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EBOLA
VOL 8 NO.693
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014
News Analysis - PG 2
EXIT Statement - PG 3
EDITORIAL: NO ROOM FOR INDEPENDENT MINDS - PG4
CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES
LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of
the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The
rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials
banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source:
Research, Policy and Planning Department,
Central Bank Liberia,
Monrovia, Liberia
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
L$85.00/US$1 L$84.00/US$1
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2014
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014
EBOLA - pg.7
EXPERIMENTAL
DRUG FOR DUNCAN
p6 p6

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News Extra News Extra
QUARDU GBONI CITIZENS
WANT CONCESSION
REVISITED
WE KNOW THINGS
ARE IMPROVING
HEALTH
CRISIS
LOOMS
Threaten radical measures
VP Boakai responds to CDC
prediction of huge Ebola infection
Ebola frontline fghters
threaten national strike
WITHOUT AN EBOLA
TEST RESULT
FUNERAL HOMES STILL TAKING DEAD BODIES
She has been taking treatment with Dr. Moses Massaquoi, at the Roto Town hospital, so
when she died, we called him and he gave us the death certifcate today. Before she died she
cried about pain in her foot. - Varney S. Gray, son of the deceased
FDA-Approved "investigational
medication" being tested on Liberian
hanging onto Life in Texas Hospital
Page 2 |
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
~ see pg 3 ~ Justice Minister Tahs Statement
Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com
What is the rule of law if a
duly appointed Minister of
Justice with oversight has
grave concerns about what
her violational resignation will
mean for her own personal
security and freedom as a
Liberian citizen.
Monrovia
C
llr. Christiana Tah said she felt a big relief, dumping a
big weight off her shoulders Monday as she announced
her long-anticipated exit from Ellen-Johnson-Sirleaf-
led government.
The exit will no doubt come as a blow to the Liberian government
currently in the middle of a major health epidemic which has so
far killed nearly 2,000 Liberians and more than 3000 in the West
African sub-region.
Tah broke the news to a handful of local and foreign journalists just
moments after an hour-long meeting with Sirleaf at the Executive
Mansion, described by some insiders as frank, honest and succinct
as the minister expressed her disappointment and dismay aptly
detailed in a two-and-a-half page statement she would later deliver,
explaining her decision to exit the Sirleaf administration.
The minister held no punches as she delved into issues making
headlines recently for which many wondered in a state of
bewilderment, even questioning the existence of the Ministry of
Justice or the Attorney Generals presence.
One of those headlines had to do with President Sirleafs decision
to appoint Cllr. David B. Jallah, of the Louis Arthur Grimes School
of Law to speedily investigate the National Security Agency (NSA)
for his alleged refusal to adhere to the Minister of Justices mandate
to return a Korean businessmans US$284,000 seized by the NSA
upon order of its Director of the NSA.
It was clear Monday, in the ministers tone and body language that
distrust and feelings of betrayal was amiss in a government she says
lacked support from the Presidency as she declared: It is the same
public spiritedness that informs my world view which underpins the
ethical dilemma that has compelled my decision to unequivocally
draw the line beyond which I cannot continue to fll the position of
the Minister of Justice in name without the substantive support of
the Chief Executive.
Added Cllr. Tah: This is especially given that my allegiance is
frst and foremost to our nation. Having relented at retreating at the
height of my own personal pain when my hard-earned professional
asset was suspended and my credibility called into question, and
having deferred to the President she denied my prerogative to
promptly exit her administration, it is with justifable relief that I
inform you that I can no longer continue to struggle to vindicate
the portfolio designated for the offce of the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice of the Republic of Liberia when it is eviscerated
and reduced to a pretext to legitimate and perpetrate arbitrary
activities and inscrutable practices under the guise of the rule of
law.
Cllr. Tah said she could not serve as minister of Justice and not
supervise the operations of the security agencies under the Minister
of Justice to independently investigate allegations of fraud against
the National Security Agency as she asked: What is the rule of
law if a duly appointed Minister of Justice with oversight has grave
concerns about what her violational resignation will mean for her
own personal security and freedom as a Liberian citizen.
Prez Uncomfortable With Justice Probe
Silently, insiders say, the presidency was uncomfortable leaving
such a delicate matter with personal attachments with a minister
unwilling to compromise.
For Tah, the writings had been on the wall since March derailed she
suggested by what she describes as a delayed acknowledgement
from the presidency.
She recalled: In a letter dated March 31, 2014, I tendered my
resignation as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the
Republic of Liberia to President Sirleaf. However, for reasons best
known to her, the President delayed acknowledgement of my letter
and ultimately postponed consideration of my prerogative to resign
from her Cabinet appointment.
Tah recalled that she wrote the President a letter dated March 31,
2014, in which she tendered her resignation as the Attorney General
and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Liberia to President
Sirleaf. However, for reasons best known to her, she said Monday,
the President delayed acknowledgement of her letter and ultimately
postponed consideration of her prerogative to resign from her
Cabinet appointment.
On July 11, 2014, Tah averred that she formally notifed President
Sirleaf by letter that she had completed the six-month suspension
imposed by Supreme Court on her license to practice law and
that the court indicating that she was open to discuss her letter of
resignation of March 31, 2014 at a later date. Out of deference for
the Offce of the President and in view of the national security crisis
by the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, I obliged and continued
with my schedule of duties, while in utmost good faith awaiting
President Sirleafs convenience to ratify my longstanding decision
to resign.
Departure mired in controversy
But Tahs resignation was always mired in controversy. In late
April, FrontPageAfrica citing Executive Mansion sources reported
that the minister had submitted her letter of resignation and that the
president was yet to acknowledge. Both the Ministry of Information
and the Daily Observer newspaper offered similar variations
suggesting the contrary.
The Observer attributed a quote to the minister stating: "It is
customary that before any minister leaves the country, that person
has to get the President's approval. I wrote the President asking
her to allow me to seek medical attention in the United States. The
President granted my request; so I left."
The newspaper report fell short of a direct reference to Tah actually
saying that she did not resign followed a day later by Information
Minister Lewis Brown who, during his weekly news briefng at
the Information Ministry alluded to the Observer story, suggesting
that other media entities were propping up with conspiracy theories
about the minister's resignation.
Said Minister Brown: "The suspended Minister of Justice has in
fact clarifed that she has not resigned. In fact, she sought specifc
leave of absence from the President to be able to travel to the
United States on a medical leave. So please, all of these conspiracy
theories you have been reading that the President wanted to dismiss
this woman, these are not true."
On Monday, Cllr. Tah stated that on July 17, 2014, in the interim
of her good faith anticipation of the follow up discussion about her
resignation which the President had promised, she was shocked and
dismayed to learn that Minister Brown, the offcial spokesperson
for the government, had issued an eight-page statement which
pronounced the parody of justice in the Contempt Proceedings
Against Christiana Tah, Minister of Justice and Counselor Beyan
D. Howard as a classic example of judicial independence and
equality before the law, irrespective of social class.
That shock, Tah suggested was compounded by her own admiration
for Sirleafs rhetoric of commitment to the rule of law as she
lamented: My own painstaking efforts to help re-establish the
foundations for justice and venerate defning principles such
as the separation of powers in our nascent democracy, and most
importantly the duty of transparency and accountability that we
owe Liberians as public servants, I believe that it is unconscionable
for me not to resign with immediate effect. Accordingly, I have
asked President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to accept this reiteration of
my notice to resign from her Cabinet as the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice of the Republic of Liberia with immediate effect.
Departure Long in the Making
Tahs aides and close associates, say her departure has been long
in the making but she reluctantly held on even when her back
was stacked against the wall as she recalled a painful past year
in which she lost her license to practice law and made sure the
make it clear that her resignation had been on the presidents desk
since March. I have just respectfully asked President Sirleaf to
accept my resignation which I tendered on March 31, 2014, she
said as she recalled her turbulent moments of last October, when
the Supreme Court of Liberia held her in contempt for granting
compassionate leave to Rodney Sieh, in keeping with Section
34.20 read in concert with 34.2(d) of the Criminal Procedure Law,
ILCL Revised. Pursuant to a public hearing on October 21, 2013,
where she lamented, her counsels were not allowed to raise any
legal arguments, but were instead browbeaten into offering an
apology to appease the judiciary. The Court proceeded on January
10, 2014 to render a decision suspending my license to practice law
for six months. At the instance and reasoned expert advice of my
lawyer, Counselor Varney Sherman, I petitioned for re-argument.
Regrettably, the court affrmed the decision to suspend my license
as punishment due to its objection to my good faith enforcement of
law which is construed as disrespectful, amounting to evidence of
contempt of court.
Cllr. Tah described a diffcult and painful few months which made it
tough for her to be objectifed into a lightning rod for controversial
claims about the rule of law. I was willing to subordinate my
grievances to the best interest of our dearly-beloved nation, to bite
the bullet, and to count it all in a days work, as the saying goes.
I was particularly appalled that the Government chose to announce
its reaction to my matter with the Supreme Court given that the
nation was at the height of its fght against the Ebola Virus Disease.
On Monday, an unapologetic Tah, took one last jab as she
suggested that the landscape of the Liberian Jurisprudence is being
transformed in arbitrary and inscrutable ways that make it onerous
to conscientiously navigate. Amidst the prevailing interpretation
of the doctrine of separation of powers and the ensuing blurring of
the rules and roles of engagement, even within the executive arm
of government itself, the investments of national and international
stakeholders promoting the rule of law is being eroded by actions
that contradict the values that underpin the fabric of our society.
I Rather Not Give it at All
Tah readily admits that her return from suspension has not been
easy acknowledging that she returned to a ministry which in her
words, changed a lot while she was absent.
Trying to put it back together where theres greater coordination
as it used to be, she says has been diffcult, a point she says she hit
home to the president in her meeting prior to making her resignation
offcial. As I said to the president a few minutes ago when I had a
meeting with her that I would hate to see the dislike of any Liberian
for me to the extent where it hurts the Liberian people. If I cannot
get what I want, if I cannot get the cooperation, if I cannot get the
resources I want because someone dislikes me, it doesnt matter
to me. I have tough skin and I think the public knows that now
from what from what theyve seen in the last year but ultimately
the Liberian public will be hurt, the agencies who work under me
will be hurt If they cannot get the kind of resources to do their job
because of me and so I have to be magnanimous to take that bold
step forward to say it should not be about me, it should be in the
best interest of the Liberian people. If I cannot give you my best, I
rather not give it all.
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Page 3
My Fellow Liberians:
Let me begin by extending my solemn condolence to all
Liberians who have lost loved ones to the deadly outbreak
of Ebola virus Disease or have been otherwise affected by
the epidemic. My prayer remains that all of us will continue
to work together with international partners who have come
to our aid to remove this scourge from our country and from
the region as a whole.
I have convened this press Conference this morning to
inform the Liberian public that I have just respectfully
asked President Sirleaf to accept my resignation which
I tendered on March 31, 2014. You may recall that last
October, the Supreme Court of Liberia held me in contempt
for granting compassionate leave to Rodney Sieh, in
keeping with Section 34.20 read in concert with 34.2(d) of
the Criminal Procedure Law, ILCL Revised. Pursuant to a
public hearing on October 21, 2013, where my counsels
were not allowed to raise any legal arguments, but were
instead browbeaten into offering an apology to appease
the judiciary, the Court proceeded on January 10, 2014 to
render a decision suspending my license to practice law for
six months. At the instance and reasoned expert advice of
my lawyer, Counselor Varney Sherman, I petitioned for re-
argument. Regrettably, the court affrmed the decision to
suspend my license as punishment due to its objection to
my good faith enforcement of law which is construed as
disrespectful, amounting to evidence of contempt of court.
In a letter dated March 31, 2014, I tendered my resignation as
the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic
of Liberia to President Sirleaf. However, for reasons best
known to her, the President delayed acknowledgement of
my letter and ultimately postponed consideration of my
prerogative to resign from her Cabinet appointment.
On July 11, 2014, I formally notifed President Sirleaf by
letter that I had completed the six-month suspension imposed
by Supreme Court on my license to practice law and that the
court indicating that we will discuss my letter of resignation
of March 31, 2014 at a later date. Out of deference for the
Offce of the President and in view of the national security
crisis by the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, I obliged
and continued with my schedule of duties, while in utmost
good faith awaiting President Sirleafs convenience to
ratify my longstanding decision to resign.
On July 17, 2014, in the interim of my good faith anticipation
of the follow up discussion about my resignation which
the President had promised, I was shocked and dismayed
to learn that the Minister of Information, the offcial
spokesperson for the government, issued an eight-page
statement which pronounced the parody of justice in the
Contempt Proceedings Against Christiana Tah, Minister
of Justice and Counselor Beyan D. Howard as a classic
example of judicial independence and equality before the
law, irrespective of social class.
The copious press release, which was disseminated without
the commonplace collegiality of informing me ahead of
time, failed to acknowledged my pending resignation
notice. Indeed, the ceremonial appeared to be aimed at a
preemption and/or retaliation of the prerogative to resign,
which I sought to exercise nearly four months earlier.
My fellow citizens, as diffcult and as painful as it has been
for me to be objectifed into a lightning rod for controversial
claims about the rule of law, I was willing to subordinate
my grievances to the best interest of our dearly-beloved
nation, to bite the bullet, and to count it all in a days
work, as the saying goes. I was particularly appalled that
the Government chose to announce its reaction to my matter
with the Supreme Court given that the nation was at the
height of its fght against the Ebola Virus Disease.
Nevertheless, it has become unbearable to me to persevere
in name as the dutifully appointed Minister of Justice of
the Republic of Liberia when in reality concrete actions
indicate a determination to systemically undermine and gut
the portfolio of relevance and effectiveness.
The landscape of the Liberian Jurisprudence is being
WHY IM LEAVING
ELLENS GOVERNMENT
Justice Minister Tahs Statement
transformed in arbitrary and inscrutable ways that make it
onerous to conscientiously navigate. Amidst the prevailing
interpretation of the doctrine of separation of powers and
the ensuing blurring of the rules and roles of engagement,
even within the executive arm of government itself, the
investments of national and international stakeholders
promoting the rule of law is being eroded by actions that
contradict the values that underpin the fabric of our society.
I cannot be the minister of Justice and not supervise the
operations of the security agencies under the Minister of
Justice to independently investigate allegations of fraud
against the National Security Agency. What is the rule of
law if a duly appointed Minister of Justice with oversight
has grave concerns about what her violational resignation
will mean for her own personal security and freedom as a
Liberian citizen.
Cognizant of the Presidents rhetoric of commitment to
the rule of law, my own painstaking efforts to help re-
establish the foundations for justice and venerate defning
principles such as the separation of powers in our nascent
democracy, and most importantly the duty of transparency
and accountability that we owe Liberians as public servants,
I believe that it is unconscionable for me not to resign with
immediate effect. Accordingly, I have asked President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf to accept this reiteration of my notice to
resign from her Cabinet as the Attorney General and Minister
of Justice of the Republic of Liberia with immediate effect.
Many of my friends and family who have lived through this
trying experience with me, and were perplexed that I tabled
my decision to step down on March 31, 2014 at the behest of
the President have asked: Why did you decide to go back
to that job, after everything you have been put through?
The answer is simple: Love of country! Furthermore, the
interest of our nation is bigger and paramount over any
personal or partisan concern(s). I would also be remiss not
to underscore my enduring belief that leadership must be
enacted as an art in itself-transcendence and that a public
servant must necessarily prioritize the collective good
through thick and thin. Finally, I deem it impossible to
lead by example in showing young people who struggle
everyday with the vicissitudes of life that integrity is its
own reward and adversity is an element of growth. In this
vein, I believe that as a public servant my oath of offce
means that I pledge to deepen our collective learning and
institutional growth, even if it entails humbling myself at
great personal costs.
It is the same public spiritedness that informs my world
view which underpins the ethical dilemma that has
compelled my decision to unequivocally draw the line
beyond which I cannot continue to fll the position of the
Minister of Justice in name without the substantive support
of the Chief Executive. This is especially given that my
allegiance is frst and foremost to our nation. Having
relented at retreating at the height of my own personal pain
when my hard-earned professional asset was suspended and
my credibility called into question, and having deferred to
the President she denied my prerogative to promptly exit
her administration, it is with justifable relief that I inform
you that I can no longer continue to struggle to vindicate the
portfolio designated for the offce of the Attorney General
and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Liberia when it
is eviscerated and reduced to a pretext to legitimate and
perpetrate arbitrary activities and inscrutable practices
under the guise of the rule of law.
My fellow Liberians, to say that these perilous times for our
nation is to put it mildly. Nonetheless, I take solace in our
resilience as a people as I pray that we learn and emerge
from the challenges of our nation-building stronger.
I do honestly thank President Sirleaf for the opportunity to
serve my country in the capacity as Attorney General and
Minister of Justice for nearly six years. I thank the Liberian
people for your support, cooperation, and understanding in
even the most diffcult times. God Bless the Republic of
Liberia.

