate tripled

•Restructured the National Housing and Savings bank, earmarking $5 million for market women and the disadvantaged.

•Created an ambitious agricultural program aimed at reducing dependencies on external sources for Liberia's food supply and creation of the green revolution movement.

•The renovations of roads and highways. Extension of the Ganta  Saclepea-Tappita-Zwedru Highway that cost $56 million dollars

•Constructed Pan African Plaza/ the National Archives Center / National Radio Station / National Sports Stadium / Barracks for members of the National Police Force / Police Headquarters ect.

•Liberian Rural Communications networks headquarters/ Gbarnga Power Station in Bong County

SKD’s BIOGRAPHY (in brief)

Samuel Kanyon Doe was born 6th May 1950 in Tuzon, Grand Gedeh County, Liberia.  Like over 95 percent of his compatriots, Samuel Kanyon Doe was of native, tribal descent and grew up in challenging living conditions. 

At the age of 13, he finally began his education and walked 13 miles to school. Samuel excelled in his studies and skipped several grades before reaching high school. 

To further his education, he moved to Monrovia joined the army where he rose through the ranks whilst completing high school at night.  In January 1979, then a sergeant in the Liberian army, Samuel went through a vigorous training that included, leadership communication, intelligence, basic and advanced unit courses, combat and advanced individual (infantry training). 

He also benefited from military training courses organised under the auspices of the U. S. Special Forces.  As a result of his training and diligence to duty, Private Doe was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, with the AFL Arsenal.  On October 11, 1979, he was promoted Master Sergeant, further strengthening his responsibility as adjutant of the Third Battalion.

On 12th April 1980, an unknown Master Sergeant led 16 men at arms, seized the presidential palace in Monrovia in a courageous revolution, after a century of social and political exclusion of the indigenous population in Liberia.  Unfortunately President Tolbert was killed and 13 senior Ministers were later executed.  Before the April 12 1980 revolution, scores of educated natives were held in prison awaiting death and at least 70 people were killed in the rice riots.

LIBERIA’S HISTORY (In Brief)

Americo-Liberian rule (1847 - 1990)

The settlers constituted less than five percent of Liberia's population.  In 1878 the Americo-Liberians organised their political power in the True Whig Party, which permitted no organised political opposition.   

New Dawn (1980 -1990)

The SKD's administration inherited approx $700 million dollars debt, the public corporation jointly owed $80 million to foreign financial institutions and the Government of Liberia owed the National Bank over $20 million and only $5 million dollars in the treasury from the previous government.  Nonetheless SKD persevered and introduced changes that positively rehabilitated Liberia's shattered economy.   Income was redistributed and the introduction of social reforms placed Liberia on the road to Democracy. 

The Orchestrated war (1989 - 2003)

In Dec 1989, rebels were created and supported by those opposed to the Doe's Administration.  Tragically the devastating war caused the death of approximately 250,000 hundred thousands innocent civilians.

The Setup (Sept 9th 1990)

In an effort to attain peace, Samuel Kanyon Doe arranged a secret one to one meeting with ECOWAS to transfer power.   Unfortunately President Doe was captured at the meeting and later killed by rebel forces. 

SUPPORT THE SKD FOUNDATION

Support us to achieve the vision of the SKD Foundation, which is to enrich the lives and welfare of individuals, families and communities in Liberia and worldwide.

As a new charity, we need all the support we can get, and all help is greatly appreciated.

Make a donation to the SKD Foundation and empower generations to come. THANK YOU!   Donate online at paypal.com, selecting info@samuelkanyondoe.org

 You can send us a cheque to the address below:

Address:      SKD Foundation

                     2151 Route 38 East

                     Suite 815

                     Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

                     USA

CONTACT US

Website:                www.samuelkanyondoe.org

Email:                    info@samuelkanyondoe.org

Address

SKD Foundation

2151 Route 38 East

Suite 815

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

USA

Telephone: 856-438-6431

Cold Water Saga

 Did Lawmakers Request US$118,400 From NACOL?

 

M. Welemongai Ciapha, II welemongai.ciapha@frontpageafricaonline.com (077119511)

A detailed audit conducted on the financial records of the National Oil Company of Liberia by former GAC Boss John S. Morlu, II, has established that claims by Chairman of the Board of Directors that he paid in excess of US$118, 400  as inducement to Lawmakers is of no iota of legal truth.

“The payment of the purported lobbying fees to the Legislature is unlawful, and contravenes Section 12.50(1) of the Penal Law of Liberia which states “a person has committed bribery, a second degree felony, if he knowingly offers, gives or agrees to give to another or solicit, accepts or agrees to accept from another, a thing of value as consideration for the recipient’s official action as a public servant. The recipient’s violation of a known duty as a public servant.” The report stated.

Essentially, the audit discovered that the minutes of the NOCAL’s Board of Directors indicated that the Board was also concerned that payment of such amounts to the lawmakers to influence the passage of the petroleum contracts of Broadway PLC and Oranto Petroleum was irregular, a form of bribery under the laws of Liberia.

