Buchanan, Grand Bassa – A wave of hope swept through the Nekreen Statutory District today as the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, introduced a transformative development project to the community.

Senator Karnga-Lawrence, described by many as a champion for education and economic empowerment, brought together the people of Nekreen and Mr. Dave Vincent Schwartz, President of the Agape Empowerment Center (USA) with the sole purpose of unveiling a very important partnership.

This partnership marks the beginning of a groundbreaking project which is the construction of a comprehensive education center, encompassing a high school and a technical and vocational skills training school.

The Agape Empowerment Center, inspired by Mr. Schwartz’s 2019 visit to Liberia, has been seeking a strategic location for their educational initiative. Recognizing the need for quality education in the region, Senator Karnga-Lawrence proposed Nekreen as the ideal site.

In appreciation to the very important project, the community embraced the opportunity to be selected amongst many other communities in the County and reciprocated the kindness with a donation of 10 acres of land for the project.

The education center, estimated to cost between US$10-US$15 million , promises to be a beacon of opportunity for the youth of Grand Bassa County. It will equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century, opening doors to brighter futures.

Senator Karnga-Lawrence, in her address to the community, emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving shared goals. She urged the people of Grand Bassa County to put aside political differences and embrace the transformative power of development.

This project represents a significant investment in the future of Grand Bassa County, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.  

Sen. Karnga Lawrence said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Grand Bassa County as we welcomed a new development partner. I am pleased to announce that 15 acres of land have been allocated to Mr. Dave Vincent Schwartz, President of the Agape Empowerment Center, USA, for the establishment of a transformative educational center.”

Mr. Schwartz is   in Liberia at the invitation of Pro-Tempore Karnga Lawrence to develop a comprehensive educational center that will include a high school, a technical and vocational skills training school, and farmland. This initiative began when Bleejay Innis, a proud son of Grand Bassa County, convinced Mr. Schwartz to bring his vision to Liberia after his initial visit to Liberia in 2019.

Upon learning about this promising project, she immediately invited Rev. Schwartz and his team to Liberia for a site visit.   Nekreen was proposed as the ideal location for the Agape Empowerment Education Center.

 “Today, we are thrilled to see this vision take a giant step forward.”

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – Members of the Noble Second Floor, an organization comprising of lawyers and law students, held its 5^th annual retreat in the port city of Buchanan, renewing members’ vigor and commitment to advance legal scholarship, support charity programs and contribute to the development of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.

The Retreat was held under the theme “Lawyering: a Conscious Call to Justice and Service, Ethics – a Bedrock”.

During the three-day event, which began on Friday, April 26, and ended on April 28, eight (8) new members were inducted into the Noble Order, with elections conducted for a new corps of officers, and the adoption of a three-year strategic plan.

Charitable donations were also made to the Liberian government hospital and the MODUC Orphanage home in Buchanan to climax the retreat.

Making the donations, which comprised assorted toiletries, to the two institutions, Noble Sister Hnede Sillah, President of the Noble Second Floor, outlined the important roles hospitals and orphanages played in the society, adding that the donation was a small way of the Floor’s contribution to support their work.

She assured that her organization will continue to make donations to help institutions that are contributing to the betterment of the country.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Liberian Government Hospital, the nursing director, Tenneh Nmah thanked NSF for the support and promised that the items would be used for the intended purpose.

For her part, Madam Esther P. Smith, Director of the MODUC orphanage home, also thanked the NSF for the donation but called on the organization to continue to “think about the orphanage any time you want to do some goodwill”.

Earlier on day two of the retreat, legal lectures were provided by some erudite Liberian lawyers and judges to help enhance the legal knowledge of Floor members.

Serving as the key speaker during the lecture session, Her Honor Judge Eve Mappy Morgan, Chief Judge of the Commercial Court at the Temple of Justice and Associate Professor of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, called on members of the organization to uphold the rule of law at all times by being “ethical and professional”.

“Lawyers must be ethical in everything that they do because it is conscious of justice and service is ethics,” Judge Mappy-Morgan stressed.

“Ethics serves as a bedrock for lawyers and their clients. You all know that staying on the side of ethics is the right thing to do. Even if everyone refuses to do it, you as an ethical person should be ready to do it. That’s why a lawyer should be a lawyer at all times”.