Page 4 |
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
v
Theophilus Ilevbare, romeo@theproftexperts.co.uk, Contributing Writer
X-RAYING THE MOTIVES OF
OVERNIGHT ARTISTE-POLITICIANS
FrontPage
v
Commentary
EDITORIAL
CLLR. CHRISTIANA TAH joins a colorful list of independent-
minded offcials brought in to serve the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-
led government, an A-List that once included the likes of Dr.
Antoinette Sayeh, who took her exit in 2008 to become Director
of the African Department of the International Monetary Fund,
Olubanke King Akerele, former Minister of Foreign Affairs,
John S. Morlu, former Auditor General, Samuel Kof Woods,
former Minister of Public Works and Peggy Varfey-Meres,
Director of the Public Procurement Concessions Commission.
CLLR. TAHS EXIT comes as the government races against
time in dealing with a menacing Ebola virus which is rapidly
killing scores in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and proven
an almost impossible hurdle for the government.
SADLY, IN ALMOST every case, a high-profle exit has been
mired in controversy: Sayeh, a fscal disciplinarian-styled
economist unwilling to risk her international credentials in a sea
of brewing corruption; Morlu, a seasoned auditor with a knack
for numbers and fnancial details whose declaration that the
Sirleaf administration was three times more than its predecessors
drew him in a line of fre from a government unwilling to accept;
Woods, a human rights activist, who some critics say dampened
his portfolio by accepting a role in government and Meres,
credited for bringing respectability and recognition to the PPPC.
SIRLEAF ACKNOWLEDGED late Monday, receipt and
acceptance of Tahs resignation which according to the
Executive Mansion was during a meeting with Sirleaf at her
Foreign Ministry offce Monday.
IN EXPLAINING HER reasons for leaving, Cllr. Tah signaled
distrust and feelings of betrayal and lack of support from the
Presidency. It is the same public spiritedness that informs
my world view which underpins the ethical dilemma that has
compelled my decision to unequivocally draw the line beyond
which I cannot continue to fll the position of the Minister of
Justice in name without the substantive support of the Chief
Executive, the outgoing minister declared.
LIKE THOSE WHO departed the government before her, Tah
hinted that she had become a victim of an inside war, mired
in backstabbing which she says called her own credibility into
question. Having relented at retreating at the height of my
own personal pain when my hard-earned professional asset was
suspended and my credibility called into question, and having
deferred to the President she denied my prerogative to promptly
exit her administration, it is with justifable relief that I inform
you that I can no longer continue to struggle to vindicate the
portfolio designated for the offce of the Attorney General
and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Liberia when it is
eviscerated and reduced to a pretext to legitimate and perpetrate
arbitrary activities and inscrutable practices under the guise of
the rule of law.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE for many serving in the Sirleaf
administration.
SILENTLY, MANY offcials have alluded to the Presidents
Kitchen Cabinet, comprising some close friends, family
members and closely-knitted offcials, as a thorn in their
existence.
THOSE ENJOYING the Presidents ears are perceived to be
her biggest nightmare both domestically and internationally as
many point to their ill-advised suggestions and unsolicited but
encouraged inputs by the President as a key reason Liberia has
lost the war on corruption and is rapidly losing the war against
Ebola.
IF SIRLEAF IS TO HAVE ANY chance of redeeming or
redefning the qualities that elected her into offce in 2005, it
would be wise for her to rid her circle of those looking out for
COMMENTARY
NO ROOM FOR
INDEPENDENT
MINDS:
TAHS EXIT
CREDIBILITY
BLOW FOR EJS
J
ust when we were coming to terms with the precipitousforay
to the political scene of some entertainers like Gongo Aso
crooner, Abolore Akande popularly known as 9ice, gospel
singer, Kenny Saint Best and actor, Desmond Elliot, all
of whom have in recent time declared their political ambition
and aligned themselves with political parties, TonyTetuila(reals
names, Anthony Olarenwaju) has quickly joined the burgeoning
list of Nigerian artistes vying for elective positions in next years
general election. Even if the joke sounds too expensive and only
himself believes it, popular stand-up comedian, Julius Agwu,
thinks he can become the next governor of Rivers state. The list
of intending artiste-politicians keeps growing as the bandwagon
syndrome catches up with more of them. Before the end of the
year, more artistes will throw their hat in the ring.
Before now, some entertainers have already delved into the
murky waters of Nigerias politics. Tony Muonagor (aka Tony
One Week), in 2011, rode on the back of his popularity to win a
seat at Anambra state House of Assembly, making history as the
frst Nigerian entertainer to win an elective position. Should 9ice
fulfll his claim, he will follow in the footsteps of RotimiMakinde,
who was elected into the House of Representatives in 2011 to
represent Ife Federal Constituency. And like every other Nigerian
politician, Makinde is interested in seeking re-election. Bob-
Manuel Udokwu, Senior Special Adviser on movies/entertainment
industry to former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, retained the
post after Governor Willie Obiano came into offce. Udokwu seem
not to be content with a political appointment, he is now gunning
for the Anambra state House of Assembly to represent Idemili
north constituency. Sir Victor Uwaifo, famed highlife musician,
was Commissioner of Tourism and Culture twice in Edo state.
Imo state governor, RochasOkorocha, appointedNkiruSylvanusas
Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs. Kanayo O. Kanayo was
recently announced as the Chairman of the National Institute for
Hospitality and Tourism Studies, a new body that oversees the
Nigerian Toursim industry. Several Nollywood actresses like
Onyeka Onwenu, Hilda Dokubo, Actors like; Dickson Iroegbu,
Sam Dede and Richard MofeDamijo, have all bagged various
political appointments between 2011 and now.
This latest fad among entertainershas sharply divided Nigerians
especially on social media with many claiming they have joined
politics for pecuniary reasons. These artistes have argued that
elsewhere entertainers have made a success of their political foray
citing notable instances like Arnold Schwarzenegger, two term
Governor of California and Ronald Reagan, formerPresident of
the United States, as examples of actorswho ventured into politics.
However, they failed to add that both men joined politics at the
pick of their careers in a democracy where the President of the
worlds most powerful country earns less than a Senator of the
federal republic of Nigeria! The debate for a drastic reduction
in salaries and allowances of Nigerian politicians to serve as a
disincentive to pretenders masquerading as aspiring political
leaders, has once again, gained traction.
Unlike the American actors highlighted above, most Nigerians
think these entertainers could be drifting to politics in a bid to
arrest their nose-diving careers, a last ditch attempt to bounce
back to relevance. Or could it be that the wealth acquired from
the entertainment industry is less fulflling than what political
offces have to offer? Is their ambition borne out of a genuine
intention to serve the people or an attraction to the stupendous
wealth and power political offce holders wield?Unlike the Late
Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose songs and lifestyle resonated the
streets,this new crop of entertainers seldom compose music with
such lyrical content or act movies thatspeaks truth to power and
trumpet the change they seek to effect through the ballot. How
many of them have been arrested for demanding accountability
and transparency from the present government through their roles
in the entertainment industry? What gives them the impression
that they can effect change in ways 'regular' politicians cant? In
what way have they given back to the society that made them
stars?What makes us think they will act differently as politicians?
How have they demonstrated that they can bring the much needed
changed by redefning leadership when a good number of them
have not previously garnered or exhibited any sterling leadership
qualities at any level, not even from the entertainment industry
they're hibernating from.These are people whose businesses and
daily lives are even managed by Managers! A few could not even
manage their marital lives; theyre still single after going through
divorce(s). How can the welfare and lives of millions of Nigerians
be entrusted to persons with credibility issues of scandals ranging
from relationship to behavioural? Nigeria is in dire straits and in
need of astute, shrewd and intellectual leadership. Technocrats,
not entertainers thought of by many, as people not to be taken
seriously, especially in matters political.Moreover, what is their
political ideology? Can it move the country forward? I doubt
if their brand of politics is sellable because there are a lot of
question marks over their competence. Without necessarily
venturing into politics, they can make more impact and inspire
change from within the entertainment industry they already fnd
themselves, with the their music, like late Fela, and right from the
movie scripts to the roles they act.
Political fans and entertainment fans are different. Their popularity
in music arena should not be misinterpreted as acceptance by the
general public.Showbiz and politics are two worlds apart. The
hope of riding on the crest of that popularity to occupy elective
political offce might be fantasy, after all. They should notattempt
to exaggerate their fame.
The present crop of politicians have failed us but entertainers,
without a clear ideology of what political leadership entails,
moving in droves in their direction is the last thing we want. Their
political participationis not about themselves but about the rest of
us because it determines the welfare of many Nigerians.
At a time we're trying to arrest the tragedy of leadership failure
and breaking the vicious circle of leadership bankruptcy, we
cannot allow the system to throw up more of such leaderswho
obviously lack a clear visionof what political leadership is all
about. Weve had enough drama in the political scenealready; the
least we want is for Nollywood to add to it. The country needs
true leaders who have prepared themselves adequately to take up
leadership positions.
Cynics doubt if these artistes can clinch their party's ticket. Can
they survive the intrigues and stormy internal politics of power
and raw cash? Will these political parties shove aside loyal
party members and chieftains for ebbing celebrities? Are they
seemingly hoping to be game changers by settlement with
political appointments?
It is too early to say categorically, how far they can go, as it
remains to be seen if they will get their partys nod considering the
ever-slippery and tricky game of Nigerian politics where political
juggernauts and gladiators are sometimes beaten to their game.
You can follow the writer on twitter, @tilevbare, for more direct
engagement.
their own interests at the detriment of Liberia.
WHILE SOME say it is too late for Sirleaf to rekindle the aura
of the Iron Lady, we still have a glimmer of hope that somewhere
at the end of the tunnel a light will be there to show her the way
back from the edge of oblivion.
BUT SADLY, WE fear that those may be wishful thinking as
age and perhaps infuence from those dominating the inner circle
these days have made it nearly impossible for Sirleaf to see
anything beyond her own good as she continues to firt and put
trust in the whispers of a few singing only the tunes she wants to
hear at the detriment of Liberia.
IN DOING so, as with the resignation of Cllr. Tah Monday,
credibility or lack of one becomes a nagging issue that wont go
away and unlikely to salvage whats left of Sirleaf legacy now
haunted by a deadly Ebola virus amid widespread perceptions
that the emperor has run out of clothes wear, just when a nation
emerging from war to peace has had its transition not just derailed
but seemingly eclipsed in a sea of political uncertainty.
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Page 5
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E
DITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
The Reader's Page
WILSON ZEHYOUE WORKS AT UNITED NATIONS
Ngafuan, I see no truth in your entire speech. That's a complete dried dog
story. Ebola just broke up few months ago. The virus should not be used as
an excuse for your failure . I am quite sure the UN members just laughed at
you for delivering such an abstract report . What better have the government
done after 10 years when Liberians are still living in extreme poorvity .
Let people hear their ears yah, you all have failed Liberia and the Liberian
people . Anybody reading your speech will see corruption in it for sure .
EWORYONWON HARRIS UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Did I hear the Accountant saying that gains reversed........which gain if I
may ask? before Ebola president Sirleaf stated that the education system in
Liberia is a mess which implies that it was non existence, the health care
system was non-existent indicative of the fact the ordinary masses were
dying from curable disease while the minister and his family and other
offcials got medical services outside Liberia. Before Ebola there was no
electricity while the minister used government fuel and generator. I can go
on and on and names that there were no reversal of gains but the deplorable
living condition of the people have grown to horrible and acceptable level.
ministers make up to 20k while the few masses that are working make atleast
90.00 but again I and so many will not be surprise if such bold face lie from
a uncompassionate minister and his boss that have no interest in the Liberian
people welfare but to line their pocket.
EDWARD ROYE TOP COMMENTER LIBERIA COLLEGE
Minister, you didn't mention the way forward for the Liberia. the people
u r talking know more about Liberia and the Ebola situation than what u
tried to tell them. we expected to present a blueprint of the way forward
from the Ebola situation. You mentioned nothing about capacitating the
manpower(health) problem. please, lets avoid making people to feel sorry
for us when we can do something about ourselves. Guinea has Ebola amidst
this Ebola crisis, it held investment conference with the Moroccans, air
France continues to fy there and guinea is still attracting other investors to
her country. Why should it be Liberia to tell the world of how bad situation
has become. that we should be begging and telling the people to feel sorry
for us. lets cross this bridge, mehn and stop the crying baby thing. the UN
awaits to receive practical recommendation for the way out of this crisis, do
not try to impress or lecture them
IBRAHIM W. VARMAH STELLA MARIS POLYTECHNIC
Edward, is it the Minister that is making "people to feel sorry for us"? What
will say when US President Obama, UN Secretary General and even the
WHO Director said similar things and continue to say it? Mr. Roye, are
you aware that Liberia is the only hardest hit country whose capital is an
epicenter which is the frst national capital city to ever be hit by an Ebola
outbreak? Air France still goes to Guinea cuz Conakry is not hit ; besides
what will you say of Air Ivoire and Kenya Airways' promise to return?
PLEEBOCOLLINS25 (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)
Ibrahim W. Varmah yes, Liberia has become the poster child for the Ebola
because of the government negligence. Offcials fying out of the country for
cut on their fnger. Guinea is hit but the word here is competence and ability.
All these cashiers from the US and the ones who cannot read a page trying to
impress us with what they know. What gains is he talking about? The river
toilet in Soniwen or the Western Union line that Liberians need before they
can eat? Everyone of them have failed and now they standing in front of the
Un crying and begging. Our offcials have no dignity.
MAMADEE KAMARA MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Perhaps some people have ears that they don't use to hear. Speaking of
way forward, the Minister said Liberia and other affected countries have
one option and that option is to fght Ebola with all of the resources they
can muster. SN Brussels still comes to Liberia in case you didn't know. Air
Moroc and other airliners will come as well. For some of you doomsayers
and defeatists , what you wish for Liberia is the worst but you are dead
wrong because Liberia will rise and shine in spite of the current Ebola crisis.
The Minister did not deceive the world yesterday, he put it correctly; our
people are dying and we still need more help. Did you want him to say that
we are building rooms in the skies or would you have preferred him lie like
some of you would do at whatever little chance you get? I do not need any
personal favors from Ngafuan but I respect the man because of his love for
his people and will avail myself to defend him when ignoramuses and sheer
non entities who can hardly peep beyond their noses, venture out to impugn
his hard earned reputation.
CLARK DENNIS PACKAGING CLERK AT INTERSTATE BATTERIES
Looking for excuses. What signifcant impact the government made prior to
the Ebola outbreak? The few nurses we had before the Ebola outbreak were
already complaining of less pay why you guys greedy siphon the country
resources, teachers were complaining of unpaid arrears and salaries, price
basic commodities were let loose, the US rate was skyrocketing, economic
crisis was on the increase, there was no electricity, safe drinking water,
unparalleled civil servants income, poor education system, infation, etc. Our
country will survive of this disease but let it not be used as excuse for this
useless government failure
NGAFUAN: LIBERIAS
GAINS PERHAPS ALREADY
REVERSED DUE TO EBOLA
The Editor;
T
hank you for this opportunity to express my opinions
through this newspaper under the caption as stated
above.
No one is blaming president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her
administration for Ebola. No one has ever said that. But
president Sirleaf records are stained because Ebola has
wrecked the lives of thousand of her compatriots in the era of
her presidency.
This cannot be happening to Liberia again. After years of
civil war that slain the lives of over two hundred and ffty
thousand human beings, we were on the path of rehabilitation
and reconstruction, putting behind war and destruction. The
Liberian president became a Nobel laureate, but Ebola erupts,
wrecking havoc and destruction across the nation. How and
why is this taking place under the watch of Liberia and Africa's
frst female president. This question no one can answer.
The president has done so much for her country, according
to her supporters. She has raised Liberia from the ashes of
wars to the light of the comity of nations. She has become the
celebrity president, winning over two hundred awards across
borders and continents, her admirers would proudly say. But
the scourge of Ebola is a serious threat to this enviable legacy
of a woman called the "iron lady" by her political allies.
For the frst time this globetrotter president who love to parade
the world stage beaming with smiles among the comity of
world leaders, suddenly refused to travel. For the frst time in
the presidential itinerary, she has remained on Liberian soil for
thirty whole days. The president refused to attend the African
trade summit for African leaders hosted by president Obama in
Washington. This sky/ airplane hopper president, for the frst
time refuse to attend the U.N. General Assembly because of
Ebola. This
is unprecedented in this presidential historical excursion that
president Obama recognized and empathized and regretted
that the Liberian president could not be at the summit because
she chose to stay home as a responsible leader to fght the
scourge of Ebola.
Critics say that though as dreadful and deadly as Ebola is and
that they regret the Ebola onslaught on the nation, Ebola is
fnally forcing the president to stay home for at least thirty whole
days to do the business of the Liberian people who elected
her to this offce she has now transformed to award winning
and trophy gallery. Let the foreign minister and others capable
lieutenants go on some of the foreign missions for Liberia.
Thirty whole days in Liberia will make the president see the
depth of poverty and destruction, poor health care delivery
system, economic stagnation, the issue of reconciliation, the
issue of mal governance, etc.
These are the dire issues attending the high cost of living endure
by the Liberian people under her watch that she may not be
aware of but informed afar on her globe-trotting tour. Critics
LIBERIAS IMAGE
TAKES A HIT
The Editor,
I
think on BBC today I heard about somebody I believe in
Freetown who was sick who called for transport to a hospital for
3 days, and then died!
I also heard on BBC about a guy who fgured out how to transport
people with his bicycle to hospitals. I think with a wagon that he could
pull.
The perfect solution! mobilize thousands of ambulance bicycles and
save thousands of lives!
George Pope
California
gpope111@gmail.com
WHY NOT USE AMBULANCE
BIKES TO TRANSPORT
EBOLA PATIENTS
say the beneft of staying at home will give the president hands
on deck experience of the doses of corruptions that she may be
aware of but is doing little to eradicate or rather allay because
of cronyism.
Ebola is unwelcome and will be swept out of Liberia, but at
what cost. Liberia would have suffered a colossal economic
slump. This is the situation irony; what the president and her
administration have achieved over the period of her ongoing
tenure have bowed down in the face of Ebola.
Ebola has routed the genius of the president. For a long
time political and economic recovery will be excruciatingly
snail pace, stretching to the end of a tenure fraught with
uncertainties.
Though Ebola is not the making of the country and its
people, neither is it the making of president Sirleaf and her
administration, but Ebola has dragged this government
in the mud and expose the lapses, the incompetency, mal
administration, lack of cohesion, daylight corruption,
cronyism, etc.
With the support of our the international partners, the war
against Ebola will be won because of the buoyancy of the
national spirit to survive, having overcome years of degradation
and not because of the government magic wand.
But most unfortunate, the irrefutable and indelible pages of
history of this legacy will be weighed against Ebola and it
will be said that here the president legacy stain red and the
image of Liberia sink to an all time low, a very dark chapter
the president and the people of Liberia never wish could have
occurred in their beloved country. But this dying legacy will
endure the blow and the pain for something it really never
wanted. Save the legacy or damn the legacy.
Tony Hilton
Baltimore. MD
houdgessunny@gmail.com
Page 6 |
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com
INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)
National Competitive Bidding/Procurement
of Motor Vehicles & Bikes
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has received funds from the Government of
Liberia through budgetary allocation and intends to use portion of it to fund eligible
payment under the contract for the procurement of Motor Vehicles and Bikes.
1. The LRA now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualifed bidders for the
supply and delivery of the below items;
No Description Procurement Number
QTY
Delivery
Period
1 Gasoline Sedan Vehicles,
Manual Gear
IFB No.LRA/NCB/001/13-14 5 6 weeks
after
contract
award
2 Motor bikes for rough terrain IFB No. LRA/NCB/004/014-015 20

2. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB)
procedures as specifed in the PPC Act and is open to all eligible bidders.
3. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from
Alfred Sellu,
Liberia Revenue Authority
Ministry of Finance
First Floor
LRA Logistics Section
Tel: 231-(0886) -524-612
alfred.sellu@lra.gov.lr
5. Qualifcations requirements: All bids must be accompanied by;
A bid security
Current tax clearance, current business registration
Proof of similar goods supplied
Proof of manufacturer authorization
Proof of availability of spare parts & repairs
6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before October 28, 2014 at
12:00
7. Bids will be opened on October 28, 2014 at 12:00pm, in the presence of
bidders representatives who choose to attend, at the address below.
Ministry of Planning Conference Room,
Ground Floor
Capitol Hill
Monrovia, Liberia
8. A complete set of Bidding Document in English may be purchased by
interested bidders upon payment of a non-refundable fee of 50.00 USD to the LRA
Budget & Finance Offce at the Ministry of Finance, First Floor, between 9:00 am &
4:00 pm daily, and obtain a complete set of bidding document.

9. All bids must be clearly marked with the address indicated below.
10. Electronic bids will not be accepted. Late bids will be rejected and returned
unopened.

11. The address is:
Procurement of Motor Vehicles, Ref: IFB No. LRA/NCB/001/13-14 OR
Procurement of Motor Bikes, Ref: IFB No. LRA/NCB/004/014-015
Liberia Revenue Authority
Ministry of Finance
First Floor
LRA Logistics Section
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: 231-(0886) -524-612
alfred.sellu@lra.gov.lr

