FPA-August 12, 2022 Lowress

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VOL. 22. NO. 119 THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022 PRICE: LD40
www.liberianobserver.com
Free Port of Monrovia
Goes Paperless
… LRA, APM Terminals Liberia launch
port digitization project
Af t e r
months of
consultations
and
engagements
with stakeholders,
the Liberia Revenue Authority
(LRA) and port
operator APM Terminals
Liberia have launched
the Port Automation and
Digitization (PAD) project
at the Free Port of
Monrovia.
The launch heralds a
new phase of computerized
processes at the
Free Port of Monrovia,
which eliminates paper
and reduces human interface
as much as possible.
both Customs clearance
processes and terminal
operations in the long
Free Port of Monrovia’s
position as the gateway
to the economy of Liberia
and the Mano River
Union.
Previously, customers
had to manually submit
their declarations, go
through assessment, raise
checks and proceed to
pay before the Customs
Broker obtained a customs
release to present
to APM Terminals Liberia
for terminal release
to help us deal with loopholes
and leakages often
facilitated by human interventions
so that we can
maximize port revenue
as we should,” Nah remarked.
Spearheading the project
is APM Terminals
Liberia whose Managing
Director, Jonathan Graham,
was full of gratitude
to the various partners.
Graham stressed the need
for even stronger partnerships
with PAD journey,
in the roll out of the project,
adding that such is
the only way that the Free
Port of Monrovia can be
transformed into a modern
port serving Liberia
and the sub region.
cant
day in the history of
the Free Port of Monrovia.
The strong partnership
between us and the
various port stakeholders
has been demonstrated
once again and we are immensely
grateful to all the
players who have worked
with us from project conception
to implementation.
Let me please reiterate
the importance of
these partnerships. They
are crucial to us, and we
see it as the only way we
can collectively transform
the Free Port of Monrovia,”
Jonathan Graham
said in a brief welcome
address.
Speaking about the preparatory
work done by
the partners in the lead up
to this launch, Technical
Team Leader of the project
for APM Terminals
Liberia; and the Regional
Customer Products &
Services Lead in Africa,
Middle East & Asia, Metus
Freeman, said the varfor
onward inspection and
trucking. These processes
took about 5 days to complete.
These were reduced sig-
steps of implementation
of the digitization process.
With the full-scale automation
and digitization,
the process is expected to
be reduced even further,
saving productive hours
and bringing convenience
to both Customs Brokers
and customers.
At a ceremony attended
by a wide swath of government
and business leaders,
various speakers emphasized
the importance of
this new initiative to the
es,
ease of doing business
and revenue mobilization.
The Minister of Finance
and Development
Planning, Samuel Tweah,
while serving as keynote
speaker, commended
APM Terminals Liberia
and partners for the historic
and transformative
initiative.
“Digitizing the Port
comes with numerous
in terms of ease of doing
business and revenue
mobilization. This development
has the full endorsement
and support of
President George Weah,
whose policies have been
focused on strengthening
our economy to boost
trade and business and create
opportunities for all,”
Tweah said. “It is in this
light that I commend APM
Terminals Liberia and
partners for launching this
initiative and for their collaboration
in making sure
that we achieve full success
with Port Automation
and Digitization (PAD).”
Also speaking, Thomas
Doe Nah, Commissioner
General of the Liberia
Revenue Authority (LRA),
implementing partner of
the project, said that the
PAD is important to their
drives of timely revenue
collection.
“As a key partner to
this initiative, we are convinced
about its potential
What Did Dr. Owl Say?
“Education is the
passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs to
those who prepare for it
today.” – Malcolm X
Dr. Owl's Guest
ious logistics, technical
know-how and training
have all been provided to
ensure a smooth implementation.
He promised
that all that is necessary
will be done to bring convenience
to every stakeholder
in the process.
“We have had several
collaborative training sessions
with Custom Brokers,
Importers, MTS,
on the process. What
we are launching today
is the product of strong
collaboration between
all our partners and different
stakeholders, and
especially LRA, and we
have all worked diligently
to provide the knowledge
and tools needed
to achieve maximum ef-
plained.
