MONROVIA – The Ministry of Mines and Energy, through its Compliance Enforcement Team, has shut down an illegal mining operation discovered at the center of Duogbo Town, Grand Kru County.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry, individuals identified as Abraham Wesseh, Edisa, SK, and others yet to be named were carrying out the unauthorized mining activities without any valid mining license or legal documentation granting them mineral rights, in violation of the Minerals and Mining Law of Liberia.

The Ministry revealed that, despite the prohibition on the use of earth-moving equipment for small-scale mining, the illicit operators were using six mini jaw crushers—locally known as “Katakata” machines—to process mineral gravel. Alarmingly, the mining was being conducted in a residential area, with the apparent backing of some local leaders and influential townspeople who were allegedly receiving mineral gravel and other gifts in exchange for their support.

The Compliance Enforcement Team reported that several Closure Orders issued previously had been ignored by the illegal miners. Upon the team’s arrival in Duogbo Town, the perpetrators reportedly fled the area, and no cooperation was received from the local mining chairman, brokers, or mineral dealers in Duogbo and nearby communities.

In addition to halting the illegal mining operation, the Ministry confiscated all contraband equipment used in the activity and issued a stern warning against any further violation of the government’s directive prohibiting mining in residential zones.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to upholding mining laws and protecting communities from the negative impacts of unregulated mining practices.

GRAND KRU COUNTY – Deputy Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa is feeling confident about his chances of being reelected as the representative for Grand Kru County Electoral District #2. He has garnered significant endorsements from residents in his constituency, making him optimistic about his return to Capitol Hill.

Liberians are poised to go to the polls in four days to elect 90 officials—a President, Vice President, 73 Representatives, and 15 Senators—out of a population of nearly six million people who will steer the affairs of the state for sets of six and nine years, respectively. An additional 15 Senators are not seeking reelection this year.

As Liberians prepare for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, Deputy Speaker Koffa, like all the other candidates, has been actively campaigning for votes in every corner of the country. However, he believes that his track record of hard work and accomplishments in his district over the years will ensure his victory.

On Friday, October 6, Cllr. Koffa received endorsements from the people of Doeswen and the Nimba Community in Grand Kru County, adding to the endorsements he has received throughout his district in recent weeks. Expressing his gratitude for these endorsements, Koffa announced plans to commence his formal reelection victory celebration in Doeswen, Bolloh, on Wednesday, October 11. The people of Chengbetee and Weayen have also expressed their intention to reelect him.

Deputy Speaker Koffa’s confidence in his reelection is evident, with reports suggesting that his 2023 campaign launch under the theme “Yes, Re-elect JFK” is resonating well among the people of Grand Kru County. His numerous developmental initiatives, including the construction of schools, renovation of health centers, provision of financial aid and scholarships, and contribution to infrastructure development, have endeared him to his constituents.

Prior to the Upper Bolloh endorsement, Koffa also received endorsements from other communities and statutory districts such as Buah, Jloh, and Kplio. His campaign itinerary includes visits to Lower Bolloh on Saturday and a culmination event in Sasstown on Sunday.

These recent endorsements are significant, as they represent approximately 82.5% of the communities and registered voters in Deputy Speaker Koffa’s district. This suggests that a large majority, roughly 18,000 out of 22,143 registered individuals, have endorsed his reelection and may vote for him.

In comparison, District #1 in Grand Kru County has approximately 20,000 registered voters. The National Election Commission’s Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) data reveals the number of registered voters in each of the six statutory districts as follows: Dorbor (Bolloh) 4,385; Kplio (Barclayville) 4,256; Buah 4,059; Forpoh 3,922; Sasstown 3,207; and Jloh 2,304.

Monrovia – The Office of the Honorable Deputy Speaker of the Republic of Liberia and the Central Command of JFK Reelection Campaign Team are pleased to announce that Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and his entourage will depart Monrovia for Grand Kru County on Tuesday, September 11, 2023.

The Deputy Speaker’s 31-day visit to Grand Kru County is to ensure the formal launch of his re-election campaign under the theme: “Yes, Re-elect JFK.” The visit for the launch coincides with the inspection and dedication of ongoing projects that the Honorable Deputy Speaker has been undertaking.

The “Yes, Re-elect JFK” campaign’s theme is a plea to the constituents of Grand Kru County District #2, considering the Deputy Speaker’s enormous developmental initiatives and other accomplishments. These initiatives include being the first sitting Lawmaker since the creation of the county in 1984 to build five schools, two radio stations, 13 hand pumps, and provide financial aid and scholarships to over 4,000 students from primary to higher education in six years.

The Deputy Speaker’s contributions to road renovations, the health sector, microloans, and his representation of his constituents’ interests in the Legislature are unmatched and cannot be overstated.

In addition to his development initiatives in the county, his assistance to youths and women in Grand Kru County, known as “Turning boys to men and girls to women,” has positively impacted many lives, including human capacity development, job creation, education, self-help projects, among others.

