It was held on the theme, “Remain Close to Jehovah.”

Over 10, 200 persons attended the convention. Interestingly, on day two of the Convention, 52 new persons who accepted the Bible teaching as conducted by the Witnesses symbolized their dedication to God by water baptism. The new people included15 men and 37 women.

The five-part talk presented prior to the baptism entitled, 'Having Come to Know God'-What Now?” was delivered to the delegates who were presenting themselves for water baptism.

The talk was based on Galatians 4:9. Although, the baptismal candidates had already taken steps to come to know God, they were urged to continue strengthening their relationship with Him throughout their life.

The 37 Jehovah Witnesses Missionaries in Liberia assigned with the various Congregations were also at the Convention, lending support to the entire conduct of the program.

Earlier, the Convention Chairman described the conduct of the Convention as 'amazing and highly encouraging' since many of the invitees responded by attending the ceremony.

According to the Chairman, the uniqueness of the Convention was based on the result of the earlier invitation campaign Witnesses in the 64 Congregations in and around Monrovia extended to all persons.

He said the invitation was not extended to people based on tribal, religious and or social backgrounds.

During the final day of the 'Remain Close to Jehovah' District Convention, delegates from several parts of the country were privileged to hear the development of the day's theme, “To Jehovah…You Should Cleave” based on Joshua 23:8.

“How Can You Draw Close to God?” was the title of the public Bible discourse.

Various topics were highlighted at the convention. Among the topics were the following: “What has God done to help us draw close to Him? God communicates with us through the book of creation. The Bible is scientifically accurate and internally harmonious. The Bible also answers many questions such as: Why do we die? Is there any hope for the dead? How can I pray and be heard? He also uses a visible organization to help us draw close to him.”

The speaker warmly encouraged all people to join Jehovah's Witnesses in their service to God.

Another feature of the convention was the full-costume drama entitled “Walk by Faith Not by Sight” as doing so involves trusting in Jehovah's direction, letting God's direction guide our steps, and requires that we value spiritual things.

“Remain 'in the Secret Place of the Most High”, the final talk, reminded the 10,288 in attendance to put full trust in their heavenly father, Jehovah God. They were also privileged to see the release of the new DVD entitled Jehovah's Witnesses-Faith in Action, Part-1: Out of Darkness.

The day serves as an opportunity for all organizations and individuals worldwide to raise awareness about corruption and to promote anti-corruption activities, according to a press release issued yesterday. The observance of International Anti-Corruption Day is a joint global campaign that focuses on how corruption hinders efforts to achieve the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals, undermines democracy and the rule of law and erodes quality of life.

In commemoration of the day, the three collaborating organizations have planned series of activities which will include a parade through the principal streets of Monrovia and an indoor program at the Monrovia City Hall, the release said. The Managing Director of the Liberian Observer Corporation, Mr. Kenneth Y. Best will serve as Keynote Speaker at the indoor program. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is expected to grace the occasion with a special statement.

According to the UNODC/UNDP, the theme for this year's International Anti-Corruption Day will be the same as last year's “YOUR NO COUNTS” with emphasis on how corruption impacts on education, health, development and justice, said the release.

Speaking at the close of a two-day community science training workshop organized by the Bureau of National Fisheries and the World Bank, Mr. Quiah said it was interesting to know that seas and oceans absorb about 25% of global carbon emissions from human activity; and that Liberia's ocean contains rich and varied wildlife with over 8000 species.

He noted that in order for the nation to reclaim its marine areas, there must be a drawn up marine strategy that will implement and secure environmental status in the marine coastal areas.

“This strategy will require inputs for member states in the sub-region which will put in place measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status in our oceans by 2020,” Mr. Quiah averred.

He stressed his second point as a need to manage the country marine resources to secure sustainable development in Liberia's seas.

Mr. Quiah noted that there was a need to develop a Marine and Coastal Access Act to provide for a planning system and a streamlined licensing system, that will secure sustainable economic growth; balance with environmental protection and support for the communities.

He named the others as protecting, conserving and enhancing marine biodiversity; securing economically and environmentally sustainable fisheries for the purpose of seeking new ways of managing fisheries at national and international levels.

The EPA Acting Executive Director voiced out some of the factors to be undertaken by government as, managing fish and seafood supply chain to provide secure and healthy food, and understanding and adapting to the changing marine environment aimed at improving Liberia's food production.