Also, Minister of
Commerce and Industry,
Mawine Diggs, also
a keynote speaker, observed
that this new and
improved way of doing
business at the Free Port
will have a positive effect
on trade and commercial
activities in Liberia as importers
are able to clear
their goods in good time,
less costly and get them
onto the market.
The project has also
received strong support
from the Ministry of Finance,
Planning and Development,
Ministry of
Commerce and Industry,
Liberia Revenue Authority
(LRA), National Port
Authority (NPA), Central
Bank of Liberia, Custom
Brokers Association,
MTS, LBDI, Ecobank,
GT Bank, Maersk, CMA
CGM, and MSC and customers
of the Free Port.
Published by the Liberian Observer Corporation (LOC), ELWA Junction, Paynesville, Liberia; Tel: 0886812888; 0777472772 and 0886472772;
Printed by the Observer Printing Press;
Publisher, Kenneth Y. Best & Managing Director, Bai S. Best.

THURSDAY
By Lewis S Teh
The Center for
Accountability and
Transparency in
Liberia (CENTAL) says the
recent statement by Minister
of State for Presidential
Affairs Nathaniel F. McGill
has already undermined
citizens and international
partners’ confidence in the
Government of Liberia.
"The anti-accountability
comments made by Minister
McGill have the ability to
further undermine citizens
and development partners’
confidence in the Liberian
He said corruption is
forbidden in Liberia and
around the world, and such an
act needs no justification by
any officials.
Minister McGill while
attending a well - organized
political engagement with
citizens in Bong County
recently said even if he steals
government money as claimed
by others, at least he is
building with the money in
Liberia.
He claimed that the
projects will benefit citizens
instead of previous officials
who he accused of stealing
from the government and
sending the money to Europe
and other countries.
However, CENTAL reminded
Minister McGill that his
comment has grossly
undermined the fight against
corruption.
Miamen said Liberians and
development partners will be
deeply concerned and further
apprehensive about the proper
utilization of their resources.
He argued that taxes and
financial contributions of
Liberians and international
partners are integral part of
the public resources and assets
that are being referenced by
Minister McGill.
"We call on every wellstalwart
of the
Arunning Coalition
for Democractic
Change (CDC) Dr. Lester
Zomatic Tenny sharply
blames the Minister of State
for Presidential Affairs
Nathaniel F. McGill, for
disunity in the ruling party.
Minister McGill is a former
executive of the CDC.
Dr. Tenny’s harsh words
are in response to Minister
McGill’s comments about
corruption made recently in
Bong county when he said
nothing is wrong in taking
public money to construct
private property in the
country because said money
is invested here.
On Monday, August 8,
2022, while on a visit to
Gbarnga, Bong County,
North-Eastern Liberia, where
he presented a cash of 20
million Liberian Dollars to a
group of women, who had
graduated from a skill
training program, Min. McGill
said he sees nothing wrong
with public officials stealing
government money as long as
AUGUST 11
2022
government," CENTAL
Executive Director Anderson
Miamen said Wednesday, 10
August 2022.
Addressing reporters at a
press conference at CENTAL
head office in Sinkor,
Miamen said such statement
coming from a high-profile
government official may
have implications on the
country’s budget and other
support given by
international partners.
"We like to remind
Minister McGill that there
should be no place for
corruption in Liberia,"
Miamen said.
they use the stolen money to
improve the lives of citizens.
However, McGill said he
spoke in context.
“There are people saying
oh, the government people
stealing the money, even if I
were stealing the money and
giving it to the Liberian
people, that’s not go thing I
did? Because at least I am not
stealing and carrying it in
Europe,” McGill said.
Providing further
justification, he said during
the administration of former
President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf, public officials
amassed wealth just as
current government’s
officials are doing, but the
www.thenewdawnliberia.com
difference is, unlike in the
past government, officials of
this administration are giving
their wealth back to the
people.
Although Minister McGill, as
the President Chief of Staff is
no nowhere near the country’s
financial institutions, he is
often seen on many occasions
dishing out huge sum of
money, especially in Bong
County, and other parts of
Liberia, where it is believed he
is building his political base for
a post-Weah presidential bid.
But Dr. Tenny thinks the
state minister is instigating
disunity in the CDC and
exposing the party to the
Liberian people.