Signed:
Oliver N. Rogers, II Alfred Sellu
LRA Administration Act. Head of Procurement
Threaten radical measures
QUARDU GBONI CITIZENS WANT
CONCESSION REVISITED
Monrovia-
A
group of Liberians under the banner Quardu Gboni District Citizen Association based in Liberia and
the Diaspora are strongly opposing a recent Cocoa concession agreement signed between the Liberian
government and the Liberia Cocoa Corporation (LCC) recently ratifed by the Liberian senate.
In a statement the group wants the House Representatives not to concur with the Senate in ratifying the
agreement and threatened that any attempt to ignore their call it will lead them into taking radical approach which
they said, could include destruction of the companys property.
The group represented by predominantly men at a news conference Monday said, considering highly the socio-
economic risks associated with granting huge agricultural concession to the Liberia Cocoa Corporation (LCC) in
Quardu Gboni district, whose inhabitants by and large survive by the soil it was not prudent to grant concession
agreement to a company.
The group said, they are threatened by the fact that the land space (6000 hectares) claimed by LCC will approximately
cover the entire district, including settlements and farming lands but fail to state the exact land space of the entire
district.
Speaking on behalf of the organization Mohammed Nyieh chairman for Press and Propaganda said, Citizens are
aware that said, concession will only subject their people to perpetual poverty and long term economic enslavement,
which completely contravenes vision 2030-Agenda for Transformation, the development road map for post war
recovery.
Nyieh said: Realizing that key National policy actors amidst these grave concerns, are being totally insensitive to
the plights of our people by surreptitiously prioritizing such bogus concession agreement, which absolutely brings no
signifcant beneft to our district Vis--vis Liberia, at this critical period in the history of our nation, when everything
is in disarray due to the unprecedented Ebola outbreak we the sons and daughters of Quardu Gboni District sees the
concession as inappropriate.
We want to use this medium to categorically register our disagreement to national government regarding the LCC
concession agreement being ratifed by the Senate, Nyieh also said.
Amongst many other things the group accused the LCC of failing to fulfll its social cooperate responsibilities to the
people of Zorzor town and nearby settlements in pilot project stage since almost fve years and has not implemented
any tangible community development initiative. They fear that if the company cannot make impact in its pilot stage
giving them concession status will be the worst decision.
International best practices bridged
In further comments the group claimed that because of hidden motives held by the government and LCC they
deliberately bridged best international practices in consummating the concession agreement which they said include
failure by the government to hold consultation with the citizens of the district concerning the investment package.
Presenting the group position statement to reporters at the capitol building Nyieh described LCC as a one man show
run by one Momolu Dukuly Tolbert, who they described as an insincere man who is using sanzanors Tribal land
certifcate and pilot project to dupe multinational investors and access fraudulent bank loan at the detriment of the
impoverished Quardu Gboni Citizens.
We urge the President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and both houses of the National Legislature to unconditionally
dismiss any action or process as it relates to granting LCC concession in the area it will be counterproductive we
can assure you he said.
The group continued We would not hold back on taking extreme radical actions if need be. While we have chosen
to be law abiding, it would not be to the extent of compromising the essence of our existence as a people and
community.
We believe that the President acted in error by affxing her signature to this trash document under the canopy of
concession agreement when the District is a major epic center and still mourning the death of its citizens who have
lost their lives from the deadly Ebola Virus, the group stated.
Monrovia-
V
ice president Joseph Bokai says hes optimistic that predictions from the international Community that
West Africa could report more than a Million affected people with Ebola within the next six months will
not come to reality.
We are getting reports from Lofa, we know that things are improving and that the number will not
be our portion, Vice President Joseph Boakai said, in response to a question about the Center for Disease control
prediction of Ebola infection in West Africa.
Speaking to reporters at the Freeport of Monrovia where he had gone to receive a consignment of assorted medical
supplies, food and non-food items the Liberian Vice President called on Liberians to work to ensure that such
prediction is not achievable.
On Monday VP Boakai received three forty foot containers of assorted items value over one Million United States
dollars donated by the international charity His Church based in Lincolnshire, the United Kingdom.
The Vice President said, one of the containers is flled with medical supplies that were subsequently turned over to
the Ebola Task Force represented by Mr. Dorbor Jallah while the other two forty foot containers containing food and
non-food items will be used by the vice president to assist indigent communities throughout the country.
VP Boakai disclosed that the items came as a result of a special plead made by him to the charity international group
and is part of many other donations the group has made to Liberia even before the outbreak of Ebola.
VP Boakai said: HIS Church Charity says they are immensely pleased to identify with Liberia at this critical time
in the Countrys history especially considering the devastating effect the ongoing Ebola virus has had on the human
capacity and infrastructure development in the country.
The food and non-food items according to the Liberian Vice President are intended to assist residents in quarantined
communities with basic needs while helping to contain the spread of the virus and loss of additional lives.
He cautioned those handling the affairs of the distribution of the items to ensure that it reaches those it is intended
for. The donation from the British charity group is the second round of donation received by the VP Boakai in less
than a week.
On Thursday, this week VP Boakai received a consignment of items brought in by Samaritan Purse on board a 747
Kalita jet value half a Million United states dollars.
WE KNOW THINGS ARE IMPROVING
VP Boakai responds to CDC prediction of huge Ebola infection
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Page 7
Kennedy L. Yangian
kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 077296781
Wade C. L. Williams, wade.williams@frontpageafricaonline.com
Monrovia-
T
he Grand Jurors for Montserrado County sitting in its
August 2014 Term of Court have indicted three ex-
employees of the Ecobank with several charges to include
theft of property, misapplication of entrusted property, forg,
criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy.
The three ex-employees who are expected to go on trial shortly
according to the indictment have been identifed as; Precious Baker,
Jestina Collins and Lincoln Sawoh.
The courts indictment from the First Judicial Circuit Assizes A at
the Temple of justice indicated that specifcally in April, May , June
and September 2012 the defendants all former employees of the bank
were arrested on separate dates interrogated by offcers of the Liberia
National Police following an internal fndings and charged the crimes
through complaint of the bank fled on its behalf by Varney Kromah
head of Security.
WITHOUT AN EBOLA TEST RESULT
F
RONT
PAGE
EBOLA
Funeral Homes Still Taking Dead Bodies
Monrovia-
L
iberia continues to
be challenged by
denial and failure to
follow simple health
instructions by health workers,
communities and morticians
who own and run funeral homes
around the country.
On Saturday as the Ebola Burial
Team of the Ministry of Health
arrived in the Gbankay Town
Airfeld Community to pick up
the remains of a dead woman
Kortee T. Gray after being called
in by the family. But less than
fve minutes after the teams
arrival, a van belonging to the
St. Moses funeral home also
pulled over into the compound to
collect the same body.
Community dwellers watched in
astonishment as two morticians
dressed in black disembarked
their vehicle demanding the
corpse of the deceased, claiming
the family had called them in to
take the body away.
The family called us here to
pick up the body of their mother
and we are taking it, said one of
the men who did not disclose his
name.
There was a little hesitation on
the part of Samuel T. Nimley,
Police Commissioner for
Interpol and Intelligence and
the Liberia National Police lead
coordination on the burial team,
because he had not seen an Ebola
free lab result. He said the body
was going to be taken by the
Ebola team until it can be clear
that the elderly lady did not die
of the deadly Ebola virus.
Suddenly the son of the deceased
appeared with a sheet of
paper; a photocopy of what he
claimed was a death certifcate
issued by a clinic owned by Dr.
Moses Massaquoi, National
Case Management Chair of the
National Task Force on Ebola.
She died 11:40 this morning. I
went to the doctor to the hospital,
he came and pronounced her
dead and then gave us the death
certifcate, said Varney S. Gray,
son of the deceased.
She has been taking treatment
with Dr. Moses Massaquoi, at
the Roto Town hospital, so when
she died, we called him and he
gave us the death certifcate
today. Before she died she cried
about pain in her foot.
Gray confrmed that the family
had called in the morticians
because the health worker had
issued a certifcate and the family
could not wait for an Ebola test
result.
The body will be taken to the
funeral home and maybe for a
week or so, then we will do the
burial, he said.
Though a blood sample is taken
from the body of the dead
woman by the Ebola team, it
wont be until another 24 hours
before the result is know but the
men from the St. Moses Funeral
Home were willing to take the
risk. Dressed in raincoats the
two-man team entered the house
with a spraying can to prepare
the body of the dead woman.
They wrap it up in a white body
bag and without any facial mask
or decontamination they bring
the body out of the house and put
it in their van.
The familys sudden show of
a death certifcate signed by a
Liberian health offcial seems to
have baffed policeman Nimley
who could do nothing but allow
the family to have its way even
though a blood specimen had
been taken to do an Ebola test.
We have not verifed whether
this death certifcate is authentic;
so what is going to happen we
will still secure the body, until
the test result can come, he said.
Most times if we dont do it this
way, there may be confrontation
between the community and
us; to avoid the confict we will
secure it as best as possible until
we can get that Ebola test result.
Nimley was worried that if the
person died of Ebola, then it
could spread beyond the funeral
home into several communities
but was not able to talk the
family out of taking the dead
woman to a funeral home.
Treat every body as an Ebola
positive body; so all the safety
procedures are applied. Until
they get the result from the
laboratory, they treat that body
as a positive case, he said.
Jenneh Boakai, a Neighbor
of the deceased woman she
was convinced she did not die
from the deadly Ebola virus.
She claims to have known the
deceased woman for years and
that she died because she was
bewitched.
Almost fve years, her foot has
been hurting. She has a land and
when she goes there in the yard,
the foot can get worse, she said.
The community knows about
her sickness and everybody
convince that it is not Ebola. She
did not show any symptom of
Ebola. Im not worried about her
death it cant be Ebola.
The men from the funeral who
came to pick up the body of the
dead woman were not properly
protected as the Ebola team, but
Nimley pities with them adding
that it was due to challenges
faced by health workers.
You have to understand we lack
capacity, so where we lack the
capacity, we have to improvise.
It is better raincoat than no coat
at all, he said.
But Sewole Lomax a Lab
Technician who took blood
specimen off the body of the
dead woman said health workers
including morticians have to be
a bit more careful when dealing
with the dead during the Ebola
outbreak.
Im worried for them because
the virus is very dangerous, if
you are not careful you may
likely infect yourself. You have
to be careful, you have to take
your time to do your work, she
said as she watched them deal
with the remains of the dead
woman.
The death certifcate was issued
few hours after the elderly
womans death without an Ebola
test result. The burial team stated
that it had no option but to let the
funeral home team who seem less
protected to take the body away.
Onlookers in the community
were concerned that the test had
not been done and the corpse was
being removed from the house
into a funeral home and it took
Lomax to clarify and ally their
fears.
For the community people, Ma
Kortee died in the house but we
dont know what killed her, she
said loudly to members of the
community who were standing
around looking confused. We
came to collect her blood to
carry it to the lab to fnd out what
killed her. So I cant say that
Ebola killed her or that Malaria
killed her or that heart failure
killed her.
But on the death certifcate issued
the family, the health ministry
stated that the woman died from
heart failure due to complications
of diabetes and hypertension.
Many body collections like
these have happened in Liberia
like these, many have held
funeral for the deceased and it
had turned out to be Ebola after
the people who attended such
funerals begin to die or get sick
suddenly. One case in point is
that of the former Miss Liberia
beauty queen, Shurina Weah.
Weahs sister died and they held
a funeral the aftermath was that
many more family members
and friends began to die and the
truth was revealed as the dead or
sick started to test positive for
the virus, even though a death
certifcate was issued ruling out
Ebola.
The deadly Ebola outbreak has
been ongoing in Liberia since
March 2014 and there have been
3921 cases and 2069 according
to the US Centers for Disease
Control.
INDICTED
Court Indicts Several EX-Ecobank Employees For Theft