“As we faced serious challenges, such as climate change, ocean acidification and depletion of fish stocks; high quality targeted marine science is essential to provide the evidence base for effective policy-making,” Mr. Quioh lamented.

The Community Sciences program, financed by the World Bank, is volunteers based effort to measure and monitor a set of up to 10 indicators to help fishing communities to better manage their resources.

The program according to reports is the first of its kind in West Africa; it is piloted in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Buchanan and Marshall Cities, Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties including West Point in Monrovia.

The final day of the program concluded with an award ceremony to reward the volunteers and the participating communities for their efforts.

West Point was awarded as a community achieving greatest progress on beach cleaning and maintenance the community dwellers have made towards improving sanity on the beach.

West Point has special problems because it is a very large and densely populated community with no sanitation infrastructure and no waste removal services. As a result, residents use the beach for their waste and as public toilet. The beach is very dirty and unhygienic. A big difference has been made by the action of the volunteers; first to improve the situation and also to raise the awareness of the residents about the health hazard they bring on themselves.

The Individual awards recognised the volunteers in 2 categories and was awarded only to the communities of Robertsport and West Point as the program is running there for 11 months and only for 3 months in Marshall and Buchanan Cities

As part of the agreement, the road was rehabilitated prior to last year's Independence Day celebration on July 26, for Liberia in Gbarnga, Bong County, which was attended by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf along with an array of local and foreign dignitaries.

Before the independence celebrations, the Kakata-Gbarnga road was in a dilapidated state owing to wear and tear. Following the rehabilitation, the road users; motorists and pedestrians, residents of town and villages along the route commended SSF Entrepreneur for a remarkable job done.

SSF Entrepreneur is also credited for rehabilitation of Robertsport and Kakata-Gbarnga highways. Residents of the two counties also applaud SSF Enterprises Construction Firm for quality work done on the highways.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Robertsport, on behalf of the residents, a prominent son of Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Mr. Ambollah Sumbai, said recent road rehabilitation work carried out in the City by the road construction firm was highly admirable.

He said such good quality work by SSF Entrepreneur would immensely contribute to the improvement of the economic condition of the people in the county.

Mr. Sumbai also noted that the project was done with the absolute supervision and observation of the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). After the completion of the Cape Mount road rehabilitation work, SFF Entrepreneur was certificated by USAID and LCIP for a job well done.

After the completion of the road rehabilitation work, according to the contractual agreement, the central government should have provided maintenance services on the road, something which was not done until the rain season approached this year, thus affecting the condition of the Robertsport road.

In a related development, Mr. Joe Myers a resident of Gbarnga, Bong County, has called on the central government to carry out regular maintenance of not only the Robertsport road but all other roads rehabilitated in the country.

He observed that if the Kakata-Gbarnga road and others were not properly maintained by government, it would be a waste of resources.

He also called on Liberians to support and work with credible institutions that are contributing to the reconstruction of the country as opposed to engaging in cheap criticisms of well meaning people and institutions.

“Liberians must begin to appreciate the efforts of our development partners such as SSF Entrepreneur in the reconstruction of the country after years of destructive armed conflict in the country”, he stressed.

In another development, some concerned citizens and residents of Grand Cape Mount and Margibi Counties are calling on the Government through the Ministry of Public Works to consider SSF Entrepreneur as a reliable development partner of government.

The 50 community participants were chosen and selected by the community based organization, Community Based Education Center (COBEC), head offices situated at Upper Caldwell, outside the nation's capital Monrovia.

According to the Project Officer of COBEC, Mr. Dahg Gaye the selected communities are Caldwell, Logan Town, Duala and Diggsville, all located in deprived, hard to reach and isolated communities of Monrovia.

The 12 months HIV-Aids and other related diseases training is being conducted at the official headquarters of the township Commissioner of Caldwell.

The paramedic and peer education workshop is being facilitated and sponsored by Community Based Education Center (COBEC), National Aids Control Program (NACP) and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MHSW), Mr. Gaye asserted.

He also intimated that, the chief sponsors of the COBEC community based HIV-Aids and other related initiatives are the Global Fund for HIV-Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), NACP and MHSW since its awareness and sensitization activities.

On how the community dwellers were recruited and selected for the 12 months training, sensitization and awareness, Mr. Gaye pointed out that those Liberians are permanent residents of the selected communities.