NEW DAWN
more headline ne ws more headline ne ws
‘McGill’s statement undermines
development partners’ confidence in GOL’
Dr. Tenny fires at State Minister McGill
-for disunity in CDC
Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
CONT’D ON PAGE 11
Freeport of Monrovia
goes paperless
–LRA & APM Terminals Liberia launch port digitization project
The Liberia Revenue
Authority (LRA) and
port operator APM
Terminals Liberia have launched
the Port Automation and
Digitization (PAD) project at the
Freeport of Monrovia.
The launch of the project
comes after months of
consultations and engagements
with stakeholders, a release
says.
The launch heralds a new
phase of computerized
processes at the Freeport of
Monrovia which eliminates
paper and reduces human
interface as much as possible.
This will significantly
improve the efficiency of both
custom clearance processes and
terminal operations in the long
term and reaffirm the Freeport
of Monrovia’s position as the
gateway to the economy of
Liberia and the Mano River
Union.
At a ceremony attended by a
wide swath of government and
business leaders, various
speakers emphasized the
importance of this new
initiative to the efficiency of
port processes, ease of doing
business and revenue
mobilization.
Minister of Finance &
Development Planning and
keynote speaker, Mr. Samuel
Tweah, commended APM
Terminals Liberia and partners
for the historic and
transformative initiative.
“Digitizing the Port comes
with numerous benefits to the
economy in terms of ease of
doing business and revenue
mobilization.”
“This development has the
full endorsement and support of
His Excellency President George
Weah, whose policies have been
focused on strengthening our
economy to boost trade and
business and create
opportunities for all,” said
Minister Tweah.
“It is in this light that I
5
commend APM Terminals Liberia
and partners for launching this
initiative and for their
collaboration in making sure that
we achieve full success with Port
Automation and Digitization” Mr.
Tweah noted.
Mr. Thomas Doe Nah,
Commissioner General of the
Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA),
implementing partner of the
project, highlighted the
importance of Port Automation
and Digitization to the
Authority’s mandate of revenue
collection.
“As a key partner to this
initiative, we are convinced
about its potential to help us
deal with loopholes and leakages
often facilitated by human
interventions so that we can
maximize port revenue as we
should,” Mr. Nah remarked.
Spearheading the project is
APM Terminals Liberia whose
Managing Director, Jonathan
Graham was full of gratitude to
the various partners.
Mr. Graham stressed the need
for even stronger partnerships
with PAD journey, in the roll out
of the project.
He added that such is the only
way that the Freeport of
Monrovia can be transformed
into a modern port serving
Liberia and the sub region.
“Today is a very significant
day in the history of the Free Port
of Monrovia. The strong
partnership between us and the
various port stakeholders has
been demonstrated once again
and we are immensely grateful
to all the players who have
worked with us from project
conception to implementation,”
he said.
“Let me please reiterate the
importance of these
partnerships. They are crucial to
us, and we see it as the only way
we can collectively transform
the Free Port of Monrovia,” Mr.
Graham said.
CONT’D ON PAGE 11

T h i s c o m m i t t e e i s
c h a r g e d w i t h t h e
responsibility to preselect
candidates to serve
as Commissioners of the
amended LACC Law.
C l l r . B e r n a r d ’ s
a p p o i n t m e n t b y t h e
President is consistent
with Section 6.10 of the
Act to Amend and Restate
an Act to Establish the
Liberia Anti-Corruption
Commission and to Reestablish
the LACC.
The new Act empowers
the President to carry out
p r e - s e l e c t i o n o f
c a n d i d a t e s f o r t h e
position of commissioner.
President Weah has
mandated the Ad-Hoc
Committee to submit the
list of candidates to his
office within thirty-five
working days from the
deadline for submission
of applications.
The Act also provides that
the Ad-hoc Committee
shall be composed of nine
persons, a Chairperson
a p p o i n t e d b y t h e
President of Liberia, and
the eight others (one
each) from the General
Auditing Commission, the
G o v e r n a n c e
Commission, the Liberian
National Bar Association,
t h e P r e s s U n i o n o f
Liberia, and the Liberia
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Weah Appoints Vetting Committee Head For LACC New Commissioners
resident George Manneh Weah has appointed Cllr. elected to the Committee
PArchibald Bernard as chairperson of an Ad-hoc must possess impeccable
Committee for the Liberia Anti-corruption b u s i n e s s a n d
Commission (LACC) new commissioners.
professional reputation,
high moral values and
Business Association. qualities, excellent public
Others include the anticorruption
advocate of the
reputation, and must
n e v e r h a v e b e e n
C i v i l S o c i e t y
Organization, the Liberia
convicted of any crime.