Lawyering is not just a noble profession but a calling for justice, and lawyers must uphold ethics no matter what, she added.

Also speaking at the retreat was His Honor Joe S. Barkon, Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Grand Bassa County, and His Honor Chan-Chan A. Paegar, Associate Judge of the Commercial Court. Judges Barkon and Paegar lectured on the topics “duty of a lawyer to the court” and “the confidentiality a lawyer owes a client” respectively.

All three (3) Judges were also inducted into the Order of the Noble Second Floor as “Associate Members”.

Other Associate Members of the Noble Second Floor are Associate Professor Jamal Christopher Detho, Associate Professor Abrahim B. Sillah, Associate Professor G. Moses Paegar and His Honor Jumah Jallah, Stipendiary Magistrate of the West Point Magisterial Court.

Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah, Senior Partner of the Heritage Partner & Associates law firm who is also an Associate Member of the Noble Second Floor, lectured on the principle of “Conflict of Interest” for a lawyer.

Meanwhile, while giving her report to the body, the President of the Noble Second Floor, Noble President Sillah, thanked the membership for working with her during the past three years and the massive support received.

Outlining some progress made over the years, NS Sillah named key achievements such as scholarship programs at the law school, tutorials for law students, and support to the Law Student Association (LAWSA) charity donations to prison centers, and orphanage homes, amongst others.

Established in 2019 at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, the Noble Second Floor comprises of lawyers and law students who are keen on contributing to the law school, enhancing legal scholarship, and advancing charity support to the community.

Grand Bassa County – Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, the Vice Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), delivered an impassioned speech during the GF-CYMOL 1st National Gowning Program in Grand Bassa County over the weekend. As the guest speaker at the event, she urged the people of Grand Bassa County to make informed decisions and choose leaders committed to bringing development and progress to their region.

Cllr. Brumskine expressed her deep concern that Grand Bassa County had fallen behind in terms of development compared to other counties due to ineffective representation and poor leadership. She emphasized that the time had come for the people to demand change and better governance.

In her address, Cllr. Brumskine reminded the audience that she is merely a vessel on the ballot paper, and it is ultimately the people of Bassa Lands who have the power to bring about change and development in their county. She called on them to exercise their democratic rights wisely and elect leaders who would prioritize the needs of the people.

The Vice Standard Bearer reaffirmed the CPP’s commitment to serving the people’s interests and emphasized the party’s platform, which is dedicated to creating a government that works for the betterment of the people and ensures their voices are heard.

During her visit to Grand Bassa County, Cllr. Brumskine made a stop at German Camp, where she received heartfelt sentiments from the local community. Many expressed regret for not fully and sincerely supporting the late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine in the past and acknowledged their error. They called on their fellow residents to correct this mistake by offering their unwavering support to the CPP.

The district’s elders, women, and youth united in their plea for a better future and pledged their allegiance to the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP). Traditional Chief Philip Thompson praised Cllr. Brumskine for her dedication in preserving the Liberty Party and ensuring it did not falter, despite some people’s wishes to the contrary. He assured her of their unflinching support in the upcoming elections.

Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine’s visit to Grand Bassa County served as a rallying point for the CPP, strengthening the party’s ties with the community and renewing hope for a brighter future for the county.

Buchanan City, Grand Bassa Co. – Scores of technicians from across the country, development partners, and NGO had gathered in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County in preparation for the revision of Liberia’s 2006 National Forestry Policy and  Implementation Strategy. 

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The workshop was organized by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with support from the United Nations Development Program (through its Climate Promise 2.0 Project), USAID-Conservation Works Activity, and the World Bank with technical support expected from other partners. 

The revision is intended to update the National Forestry Policy by reflecting on the progress made and challenges so far and by incorporating evolving issues around natural resource management, including green finance, private sector engagement, climate change, SDGs, and other critical strategic national policies and plans that impact forest management and conservation.

Speaking at the event, the Program Cordinator of the UNDP E. Abraham Tumbey said reviewing the policy document is good because it provides what he termed as clear cut vision and direction in term of how Liberia proceed when it comes to sustainable management of the forest in Liberia. 