During the month-long visit, the Deputy Speaker is also expected to celebrate his 60th birthday (Diamond Jubilee) in Grand Kru County, during which he will present 12 awards to the people of District #2, Grand Kru County. These awards include being the 36th Most Influential and Respected African, AML’s African Outstanding Award, Outstanding African for July (Gracing Coveted African Leadership Magazine’s Cover), Golden Image Award in Empowerment, and the Award of Humane Order of African Redemption with the Grade of “Knight Great Band.”

According to the Deputy Speaker’s itinerary, he and his entourage are expected to arrive in Grand Kru County on Friday, September 15, and will begin community engagements in Philadelphia before retiring for the day.

On Saturday, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will engage citizens in Dweken and tour the Access Universal Tower, where over 2,000 residents are enjoying communications services. Friday’s citizen engagement will be capped off in Buah Statutory District.

Buah Geeken, known as the commercial hub of District #2, Grand Kru County, will serve as the “Political Headquarters,” while the “Operational Center” of the campaign will be in Bolloh, and the “Administrative Headquarters” will be situated in Barclayville. Sasstown will serve as the “Central Command Center.”

While in Buah Geeken, Deputy Speaker Koffa will engage with the people of Taybue, Chireken, Tarken, inspect the Tarken Town Hall, and dedicate the Sally Tougbabou Elementary School, his fifth school.

The Deputy Speaker and entourage will continue citizen engagement in Worpluken, Geesaken, Woloken 1 & 2, as well as other towns like Tarwo, Siaken, Jerboken, Jlateken, Planplanken, and Iron Bridge.

Late Saturday afternoon, the people of Sasstown will receive the Deputy Speaker and entourage, with a parade to Nrokia for further citizen engagement as part of his “Yes, Re-elect JFK Campaign.”

After his citizen engagement in Nrokia, the Deputy Speaker will proceed to Downbeach, where he will be received at the entrance and again parade to his Sasstown Downbeach residence.

On Sunday morning, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will attend a Thanksgiving Mass, followed by the official distribution of his 60th birth anniversary gifts to each of the six traditional communities. These gifts include one cow, 50 bags of rice, and L$1 million.

On Monday, his 60th birthday (Diamond Jubilee), the Deputy Speaker will do a “birthday ride” from Wayen, Bolloh to Sasstown Downbeach, culminating in the OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE “YES, RE-ELECT JFK” CAMPAIGN.

The Acting Chairman of the Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus, Senator Numene Bartekwa, Sr., Senate President Pro Tempore Albert Chie, Grand Kru County District #1 Representative Nathaniel Barwah, the Local Authority, Health and Educational Officers, CDC Grand Kru Chapter, JFK Auxiliaries, and others are invited to participate in the day’s activities and make special statements.

On Wednesday, September 20, the Deputy Speaker will resume citizen engagement with communities in Sasstown, including Firloken, Jorikpo, Katta, Dargbeh Town, Diyokpo, Klaydia, Wrokri, Waysar, Sloyen, and Civilized Village, respectively.

On Thursday, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will go to Bolloh, Dorbor District, and engage citizens in Nyankunkpo, Barforwen, and New Town before retiring in Barforwen.

Friday, September 22, the Deputy Speaker will continue his Bolloh engagement in Jaykakpo, Naklaikpo, Wakpo, Worwriken, and Kaykpo, with the Deputy Speaker and entourage retiring in Kaykpo.

On Saturday, the Deputy Speaker will conclude his Bolloh engagement in Jlateken, Doeswen, and Atlantic Camp before proceeding to Sasstown Downbeach.

On Sunday, September 24, the Speaker will attend mass and later in the afternoon hours, dedicate the Voice of Sasstown Radio Station.

On Monday, September 25, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will go to Betu, Arab Base, Nifu, United Base, Botra, Dioh, and Wissikpo, retiring in Dioh.

On Tuesday, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will continue citizen engagement in Jloh’s, visiting Sobo, Gbalehkp, Paity, Neroh, and Gbowlekpo before retiring in Sasstown Downbeach.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will proceed to Barclayville – Kplio District and engage the citizens of Kayken, Wakpoken, Hospital Camp, Topoh, and Big Suehn before retiring in Barclayville City.

On Thursday, September 27, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will go to Farina Town, Felorken, and Joploken before retiring in Barclayville City.

On Friday, September 28, the Deputy Speaker will go to Fleneken, Camp 3, and dedicate the Ahteenah Radio Station Building before retiring in Barclayville City.

On Saturday, September 29, the Deputy Speaker will have a Traditional Meeting with the Kplio Community and the Kplio Campaign Team.

On Sunday, September 30, the Deputy Speaker will attend the wedding of District Coordinator Chris Joboe and retire to Sasstown Downbeach.

