Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has provided 50 scholarships to the Government of Liberia to enable it strengthen its legal capacity in helping students at the Arthur Grant School of Law at the University of Liberia.

The scholarships were provided based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between OSIWA and the government of Liberia. The signing ceremony took place yesterday September 11, 2008 at the Ministry of Justice.

According to both partners,(Liberia, OSIWA), students who be accepted into the program will definitely serve the government of Liberia for the period of three years upon graduation, adding that the program is for three years.

Individuals or those already in law school and those who have passed the necessary test provided by the law school and applied for said scholarships will be beneficiaries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in the conference of the justice ministry, Minister Philip Z. Banks thanked OSIWA for the scholarships and said the step taken by OSIWA would go a long way in helping the country’s judicial system.

He said the gesture would provide the room for the prosecution arm of government to help to prosecuting cases and provide the practicing aspect of the profession.

Minister Banks disclosed that only law school graduates will serve as County Attorney in the 15 counties of Liberia and called the law school students to make use of the opportunity provided by OSIWA.

The Country Director of OSIWA, Joe Pemanbi said he was happy the project reached its main purpose and expressed hope that students would take advantage of the opportunity to provide the needed legal service to Liberia and its people upon graduation.

He added that OSIWA would continue proving funding for the government of Liberia in its rebuilding efforts.

FDA In A Twine On FMC Bid
But Will It Accept The IMCC’s Report, Or Not

Any time from now one, this paper has reliably learnt that the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) will announce the outcome of the FMC Areas “A”, “B” and “C” Bid, which was communicated to it by the Inter-ministerial concession committee (IMCC).

However, with unfolding developments, observers say the entity finds itself in a twine of entanglement created by the awarding of the bid to a company that was underrated by the Bidding Evaluation Panel (BEP).

In its report, according to cogent document, the Panel acknowledged one of the companies, Global Woods Industries as “Provisional Winner” far ahead of rival Alpha Logging, whose records showed controversial financial and other capacity standings.

Following the submission of the Panel report to the IMCC, it met and voted to give the FMC Area “A” bid to Alpha Logging, undoing the Panel’s carefully conducted report that favored Global Woods.

The Panel records showed Global Woods Industries as demonstrating excellent capacity to “enter contract,” “fulfillment of documents and fulfillment of laws,” as well as financial capacity, or access to capital.”

As of June this year, financial records, as indicated in the report, showed that held $0.3M in a bank account and holds equipment valued at $3.2M.

More than that, the company presented statement of commitment from one of the local banks to the Panel, indicating its preparedness to provide any amount it would apply for provided it was awarded the contract.

According to the Panel records, Global Woods also showed documents indicating that additional capital would come from the families of two foreign owners.

Apparently against the backdrop of Global Woods Industries’ sincerity as far as its financial, equipment and personnel capacities are concerned, that it was considered as winner of the bid by the Bidding Evaluation Panel (BEP).

“Why would the BEP consider Global Woods as “Provisional Winner” if it did not satisfy with its records”? An observer wondered.

But justifying the IMCC ‘picking’ of Alpha Logging over Global Woods, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission Richard Tolbert said the decision was taken based on Alpha’s show of good financial standing over Global Woods.

He said the FDA informed them that the FMC Area, “A” which is 119,000 hectares worth $15 million.

Even though, Chairman Tolbert last week told this paper that about five out of six ministers voted in favor of Alpha Logging, there are reports that the issue is marred by dissension, with some outstanding members objecting to the decision of giving the FMC to Alpha.

However, it is gathered that the bidders were not initially informed of $15 million in capital as requirement. In the BEP records, the company failed to reconcile claims of huge capital, prompting the BEP to raise issues.

For example, the company claimed to have as capital $0.5 million among many others, but the BEP could hardly reconcile these claims during the conduct of the Due Diligence.

The company also made brag of $70 million promised by Woodman, the BEP said, However, the BEP said, “The letter from Woodman does not constitute a contract and does not create an enforceable right on the part of Alpha to the capital.”

With this ambiguity, observers said the BEP acted prudently to have considered Global Woods as “winner” of the FMC, because “business is nothing but absolute sincerity and fairness”.

Apart from this, there are other contentious issues raised by the BEP as regard to Alpha’s huge capital claims.

The Action of the IMCC to award the bid to Alpha is seen as a barefaced violation of the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) Act, which disallows the alteration of the findings, and/or recommendation from “due diligence” conducted.

According to our reporter, most Liberians are calling on President Johnson-Sirleaf, or the FDA not to give credence to the FMC Area “A” result. Liberians spoken to on the issue said, the President, or the FDA needs to look into the matter as thoroughly as possible before they take whatever action required.

They told our reporter that most entities were coming with false pretense of being financially potent, but in reality, they have no assets to do the job. This paper has learnt the Managing Director of the FDA is out of the country, and the outcome may be made in his absence.

Global Woods Industries is reportedly a US-based company. The US is a strategic partner of Liberia, so doing business with any firm from there provides guarantee for fair business, observers say. This paper has learnt that tension is gradually building.

Peace Corps-Liberia Signs MOU with Partners
8 Peace Crops Volunteers Arrive in October

Peace Corps-Liberia and the Ministries of Education, Health and Social Welfare, and World Food Programme have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding for the resumption of collaborative activities in Liberia.

The U.S. Peace Corps Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Henry McKoy, signed on behalf of his agency while Education Minister, Dr. Joseph Kortu and Deputy Health and Social Welfare Minister, Vivine Cheru, signed for their respective ministries, and World Food Programme Country Director, Mr. Louis Imbleau, signed on behalf of the WFP.

Welcoming the United States Peace Corps Regional Director for Africa Thursday, during the signing ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador William V.S. Bull, extended the Government of Liberia’s deepest condolence to the Government and People of the United States on the Seventh Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America by Al-Qaeda.

According to a Foreign Ministry press release, Minister Bull welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Peace Corps-Liberia and the three partners, which he said followed the recent signing ceremony between the Governments of Liberia and America to resume Peace Corps program in Liberia.

In a special statement, the United States Peace Corps Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Henry E. McKoy, said the agreements signed between Peace Corps-Liberia and its partners mark a historic beginning of implementing the Country Agreement which formalized the return of U.S. Peace Corps to Liberia.

Mr. McKoy said the event brings to reality the dreams of President Johnson-Sirleaf and President George W. Bush when they met in the White House in October, 2007 to discuss the return of Peace Corps to the country.

He recalled that more than 3,800 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Liberia between 1962 and 1990, when the program was suspended due to the civil war. The first batch of 18 specialized volunteers is expected to arrive in Liberia on October 28, 2008.

In remark, Education Minister, Dr. Joseph Kortu, said the Peace Corps Volunteers made immense contribution to various sectors of Liberia in the past. Minister Kortu himself is a beneficiary of the program.

He described the return of the program as a significant development, noting that Liberia is faced with several challenges, among them the quality of education, which needs urgent improvement.