Tumbey added: “Why this is important? It is more important considering the emerging issues that are priority to us as a developing country and as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”

He continues: “Taking into consideration the key issues around community, like youths, persons with disabilities and so on.”

According to him, the process is inclusive something he said good for key policy decision and also to identify the importance stakeholders. 

“We also need to make sure that there are enough outreach around this policy. So, by the time the policy is developed it won’t sit on the closet, it should have wider circulation and it should cut across all of the major interests,” Mr. Tumbey said. 

Also, the Deputy Managing Director for Operation at the FDA Joseph J. Tally stressed that after the concession review of 2004 to 2006, a reform Legislature that was based on policy and strategy allowed FDA to manage the forest estate. 

Mr. Tally says despite a legal framework was put into placed base on the policy, it is good to look at the policy after more than a decade. 

Deputy Managing Director for Operation at the FDA added: “Today, we are glad to be here with our consultants and all stakeholders in the forestry sector to come and look at policy to meet up with the current situation that we are faced with and to enable us rightfully carry out our mandate.”

Adding up, the Deputy Chief of Party USAID on Conservation Works Urias S. Goll said the government has shafted greatly from commercialization of forest resources to more of conserving those resources. 

“With the climate operation, there is a big focus now with the climate change. How can the forest policy reflect that vision, not taking away commercial and not taking away communities,” Mr. Goll said. 

“When the policy was drafted the whole framework about community forestry was not in place because the law came in 2009. So, you can see if you look at the community forest policy you don’t  see the big community forest aspiration in the policy.”

“So I think we have the big opportunity to bring in all of the development that have happened over the years and as partner in the forestry sector -let reflect, let improve and let look forward to a brighter future,” he ended. 

Grand Bassa County – Sammitta Entsua, president of the James R. Stewart Division 435 of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA/ACL), has praised President George Weah and his government for opening arms to their organization – something she said has enabled the group to reawaken the ‘Back to Africa’ vision of their late civil rights leader, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, 100 years after such plan was disallowed by the government of former President Charles D.B. King.

President Entsua made the commendation over the weekend at Farmington when James R. Stewart Division 435 broke grounds to build Marcus Garvey’s Liberty City. James R. Stewart Division 435 is the Liberia Division of the UNIA-ACL named in honor of James Robert Stewart who succeeded Marcus Garvey as President-General of the UNIA-ACL, and successfully relocated its headquarters to Liberia.

UNIA-ACL is a Black Nationalist fraternal organization founded by Garvey. Born and raised in Jamaica, Garvey travelled to Central and South America and then moved to England to continue his education.

In 1914, he started the Universal Negro Improvement Association and began speaking out publicly in favor of worldwide black unity and an end to colonialism.

The Pan-African organization enjoyed its greatest strength in the 1920s, and was influential in the United States prior to Garvey’s deportation to Jamaica in 1927.

UNIA was “unquestionably” the most influential anti-colonial organization in Jamaica prior to 1938. The organization was founded to work for the advancement of people of African ancestry around the world.

The broad mission of the UNIA/ACL led to the establishment of numerous auxiliary components, amongst them the African Legion – a paramilitary group, the African Black Cross Nurses, plus businesses such as the Black Star Steamship Line and the Negro Factories Corporation.

On August 1, 1920, Gabriel Johnson, the son of Liberia’s eleventh President Hilary R.W. Johnson, and grandson of Elijah Johnson, one of the country’s founders was elected Supreme Potentate of the UNIA, a rank second only to Provisional President-General Marcus Garvey himself.

Johnson returned to Liberia to negotiate for land to build a Liberty City for the return of Africans from all around the world. In 1924 the then Chief Justice J.J. Dossen wrote a letter to the UNIA reiterating the government’s promise to cooperate fully with the UNIA’s plan.

However, two months later, former President King unexpectedly ordered all ports to refuse entry to any member of “The Garvey Movement.”

According to some experts on Liberian history, former President King’s action came right after his government signed the Firestone concession agreement. The land set aside for the UNIA became part of the million acres leased to Firestone at six cents an acre for a hundred years, compared to the dollar an acre lease agreement with the UNIA.

It is a century after the UNIA was denied entry to Liberia. However, the UNIA now has land and the group has disclosed that it is going to build Liberty City to fulfill Garvey’s legacy.