Complaint Kromah is reported
and alleged that defendants Bake,
Collins and Sawoh criminally
took and carried away from the
bank cash to the sum of US$374,
554.74 and LD$1,175, 262.94
from the bank as the result of
dubious transaction carried out
which said amount defendants
converted to their personal use
and benefts.
The indictment also stated that
the defendants came up with the
scheme to stael and defraud the
bank while within in the employ
of the Ecobank as Tellers and
IT Manager hereby creating a
situation by which a customers
accounts will be credited
falsely without any supporting
document and thereafter, the
defendants themselves will fll in
withdrawal slips and withdraw
said funds from the bank
purporting to be the customers.
According to the indictment
customers whose accounts were
so used unknowingly include
Josephine Browne, Agatha W.
Cheechea and D. Bolee, Daniel
Mulbah and Magrat Kieh Nimely
among others while defendant
Licoln knowingly volunteered
his acoount.
The indictment copy of
which is in the possession of
FrontPageAfrica also alleged
that that the Ecobank discovered
during the its Task Force
investigation for reconciliation
of the tellers balances in the
general ledger for the period
March 5, 2012 to December
31, 2012 co defendants Jestina
Collins and Precious Baker
listed to various accounts could
not account for the amount of
US$296,814.59.
Also the indictment further
that accounts of customers
used were Josephine Browne
#0043144711240801,
Agatha W. Cheecha and D.
Bolee#0063144711247101,
Daniel D. Mulbah and Magrat
00131447189918, Kieh
Nimley 00131447133801
and Licoln Sawohs account#
0013144716933701 and
0013164701649401 while the
defendants for the period stated
caused fraudent credits and
debits to customers accounts
in addition to the differences in
the general ledger which led to
the theft of US$374,554,74 and
L$1,175, 262.94
For co defendant Precious
Baker the indictment stated
in addition to the false
credit and with drawal using
various customers accounts
in conjunction with the other
defendants could not account for
the difference of US$77,740.15
and L$1, 139, 140.03 refected
in her general ledger while also
co-defendant Jestina Collins in
addition to the 37, 980,00 which
she and the other co- defendants
by their scheme took away,
she could not account for the
difference of US$263, 314.59
and L$36,122.91.
While co-defendant Lincoln
Sawoh is reported to have
facilitated the commission of the
crime by not only offering his
account to be used but by making
efforts to reduce the difference
in the general ledger illegally the
indictment further.
The Grand Juror for
Montserrado upon their oath
do hereby fnd more probably
than not that the defendants,
Precious Bake, Jestina Collins
and Lincoln Sawoh committed
the crime of theft of Property, a
felony of the third degree to wit
and that the defendants have no
affrmative defense said the
indictment
Page 8 |
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
M
onrovia-With a
weak and broken
health care
delivery system
exposed by the outbreak of the
deadly Ebola virus beginning
March, Liberia is inching towards
further health catastrophe as
health workers including those
working at various Ebola
treatment units across the
country are threatening mass
strike action later this month.
Since the outbreak of the virus,
Liberia has been fnding it
diffcult to contain the killer
disease which has overtaken
the health delivery system; with
health workers shunning people
suffering from other illness for
fear that they could contract the
virus.
Latest statistics show that Liberia
is performing poorly amongst
Sierra Leone and Guinea,
two other countries fghting
the outbreak after Nigeria
successfully defeated the virus
transferred to that Country by a
Liberian, Patrick Sawyer.
With massive international
support including cash,
materials, human resources
and other donations to Liberia,
the Government has been
breathing a sign of relief
with the construction of more
treatment centers, and plans to
put in to place communities care
centers, amongst others but it
now seems all the efforts might
have stumbling block if the
pronounced strike by health care
workers holds.
Health care workers have been
demanding higher pay, insurance
and other better incentives
to compensate for the risk of
attending to Ebola patients with
high death rate recorded amongst
nurses, doctors and other medical
workers.
From the onset of the outbreak,
the health care workers said they
proposed a pay and incentive
package to the government in
which they are calling on the
government and international
partners to pay Medical Doctors
assigned in ETUs US$1,500 as
hazard pay and other medical
workers including, clinicians,
like physicians assistant,
$1,200, hygienists 750 and other
support staff 500.
But the government has disclosed
it is only able to do something
different from the proposal by
the health workers. Finance and
Economic Planning Minister
Amara Konneh disclosed that
for every Ebola Treatment Unit
there would be a supervisor who
would be paid US$850 above the
regular salary while all medical
HEALTH CRISIS LOOMS
Ebola frontline fghters threaten national strike
doctors working on the response
in the country will get US$825
and the ETU managers and
general practitioners will receive
US$450 hazard pay and nurses
and laboratory technicians will
get US$435.
Minister Konneh disclosed
that case investigators, social
workers and ambulance drivers
would be paid US$350 while
Hygienists and logisticians
working in health care facilities
would receive US$300. He also
said drivers, contact tracers and
securities would get US$250.
The pronouncement by the
Government has not gone down
well with the health workers
which they said is prompting
their action.
Aphonso P. Massaley, Staff
Representative at the one of the
newest ETUs, the Island ETU
told FrontPageAfrica There is
a pending strike action we are
planning because we the staff of
the ETU at the Island hospital
feel disenchanted by government
approach. They came up with
a salary structure that is not in
our interest and was not done in
consultation with the National
Health workers Association of
Liberia and this did not go down
well with the staff assigned
at the ETU. Because of this,
there are several demands we
came up with and has given
government an ultimatum of ten
days and if they cannot meet our
responsibilities, a go slow action
will be take place on the 13thof
October.
According to the Island ETU
staff representative the salary
structure pronounced by the
Government through Minister
Konneh is unfair and cannot be
accepted by health workers.
Massaley further said
Government came up with a
salary structure that they will pay
nurses and physician assistants
assigned at the ETU US$ 435,
which was not in the previous
contract. So if you were given
US$750 in the previous contract
and decide to give them 435,
they should be informed ahead of
time but the government did their
mathematical expression behind
closed doors and just came up
with the pronouncement.
This, he said is making health
workers angry and they now
know that the government is anti
health.
People are very much angry as
we speak, that some employees
are not still coming to work
because of this disheartening
information. We were
disappointed in the government
before the outbreak of Ebola,
because this government has
been a failure to the Liberian
people, this is why we refer to
the government to as an anti
health government, because they
are not in the interest of health
workers in this country.
They dont care
Alphonso Wiah, a Hygienist
expressed similar frustration,
saying that Liberian government
offcials are incentive to their
plight because families of these
offcials are not in Liberia and
as such they do not care what
happens to patients at ETUs
around the country.
They dont care, their children
are not in the country, their
families are not sick at the ETUs
so we that suffering, cleaning
vomit, and blood are the ones
they think money is not good for
us, said Wiah.
Wiah says even if some of these
offcials had their children who
are nurses and other medical
workers they would keep them
away from the ETUs but are
showing less attention to the
welfare of health workers
because their are families are not
in the line in fghting Ebola.
Wiah laments When they come
here, they cant come near the
ETU, they stop outside because
the place is risk but we are not
human beings so we should play
with patients and get nothing,
they want us die poor.
Cyrus Massaquoi with his spray
at the back and ready to go
into the ETU to spray angrily
expressed that since the outbreak
the government has not been in
the interest of health workers.
Because from day one, they
have not been in the interest of
the health workers, all of the
work we the health worker are
living in slavery in Liberia and
much sooner, all of the ETUs
in Liberia will be shut down
because we will not be accepting
patients because we will organize
ourselves not to come to work.
We are giving government from
the 1-10 to get a redress with all
of our demands. There were a lot
of promises and contradictions
the government has been
making in the past of fgures
they were not paying us and
were publishing it to the public,
Massaquoi expressed.
Quizzed on what would become
the plight of Ebola patients
should their planned strike
action go ahead, Massaquoi
said Revolutionaries are not
humanitarians, because when
you decide to go and fght, you
will be fghting for a cause
and not look behind on what is
going to happen on the contrary,
because if the government had
the mind that if we go on strike,
things will not work out better,
then the government will seek a
result.
Massaquoi believes that the
government is not using donor
funding provided for the fght
against Ebola for the intended
purpose but instead buying fancy
cars and other materials for their
personal use.
Now we are fghting the
Ebola crisis, many funds and
donations have been given to the
government. We want the entire
Ebola crisis to be handled by
the international community and
not the government of Liberia,
because the government is anti
health government who is not
working in the interest of the
health workers because the
donors are willing to pay us what
we want but the government
took the Ebola funds and infused
it in national budget. This is why
they have decided to pay us the
way they feel like paying us,
Massaquoi said.
The health workers are
complaining that although they
took an oath to protect lives but
they need to survive.
Said Massaquoi Even though
we took oath to save our people
but we did not take oath to live
in poverty, so we should be
benefted for the work we do.
Health workers are dying, one of
our friends got affected by needle
and the insurance policy drawn
out by the government states that
we should waive all accidents,
injuries or even death and not
hold government responsible.
The health care delivery system
of Liberia is currently facing a
collapse overwhelmed by the
Ebola virus which has as of
September 28 killed 890 people
from confrmed cases.
Overall1, 998 people have also
died from confrmed, suspected
and probable cases of Ebola;
making it the highest amongst
the West African countries
hardly hit the virus since March
this year.
International response has
been forthcoming with the
Government of the United States
now having about 3,000 navy
stationed in the country to help
construct treatment units and
provide medical care, the world
Bank, African development
Bank, the Bill Gates Foundation
and several other international
organizations have provided
and in some instances pledged
support to the fght against
Ebola.
On October 1 the Government
of Liberia released a salary
structure for all medical workers
currently engaged with the fght
against the Ebola virus
The government stated that
the amounts were agreed after
meeting with heads of the various
associations in the health sector
in including nurses, doctors, and
others.
Strike actions from the health
workers started in the Central
County of Bong when nurses
abandoned an ETU run by
Save the Children and Internal
Medical Corps in demand of
better incentives.
Several Ebola patients at the
Gbarnga ETU in Bong were
transferred to the Island Clinic
ETU in Monrovia by the
Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare after at least two deaths
reported in the aftermath of the
strike action.
But it now appears that things
might get worse with the nurses
and other workers at the Island,
John F. Kennedy medical center
(JFK) ETUs who said they are
speaking on behalf of all ETUs
in the country threatening that
the Government of Liberia has
up to October 10 to improve its
offer in terms of incentive or else
all ETUs will be abandoned by
workers effective October 13.
Contract sparks concern
The health workers have also
alarmed that the government is
compelling them to sign contract
in which they are waiving all
liabilities against the government
and international partners should
anything happen to them on the
job.
Section 7 of the contract prepared
by Government according to the
health workers states.
Section 7 of the contract,
indemnity states In view of the
above, and without prejudice to
Count 5 above; I undersigned
contractual employee herein
absolutely waive, release,
indemnity, defend and forever
hold harmless the entire three
branches of Government of
the Republic of Liberia and
its Offcials, members and
employees and successors
in offce and/or any foreign
Government or local or foreign
stakeholders from and against
any all loss, damage, I jury,
death, expense, proceeding of
every kind, demand, cost, claim
or liability incurred by or arising
out of my aforesaid assignment
(including, without limitation,
claims by third parties or claims
by legal representatives, seeds,
family), arising out of the acts,
errors, omissions, breach or
negligence of the Government
of Liberia, its offcials and
successors in offce, any foreign
government or donors/partners
(including the government of
the country or countries where
donors/partners are located
and other local and foreign
stakeholders.
The health workers also said
the food provided them is
not properly prepared for
consumption.
One of the nurses holding a plate
of the food said look at this food
they say they spent US$10 for
each plate look at it. I know that
some of their wives restaurant
they can get this food from. They
themselves cant eat this food
whole they, but they give it to
us.
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Page 9
F
RONT
PAGE
EBOLA
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
JOIN EBOLA FIGHT
US MILITARY TO PUT UP TENT
AT LIBERIA EBOLA CLINIC

