“It has come to the attention of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, and its partners that some community members and local NGOs have been collecting and removing gravel or laterite from recently repaired roads in certain parts of the country,” the mission said in a press release April 16.

It said the negative practice severely undermines the efforts of the Liberian government and Liberia’s development partners to improve the road network across the country. UNMIL strongly condemns this negative practice which has the potential of damaging these vital roads, by exposing the top surface of the newly-rehabilitated roads, causing them to be destroyed in a very short period of time, especially during the rainy season.

“The consequences for vehicular traffic and especially for human life can be tragic. The theft and deliberate removal of gravel – apparently for use in building construction work - have been observed along the Zwedru-Fishtown, Ganta-Tappita, and Voinjama-Zorzor road rehabilitation sites,” UNMIL disclosed.

It said over the last year, the Ministry of Public Works and UNMIL have notified county authorities of this practice and its damaging impact on the roads. Communities along these roads have been urged to discourage this practice.

However it appears these appeals have fallen on deaf ears and the practice has continued.  In fact, in some instances, local authorities have been observed, not taking any action even as they saw the stolen laterite or gravel piled along the road for sale.

The mission has meanwhile noted that it and the government of Liberia consider unlawful to steal or misuse material from public works initiatives, and to intentionally damage public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

“The Ministry of Public Works and UNMIL hereby warn all those engaging in this practice that the Liberian National Police will arrest and prosecute anyone found removing gravel or other material from public works project sites.

Local authorities, traditional leaders and elders in communities served by these vital roads are also urged to make further efforts to sensitize the communities on the adverse effect of removing the laterite from the roads,” the UNMIL statement concluded.

“Nyenawelie Was A Poor Man’s Lawyer”
By George J. Borteh

The remains of the man regarded ‘as the Poor Man’s Lawyer,” Cllr. Payne Nyenawelie Gibson was Saturday, April 19, 2008 laid to rest following funeral activities characterized by weeping and reflections.

He lost his life following a protected period of sickness, which he and his family members fought endlessly. He served in various capacities as legal consultant, especially in the private sector.

He died on April 6, 2008 at the Harbel Hospital in lower Margibi County. Friends, relatives, and love ones who converged at the funeral service held at the Assembly of God Church in Clara Town rained eulogies on the fallen lawyer for his contributions to the Liberian nationhood, county and family.

Many sobbed as those who closed to him and his activities as a professional lawyer mirrored his life through tributes. Family sources said the late Cllr. Gibson rendered legal services to business and private entities, but most importantly his heartbeat was to cater to the poor, those who has no financial means to fight their cases in court.

The phrase: “Poor Man Lawyer” dominated every page of any writings concerning his activities. His Life Sketch bore witness to the fact of his contribution to the poor in terms of legal services.

In his life sketch, the late Gibson, like many, fought for the creation of River Gee County. His brother, Mr. Jerry Payne told the gathering that Cllr. Gibson served as lawyer for the poor.

“He was poor man lawyer. He rendered services to people who never have money to pay back for his legal service rendered”, his brother, Jerry K. Payne read in the life sketch.

At the funeral service, the President of the Liberia National Bar Association, Cllr. N. Oscar Tweh made a cash contribution of US$1,335.00 on behalf of the LNBA to the family of the late legal practitioner. He was the National Treasurer of the notable legal profession.

LNBA regrets the death of Cllr. Gibson. He said the amount is intended to help pay the school fees of the children of the late Cllr. Gibson. As others did during tributes, Cllr. Tweh also encouraged the bereaved family not to lose hope, but that they take courage because God knows why their brother had to go to rest this soon.

The the Senior Pastor of First A.G. Church - Clara Town, Rev. Moses Chea described the late Gibson as “lawyer for the poor people” and one who obeyed the call to duty and service to humanity.

Delivering the funeral discourse, he challenged other Liberian lawyers to seek justice not only for the rich but also for the poor. The AG prelate told the congregation that the battle for the late Cllr. Gibson is completely over and urged others to follow the good examine he set.