Speaking over the weekend in Grand Bassa County, the president of the James R. Stewart Division 435 of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League expressed joys that at long-last the dream of Garvey will become a reality.

All of these, Entsua says could not have been possible without the intervention of the current Liberian government through President Weah and other senior officials of government including his Chief Butler AB Shaifa Kromah who happens to be Africa’s Rastafarian Ambassador of the UNIA/ACL. Mr. Kromah is a holder of the prestigious UNIA-ACL award, “Africa Redemption Award”, in recognition of his numerous contributions mainly in cash and land to the James R. Stewart Division.

President Entsua also acknowledged the personal contributions of the Liberian president to the promotion and actualization of Garveyism.

“To our Chief Patron, there is a quote that says there is a man that destiny will produce that will show up for the people and the person who has been shown up for the black people in this part of the earth is no one else but President George Weah,” Entsua said.

According to the James R. Stewart Division 435 president, President Weah represents every black man around the globe especially during his time of his sporting career.

“Even during his days as a soccer player, he has always represented the black man. He sang for the black people. He spoke for the black, he made peace for the black people and the list goes on,” she said.

Entsau added: “Marcus Garvey said he will come back in a wheel ring. He may not exactly come back as Marcus Garvey but we will look for him in those individuals that are progressive in supporting our revolution and not reactionary. I want to say to you today that we see Marcus Garvey in President Weah.”

She also praised the Ambassador of the UNIA/ACL for purchasing the land for the UNIA and added that such a gesture will leave an indelible mark in the history of the organization.

“King Buchu (Kormah) standing in that space of black people has done nothing less but to ensure that black people have a home in Liberia.”

Giving a brief history about the UNIA, Entsua accused what she terms as imperial master of intervening in the selling of land after the negotiation in the 1920s. This, she said, is the cause of the rejection from former President King’s government.

“They thought that they can bury us but not knowing that we are seeds. In 1921 Liberia was rejected. The black people could not have their say without being televised by their imperial master.”

However, here we are today, standing right opposite the same place that we were denied in 1922. The place Firestone holds now was negotiated by the UNIA to have a base and the UNIA was rejected to the core but we are standing across the Farmington River with our flag being hung ensuring that black people have a space. I want to say that it is the point of realization that the motherland is here for the African people.

“So, to the reactionary, we are here, this is where we cannot be deported from as Garvey was deported from your country back to Jamaica. We are saying that we will not go to your space to advocate, we are here, and we will speak for our people.”

“Liberia is a space of repatriation. The place that never refuses a black man, a place that hosts every man that crosses the earth with a black skin,” Entsua said.

Wee District, Grand Bassa — A major bridge connecting over 16 towns in District 2, Grand Bassa which has served as death trap for more than 30 years, is currently being rebuilT by the Victor Zean Cares Foundation.

The Nahn’s Town  bridge is located miles away from the district’s main commercial capital Glarkon  in District #2 , Grand Bassa County.

Commuters from towns and villages have found it difficult  to transport their goods to Buchanan and other parts of Liberia for more then 30 years.

Victor Zean Cares Foundation is a Non-For profit organization carrying out humanitarian services across Grand Bassa County visited Nahn’s Town to see the deplorable condition of the bridge which has caused impediments for businesspeople using the route to transport their goods.

The Foundation upon seeing the challenge vehicles and motorcycles face in accessing the road , speedily launched the rehabilitation process of the damaged bridge.

During the launching of the bridge rehabilitation, Victor Smith , Paramount chief of the Clan told FrontPageAfrica, “this bridge got damaged since 1986 when we were young boys in this district.”

He further stated, “Our leaders can only pretend like they want to fix this bridge during elections and they can’t complete the work.”

Elder Smith  mentioned that his prayer had been to see the bridge being rebuilt before he dies , adding that he feels so sad seeing his kids walking with goods on their heads . 

“I pray that the bridge’s rehabilitation gets completed in the soonest so that our goods can easily be to the market”.

Moncemar Taylue,  an inhabitant of the town said, “I am in tears because we have suffered for so many years and no one lawmaker or government official could come to our aid”.

She lamented, “We been walking for several years because vehicles and motorcycles can’t even enter our towns and villages due to this same bridge problem.”

