Running Africa

Why should they reject people because of dual citizenship? We all know that some people in that particular house committed lot of crumes against our people but yet then still we elected them so,why can't we do the same for the others if they have the qualifications.

To our senators, please reconsider your decission and comfoim those that Yourejected.

From Lawson T. Jallah, A Liberian based in the U.S.

Thank you for granting me the opportunity to express my opinion about current events in our country. I was saddened to hear that some of our competent and well-educated Liberians like Messrs Dionysius Sebwe, Warrick, and Dunzo might be denied positions in our new government due to problems arising from dual citizenship. I really believe that these men should be given the opportunity to serve Liberia. Why should our current Legislators prevent their ascent to leadership and power?

As a matter of fact are not many of those same leaders like the now vocal "Field Marshall" Prince Y. Johnson, Adolphus Dolo and their likes who were very instrumental in taking our beloved nation to its economic, political, and social demise? While they were busy destroying, robbing our land and waging a bloody fratricida! l war, honest people like Messrs. Sebwe, Dunzo and others were advancing themselves in the diaspora and living honest lives.

Why is it okay that people like PYJ can be a senator and Mr Dunzo cannot be a deputy minister? Did PYJ and people like him not know that they broke the rules of the land when they took arms to maliciously kill Liberians and destroy our land. Is it only now that the law can be applied to the utmost? How pathetic!!! We all know that there is a current brain drainage in Liberia. People like Vanja Richards, Dr. Stephen Yekeson, Wuo Tappia, Jackson F. Doe and other great Liberians are no more. How many engineers, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals are currently been trained in Liberia? Not many I guess.

Most of these highly skilled Liberians are in the US and other parts of the world. If qualified Liberians like Messrs. Dunzo, Sebwe, and others will not be allowed to serve due ! to some technicality, why do you think young and upcoming Liberians, (including me, a medical student) will think about going back home to give back? Did PYJ and his colleagues expect Messrs Dunzo and others to not obtain proper living status ( like Greencard or US Citizenship ) to ease living in a complex society like the US and other countries? These Liberian leaders need to wake up and face reality.

Laws can be amended; the Constitution is not written in stone. Provisions and resolutions can be made so that qualified Liberians with dual citizenship can be able to live in Liberia and contribute to the rebuilding process. If these critical issues are not addressed, we will be discouraged to go back home. I think people like PYJ and other legislators who are adamant about preventing qualified Liberians will have to assume those critical positions and do the engineering, medical, and other professional work if they succeed in this endeavour.! Wow, that will be a sight to see!!! Wake up, leaders, and think twice for the sake of our nation. God bless President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, VP Boakai, and God bless the Republic of Liberia

The Editor,

I am an avid reader of your excellent news coverage. I am a Liberian and I currently live in Sydney, Australia. I was just wondering if the hair ever did grow in Mr. Milton Teahjay's palm since President Sirleaf was inducted into office on Monday.I wonder how long or how high it has grown?

I remember reading that article and I found it very hilarious. Did he think he had that much prestige, power, or clout to prevent the inauguration? Even if he did have such power. Does he think that we want chaos and war again? Please!!!!!! I wonder what gave him and other CDC members the audacity to think that they could disrupt democracy. Shame on them!!! May God bless President Sirleaf and God bless Liberia.

Thomas Nkozi

Sydney, Australia

Keeping it Real Part V: The Culture of Corruption, Sycophancy and Impunity in Liberia.

The situation in Liberia gets wackier by the minute. It is turning into a dark situation comedy. It’s hard to believe that after 15 years of civil war and destruction, we haven’t learnt our lesson. The following issues prove my point:

The guy must have balls of steel. This incompetent, unqualified, and corrupt Managing Director of the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company who has used LPRC’s money to buy his way into the House of Representatives now wants to become Speaker of The House of Representatives. What qualifies him to become speaker? Is it his link to indicted war criminal Charles Taylor? Is it because he was able to steal, with impunity, million$ from LPRC? Or is it because he is able to bribe his way into been speaker? Is he aware that the Speaker is second in the line of succession to the Presidency? If we were nervous about a George Weah presidency, I can’t even imagine having this thief in any line of succession. He should be in jail where all the looters of the government revenue belong. I hope that the recent UN travel ban that blocked his trip to Ghana will also kill his ambitions.

