The Liberia Destiny Party (LDP) has commended its Standard-bearer, Ambassador Milton Nathaniel Barnes, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba for what the party called “excellent strives” he is making.

	• Amb. Nathaniel Barnes

LDP said Mr. Barnes is ably representing Liberia and assisting President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the entire people of Liberia in lifting the stature of the country among the comity of nation thus attaining Liberia’s strategic and developmental goals.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the party also commended its Partisans in both the public and private sectors, who by their contributions continue to quietly be “Agents of Positive Change,” thus affecting the health care delivery as well as the educational systems of our nation.

The Liberia Destiny Party is one of the over 22 political parties that participated in the 2005 General and Presidential Elections.

Liberia Destiny Party noted that the role of Ambassador Barnes, who is also the Standard Bearer of the Liberia Destiny Party, has led to the realization of several initiatives including the hosting of the recent Liberian Cuban Inter-government Commission that resulted in the provision of 50 and subsequence Cuban Medical Doctor to our country.”

He also initiated academic scholarships and other avenues of cooperation, the party said in the statement. It also added that that will significantly impact not only the health care and the educational systems of Liberia, but other critical areas of development.

LDP says it remains action oriented opposition Political Party that will continue to be engaged in a quiet but effective way with the government of Liberia in making a significant difference influencing the lives of the Liberia people.

“Nathaniel Barnes is one of the opposition party leaders that form of the Unity Party led government and continues to restlessly work in the interest of the Liberians people,” Destiny party observed.

Mr. Barnes, a former Minister of Finance under the administration of detained President Charles Taylor is representing Liberia at the United Nations headquarters as permanent Representative. He is also amongst few Liberians who share little income with students by providing scholarships to many both at local and international universities levels.

LWHR Writes Justice Minister

The Liberia Watch for Human Rights (LWHR) has written the Minister of Justice, demanding investigation into claims that officials of Grand Bassa County are on the payroll of the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC).

In the letter dated April 2, 2008 under the signature of Executive Director, Thompson Ade-Baryor, the group says “The letter serves to raise unflinching concern about denials by Dr. Samuel Barnett, General Manager of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), relative to allegations that Grand Bassa County government officials are on the payroll of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC).”

According to the group, the denial has prompted it to request Justice Minister, Cllr. Philip Banks to launch an immediate independent investigation into the allegation.

That besides, LWHR observes that that has caused the media and public to speculate that there is more to unearth about the alleged “Revised Adjusted Government Relation” document dated May 1, 2008 and signed by the former General Manager George Quaateng Mensah.

“Whether these allegations are true or not, democracy has to be put to the test in order to appease public opinion and the UP-led government’s stance on zero tolerance for corruption,” LWHR noted. The group also averred that Justice is increasingly accepted as the core principle of good governance.

Not only that, it continues, “It becomes more and more clear that the most effective way of implementing the principles of transparency and rule of law, as such, we herein appeal to your kind offices to ensure that independent and impartial investigations are carried out.”

The letter said it is not enough for Dr. Bennett to simply shrug, down-play or treat with scum such a matter, given the negative potential the allegations may have regarding the integrity of the nation, especially at a time when the Criminal Justice system still has a lot to deliver relative to impartial jurisprudence in the courts.

“We envisage that a public reaction to such allegation could only be laid to rest through credible independent probe”, the release said. LWHR statement says the probe should be “a means of not only bringing out the facts, but to serve as deterrent to would –be corrupt company and government officials in other resource-rich communities, and also to reveal what drastic actions await perpetrators of thievery, dishonesty and abuse of public office,” LWHR said.