Sylvester Jasper, Director of Victor Zean Cares Foundation explained that his boss Victor Zean is a humanitarian who once lived in the slum communities before traveling to the United States of America.

“My boss passed through all these difficult times and so when we told him about this bridge, he wasted no time but provided over over thousand United States Dollars ($7,000USD) to have this bridge rehabilitated.”

He further stated, “We’re renting an excavator machine for USD$1,200 per day and the guys are spending five days to have the work done, besides we are providing drums of fuel for the work and also transported the equipment.”

“As we have started today, we won’t stop until the bridge is rehabilitated and turned over to our people.” 

George Gayebueh during the launch said, the Chairman of the Liberty Party, Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, earlier attempted rehabilitating the bridge but she was distracted by people from the ruling party.

He mentioned that ex-Senator Gbehzohngar Findley allegedly promised to build the bridge, something according to him, stopped the Liberty Political Leader from Intervening.

“I want to say thank you to the Victor Zean Cares Foundation for thinking about our people because they’re really struggling.”

He further stated, “The office of Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence is opened and prepared to work with people who thinks about development.”

The bridge rehabilitation project commenced on Saturday, November 20,2021 and is expected to get completed at the close of November this year.

The project when completed will serve as a mile stone for citizens of Nahn’s Town and other surrounding villages who have struggled for years.

Buchanan, Grand Bassa – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Gbehzohngar Findley has expressed his intent to contest the December 8 Special Senatorial Election. His declaration of intent comes several weeks after several groupings in the county petitioned him to represent them at the Senate.

Report by Elton W. Tiah, Contributor

Findley at the time he was petitioned, being the Foreign Minister, told his kinsmen and women that he was going to consult the President of the county’s request before making any pronouncement on their petition at the time.

Speaking before an overwhelming crowd on Saturday, Findley said, “I have come to tell you that the President of the Republic of Liberia has agreed for me to return to you and work for you”.

He further stated “I want to let you know that you cry for development and good leadership has been listened to and I have come to contest for the upcoming 2020 senatorial election”.

Residents of Grand Bassa County from all five districts flooded the streets of Buchanan and matched from Monrovia Junction to Unification Pavilion where the former Senate Pro-Tempore spoke to the gathering.

Gbehzohngar Findley who once served as Senator of the county for 9 years, was massively defeated by current Senator Jonathan Kaipay during the 2014 Senatorial election.

In this December election, he would be contesting against the incumbent Nyonblee Kangar Lawerence, Magdalene Marnayee Harris, Charles Vah, Emmanuel Deakeay and Vincent Willie.

Findley was petitioned in July 2 by traditional leaders of Grand Bassa County along with youth and women groups to return to the county and represent them at the Senate by contesting the December 8 special election.

The Traditional leaders headed by the Chief Grand Zoe of Grand Bassa Edward Garmah, said they have evaluated all of the aspirants and believe that Findley is the most suited to make a representation for them. 

“We have come to petition you to contest the 2020 Senatorial election in Grand Bassa County. I want to say sorry and inform you that what happened 2014 will not be repeated,” the chiefs said.

Reading the petition statement, Bassa Culture Coordinator Isaac B. Toe said they have come to the realization that what happened in 2014 was an error and begged Findley to accept their petition.

“We want to tell President Weah that we now know our wrongs and we need Mr. Findley to take over the county in 2020,” he added.

The petition further stated that “realizing his vision to promote peace and reconciliation which will bring all Bassa people together with a shared vision for a prosperous county; invest in agriculture and build the capacity of smallholder farmers and access to financing for sustainable livelihoods as being demonstrated through his ongoing county-wide agriculture development program, support youth and women empowerment by ensuring the enactment of deliberate policies that address the human resource needs of the county through scholarships, employable skills development, and adult literacy program.”

They also noted that through his presence at the Foreign Ministry as Minister, he has created opportunities for many young people in the county to travel abroad for educational advancement and has also been instrumental in the appointment & employment of more qualified Bassa citizens into responsible positions of trust in the country.

“Whereas, his persistence to ensure the economic viability of the County through Port Concession and the establishment of an Economic Free Zone in Grand Bassa which will attract more companies and job opportunities, and his quest to build a hundred-bedroom hospital which will address some of the current health constraints on the county health sector speak of his leadership qualities that is so desired right now in Grand Bassa,” the petition statement further noted. 