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP)
P
oor infrastructure,
diffculties with
equipment and
torrential rains have
slowed work for the U.S.
military's initial response to the
deadly Ebola outbreak in West
Africa, but it is now ready to
start erecting the main tent for a
feld hospital in Liberia.
Lt. Col. Jason Brown, who was
at the site near the airport in the
capital Monrovia, said work
is supposed to begin Monday
afternoon on the main structure
of the 25-bed clinic that will
treat health care workers infected
with Ebola. It should be ready to
accept patients at the end of the
month, according to spokesman
Chuck Prichard at the U.S.
military's Africa Command.
"Every time it rains it slows
things down," said Brown, noting
that construction for the feld
hospital was supposed to begin
Monday morning and has been
pushed to the afternoon. Military
teams have also been slowed by
equipment that's broken down
including the steering on a
road grader or mix-ups in the
delivery of supplies.
On any construction job, there are
delays, Brown said, but Liberia
presents added challenges.
"Imagine those same frustrations
multiplied by a country that
has challenges with their
infrastructure and challenges
with the schedule," he said.
But, he said, engineers from the
Army, Navy and Marines "have
workarounds and solutions for
everything."
The Ebola outbreak is believed
to have killed more than 3,400
people in West Africa and has
taken the biggest toll in Liberia.
There aren't enough beds in
isolation units to keep up with
the hundreds who get sick each
week.
The U.S. has also promised to
build 17 other Ebola treatment
centers, which would have space
for 100 patients each. Work on
at least two of the clinics has
begun, Prichard said.
While the space is sorely needed,
some experts are worried about
who will staff them. The three
hardest-hit countries of Liberia,
Guinea and Sierra Leone had
too few doctors and nurses to
begin with, and a tremendous
number of infections in health
care workers during the outbreak
has only further reduced their
numbers. With more than 370
health care workers sickened by
the disease so far, many other
clinicians are afraid to care for
Ebola patients.
The White House said President
Obama plans to meet with his
national security advisers on
Monday to discuss the Ebola
outbreak and the administration's
response. The Pentagon's
spokesman said Friday that up
to 4,000 U.S. troops could be
deployed to West Africa.
Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby
said the military has begun
medical testing for Ebola at two
new labs in Liberia. Kirby said
that the service members are not
going to treat patients and are not
expected to come in contact with
anyone who is infected.
There are about 230 U.S.
troops deployed for the Ebola
mission now. About two dozen
are in Senegal setting up a
transportation center and the rest
are in Liberia.
JOURNALIST WITH EBOLA
ARRIVES AT NEBRASKA HOSPITAL
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)
A
n American video
journalist who
contracted Ebola
while working in
Liberia has arrived at a Nebraska
hospital, where he will be treated
for the deadly disease.
Ashoka Mukpo, 33, arrived
by ambulance Monday at the
Nebraska Medical Center, where
he will be kept in a specialized
biocontainment unit built
specifcally to handle this type of
illness.
Mukpo was working in Liberia
as a freelance cameraman for
NBC News when he became
ill last week. He is the ffth
American sickened with Ebola
to return to the U.S. for treatment
during the latest outbreak, which
the World Health Organization
estimates has killed more than
3,400 people.
Meanwhile, a Liberian man
with Ebola who started showing
symptoms while visiting the U.S.
is in critical condition at a Dallas
hospital.
Mukpo's father, Dr. Mitchell
Levy, told NBC Sunday that his
son was "counting the minutes"
until he could leave Liberia, but
that he was not feeling that ill
Sunday. Levy said the family
was travelling from Rhode
Island to Nebraska.
Doctors at the isolation unit
the largest of four in the U.S.
will evaluate Mukpo before
determining how to treat him.
They said they will apply the
lessons learned while treating
American aid worker Rick
Sacra, who was allowed to return
home to Massachusetts after
three weeks, on Sept. 25.
Sacra received an experimental
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals drug
called TKM-Ebola, as well
as two blood transfusions
from another American aid
worker who recovered from
Ebola at an Atlanta hospital.
The transfusions are believed
to help a patient fght off the
virus because the survivor's
blood carries antibodies for the
disease. Sacra also received
supportive care, including IV
fuids and aggressive electrolyte
management.
Sacra was admitted to UMass
Memorial Medical Center
on Saturday after he came in
complaining about a cough
and low-grade fever and was
put in isolation as a precaution.
The hospital said weekend test
results came back negative
for Ebola, and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
confrmed that Sacra's symptoms
weren't caused by the virus.
In Dallas, another man who
recently traveled to the U.S.
from Liberia was listed in critical
condition Sunday. Thomas Eric
Duncan has been hospitalized
at Texas Health Presbyterian
Hospital since Sept. 28. Dr. Tom
Frieden, the CDC's director,
said he was aware that Duncan's
health had "taken a turn for
the worse," but he declined to
describe Duncan's condition
further.
The virus that causes Ebola is not
airborne and can only be spread
through direct contact with the
bodily fuids blood, sweat,
vomit, feces, urine, saliva or
semen of an infected person
who is showing symptoms.
Duncan arrived in Dallas on
Sept. 20 and fell ill a few days
later. Offcials say 10 people
defnitely had close contact with
Duncan and a further 38 may
have been around him when he
was showing symptoms of the
disease.