“Besides that, those in the three communities have over the years demonstrated some genuine commitment and dedication to the many successes of COBEC medical and sensitization projects in the area,” Mr. Gaye asserted.

“Right now at this workshop,” Mr. Gaye explained, “COBEC has involved the community dwellers, because they the partners that will implement work at the grass-root level.”

Commenting on the current issue of the skeleton staff at COBEC, Mr. Gaye noted that, owing to the slow receipt of funds, there is slow pace some activities in the overall program.

He further underscored the need for the urgent provision of the needed funds for the overall enhancement and implementation of the various projects earmarked by COBEC in Monrovia and its environs.

“The current training workshop on HIV-Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases is indeed COBEC way of helping to combat the spread of the deadly diseases of Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV-Aids in the targeted communities of Monrovia,” Mr. Gaye emphasized.

The COBEC project officer also extended his entity's gratitude and appreciation to the Global Fund group, MHSW, NACP and other partners for their continuous assistance over the years.

The COBEC official, however, sounded an earnest appeal to the donor institutions at home and abroad for the urgent provision of funds, logistics and communication equipment in a bid to ensure the realistic delivery services to all Liberians.

In closing, he admonished the fifty plus participants to consider the courses and presentations at the workshop as crucial to their success in the implementation process in their communities in Monrovia.

The HIV-Aids and other related deadly diseases' workshop will run from December 8 to 10, 2010 for the 50 selected participants from the communities of Diggsville, Duala, Caldwell and Logan Town.

The five-man elections commission stated in a press release dated Tuesday, December 7, 2010, that elections will take place at the headquarters of the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) on Benson Street, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

According to the LBF's elections commission, only executive members, teams and association (with voting rights) who are in good financial standing with the LBF will be eligible to vote/or stand as a candidate in the elections and only teams/club representatives (President or Secretary) who name has been forwarded to the elections commission are eligible to vote.

“Elections will take place on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the Liberia National Olympics Committee (LNOC) on Benson Street in Monrovia, and voting will begin at 10:00am and end at 2:00pm prompt. Ballot boxs will be placed at a location to be identified by the observers and representatives of each candidate.

“There shall be absolutely no Proxy for individual vote; all application for elected positions must be submitted to the elections commission from Thursday, December 9, 2010 to Wednesday, December 15, 2010, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

“All and any candidate (s) holding office and/or position in the LBF shall tender in his/her resignation before December 10, 2010 or else he/she shall be disqualified from contesting.

“There will be absolutely no campaign on the day of elections as anyone caught will immediately be disqualified from the process and all protests shall be in writing with grounds stated and submitted to the election commission two hours after results are announced.

The release indicated that a representative of the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Liberia National Olympic Committee, the Press Union of Liberia and some Human Rights Group will be invited to observe the process from start, up to and including the counting of the ballots. And Elections will be done by secret ballots.

The LBF's elections commission also revealed that 48 persons, representing the 48 registered basketball teams, from the 1st, 2nd , 3rd and female leagues, at the LBF have been qualified to vote as well as eight persons from the executive committee.

Meanwhile, last week, the President of the Liberia Basketball Federation (LBF), Gbour Wilson, had startlingly revealed her disinterest in the ensuing LBF elections and expressed her frustration over the 'very poor' working relationship she experienced from members of the executive committee for the past four years.

Though the LBF boss failed to call names, but in a very sharp and rather poignant tone , stated that her administration was been characterized by undermining, back biting and a host of other things that make her leadership and the game owing to her very own Executive Committee members.

“I have work under this (unfriendly) environment, which was exacerbated by core staff of my administration, which have, hamper the game I love so much,” Madam Wilson stated.
The heartbroken LBF boss, speaking to reporters on behalf of the local basketball governing body, apologized to basketball fans for the financial malpractice and scandal which greatly affected the morale of the LBF.

According to the Police Charge Sheet, the leadership of Uhuru Kings and the Secretary of the LBF, Fred Pratt were charge for 'theft of property,' for misapplying about US$36,000 and more than 80 gallons of gas, during the Zone III male basketball tourney, which brought to the fore club teams from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

Madam Olivia Shannon said, media women, in the performance of their duties, must also place premium on service to the larger society.

“Do not choose journalism as a profession simply because somebody or a friend has asked you to do so,” Madam Shannon told a gathering of female media practitioners recently in Monrovia.