Representative Matthew Joe of Buchanan District received the petition from the elders, stating that he would liaise with the County Superintendent, Janjay Baikpeh to take their petition to allow Foreign Minister Findley to return to the county to the President.

“I want to say to you my elders that the Superintendent and I will take the communication to President George Weah to hear from him,” he said. “The Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh and I will return to let you know the response from the President,” he added.

Monrovia – Grand Bassa County Representative Vincent Willie has blamed the Executive for the unprecedented wave of verbal attacks from citizens, who often accuse members of the 54th Legislative of signing for ‘stolen’ monies’ to pass legislations in the interest of President George Weah.

It can be recalled that conflicting accounts were given by some members of the National Legislature over the receipt of US$6,500 and US$17,000 each to endorse the State of Emergency declared by the President and to ensure the unhindered passage of the recast budget.

Both the SOE, which elapsed on June 10, and the recast budget were endorsed through a resolution, and passed by the Legislature.

But Representative Willie on Wednesday said the Executive pays allowances and other benefits of lawmakers at their will and pleasure.

He maintained that monies intended for lawmakers’ gasoline and incentives are only paid when the Executive submits a bill or a document seeking legislative endorsement or passage.

Representative Willie made these comments when he appeared on OK FM 99.5 in Monrovia on Wednesday, June 17.

According to him, the lukewarm attitude of the Executive to pay benefits of lawmakers whenever a document is submitted has been misconstrued for a prolong period in Liberia.

“This debate is a two-sided debate. Other people will say the Legislature is the problem, and others will say the Executive. I can sometimes agree with people who say the Legislature is the problem. But if you go deeper, you will know the reason why the Legislature is what it is today,” he said.

“Most of the time, people see these monies that the legislators received, they will say ‘oh that’s stolen money or this money.’ No, at times, we would receive gasoline for about six months but when there are instruments from the Executive that is when they start fast tracking the gasoline that they were owing [us for] six months ago”.

Representative Willie claimed that the present situation is an aged-old problem that also occurred during the regime of ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

In some instances, war of words has ensued between rival legislators over the exact amounts of money paid by the Executive to members of the Legislature as benefits or allowance when a legislation is passed.

“This debate is a two-sided debate. Other people will say the Legislature is the problem, and others will say the Executive. I can sometimes agree with people who say the Legislature is the problem. But if you go deeper, you will know the reason why the Legislature is what it is today.”

– Representative Vincent Willie, Grand Bassa County

The situation most often compelled citizens to speculate that lawmakers have taken “bribe” or have been “induced” to act in favor of the Executive to pass a bill or loan agreement to the detriment of those who elected them.

But Representative Willie denied that the consistent strategy implored by the Executive is intended to ‘induce’ lawmakers into passing legislations in favor of the Executive.

The Grand Bassa County lawmaker further disclosed that “serious controversies” sometimes ensued among legislators over this issue.

Meanwhile, the Grand Bassa County lawmaker has renewed calls for the Legislature to gain a “financial autonomous” status.

“If the Legislature has financial autonomy, control her own budget; you don’t need to go to the Ministry of Finance to say come and pay our salaries or gasoline. No,” he said.

Senatorial bid

Representative Willie recently declared his intention to contest the ensuing senatorial election Grand Bassa County.

He disclosed that his decision is based upon the level of work he has done for his constituents and the people of Grand Bassa county at large.

“Politics is not plenty talking or wasting money in the rural areas. Maybe you can try it other places. There were people who have money in this country, and they were defeated. The debate is about tangibles and what you have done. The Bassa people will decide,” he said.

“The people do not need party in the rural area. And so, I am going to contest as an independent candidate… the little I have done in my district, other districts around have seen and they want me to contest”.

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – Lives of sick people in critical conditions outside Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, are now at risk due to poor condition of the ambulance.

The Liberian government Hospital in Buchanan has one major ambulance that is used to get very ill people from their homes to the hospital and sometimes to the JFK Hospital in Monrovia.

The only functional ambulance on November 20, 2017 was involved in an accident with a vehicle belonging to the Equatorial Palm Oil Company operating in the county.