Institute of Certified The Act also states that
Public Accountants, and the Ad-hoc Committee
the international donor shall pre-select two
c o m m u n i t y w h i c h candidates for each
p r o v i d e s t e c h n i c a l Commissioner position
assistance to Liberia in and submit said list of
the area of prevention of c a n d i d a t e s t o t h e
a n d c o m b a t t i n g
President of Liberia for his
corruption.
nomination to the Liberian
The Chief Executive
Senate for confirmation.
insists that persons
Cllr. Archibald Bernard
LRA, APM Terminals Liberia Launch Port Digitization Project
After months of consultations and revenue mobilization.
engagements with stakeholders, M i n i s t e r o f F i n a n c e &
the Liberia Revenue Authority D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n n i n g ,
(LRA) and port operator APM Honorable Samuel Tweah,
Terminals Liberia have launched keynote speaker, commended
t h e P o r t A u t o m a t i o n a n d APM Terminals Liberia and
Digitization (PAD) project at the partners for the historic and
Free Port of Monrovia. The transformative initiative.
launch heralds a new phase of “Digitizing the Port comes with
computerized processes at the n u m e r o u s b e n e f i t s t o t h e
Free Port of Monrovia which economy in terms of ease of
eliminates paper and reduces doing business and revenue
human interface as much as mobilization. This development
possible. This will significantly has the full endorsement and
improve the efficiency of both support of His Excellency
custom clearance processes and President George Weah, whose
terminal operations in the long policies has been focused on
term and reaffirm the Free Port of strengthening our economy to
Monrovia’s position as the boost trade and business and
gateway to the economy of create opportunities for all. It is in
Liberia and the Mano River this light that I commend APM
Union.
Terminals Liberia and partners for
At a ceremony attended by a wide launching this initiative and for
swath of government and their collaboration in making sure
business leaders, various that we achieve full success with
speakers emphasized the Port Automation and Digitization”
importance of this new initiative to said Hon. Tweah
the efficiency of port processes, M r . T h o m a s D o e N a h ,
ease of doing business and
Commissioner General of the
Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA),
implementing partner of the
p r o j e c t , h i g h l i g h t e d t h e
importance of Port Automation
and Digitization (PAD) to the
Authority’s mandate of revenue
collection.
“As a key partner to this initiative,
we are convinced about its
potential to help us deal with
loopholes and leakages often
f a c i l i t a t e d b y h u m a n
interventions so that we can
maximize port revenue as we
should” Mr. Nah remarked.
Spearheading the project is APM
Te r m i n a l s L i b e r i a w h o s e
Managing Director, Jonathan
Graham was full of gratitude to
the various partners. Mr. Graham
stressed the need for even
stronger partnerships with PAD
journey, in the roll out of the
project, adding that such is the
only way that the Free Port of
Monrovia can be transformed
into a modern port serving Liberia
and the sub region.
“Today is a very significant day in
the history of the Free Port of
Monrovia. The strong partnership
between us and the various port
s t a k e h o l d e r s h a s b e e n
demonstrated once again and we
are immensely grateful to all the
players who have worked with us
from project conception to
implementation. Let me please
reiterate the importance of these
partnerships. They are crucial to
us, and we see it as the only way
we can collectively transform the
Free Port of Monrovia.” Mr.
Jonathan Graham said in a brief
welcome address.
Speaking about the preparatory
work done by the partners in the
lead up to this launch, Technical
Team Leader of the project for
APM Terminals Liberia; and the
Regional Customer Products &
Services Lead in Africa, Middle
East & Asia, Mr. Metus Freeman,
said the various logistics,
technical know-how and training
have all been provided to ensure
a smooth implementation. He
p r o m i s e d t h a t a l l t h a t i s
necessary will be done to bring
c o n v e n i e n c e t o e v e r y
stakeholder in the process.