She made the remark at the first media conference for women, held under the theme: “Advancing Women In the Media-Be a Part of the Change.”

Madam Shannon further urged media women to also accept some of the discomforts which might be associated with their duties if they are to remain in the profession.

“If you want to serve as a journalist, advance yourself, you must be willing to put some of the pleasures of life aside,'' she said.

Madam Shannon further cautioned female journalists that as professionals, they should live their lives based on hard work, honesty, patriotism, discipline and other virtues, because, as she puts it, others including parents may come to them (female journalists) for children to be named after them owing to their noble role in the society.

Madam Shannon who said she has achieved her desire as a professional journalist told the female journalists that, her success in the profession was possible because she devoted much time to learning.

The former female broadcaster, who once served as Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), however, made it clear to the gathering that everyone could not be journalists as the profession requires certain basic skills for advancement.

She added that those who may be interested in the journalism profession should be willing to learn and take advantage of all opportunities.

Madam Shannon further admonished the female journalists to be professionally exertive.

She urged female journalists to bring dignity to their job by taking critical stance on crucial issues not only at work places but also in the larger society. This would make you a “real journalist in the development of the country,” she stressed.

Madam Shannon further stressed the need for women to be given more opportunities for training.

Earlier, the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Peter Quaqua, underscored the importance of building the capacities of Liberian Media women.

Quaqua: “We in the Press Union are committed to building the capacities of media women. We know what women can do positively if they are given the opportunities.”

However, he added, the advancement of women will not come overnight, it would be done gradually.

He pointed out: ''In the history of our Union, we had 3 women contesting for positions in the Press Union in the recent PUL elections, this was the first time we saw that, so I believe that our women are getting sensitized.”

Also speaking at the conference on behalf of Mr. Thomas Greenville, Head of Public Affairs of the US Embassy near Monrovia, Dehab Ghebreab, said Liberian media are in dire need of capacity building opportunities.

Nevertheless, she said Liberia is experiencing a multiplicity of media organizations with robust contents.

According to her, this among other things shows that the future is bright for the media in the Country.

She said the US Embassy supports a strong and independent media.

The two day women conference was organized by the Female Journalist Association of Liberia (FEJAL) in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Media Women Center for Democracy and Development (MEWOCEDE) with support from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) and ActionAid Liberia.

It was aimed at increasing the number of women for media leadership roles, building their capacity and ensuring that they become more active in the media.

According to Mr. Suah, he entered the impending race because he has the vision to bring developmental projects and further reunite residents of the county.

In a two-page communiqué issued over the weekend, Mr. Suah called on residents of Bong County and other Liberians not to mislead themselves by allowing some of the 'quick-to-forget so-called politicians' to misdirect and fool them as the electioneering period was gradually unfolding.

“Liberians should not, and must not allow themselves to be misled, misdirected, misplaced, mishandled, and fooled by the quick-to-forget so-called Liberian politicians in anyway and form whatsoever, since indeed only a fool can be fooled twice,” Mr. Suah warned.

He has accordingly advised all potential Liberian voters to be very discreet, careful and wise in casting their 'precious votes' come 2011 elections.

“As time draws nearer for electioneering, I advise, beg and implore all Liberians and residents of Bong County to be very discreet, careful and wise in casting your votes,” the former Bong County administrator said.

The former Bong County Superintendent served in previous governments for eight years as Ambassador-in-Residence, Minister and deputy minister for administration at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Managing Director at the National Housing Authority.

The project is a new approach to fighting poverty in post-conflict Liberia, but residents in the District have complained that they had seen no evidence of the project getting off the ground. In a brief statement to the President, Deputy Speaker Tokpah J. Mulbah indicated that the project, which seeks to improve the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the District lacked the residents' involvement and that there was not tangible impact being felt by the villagers. He added that the people of that District were discontent about the way the project is being implemented in their village.

The interactive session between the President and the locals was held on December 5, at the Wesseh Gardea Elementary and Junior High School in Kokoyah District.

“Madam President, millions of dollars have been spent on the Millennium Village Project but we have seen nothing concrete done for our people,” he said.

Additionally, Rep. Tokpah J. Mulbah revealed that no citizen from the District had been employed with the project and there is also no idea as to how the project is functioning in the district. “Madam President, we know the system you put in place since you came to power is credible but such system must benefit our people,” the Deputy Speaker noted.