Monrovia,
T
raditional Chiefs and Elders of Liberia have agreed to join
government and its partners in the fght against the deadly Ebola
Virus Disease.
The traditional chiefs said their renewed commitment is to
continue their march towards the full eradication of the Ebola Virus and
the restoration of basic health services in Liberia.
A release from the Internal Affairs Ministry said the statement was
contained in a resolution reached over the weekend, at the end of the
weeklong traditional chiefs consultative meeting on prevention of the
Ebola Virus, which took place in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The consultative meeting was organized by the Ministry of Internal
Affairs in collaboration with the National Council of Chiefs and Elders,
with funding from the Carter Center.
The meeting which brought together over 120 traditional leaders from
across the country, was intended for chiefs to consult with national and
international experts on the fght against the Virus, to know what has been
done so far, what is needed to be done to cut its transmission, and how
traditional chiefs and elders can get involved in the fght against Ebola.
In the statement, the traditional leaders resolved that they are prepared to
join in the campaign of disseminating preventive Ebola messages in all
towns and villages.
At the same time, the chiefs have called for empowerment of traditional
leaders with logistical and fnancial support in order to undertake
community outreach; as well as conduct training of traditional mid-wives
and youth volunteers in the management and handling of Ebola related
cases and delivery of pregnant women.
They are also calling for inclusion of traditional leaders on all levels of
Ebola related task forces across the country.
Speaking at the opening, Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly
challenged traditional chiefs throughout Liberia to take leadership role in
the fght against the virus in their various communities.
Your institution is a powerful one; you must use your offce to do more
awareness on Ebola in your counties. I respect you and your society and I
am also part of you. Hon. Dukuly emphasized.
Meanwhile, the head of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief
Zanzan Karwor commended the Ministry of Internal Affairs for approving
the meeting and the Carter Center for the sponsorship.
Chief Karwor assured that his council will ensure full compliance with all
measures issued by the government and its partners.
For his part, the Chief of Party of the Carter Center-Liberia, Mr. Pewee
Flomoku, assured the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Council Chiefs
of his Centers continuous commitment and support to traditional leaders
in Liberia.
At the close the meeting, Carter Center distributed what it called start-
up packages for traditional chiefs, to include megaphones, fyers/posters
and cash.
This is the beginning of your empowerment; we will work with the
Minister and the Council to do more. Mr. Flomoku assured.
Representatives from several ministries and agencies as well as partners
graced the meeting and made presentations on their respective roles in the
fght against Ebola.
They include the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of
Agriculture and the Bureau of Immigration. Others are the World Health
Organization, Center for Disease Control-USA, The Carter Center,
UNICEF and UNFPA among others
NIMBA ASSISTANT
SUPERINTENDENT SACKED
MONROVIA,:
T
he Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that Mr. Teeko
T. Yorlay, Assistant Superintendent for Development of Nimba
County, has with immediate effect been relieved of his position
for administrative reasons.
The Ministry states that the decision to relief Mr. Yorlay was taken with
the approval of Her Excellency Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
A release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said the government is
encouraging Mr. Yorlay to seek employment opportunity elsewhere in
the private or public sector.
Meanwhile, the release quotes Minister Morris Dukuly as saying; the
President will shortly nominate a new Assistant Superintendent for
Development of Nimba County.
Page 10 |
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
IN BRIEF
MAN DIES FROM
EBOLA-LIKE MARBURG
VIRUS IN UGANDA


Nairobi (AFP) -
K
enyan President
Uhuru Kenyatta
said Monday he
will go to the
International Criminal Court,
where he faces charges of crimes
against humanity, becoming the
frst sitting president to appear.
"Let it not be said that I am
attending the status conference
as the president of Kenya,"
Kenyatta told parliament as
several lawmakers stamped
their feet in support.
"Nothing in my position or my
deeds as president warrants
my being in court," said the
president, who is due to appear
in The Hague-based court on
Wednesday.
F
RONT
PAGE
WORLD NEWS
HONG KONG DEMOCRACY PROTESTS
FADE, FACE TEST OF STAMINA
RUNOFF CAMPAIGN FOR
BRAZIL'S PRESIDENCY
HONG KONG (Reuters) -
P
ro-democracy protests
in Chinese-controlled
Hong Kong subsided
on Monday as students
and civil servants returned to
school and work after more
than a week of demonstrations,
but activists vowed to keep
up their campaign of civil
disobedience.
Protesters lifted a blockade of
government offces in the heart
of the city, which had been
the focal point of their action
which initially drew tens of
thousands onto the streets. The
civil servants were allowed
to pass through protesters'
barricades unimpeded.
By late Monday afternoon,
about a hundred protesters
remained in an area that houses
offces for international banks
as well as the main stock
exchange, although some
students on campus remained
defant and promised to return
after classes in the evening.
RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO
PAULO (Reuters) -
A
n unexpectedly
competitive runoff
campaign for
Brazil's presidency
kicked off on Monday with
leftist incumbent Dilma
Rousseff and her pro-business
rival Aecio Neves racing
to lock up supporters of an
ousted third-place candidate
and others frustrated with a
stagnant economy.
Neves, a former two-term state
governor and senator who had
been widely written off until the
last few days of the campaign,
rode a late surge in support to
second place with 33.6 percent
support in Sunday's frst round
of voting.
ISLAMIC STATE RAISES FLAG IN EASTERN
KOBANI, KURDS SAY TOWN HAS NOT FALLEN
MURSITPINAR Turkey
(Reuters) -
I
slamic State militants raised
their fag on a building
on the eastern outskirts
of the Syrian border town
of Kobani on Monday after an
assault of almost three weeks,
but the town's Kurdish defenders
said they had not reached the city
centre.
A black fag belonging to Islamic
State was visible from across the
Turkish border atop a four-storey
building close to the scene of
some of the most intense clashes
in recent days.
Local sources inside Kobani
confrmed the group had planted
its fag but said that Kurdish
forces had repelled their
advances so far.
"ISIL have only planted a fag
on one building on the eastern
side of town," said Ismail Eskin,
a journalist in the town. "That
is not inside the city, it's on the
eastern side. They are not inside
the city. Intense clashes are
continuing."
The radical al Qaeda offshoot
has been battling to seize the
predominantly Kurdish town
after taking over large swathes
of territory in Syria and Iraq in
recent months.
Air strikes by American and Gulf
HAS NORTH KOREAS KIM
JONG UN BEEN TOPPLED?
O
ut of sight for a
month, young Kim
is supposedly ill. But
rumors are swirling
hes been deposedand North
Koreas second most powerful
man now feels confdent enough
to travel South.
Hwang Pyong So must be feeling
pretty good about himself right
now. At the latest Supreme
Peoples Assembly meeting, he
was made vice chairman of the
National Defense Commission.
This was after his promotion to
director of the General Political
Bureau of the Korean Peoples
Army, making him the top
political offcer in the military. In
a country where there is supposed
to be no No. 2 offcial, he is called
the second-most powerful fgure.
Now he has crossed the border
into South Korea on a one-day,
short-notice trip, triggering hopes
of reconciliation between the arch-
rival republicsand heightening
speculation about the fate of Kim
Jong Un, North Koreas young
supremo, who has not been seen
in public since September 3.
Hwangs trip South on Saturday
comes on the heels of a widely
publicized reportthat Kim has been
deposed. Jang Jin Sung, a former
North Korean counterintelligence
and propaganda offcial, is
claiming that the Organization
and Guidance Department of
the Korean Workers Party,
responsible for promotions within
the regime, has taken over the
country. Kim, according to Jang,
is now merely a puppet.
Leading Korea watchers, however,
say they doubt Kim has lost his
position at the center of the state
founded by his grandfather and
passed down to his father, his
immediate predecessor. This
kind of travel would be way too
out there if anything serious was
going on in North Korea, so I
dont think its a sign of a coup,
John Delury of Yonsei University
in Seoul told The Washington
Post of Hwangs jaunt down to
Incheon, near the South Korean
capital. Andrei Lankov of nearby
Kookmin University, meanwhile,
called the surprise visit merely
a part of Pyongyangs recent
charm offensive. North Korean
diplomacy has been engaged in
concerted, well-arranged, well-
managed efforts to improve
relations with pretty much the
entire outside world, he told the
Post. And you would not expect
it to happen with nobody in
control.
Lankov and Delury make a
commonsense point, but Jang, a
defector to Seoul,maintains that
Kim was removed from power last
year. That means Hwang could
have consolidated his position in
the interim and now feels secure
enough to travel for a day.
Indeed, there are signs that not
only has Hwang risen, but also
that Kim has fallen. The young
ruler did not preside over lasts
month meeting of the Supreme
Peoples Assembly, the frst time
that has happened since he took
power after his fathers death in
December 2011. Yes, he may have
been ill, but if he was politically
healthy, the meeting would have
been postponed until he was able
to appear.


