Liberian Online - Liberia Portal

To Privatize or not : Part II

By Andre P. Pope.

To Privatize or Not : The case with our Public Corporation . Part II

Introduction

In Part I, we struggled to make the case for reform actions by government before any privatization can proceed. It is our hope this paper can shed some light on the issue of whether and when to privatize our public corporations, which to me is the single most important decision, just behind reunification, that confronts this generation.

We would like to begin by calling for a period of pause in government actions regarding privatization. During this period, government through the Liberia Reconstruction Development Commission (LRDC) must engage policy makers, political, economic and social experts and the general public on a national debate about its master plan or blueprint for privatization.

Unifying Liberia Transport Sector: A Policy Approach to Economic Development

By:Andre Pope

Unifying Liberiaâ��s Transport Sector: A Policy Approach to Economic Development

It is conventional wisdom that the transport sector can be a catalyst for socio-economic development. Hence, enhancements in the transportation sector can contribute significantly to economic development. Poor transportation systems on the other hand will restrict the ability of a country to; fully utilize its natural resources, distribute goods, integrate the various economic sectors, and drive local agricultural activities.

It is important, if not vital, to develop transportation structures that are efficient and make the most of the capital required to develop them, avoiding wastes in all its forms. If the conclusion that capital improvement in transport sector can lead to greater economic development than when capital is used in other sectors of the economy, then policy makers should appreciate the benefits to be gained by developing the transportation infrastructure. If on the other hand, capital improvements in transport sector cannot be associated to economic performance, then meager resources could, perhaps, be spent on other sectors of the economy.

The Issue of Partisanship-A Litmus Test for Job

By Aristotle Dweh
The Liberian chief Executive Officer continues to make appointments in various sector of government, while the position for Director General at the Center for National Document and Record Agency is vacant. Liberians in the Diaspora and Liberians residing at home have complained about corruption and mal-practices at CNDRA.

The Liberian government continue to play deaf ear on the issue at CNDRA, which is been discussed in streets corners, hospitals, restaurants, on transport vehicles, schools and universities campuses.

The formation of a Liberian Soccer League

Officials of sporting organizations came together on Saturday, December 15, 2007 to form the First Liberian Soccer League on the East Coast. For many years, teams in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have been meeting in tournaments where they pay high registration fees, play less time and sometimes get unprofessional treatments that compromise the dignity of the game in a lot of ways. For most part, the tournaments have been profit making events.

The Liberian Soccer League will provide fun and recreation for the whole family on a regular basis; help our young people to socially develop through the game of soccer while exposing them to opportunities for academic scholarships and the potential of getting professional contracts.

``America Is Ready For an African-American President``

I am Elijah Wreh and an intransigent devotee of the Obama for America team. I received a phone call from the Obama campaign team in Iowa asking me whether I could volunteer to campaign for Obama during the Iowa Democratic caucus that was slated for January 3rd, 2008.

I agreed and was immediately allied with Amos Budde, a supporter who was scheduled to leave from Minnesota for Iowa on January 1st, New Year day. We left Minnesota on the night of New Year day and arrived in Webster city, Iowa by mid-night.

Replica slave ship in Africa on symbolic voyage

A replica of a 19th century slave ship, which became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement after kidnapped Africans rose up on board against their captors, arrived on Sunday in Sierra Leone.

Cheering Sierra Leoneans lined the docks to see the 39m schooner, topped with three billowing sails and the Sierra Leonean, US and Canadian flags, make its first stop in Africa since it set sail in June from New Haven, Connecticut.

The Amistad's voyage commemorates Britain's abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 200 years ago this year. The ship has already stopped in Britain and Portugal on a voyage expected to last 14 months, retracing the routes of the slave trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas. More on the story..

Who is Mr. E. Narplah Wreh, Sr.?

By Nathaniel Tweh
Berea College, Kentucky, USA

Dear Editor:

I am a constant reader of FrontPage Africa online newspapers and I have noticed and read in recent time that a lot of Liberians residing in the Diaspora have complained about how corruption and mal-practices have becloud the Center for National Document and Records Agency, for short CNDRA.

Lot of Liberians in the Diaspora is recommending Mr. Wreh to the Liberian president to take over CNDRA as director general. Well, I donâ��t actually know who Mr. Wreh is and how he handled CNDRA during his administration. But it seems like, lot of Liberian has confidence in this man and it seems like this man has done a better job at CNDRA and can stay do a better job at this agency.

An open letter to President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf

By Colonel Edwin M. Stone
US Army

The Center for National Documents and Records Agency, for short CNDRA is in the spotlight at major Universities, colleges, other areas that are infested with Liberians, the Liberian communities and more surprisingly in Iraq, where Liberian-American soldiers are fighting the Iraq war.

Recently, I spoke to Liberians that have just returned from Liberia, a country that is at the verge of recovery about the current situation and status of Liberia. Most of them went back home to get access to their deeds and titles from the Liberian National Archives, the place where the country records are kept. Majority of them including myself complained about how employees of CNDRA are very corrupt and are engaged in mal-practices.

RESOLVING THE LAND PROBLEM IN THE NEW LIBERIA

LATIMA writes:

There is a land problem in Liberia that needs to be looked at by the Liberian Legislature and legislation passed to stop persons from unlawfully selling or occupying the land of Liberian citizens when they are fully aware they have no entitlement to or are possessing the land; especially in the wake of Liberian refugees returning to the country and who have returned to the country.

On the other hand, it needs to be acknowledged that Liberians in the country need land to purchase otherwise why would they be encroaching on others land, building on others land and doing what is illegal in a country under a justice system. However, ...

Is Dual Citizenship the pathway to Liberia"s Development?

-By M. Momolu Gray, Jr.,

The Editor,

First of all, thanks you for the opportunity giving me to set straight and unearth issues that have to do with dual citizenship Act in Liberia.

A dual citizenship is when a person is considered a citizen of two or more countries at the same time. As in other Countries, a foreign National has to legally go through series of requirements to obtain a citizenship. For examples, in the United States of America, one of the many requirements is to renounce any or all other citizenships by taken a full oath or affirmation of allegiance to the United States of America; Likewise United Kingdom, China, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France and many other Countries naturalization processes are nearly the same to the United States of America.

Fellow Liberians, it is a disservice to Mama Liberia to renounce her to announce another. Instead of going through these processes of memorizing answers to ten or more questions to the Immigration Department of that country wanting naturalization, I think it is feasible to provide answers in finding a lasting solution to five of the many difficult situation face by Liberia
(1) How can our Health care system be ameliorate and reach to the downtrodden masses;