“ W e h a v e h a d s e v e r a l
collaborative training sessions
with Custom Brokers, Importers,
MTS, Banks and LRA officials on
the process. What we are
launching today is the product of
strong collaboration between all
our partners and different
stakeholders, and especially
LRA, and we have all worked
d i l i g e n t l y t o p r o v i d e t h e
knowledge and tools needed to
achieve maximum efficiency.” Mr.
Freeman explained.
Previously, customers had to
m a n u a l l y s u b m i t t h e i r
d e c l a r a t i o n s , g o t h r o u g h
assessment, raise checks and
proceed to pay before the
Customs Broker obtain customs
release to present to APM
Terminals Liberia for terminal
release for onward inspection
and trucking. These processes
took about 5 days to complete.
These were reduced significantly
w i t h t h e i n i t i a l s t e p s o f
implementation of the digitization
process. With the full-scale
automation and digitization, the
process is expected to be
reduced even further, saving
productive hours and bringing
convenience to both Custom
Brokers and customers.
The Minister of Commerce and
Industry Mawine Diggs, also a
keynote speaker, observed that
this new and improved way of
doing business at the Free Port
will have a positive effect on trade
and commercial activities in
Liberia as importers are able to
clear their goods in good time,
less costly and get them onto the
market.
The project has also received
strong support from the Ministry
of Finance, Planning and
D e v e l o p m e n t , M i n i s t r y o f
Commerce and Industry, Liberia
Revenue Authority (LRA),
National Port Authority (NPA),
Central Bank of Liberia, Custom
Brokers Association, MTS, LBDI,
Ecobank, GT Bank, Maersk,
CMA CGM, and MSC and
customers of the Free Port.
Read us at www.Inquirernewspaper.com

CMYK
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
DON’T RAPE
BE A GENTLEMAN
Vol. 33 No. 078
TheNEWS
The Nation’s NEWS Since 1989
THURSDAY
AUGUST 11, 2022 LD$40.00
Freeport Of Monrovia Goes Digital
...LRA, APM Terminals Launch Port Digitization Project
Af t e r m o n t h s o f
consultations and
engagements with
stakeholders, the Liberia
Revenue Authority (LRA)
and port operator APM
Terminals Liberia, have
l a u n c h e d t h e P o r t
Automation and Digitization
(PAD) project at the Free Port
of Monrovia.
The launch heralds a new
phase of computerized
processes at the Free Port of
Monrovia which eliminates
paper and reduces human
interface as much as possible.
This will significantly
improve the efficiency of
both custom clearance
processes and terminal
operations in the long
Cllr. Bernard Chairs Ad-Hoc Committee
To Vet LACC Commissioners
LFA Reduces
Fees For Protests
And Appeals
SEE STORY
ON PAGE 10
R/Cess, G/Kru
Score High Marks
…In WAEC Provisional Results
Mr. Dale Gbotoe
By Tonita N. Copson
Girl, 4 Goes Blind
…Parents Make SOS
By Georgia H. Doe-intern
5
Cllr. Archibald Bernard
McGill Rejects Presidential Ambition Report
Two Jailed For Counterfeiting
By Prince Saah
5
5
One Of The Penalties
For Refusing To Participate
In Politics Is That You End
Up Being Governed
By Your Inferiors.

AUGUST 11, 2022 - Vol. 33 No. 078
The NEWS
AML Phase II
Bloody Protest
https://thenewsnewspaper.online/
Freeport
term and reaffirm port's
position as the 'gateway to the
economy of Liberia and the
Mano River Union'.
At a ceremony attended by a
wide swath of government and
business leaders, various
speakers emphasized the
i m p o r t a n c e o f t h i s n e w
initiative to the efficiency of
port processes, ease of doing
b u s i n e s s a n d r e v e n u e
mobilization.
Keynote speaker, Minister of
Finance & Development
Planning, Samuel Tweah
commended APM Terminals
Liberia and partners for the
historic and transformative
initiative.