He used the occasion to thank the President for visiting the district because since 1975, no President has visited residents of that area. The last President to visit Kokoyah was William R. Tolbert. Rep. Mulbah also lauded the President for the road construction currently taking place in the country and the enthusiasm of many Liberians to seek higher education since she took over as leader of the country. His appeal to President Sirleaf was also supported by Bong County Senior Senator Jewel Howard Taylor.

In response, President Sirleaf promised to get a report on the project before taking a decision. She told the residents that she had heard both good and bad news about Kokoyah but it is about time everyone work together to bring development to the people. “The best politics for our people is development because if you do something good for the people, they will remember them always when you are not around”. President Sirleaf told the citizens as they give a round of applause.

The Liberian leader informed the citizens that Government has made lots of progress but there are still more to be done. She appealed to them to cooperate with county officials and their lawmakers to undertake projects in the community. Minutes after the welcoming ceremony of the President by the residents, President Sirleaf drove to the headquarters of the village project which is about 2 miles away from the central district of Kokoyah.

President Sirleaf, along with some cabinet ministers, went in the offices of the village project to make inquiries of the residents' accusation. Detail of the meeting was not revealed to Executive Mansion reporters who were on that trip with Liberian leader but sources from the Executive Mansion disclosed that those in charge of the project were in that meeting to answer the President's questions.

Kokoyah District is located in the south-east of Bong County, on the border with Grand Bassa and Nimba counties with a cluster of villages of about 15,000 people with a mix of cultural and modern system but lacking the revenue and capacity to gain the basic services necessary to sustain economic growth. UNDP Liberia, inspired by the Millennium Village Project concept headed by one Professor Jeffery Sachs, who serves as MDGs Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General planned the first Millennium Village; as part of a new global approach to lift developing countries rural sectors out of the poverty trap that afflicts more than a billion people worldwide. The project was launched by the United Nations Secretary General to develop an implementation plan to achieve the MGDs by 2015.

The kokoyah project was selected as Liberia's first Millennium Village Project, which aims at integrating the interventions needed to achieve the MDGs at the village level. It provides a basis for scaling up and integrating best practices in the areas of agriculture, education, nutrition, health, water and the environment.

DA previously announced that they were not interested in taking state power but rather wanted to consolidate the opposition parties in Liberia.

But late yesterday, DA officials released a statement declaring that they and other leading opposition parties have resolved to consolidate their respective parties into a broadly based democratic coalition for the penning elections.

The statement quoted the DA as saying that Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) and the Liberia Destiny Party (LDP) have agreed to move toward with such efforts.

The political group which comprises mainly of former top officials of the Charles Taylor government said the new party when establish will be called the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).

The DA said their decision to form a political party comes after series of consultations and recommendations of its joint- technical working group chaired by Mr. Abraham Mitchell of the New Deal Movement and Senator Jewel Howard Taylor of the National Patriotic Party (NPP).

The statement from the DA said the parties have concluded that the new party registered with the National Election Commission (NEC) in keeping with the new elections law.

The DA which is commonly called “Billionaire Club” by many Liberians said they have also resolved for the new body to be called the National Democratic Coalition (NDC).

The release further quoted the DA as saying that the constituent political parties are also to ratify a protocol in accordance with the new elections Law and controlling internal regulation of those bodies on or before December 15, 2010.

The statement signed by the DA secretariat said the DA has at the same time established an interim administration to register the NDC and to also lead the party to its first national convention.

Those elected to top positions include Lewis Brown Chairman Ad-Interim of the NDC, Nathaniel McGill Acting National Vice Chairman for the Administration (LINU) and Dr. Cyril Allen Acting National Vice Chairman for Political Affairs (NPP).

Others elected also include Charles Davis, Acting National Vice Chairperson for Mobilization (LDP); Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, Acting National Vice Chairperson for Research and Strategic Planning; and Jimmima Wolokolie, Acting National Treasurer.

The DA decision, according to the release, was reached in the presence of Ambassador Winston Tubman of the Liberia National Union (LINU), Ambassador Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson of the DA and former Liberian Ambassador to the Liberian Embassy in the United States Ambassador Nathanial Barnes who is also a ranking member of the Liberia Destiny Party (LDP).

Despite the latest pronouncement by the DA, it remains unclear as to who stands as the party standard bearer come the 2011 elections.

