Liberia’s Vice President Joseph N. Boakai as described as ‘unfounded’ media report  published in the Wednesday, April 23 edition of the Chronicle Newspaper titled: In President Sirleaf’s House: Troubling Disclosure!
In the article sub-titled –Dinner Table Makes Major Political Decisions, the paper claims that Aunt Jenny, the elder sister of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, last Wednesday, April 16, informed him (Vice President Boakai) at a dinner table that the President would not be contesting the presidency for the second term.

	• Vice Pres. J. Boakai

The paper said in its report that Aunt Jenny asked the Vice President and other stakeholders to begin to search for a new standard to lead the Unity Party to the next elections because the President was overworked, frustrated and sick.

“This information has spread like wild fire among UP elites, sending chills down the spines of higher-ups in the ruling party,” the paper said.

But in his rebuttal issued yesterday, Vice President Boakai said there was no meeting on April 16 between him and the President’s Sister or any other member of the Sirleaf family to discuss a political decision or any other matter, as claimed by the paper.

He described the publications as tactics being employed by detractors to divert attention from the mammoth reconstruction effort. “The Unity Party-led by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been more concerned about the mandate given it by the Liberian people to rebuild the devastated country. It is too early to begin thinking about succession or retention of power,” Vice President Boakai emphasized.

He added that is left with the Liberian people to decide at the appropriate time, if the people want the Unity party to succeed itself. Vice President Boakai said President Johnson-Sirleaf has made it clear that her current trip to the United States is in the interest of the Liberian people and to seek her routine medical check. 

Chinese Nationals Violate Zonal Law
By J. Nathaniel Daygbor

This paper has learnt of the arrest of some Chinese nationals for alleged illegal construction on wetland reportedly belonging to government. The Deputy Executive Director of the Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Professor Jerome Nyenka said the Chinese are from the China –Liberia Entrepreneur Film.

Authority said the Chinese violated zonal laws of the country by constructing in a wet land without seeking approval of relevant government agencies.

It is not clear whether the concerned Chinese nationals are currently behind bars, but the EPA official informed this paper that they were invited by the Liberian National Police while his agency is contemplating legal action against the film.

The piece of wetland in question is situated behind the home of the late Police Director Col. Joseph B. Teta. He told this paper yesterday at his Sinkor Office that the China-Liberia Entrepreneur was warned 11 months ago by the EPA, the Ministry of Justice, and the Liberian National Police not to carry on the construction on the site but failed to adhere to the instruction.

“The film was told to apply for the Environment Inter Agency (EIA); if granted they could have been given permit before constructing the building. Instead, they challenged the authority. The decision is intended to safe to the ecosystem of the state,” he said.

According to him, people, especially residents of Monrovia are misusing the wetland by forcibly drying it while other use it for toilet.

Noting that create environmental hazard and unhealthy for the very people who causing the damage, Professor Nyekan stressed they are preparing especially their manpower capacity to enforce the law any one caught will bear the full responsibility of the law. 

He however disclosed that they discharged inspectors in eight of the fifteen sub political divisions of the country. He concluded that the China-Liberia Entrepreneur still has better chance by reconsidering to come back to the EPA seek advice as how to go about other then they risk using the structure.

Liberia To Celebrates Youth Global Day
By J. Nathaniel Daygbor

Liberian youths will participate in the Global Youth Service Day on Friday, April 25, 2008. The celebration will bring 20 top high schools in Monrovia. They are William V. S Tubman High School, Paynesville Community School, College of West Africa, Monrovia College, amongst other.

The celebration is a worldwide event intended to give youths the zeal about the work volunteerism for their communities and the state. Speaking to The Analyst recently, the Executive Director of the Mission Outreach International, Thomas Bedell said that they have put in place all mechanisms for the successful holding of the program.

Mr. Bedell said his organization has informed the Ministry of Youths and Sports and Federation of Liberian Youths to form part of the celebration. According to him, the celebration it is the first time the celebration is being observed in the country.

He said since this is the first time, they are holding the activities in the city while the next celebration will take place in the leeward counties. For her part, the Executive Director of the Vision Sister for Development and Peace Madam Sametta George said this is a historical moment for Liberian youths.

According to herm they will parade the principle streets of Monrovia and later converge for the indoor program where government officials, people from the private sector and business tycoons and the youths will engage in intellectual forum.