In response to the audit findings, NACOL’s Board of Directors declared:”After consultation with the authorities, we gave in to their demands reluctantly. The first amount of  US$ 50,000.00 was approved by the Board. A scrutiny of the minutes will reveal that we did not have fund at the time but the Board authorized management to borrow the amount from the LPRC. A second payment was made to the Legislators without the approval of the Board. I was informed by Dr. Kromah, NOCAL’s President, that the situation demanded that this amount be paid right away.”

The report further states: “By his admission, he is saying that he and the Board Members were aware of the disbursement of the borrowed US$50,000.00 from LPRC to a Member of the National Legislature and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representative. Montserrado County District#1 Representative received US$40,000.00 as authenticated by the receipt issued by her and Chief Clerk James Kaba received US$1,500.00 as also authenticated by a receipt issued by him.”

Morlu noted that the failure of  the Board’s Chairman, Urey to provide the names of the lawmakers or any evidence of the balance of US$76, 900 allegedly paid to members of the House of Representatives as ‘cold water’ demonstrated irregular transaction.

“This clearly showed that the bribery was authorized by the Board’s approval to borrow US$50,000.00 from LPRC. The number of authorizations the Board provided was not material and is not the issue. Instead the action of the Board to authorize the first payment

was irregular and a breach of the Penal law of Liberia, setting the basis for the President/CEO to exploit the opportunity,” the audit report added.

The former A.G.,  in his detailed analysis of the financial book of NACOL described  the management’s position on the matter as follows:”the management, in flagrant disregard of the laws of Liberia, responded, Although management recognizes that this is a common practice.”

The audit discovered a receipt of US$ 40, 000 from Representative Alomiza Ennos Barr, while the late Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Atty. James Kaba grabbed US$1,500.

Said the AG: “I recommend that the US$118,400.00 purportedly paid as lobbying fees be refunded to NOCAL’s coffers by Madam Alomiza Ennos Barr, Member of the House of Representative, James Kaba, Chief Clerk of the House of Representative, and Dr. Fodee Kromah, President of NOCAL.

Except for a payment received and signed for by Madam Barr in the tune of US$40,000.00 and another payment signed for by Chief Clerk Kaba in the tune of US$1,500.00, there was no evidence of receipt by the National Legislature of US$76,900.00.”

Continued the report: “On the basis of the information and clarification provided by Chairman Urey, I recommended that Dr. Kromah refund the amount and that the Minister of Justice employs the necessary legal means to remedy the fraud and the contravention of Liberian laws.” the report recommended.

The audit report  Additionally recommended that the petroleum contracts of Broadway PLC and Oranto Petroleum Ltd.,  ratified by the Legislature and signed by the President of the Republic of Liberia should be immediately nullified, because the process was compromised by bribery and influence peddling, thereby denying assurance that the contracts were ratified for the benefit of the Liberian people.

Dissecting the records, it was observed that  a number of irregularities were also noted with the operations of NOCAL’s board, with the purchase of a twin-cabin pick-up valued at US$34,500 for the board’s chairman Urey by the board.

The report  clarified that it is the prerogative of the President of Liberia to decide who the responsibility of that office should be delegated to. Similarly,  the audit stated, letters from the President of Liberia not on official Ministry of State Letter head does not fall within NOCAL’s purview. Therefore, the report said, the Ministry of State should be contacted to provide explanation on why letters written to board members were not on official letter head.” The report emphasized.

NAME AND SHAME LOCAL CONTRACTORS

OVER THE PAST few weeks, the ministry of Public Works has been at loggerheads with local contractors over the slow pace of road construction in several parts of the country..

IN RECENT MONTHS, we have heard stories of contractors failing to complete road projects and complaints from a handful of others lamenting the fact that the government is only giving contracts to foreign firms.

JUST THIS week, Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods took resident engineers to task and demanded that development and infrastructure projects must meet a certain degree of standard irrespective of the nomenclature associated with the project.

ACCORDING TO WOODS, projects implemented by both the Ministry of Public Works and its partners should be in line with required standard set or be stopped.

WOODS WARNING comes amid what many are suggesting is the apparent lack of ability by local contractors to perform.

WHAT THE MINISTRY of Public Works should be doing is naming and shaming those local companies that have failed to deliver on projects, keeping developments at bay.

WHILE WE encourage and are impressed that the ministry is looking to get local contractors a shot in the arm, this endeavor must not compromise the development agenda of a post-war nation.

AS IT TURNS out many of these local companies not only lack the capacity but some misuse the funds intended for the road projects at the detriment of a nation on the rebound.

NAMING AND SHAMING is the way forward and the only language strong enough to ensure that development projects are put in the hands of the right people capable of doing the job. If this means having foreign companies doing all the work, then so be it. But local companies must realize that they have to step up to the plate if they intend on winning more contracts to improve our roads and infrastructures.