Daniel K. Bracewell, aka DKB, now a contractor of the Firestone Rubber Plantation Company in Margibi County is reported to have ordered his men to storm the Division 22 area of Firestone, reigned terror on the residents and seized several bags of coal from them.

In the process, the thugs brutalized some of the residents who were burning charcoal, sprayed acid water and ran away with several bags of coal.

Police spokesman George Bardue said Bracewell, one of the frontline commanders of the erstwhile National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), along with his hooligans, was invited to the police for questioning over the weekend in connection with the allegations.

Two of the wounded men, John B. Mooney and Tokpa Mulbah, accompanied by the Chairperson of the Charcoal Burners' Union, Madam Sarah Mullonpolo, drove to the offices of the Daily Observer from Firestone yesterday to explain their ordeal.

They said the latest incident is not unique. According to them, Bracewell has often marched on their coal field to destroy their dwelling tents and piles of coal and drives away with some of their coals.

He repeated the same act on Saturday when he carried some men with him along with some personnel of the Firestone security men, referred to as the Plant Protection Department (PPD), brutalized them and took away 17 bags of coal.

John Mooney told our reporter that “when Bracewell entered our coal field, he damaged our tents, later pursued me in the camp at Freeman Reserve, and he ordered the thugs to beat me severely, wounding me seriously in my head with a cutlass.” Mooney's head was tied with a bandage.

“I tried to run away but I fell and nearly went off. However, the Chairlady of Charcoal burners at Freeman Reserve came to my rescue and took me to the Kakata Police detachment.”

Mr. Mooney said when they took the matter up with the police in Kakata, the police told Mooney to go and treat himself first before returning to the police later. But he said he instead took the matter to the police in Monrovia.

Unfortunately for him, he further narrated the police at the central office in Monrovia told him to go back to the Kakata police and handle the matter there.

However, Mr. Mooney pointed out that he managed to get in contact with Counselor Alfred L. Brownell, Executive Director of the Environmental Lawyers of Liberia (Green Advocates). According to him, it was after the matter reached Cllr. Brownell that the Monrovia police later promised to get back to him (Mooney).

Another victim, Tokpa Mulbah, explained that some Liberia National Police officers and PPD personnel were present at the scene of the incident when Mr. Bracewell's thugs brutalized and wasted acid water on him.

Tokpa's face and other body parts were seriously wounded and he is still experiencing severe pains from the burns.

He said the incident continued until he was rescued by some personnel of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from the Roberts international Airport (RIA) contingent who also arrested two persons believed to be some of Bracewell's men for the act.

However, the matter was referred to the Liberia National police Headquarters in Monrovia and the suspects were set free pending further investigation.

The Charcoal Burners' union Chairlady Sarah Mullonpolo told our reporter that when they contacted Firestone PPD to find out whether they sent Bracewell to disturb the coal burners who the Buchanan Renewable Energy (BRE) obliged to burn the leftover cuttings of rubber wood, the PPD said they did not tell Bracewll to do anything to the coal burners.

When the Daily Observer, yesterday, attempted to talk with Mr. Braswell through his mobile phone number provided us by some of the residents, a man answered the call but said it was not Bracewell's number.

The police spokesman in Monrovia said this is not the first time that a complaint of this nature involving Bracewell has come to the attention of the police. Bardue said Bracewell was arrested about two months ago on charges of terrorizing the residents and the matter was taken to court in Careysburg.

However, a few weeks ago, Mr. Bracewell, at a general meeting of Freeman Reserve residents in Division 22, categorically dismissed similar claims of meting out acts of brutality against coal burners in the area.

He, however, accused some of the residents of damaging young rubber trees belonging to the Firestone Rubber Company and said such action was unacceptable.

He also admitted at the meeting of burning “one or two” tents being used by some of the coal burners. At said meeting almost all of the town residents blamed Mr. Bracewell for subjecting them to maltreatments under the pretext of protecting replanted rubber trees of Firestone.

The BRE is said to have left certain number of trees which Firestone has offered that company to cut down and produce wood chips. But the BRE welcome anyone to tap the trees but not to cut them down. So the contention has always brewed between Bracewell and the coal burners who he alleged tap the rubber and attack his men.