On Monday, October 1, the Deputy Speaker and entourage will proceed to Forpoh, beginning with Wrupluken, Gbarken, Camp Spain, and Cheboken, retiring in Gbarken.

The following day, on Tuesday, October 2, the Deputy Speaker will proceed to Sateken, Parluken, and Mary Village before retiring in Parluken.

Concluding the campaign on Wednesday, October 3, the Deputy Speaker will proceed to the Central Command Office in Sasstown Downbeach to formally dedicate the War Room.

On Thursday, the Deputy Speaker will hold a press conference related to the elections and have a meeting with JFK Auxiliaries, Team JFK, and the Local Authority.

On Friday, a one-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop for 40 persons will be held, and Poll Observers’ materials will be distributed. On Saturday and Sunday, the TOTs will train 1,200 poll watchers and observers in the six communities and announce assignments.

A victory Mass will be held on Sunday morning, followed by a three-day Virgil Night starting on Sunday and ending on Tuesday, October 10.

MONROVIA – Upon news of an outbreak of the COVID-19 in Liberia, national government requested all hands on deck in the fight against the threat of the virus. The call is for all including religious and traditional groupings, politicians from across the political spectrum of the country and private citizens to join the fight against COVID-19.

Report by Henry Karmo henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

In adherence to the call, citizens and government have taken some steps. In some parts of Liberia, local government is being mobilized to carryout self-help projects to complement the government’s efforts. In Grand Kru one of the far away counties that has recorded a case of the virus, the local government is doing everything possible to buttress government efforts.

As a way to keeping abreast with issues that in the fight against the virus, the leadership Grand Kru County through the instrumentality of the legislative caucus and County leadership, has established what is known as a Technical CVID-19 response team at the National COVID-19 coordinating center in Monrovia headed by Madam Mary Broh.

The technical group is the brainchild of Grand Kru District 2 Representative Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa in order to ensure expeditious coordination of materials and equipment for Grand Kru coronavirus fight as one of the affected counties. The group will solicit support from prominent Grand Kru citizens in Liberia and in the diaspora.

The group’s diaspora resource person is Sweden-based Courage Boyonnoh Sundberg, a Liberian healthcare practitioner.

 The Grand Kru County COIVD 19 Response Team is literally begging its sons and daughters (Kinsmen) to donate in the fight to stop the spread of the virus in the county, and Liberia, at large. Mr. Hendrick Doe, the co-chair of the Response Team told journalists on Thursday, that only a united fight can wipe out or nullify the threat of the virus.

The Team has its office in the General Service Agency (GSA) of which the Director General, Madam Mary Broh, is serving as the National Response Coordinator for the Executive Committee on Coronavirus (ECOC) in Liberia.

In this role, Madam Broh is providing supervision toward a single set of national strategic objectives for defeating the coronavirus disease. She is also coordinating the National COVID-19 Multi-sectorial Response plan, in coordination with the United Nations (UN), donor partners, Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).

Mr. Doe said, the County’s COVID 19 Response Team supervises fight in the county and serves as liaison between the county and the National Response Team as well as mobilize funds, drugs and non-food items for the fight against the virus specifically for Grand Kru County.

“The purpose of this team is to support the frontlines in the county to stop the spread of the infection. Funds, drugs and non-food items raised from citizens of the county in and out of Liberia as well as through the National Response Team will be distributed in the county.”

The co-chair of the Grand Kru County Response Team said up to now, only one person is still affected, but showing signs of recovery.  He further thanked county’s health workers, including, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sianneh Jackson for the sacrifices.

As a kickoff Cllr koffa has donated one month legislative pay for the group’s operations to the Grand Kru County COIVD 19 Response Team to combat the virus. Rep. Koffa, according to Mr. Doe, is the crafter of the national solidarity campaign, in Grand Kru County, and in consultations, with other members of the County’s Legislative Caucus, appointed the Grand Kru County COVID 19 Response Team.

Grand Kru County – At least three officers of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) assigned in Grand Kru County have been arrested and are currently undergoing investigation for allegedly gashing a businessman, identified as Augustine Paye, after robbing him of LD$28,000.

The officers include Jackson Gaye, Benedict Farr and Janna Wesseh assigned at the Dweken Checkpoint. They were arrested in River Gee County following an order of the BIN commander recently with the victims’ bag containing the money.

The officers are now in Police custody at the Fish Town Police Station in River Gee County undergoing investigation, while the victim, Augustine Paye, is being treated at a local hospital in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.

Businessman Paye in a brief chat said that he was travelling to the CVI Gold Camp in Grand Gedeh County at about 12:AM Thursday April 14, 2015 when he was arrested by the BIN officers and ordered to give his bag containing the money, but he refused to do so.

According to Paye, two of the BIN officers took a cutlass and allegedly gashed him on his back, took the bag of money and escaped the scene. The BIN Commander in Grand Kru County, William Kortee, has assured the people of Grand Kru County that everything will be done to bring the culprits to justice

Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo/ betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com