It seems like every rich and corrupt individual has his own interest group. It was interesting to see how Ezekiel Pajibo was rebuked by some journalist and interest groups when he wrote the damaging expose` on Mr. Snowe. We need more Liberians who will condemn the looting of Liberia meager revenue. The culture of sycophancy is worse than corruption. It’s a shame that some Liberians will condone leaders that are corrupt only because they get a lil’ piece of the pie.

Liberians are waiting to see if the newly elected representatives will set a serious tone for the House or be bribed by Snowe and elect him as their Speaker. It will show the integrity of this “august” body. Even if Snowe is elected speaker by a morally corrupt House of Representative, he can still be dismiss if evidence shows that he has stolen and mismanage funds from LPRC (I hope).

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that the upper management team receives USD ten thousand dollars and 25 bags of rice as monthly compensation. When asked about the rampant corruption and other irregularities at the Free Port, Mr. Joe Gbala, the Managing Director, said “corruption in Liberia is an age-old problem. Corruption is as old as mankind. I am the head of this port. If you have so many children, you will have them talking a whole lot of things. You only feed them. I have no response.”

Wow!!! What kind of response is that? What has they done to deserve such high salaries? How can he justify such an exorbitant salary when the majority live on less than USD $20.00 a month? The Board of Director is no better. They raised their salaries from USD $750.00 to $5000.00 a month. In order to get the usual USD $100.00 Board sitting fee, they hold board meeting 2-3 times a week. The culture of corruption and impunity flourishes.

The Commerce Minister came from a life of mediocrity in Philadelphia to build a mansion in Monrovia (with a Basketball gym) in less than a year. Enough Said!!

This “august” body has been plagued by corruption and scandals for the past 2 years. The former Speaker, George “Killer” Dweh and others were suspended for misappropriation of funds. Other members including Julius Parker, George Koukous among others were linked to financial scandals. Lately, they have been fighting to steal’ in broad day light, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee that was purchased for their official use. They claim that they have invested substantial amounts in the maintenance of the vehicles. How much maintenance does one need for a brand new vehicle with warrantee? For us who have owned new cars, it’s NONE!! There are little or no expenses for maintenance of a brand new vehicle. Their loyalty to the nation is a clear indication of their actions. I must say that there are a few members of this body who have worked assiduously in the interest of the Liberian people but they are clearly in the minority.

Gyude Bryant and the entire NTLG

The UN, ECOWAS and EU audit showed that the Interim government lacked the fundamentals of fiscal accountability. The Bryant Government was mandated to ensure good governance, transparency, accountability and proper management of the country financial and natural resources. Instead of that, we have the worse case of corruption that Liberia has ever seen. The blame can not be laid on Bryant alone. What about the warring fractions? MODEL, LURD, and the NPFL were supposed to be the liberators of the Liberian people. After killing innocent Liberians they then decided to steal every penny from government coffer. Shame on all of you!!!

The level of mismanagement in this government is so great that it imperative that all revenue generating agencies be audited by the incoming government of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Justice ministry should also confiscate properties belonging to individuals on the UN sanction list. The new government should set an example on these crooked individuals to show that corruption will no longer be condoned in our society. Instead of honoring them for their criminal activities, they should face the full weight of the law.

After living abroad for about 11 years, I was appalled to see the condition of the people when I visited last year. While the government officials and their “girlfriends” were living in luxury, the masses were suffering. I wish that I had enough money to offer all those that I encountered. The people deserve better. We can do better. I’m sure that we are on the right track by Electing Ms. Sirleaf as president. I hope that she and her officers will be able to turn things around for our people.

One advice that I have for the Liberian people is that they should renounce the culture of sycophancy. Do not allow leaders to get away with malpractices. Fight for your rights. Speak out against the ills of our leaders. Do not support their dishonest behavior. Use the media (print, electronic and broadcast) to air your opinions. Don’t be afraid to oppose controversial issues. You have paid a costly price for the freedom that Liberia is experiencing. If it’s any lesson learnt from the civil war, it should be that “FREEDOM is NOT FREE!! Cherish it and become more involved in the future of Liberia.