Eyewitnesses on told FrontPage Africa that the ambulance was on its way to pick-up truck a sick person when the EPO vehicle came from a side road collided with it.

The ambulance run into a deep pit after hitting the EPO vehicle and got damage in its front

By passers speculated that the EPO driver wasn’t probably attentive to have heard the siren sounds from the ambulance.

Aaron Johnson, an eye witness, told this newspaper that the ambulance was on excessive speed when the incident occurred but noted that there was no one wounded from both vehicles.

“When these drivers hear the ambulance coming they don’t want to give chance at all.”

“This is wrong and drivers need to stop what they are doing, “he added.

Johnson continued: “Drivers should also stop playing high music in their vehicles.” According to him, this is one of the causes drivers do not hear an approaching, on-duty ambulance.

Early Monday morning, November 21, a mini truck commonly known as “Kia Motor,” ran into two young men in District Four Grand Bassa County, where the EPO Company has its main operations.

The two men died, according to our investigations, due to the lack of ambulance to ferry them to the hospital the same morning.

The ambulance was loaned to the hospital by JHPIEGO, in order to help save the lives of sick people in the county.

The ambulance is currently at the Buchanan police station as investigation into the matter, continues.

The County Attorney and the administrators of the Liberian Government Hospital are yet to speak to this situation.

 Report by Elton Wroinbee Tiah, FPA Contributor

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – At a jam packed rally in Grand Bassa County, Vice President Joe Boakai has maintained that the county does not belong to any group of Liberians.

Report by Edwin Genoway, Jr – edwin.genoway@frontPageafricaonline.com

“This county does not belong to anyone group of people in Liberia, one cannot own a county that belongs to Liberia,” he said.

Grand Bassa County is considered the stronghold of Liberty Party standard bearer Charles Brumskine and many pundits see the statement as a jibe at Liberty Party.

He said the young people of Liberia need skills training and education.

The Vice President lamented that ownership of Grand Bassa County is not based on being born in the county but what an individual can do to help its people.

“Being born in Grand Bassa County does not guarantee you ownership of this county,” he told supporters.

He noted that the huge turnout to welcome him to Grand Bassa County has dispelled rumors that Grand Bassa County is “owned by special people.”

During the 2011 elections, Liberty Party pulled 28,000 votes from Grand Bassa County while the Unity Party won with a little over 24,000.

During the ceremony, officials and elders of the county officially turned over the keys of the county to the Unity Party Standard Bearer.

The county officials said they believe that only VP Boakai can deliver Liberia and complete what president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has started.

The elders and officials named the restoration of pipeborne water to the county and the pavement of the road leading to Buchanan as some of the achievements of the Unity Party which warrant another term.

Reading the declaration of support for the presidency of VP Boakai on behalf of the county, the development Superintendent, Moses Bull, praised the VP for single handedly restoring running water to the county.

“We from this county believe that giving you the presidency will deliver Liberia from its struggling stage.”

“We hereby declare that the residents and citizens of this county wholeheartedly welcome you and support you in this county,” he read.

The VP was then handed over the keys of the city by Madam Julia Bono, Mayor of the city of Buchanan.

Bono praised the VP for being respectful and committed even when he served at the level of LPMC, saying VP Boakai is the next president of Liberia.

“We are pleased to announce that you are the next president of Liberia, the people of Grand Bassa County have authorized me to turn the keys of the city to you,” she noted.

The traditional leaders of the county also performed their tradition by giving the VP Kola nuts as a way of welcoming him to the county.

Prince Moses Garyou, a resident of Buchanan who had gone to observe the program expressed disappointment in the leadership of the county for purporting themselves as supporters of the Unity Party by giving the keys of the county to VP Boakai.

“I believe that this is a pay and rented crowd pulled with the intention of confusing our people,” he explained.

With the contrary position given by Garyou, supporters of VP Boakai refused to be discouraged with statements from non-supporters of the UP.

Prince Harris, who was seen in well decorated T-shirt with the inscription “Boakai our next hero”, was fast to point out that the VP will win Grand Bassa County with landslide victory.

“We said it before and we are saying it now, Ambassador Boakai will win this county with landslide victory. We don’t care what Liberty Party supporters will feel about this,” Harris noted.