state warplanes have failed to
halt the advance of the Islamists,
who have besieged the town
from three sides and pounded it
with heavy artillery.
"During the day sometimes
IS makes advances but YPG
pushes them back. There are
clashes within the vicinity, but
they are not inside the city,
YPG is resisting," said Pawer
Mohammed Ali, a translator for
the Kurdish Democratic Union
Party (PYD) inside Kobani.
Mortars have rained down on
residential areas in Kobani and
stray fre has hit Turkish territory
in recent days, but Kurdish pleas
for help have so far largely gone
unanswered.
Islamic State wants to take
Kobani to consolidate a dramatic
sweep across northern Iraq
and Syria, in the name of an
absolutist version of Sunni
Islam, that has sent shockwaves
through the Middle East.
Beheadings, mass killings and
torture have spread fear of
the group across the region,
with villages emptying at the
approach of pick-up trucks fying
Islamic State's black fag.
"If they enter Kobani, it will
be a graveyard for us and for
them. We will not let them enter
Kobani as long as we live,"
Esmat al-Sheikh, head of the
Kobani Defence Authority, said
by telephone earlier on Monday.
"We either win or die. We will
resist to the end," he added as
heavy weapons fre echoed from
the eastern side of town.
T
he Ebola patient in isolation at a Texas hospital has begun
treatment with an experimental drug that was authorized
by the federal government today for certain patients, the
hospital said.
Thomas Eric Duncan, who is being treated at Texas Health Presbyterian
Hospital after being the frst person diagnosed with Ebola within the
United States, is listed in critical condition but is believed to be stable.
"He is now receiving an investigational medication, brincidofovir, for
Ebola Virus Disease," hospital spokeswoman Candace White said in
a tweet.
The announcement that he is now being treated with an experimental
anti-viral medication called brincidofovir comes the same day that
the Food and Drug Administration authorized its use in certain
experimental cases, according to the biopharmaceutical company
Chimerix. Chimerix, a Durham, North Carolina-based company,
said its use was permitted through an Emergency Investigational
New Drug Applications program by the FDA. The FDA would not
comment about the use of drug on Duncan.
"Based on in vitro data from work conducted by the CDC and the
National Institutes of Health, suggesting brincidofovir's activity
against Ebola, we are hopeful that brincidofovir may offer a potential
treatment for Ebola Virus Disease during this outbreak," M. Michelle
Berrey, the president and CEO of Chimerix said in a statement today.
Duncan may not be the only person to receive the experimentation
medication. The company reports that they are working closely with
the FDA to fnalize a clinical trial protocol, according to the release.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said that the second phase of the clean-
up of the apartment where Duncan was staying was completed today.
He said that all of his personal items have been destroyed and "a drum
is being taken away" with other possibly infected items. They took
care, however, to save certain sentimental items like a grandmother's
Bible and photos along with his passport.
Judge Clay Jenkins visited the family today at the home where they
are now staying in an undisclosed gated community to see if there was
anything that needed to be addressed, the mayor said.
"We got [a] basketball to the boy and he said he liked football, so we
got him a football," Rawlins said.
Texas Health Commissioner Dr. David Lakey said that this will be
"an important week" for the relatives of Duncan because they are
hitting the time frame when most infected individuals begin showing
symptoms. He stressed that each of the relatives has their temperature
checked twice daily and have not shown any symptoms yet.
In addition to the four isolated relatives, Dallas health offcials are
keeping track of up to 50 other people who could have come into
contact with Duncan and "100 percent of the people were evaluating,
100 percent they dont have it," Lakey said.
EXPERIMENTAL DRUG FOR DUNCAN
FDA-Approved "investigational medication" being
tested on Liberian hanging onto Life in Texas Hospital
Frontpage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Page 11

Sports
SPORTS
CHELSEA GOALKEEPER
COURTOIS GIVEN ALL CLEAR
JAMES: I WANT TO EMULATE
DI MARIA AT MADRID
ROBBEN IS UNSTOPPABLE,
SAYS RUMMENIGGE
C
helsea goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
has been given the
all clear to link up
with the Belgian national team
following the head injury that
saw him substituted against
Arsenal.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper
collided with Alexis Sanchez at
Stamford Bridge on Sunday and,
after initially playing on, was
withdrawn when he began to
bleed from the ear before being
taken to hospital.
He was replaced by Petr Cech
for the 32-year-old's frst Premier
League appearance of the season
as the Blues ran out 2-0 winners
to maintain their unbeaten start
to the campaign.
But the club moved to eradicate
fears of a serious injury, and
confrmed the former Atletico
Madrid star could play for his
country against Andorra on
Friday.
J
ames Rodriguez has
stressed that he wants to
follow in the footsteps
of Angel Di Maria and
make history at Real Madrid.
The Argentina international
played a key role in Madrid's
Champions League victory last
season before leaving the club
for Manchester United this
summer and James is keen to
make a similar impact at the
Santiago Bernabeu.
The 23-year-old joined
Madrid from Monaco ahead
of the 2014-15 campaign and
has since developed into an
important frst-team member at
his new club.
"As for Di Mara, he is a great
player. He made history here
and I have a lot of respect for
him," James told reporters.
B
ayern Munich
president Karl-
Heinz Rummenigge
has hailed Arjen
Robben's sublime form
and feels the Dutchman is
unstoppable at present.
The 30-year-old was one of
the undisputed stars of the
2014 World Cup as he guided
Netherlands to a third-place
fnish and he has taken his fne
form with him into the 2014-15
season.

WENGER SCHOOLED AGAIN BY MOURINHO
BUT ALL'S NOT LOST FOR ARSENAL

H
ow Arsene Wenger
must despise his
journeys home from
Stamford Bridge.
Almost always defeated,
frequently humbled and
usually sent on his way from
Jose Mourinho's fortress with
patronising and loaded words
from the Portuguese ringing in
his ears.
Arsenal followed their feisty
manager's lead by being up for
the fght in their latest attempt to
bridge the divide between north
and west London. But, when
push came to shove, touchline
tetchiness and on-feld tenacity
was not enough. Arsenal proved
to be middleweights against the
heavyweights of Chelsea.
Mourinho's side have scored
eight goals without reply in this
fxture since his return to SW6
last season. It is a damning
statistic, as is the extension of
Wenger's winless streak versus
his nemesis to 12 matches.
Yet the scars from Arsenal's
frst league defeat of the season
will heal far quicker than they
did after the 6-0 humiliation
in Wenger's 1000th match in
March.
Watching Eden Hazard weave
between defenders as if they
were training cones and Diego
Costa lift an inch-perfect Cesc
Fabregas pass over Wojciech
Szczesny to fnish off a classic
sucker-punch will have felt as
familiar as it was numbing for
the Gooner faithful.
But the story of yet another
Arsenal defeat to Chelsea
was not merely that of a more
powerful and resilient unit
utilising a superior tactical plan,
as has so often been the case.
Wenger's side were organised
and well drilled. They came out
battle-ready. There was no amble
down Kings Road with the ball.
They were alert to the danger
of Chelsea counterattacks and
crunched into tackles with the
same enthusiasm as Mourinhos
men.
Cold analysis will show that
Arsenal lost because they made
a few avoidable but crucial
mistakes.
Alexis Sanchez unnecessarily
lost the ball in the build-up to the
frst Chelsea goal in precisely the
manner for which he had been
dropped for the previous two
league matches. Santi Cazorla
should have been streetwise
enough to foul Hazard before he
entered the danger zone.
All is not lost for Wenger and his

RONALDO IS FROM ANOTHER PLANET - ITURRASPE
A
nder Iturraspe says
Real Madrid's
Cristiano Ronaldo
is "from another
planet" after he scored his third
hat-trick in four games in the 5-0
demolition of Athletic Bilbao.
His tally for the season now
stands at 13 goals from just six
matches to put him out in front
as the standout candidate to win
a third Ballon d'Or.
Bilbao midfelder Iturraspe
had the misfortune of watching
Ronaldo at close quarters during
the encounter but was generous
in his praise of the Portugal star.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a player on
another level, on another planet,"
he exclusively told Goal.
It was a fary cry from the last
meeting between the two clubs,
when Ronaldo was sent off
after becoming embroiled in a
confrontation with Iturraspe in
the 1-1 draw at San Mames last
term.
He added: "With Cristiano
Ronaldo things were completely


team.
They have had a testing start to
the season, with assignments
against three of last season's top
fve in their frst seven Premier
League matches, as well as
a Champions League trip to
Dortmund.
Arsenal have showed only
feeting glimpses of fuency in
those matches but have displayed
an appetite for battle that was not
always in evidence last season.
Wenger's side will grind down
the league's middling and weaker
teams with their dominant
passing game. It should hand
them enough points to offer a
better challenge to the two big
guns, Chelsea and Manchester
City, than rivals Liverpool,
Manchester United, Tottenham
and Everton.
The squad is stronger than last
season and is better equipped
to cope with the never-ending
catalogue of injuries.
All four of the major summer
signings look smart acquisitions,
with Sanchez likely to develop
into a bona fde star of the
Premier League when he learns
not to hold on to the ball for too
long in dangerous areas. It is
being drilled into him every day
in training.
With the returning Theo
Walcott to support Sanchez,
Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil,
Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain, Cazorla, there
is enough goals and invention
to cover for last season's top
scorers Olivier Giroud and
Aaron Ramsey. Per Mertesacker
and Laurent Koscielny are the
club's most solid centre-back
pairing since Sol Campbell and
Kolo Toure.
It will agonise Wenger over the
international break that he has
been second best once again to
Mourinho.
But the good news for the
manager is he only has to share
a touchline with the Portuguese
twice a season.
normal, despite what happened
last season. I met him at all
the set pieces and there was
plenty of respect. There were no
problems."
Bilbao have struggled in La Liga
so far this term after fnishing
fourth in the division in 2013-14,
and Iturraspe admitted they have
felt the summer loss of Ander
Herrera to Manchester United.
"He spent three years with us and
was a key player for the Athletic.
He is a great friend. But he is not
with us now and there are other
great players we have to rely on."
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DAVID LUIZ: CHELSEA WANTED
TO KEEP ME... BUT I CHOSE PSG
D
avid Luiz has revealed that Chelsea offered him a new
contract to stay at Stamford Bridge but he instead chose
to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil defender moved to the Ligue 1 champions
for 51 million during the summer as he became the most expensive
defender in history and has already impressed for Les Parisiens,
scoring in their recent 3-2 victory over Barcelona.
However, the 27-year-old has claimed that the Blues wanted to keep
him at the club ahead of the new campaign, but says he is pleased he
opted to make the switch to the French capital instead.
"Chelsea offered me a new contract to stay but it was my choice to
come here," he told Globo Esporte. "I was happy with the plan PSG
offered to me and I think it was exactly the right moment to move.
"I was so happy at Chelsea, I won two European titles and the FA
Cup, it was great for me.
"I'm a lucky guy. I was playing for a big club like Chelsea and now
I've got another opportunity to play for another big club. I'm enjoying
it here."
Luiz's goal against Barcelona helped put Laurent Blanc's side in pole
position to qualify from Group F in the Champions League as they
look to better back-to-back quarter-fnal appearances in the past two
seasons.
And the former Benfca star admits that winning Europe's premier
club competition is a realistic ambition for his new club.
"This is the plan we have. We have great players, a great coach and it's
a great club," he continued.
"It's so diffcult to win the Champions League, you have to win game
by game. You need to qualify frst if you want to win.
"I made my choice and I'm happy with my choice. I'm happy to see
my friends at Chelsea playing very well, and I'm happy to be here."
VISIT UNCLE ZEH'S LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING SERVICE ON CROWN
HILL, BROAD STREET WHERE THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

The 27-year-old left Jose Mourinho's team for Euro 51 million but insists that the Blues wanted him to stay in west London