Meanwhile, the coal burners were scheduled to hold a meeting with the Estate manager of Firestone yesterday on the matter, to know the actual role of Bracewell on the plantation.
At the same time, environmental advocate, Cllr. Alfred Brownell has called for justice to be meted out to Bracewell for all that he has done to residents of Firestone

The homeowner, Madam Sergaideh Vamie Grupee, told the Daily Observer that her son, Sackor G. Grupee, 28, heard a strange sound on top of the house at 1:30 a.m. last Friday. The sound continued for a few minutes.

The strange noise on the rooftop sounded like water being spread by some unknown persons.
He recalled that a similar noise was heard on the same house on the 28th of November 2010 but, the suspects did not succeed in their ugly act.

This was reported to police personnel at the Zone Five and Depot One Police stations, but nothing was heard from these stations.

As a result of last Friday's fire, the five bed room house was completely destroyed and its 11 occupants been rendered homeless. They are now surviving under harsh condition with relatives and friends.

The estimated damages amount to US$5,000.00, according to Mr. Grupee.

“Since we encountered this unfortunate incident,” Mr. Grupee explained, “no form of humanitarian assistance has been provided by relief and disaster organizations in Monrovia.”

On behalf of the homeless relatives, Mr. Grupee sounded an urgent SOS appeal to all governmental, civil and religious organizations to assist them with shelter materials, food and clothing.

“We did not recover a single cent from our house, owing to the intensity of the uncontrollable fire that spread like thunder storm wind,” Mr. Grupee lamented.

“We also pray for every dime and cent,” Mr. Grupee stressed, “for the reconstruction of our destroyed and burnt out house on Duport Road in Paynesville.”

According to Ms. Rose Tucker, a representative of HADOC, who is currently in Monrovia, the organization has initially targeted 1,500 students for the educational empowerment program.

Ms. Tucker said HADOC is presently comprised of five Liberians who have developed a burning desire to assist their brothers and sisters in Liberia, though all five of them are residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Speaking at one of the distribution centers, where the educational materials, including copy books, bags, pens and chalk, were delivered, Ms. Tucker said it was the way of the five Liberians and friends to show love and concern about the education of Liberia's needy children.

“Our concern and way of identifying with you,” Ms. Tucker pointed out, “is to assist you with these small educational materials as an encouragement.”

She also reminded the recipients that the five Liberians and other friends want to see that the students take their studies seriously and use the materials for better academic results.

Ms. Tucker also expressed concern and regret over the poor facilities of the schools and underscored the need for the improvement of the structures in order to ensure a better learning atmosphere.

In separate responses, principals, care providers and administrators extended thanks, appreciation and gratitude for the educational materials.

They described the assistance as great, timely and a splendid opportunity for the needy schools, administrators, care providers, principals and students in Monrovia and its environs.

“We will be ever grateful and appreciative for this kind and Godly gesture and pray for God's bountiful blessings upon the five Liberians and friends in the USA,” the principals and administrators asserted.

Besides, in an encounter with some of the delighted students at the various schools and Day Care centers, they extended thanks and appreciation to the five Liberian donors and friends for the assistance.

At the Excellent Chapel School and Day Care, several delighted students intoned: “May God richly bless those wonderful five Liberians and friends for the beautiful copy books, pens, pencils and bags.”

Students of the Dream Christian Foundation School at Fiamah in Sinkor chanted: “We are indeed grateful and pray for more for the cheerful givers of copy books, pens, pencils and bags.”

For their part, students at the Faith Foundation Academy of Chugbor rendered a melodious song extending thanks to the Liberian leader, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for save and peaceful learning environment in Liberia.

As a result of the stable and peaceful learning atmosphere, the students indicated in the song that Liberians and friends from far and near are coming to Liberia to assist Liberian and foreign students in the country.

In a joyous response at the Emily Mamba Christian Institute at Symthe Road in Sinkor, the students, teachers and administrators extended thanks to the donors and friends and prayed for God's richest blessings in all their endeavors in the USA.

At the Early World Learning Foundation School, students, teachers, parents, principal and administrators noted that they were very grateful for the educational materials.

They urged the HADOC representative, Ms. Tucker, to convey their special greetings and appreciation to the other four Liberians and friends for the generous assistance.

A little girl at the Martha K. Pratt Day Care School told the Daily Observer in joyous mood, “Please tell the five cheerful givers that, God will always bless them in all their undertakings in the USA.”