“Digitizing the Port comes
with numerous benefits to the
economy in terms of ease of
doing business and revenue
m o b i l i z a t i o n . T h i s
development has the full
endorsement and support of
His Excellency President
George Weah, whose policies
h a v e b e e n f o c u s e d o n
strengthening our economy
to boost trade and business
and create opportunities for
all. It is in this light that I
commend APM Terminals
Liberia and partners for
launching this initiative and
for their collaboration in
making sure that we achieve
full success with Port
A u t o m a t i o n a n d
Digitization,” said Minister
Tweah
Mr. Thomas Doe Nah,
Commissioner General of the
Liberia Revenue Authority
(LRA), implementing partner
of the project, highlighted the
i m p o r t a n c e o f P o r t
Automation and Digitization
(PAD) to the Authority's
m a n d a t e o f r e v e n u e
collection.
“As a key partner to this
initiative, we are convinced
about its potential to help us
deal with loopholes and
leakages often facilitated by
human interventions so that
we can maximize port
revenue as we should,” Mr.
Nah remarked.
Spearheading the project is
APM Terminals Liberia
Managing Director; Jonathan
Graham who was full of
gratitude to the various
partners.
Mr. Graham stressed the
need for even stronger
partnerships with PAD
journey, in the roll out of the
project, adding that such is
the only way that the Free
Port of Monrovia can be
transformed into a modern
port serving Liberia and the
sub region.
“Today is a very significant
day in the history of the Free
Port of Monrovia. The strong
partnership between us and
the various port stakeholders
has been demonstrated once
again and we are immensely
grateful to all the players who
have worked with us from
p r o j e c t c o n c e p t i o n t o
implementation. Let me
p l e a s e r e i t e r a t e t h e
i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e s e
partnerships. They are crucial
to us, and we see it as the only
way we can collectively
transform the Free Port of
Monrovia,” Graham said in a
brief welcome address.
S p e a k i n g a b o u t t h e
preparatory work done by the
partners in the lead up to this
launch, Technical Team
Leader of the project for APM
Terminals Liberia; and the
Regional Customer Products
& Services Lead in Africa,
Middle East & Asia, Mr.
Metus Freeman, said the
various logistics, technical
know-how and training have
all been provided to ensure a
smooth implementation. He
promised that all that is
necessary will be done to
bring convenience to every
stakeholder in the process.
“We have had several
c o l l a b o r a t i v e t r a i n i n g
s e s s i o n s w i t h C u s t o m
Brokers, Importers, MTS,
Banks and LRA officials on
the process. What we are
launching today is the
p r o d u c t o f s t r o n g
collaboration between all our
p a r t n e r s a n d d i ff e r e n t
stakeholders, and especially
LRA, and we have all worked
diligently to provide the
knowledge and tools needed
t o a c h i e v e m a x i m u m
efficiency.” Mr. Freeman
explained.
Previously, customers had to
m a n u a l l y s u b m i t t h e i r
declarations, go through
assessment, raise checks and
proceed to pay before the
Customs Broker obtain
customs release to present to
APM Terminals Liberia for
terminal release for onward
inspection and trucking.
These processes took about 5
days to complete. These were
reduced significantly with the
i n i t i a l s t e p s o f
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h e
digitization process. With the
full-scale automation and
digitization, the process is
expected to be reduced even
further, saving productive
h o u r s a n d b r i n g i n g
convenience to both Custom
Brokers and customers.
The Minister of Commerce
and Industry Mawine Diggs,
also a keynote speaker,
observed that this new and
improved way of doing
business at the Free Port will
have a positive effect on trade
and commercial activities in
Liberia as importers are able
to clear their goods in good
time, less costly and get them
onto the market.
The project has also received
strong support from the
M i n i s t r y o f F i n a n c e ,
Planning and Development,
Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Liberia Revenue
Authority (LRA), National
P o r t A u t h o r i t y ( N PA ) ,
Central Bank of Liberia,
Custom Brokers Association,
MTS, LBDI, Ecobank, GT
Bank, Maersk, CMA CGM,
and MSC and customers of
the Free Port.
Cllr. Bernard
Page 8
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Thursday, August 11, 2022
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TOP STORIES WAR CRIME | Page: 7
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MASSAQUOI’S ACQUITTAL
TO BE REVISITED
Prosecution Lawyer Grateful for
“a second chance” to Prove His
Involvement in the Liberian Civil War
FREEPORT OF MONROVIA
GOES PAPERLESS
LRA & APM Terminals Liberia Launch
Port Digitization Project
LIBERIA’S PALAVA
HUT MECHANISM
Delivering Quick Wins In Long,
Winding Road To Justice
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U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 2022 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENTS
HIGHLIGHT IMPEDIMENTS TO INVESTMENTS IN LIBERIA
PERVASIVE GOVT
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in most cash being held outside of banks.” – U.S. State Department 2022
Investment Climate Statements
CORRUPTION WATCH | Page: 5

Friday, August 12, 2022 Frontpage | Page 9
FREEPORT OF MONROVIA
GOES PAPERLESS
LRA & APM Terminals Liberia Launch
Port Digitization Project
MONROVIA
After months of
consultations
and
engagements
with stakeholders,
the Liberia Revenue
operator APM Terminals
Liberia have launched
the Port Automation
project at the Free Port
of Monrovia. The launch
heralds a new phase of
computerized processes at
the Free Port of Monrovia
which eliminates paper and
reduces human interface as
much as possible. This will
clearance processes and
terminal operations in the
Free Port of Monrovia’s
position as the gateway to
the economy of Liberia and
the Mano River Union.
At a ceremony attended
by a wide swath of
government and business
leaders, various speakers
emphasized the importance
of this new initiative to the
ease of doing business and
revenue mobilization.
Minister of Finance &
Development Planning,
Honorable Samuel
Tweah, keynote speaker,
commended APM
Terminals Liberia and
partners for the historic
and transformative
initiative.
“Digitizing the Port comes
to the economy in terms
of ease of doing business
and revenue mobilization.
This development has
the full endorsement and
support of His Excellency
President George Weah,
whose policies has been
focused on strengthening
our economy to boost
trade and business and
create opportunities for
all. It is in this light that I
commend APM Terminals
Liberia and partners for
launching this initiative
and for their collaboration
in making sure that we
achieve full success with
Port Automation and
Digitization” said Hon.
Tweah
Mr. Thomas Doe
Nah, Commissioner
General of the Liberia
Revenue Authority
partner of the project,
highlighted the importance
of Port Automation and
Authority’s mandate of
revenue collection.
“As a key partner to this
initiative, we are convinced
about its potential to help
us deal with loopholes and
leakages often facilitated
by human interventions so
that we can maximize port
revenue as we should” Mr.
Nah remarked.
Spearheading the project
is APM Terminals Liberia
whose Managing Director,
Jonathan Graham was full
of gratitude to the various
partners. Mr. Graham
stressed the need for even
stronger partnerships with
PAD journey, in the roll out
of the project, adding that
such is the only way that
the Free Port of Monrovia
can be transformed into
a modern port serving
Liberia and the sub region.
“Today is a very
history of the Free Port
of Monrovia. The strong
partnership between
us and the various port
stakeholders has been
demonstrated once again
and we are immensely
grateful to all the players
who have worked with us
from project conception
to implementation. Let
me please reiterate the
importance of these
partnerships. They are
crucial to us, and we see
it as the only way we can
collectively transform the
Free Port of Monrovia.”
Mr. Jonathan Graham said
in a brief welcome address.
Speaking about the
preparatory work done by
the partners in the lead up
to this launch, Technical
Team Leader of the project
for APM Terminals Liberia;
and the Regional Customer
Products & Services Lead
in Africa, Middle East &
Asia, Mr. Metus Freeman,
said the various logistics,
technical know-how and
training have all been
provided to ensure a
smooth implementation.
He promised that all that
is necessary will be done to
bring convenience to every
stakeholder in the process.
“We have had several
collaborative training
sessions with Custom
Brokers, Importers, MTS,
on the process. What
we are launching today
is the product of strong
collaboration between
all our partners and
especially LRA, and we
have all worked diligently
to provide the knowledge
and tools needed to achieve
Freeman explained.
Previously, customers
had to manually submit
their declarations, go
through assessment, raise
checks and proceed to pay
before the Customs Broker
obtain customs release to
present to APM Terminals
Liberia for terminal release
for onward inspection
and trucking. These
processes took about 5
days to complete. These
with the initial steps of
implementation of the
digitization process. With
the full-scale automation
and digitization, the
process is expected to
be reduced even further,
saving productive hours
and bringing convenience
to both Custom Brokers
and customers.
Honorable Minister of
Commerce and Industry
Mawine Diggs, also a
keynote speaker, observed
that this new and improved
way of doing business at
the Free Port will have a
and commercial activities
in Liberia as importers are
able to clear their goods in
good time, less costly and
get them onto the market.
The project has also
received strong support
from the Ministry of
Finance, Planning and
Development, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry,
Liberia Revenue Authority
Bank of Liberia, Custom
Brokers Association, MTS,
LBDI, Ecobank, GT Bank,
Maersk, CMA CGM, and
MSC and customers of the
Free Port.
LIBERIA’S PALAVA
HUT MECHANISM
Delivering Quick Wins In Long,
Winding Road To Justice
MONROVIA
The National
Palava Hut
hearings, the
recommended
restorative justice
mechanism for crimes
of “lesser gravity”
committed during
Liberia’s 14-year civil war,
Wednesday, 10 August
with the Chairman of the
Independent Commission
on Human Rights, Cllr T
Dempster Brown, calling
for justice all crimes
committed during the
war.
“There must be justice
for all the heinous crimes
committed during the war
if Liberia is to sustain the
peace and stability we
are enjoying now,” said
Cllr Dempster Brown
promising that “the
Commission will not rest
until the war crimes court
is established”.
Bong
County
Superintendent Esther
Walker said Liberians have
the duty to sustain peace,
appealing to the youth to
embrace forgiveness and
reconciliation in resolving
to build back Liberia
better.
“The Liberia we want, it
is only Liberians who can
make it,” she said.
UNDP’s Resident
Representative in Liberia
Stephen Rodriques
commended the
reconciliatory approach of
the Palava Hut mechanism
but called for the review
and implementation
of the other important
recommendations of the
TRC report.
The Palava Hut
mechanism has to date
resolved 277 war-related
cases of human rights
violations involving
more than 500 people
- 275 victims and 244
perpetrators.
This has been
accomplished through
four hearings, presided
over by elders, with
technical support
from the country’s
Independent National
Commission on Human
Rights. The Palava Hut
hearings are a traditional
restorative justice and
accountability mechanism
recommended by
Liberia’s erstwhile Truth
and Reconciliation
Commission as a
complementary
mechanism
to
recommendations to
establish a war crimes
court to render justice
for war crimes, including
genocide and crimes
against humanity
committed during the
civil war.
“Traditional forms of
justice, which focus less on
punishment, are often far
up cases and maintaining
social cohesion. From
Rwanda, it was estimated
that it would have taken
well over 100 years to try
the cases arising from
the genocide, yet the
traditional Gacaca courts
heard and resolved them
cleared in a few years,”
said Mr. Rodriques.
The Sanoyea Palava
Hut hearings are themed
“never again to war.”
Delegates visited a mass
grave in the county.
In the long winding
road to justice, the Palava
Hut mechanism has
been providing a safe
environment for victims
to come face to face
with their attackers to
demand accountability
and restitution. It has
helped people across
the hurt, bitterness and
hard feelings between
community members.
The hearings have
addressed matters of
assault and torture, forced
displacement and forced
labor, arson attacks,
looting and destruction of
property, and desecration
of sacred sites.
The Independent
National Commission on
has to date conducted
Palava Hut hearings in
four of the country’s 15
counties - Tchien District,
Grand Gedeh County
Tewor District, Grand
in Central C District,
with support from UNDP.
place in Sanoyea District,
Bong County.
“I commend the
INCHR for delicately
facilitating the hearings,
helping victims and their
families recover from
the trauma of war. It is
especially refreshing to
see perpetrators of crimes
avail themselves for the
hearings and thereafter
take responsibility for
their actions, restituting
in ways that are acceptable
to the victims and the
community. These are
high standards by which
everyone in a healthy
society must ascribe to,”
said Stephen Rodriques.
UNDP, with funding
from the UN Peace
supporting the Palava
Hut Mechanism as part
of its Peace Building,
Reconciliation and Social
Cohesion Programme.