Woods Warns against Political Hustlers Desperate for Power
Liberians have been warned against “political hustlers” who are so desperate for power that they will go anywhere, do anything, and negotiate with anyone, as well as encourage any act just to get power.”Atty. Samuel Kofi Woods was cautioning members of the Student Unification Party (SUP) of the University of Liberia (UL) on the celebration of the Party’s 46th anniversary in Monrovia recently. The former Labor and Public Works Minister said such “political hustlers” have one agenda, which is “to obtain political power to determine what to do after they win.”“These days, we have regime collaborators, folks posturing to get a place, who have no history of struggle, no history of accompanying our people in their life long journey of securing and protecting the liberties we enjoy today and those we want to enjoy tomorrow,” Atty. Woods said.Pointing out that such people have no agenda, he warned Liberians to be mindful of the adage that a country “whose leader has no vision, the people will perish.”Speaking on the topic “What kind of leadership do we need for Liberia?” Woods made reference to the Liberian Constitution that forbids the formation of political parties on tribal, ethnic and religious grounds, and encouraged Liberians to reject any political party that sows seeds that are unconstitutional.Woods called on Liberians to reject those who attempt to promote tribal bigotry and perpetuate a culture of factions using ethnicity and tribalism to replace armed faction as a way of re-negotiating and re-distributing political power. “Since we rejected Americo-liberianism or Congoism, then we must equally reject Bassaism, Kpelleism, Nimbaism, Kruism, etc. There should be no time for Bassa people, no time for Kpelle people, no time for Nimba people or any people. “It is only time for Liberian people. The people of Liberia, specifically the poor majority, must be first, center and last in all our work, our struggle and the choices we make,” he stated.Woods, a Human Rights lawyer, former standard bearer of SUP and president of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU, 1986-1987) said, “We must seek the best leadership for Liberia based on proven track record of integrity, service, and competence.” He urged Liberians to reject those who pander to international legitimacy rather than the domestic ideals of our people, and all Johnny-come-lately who never experienced the sufferings of the people, never identified with them, never cared. They benefited from the comfort of external indulgence and returned to Liberia only to use government and private coffers to become great visionaries and humanitarians, Woods protested.Though he did not mention names, he said such people, who are now declaring their interests in running for power, did nothing when their country, Liberia, was burning and therefore such people “have no history, no record of good to our country. You (political hustlers) are not different from those who abused and exploited us and gave us peanuts after eating the wealth of our country,” he criticized.In a passionate declaration, Woods thundered amid cheers, “We Liberians are not fools. We must reject them! We must also reject those who think that the business of government is for novices and laboratory students.”Woods, who declared that he was proud to be a militant of the Student Unification Party, said Liberia needs leadership that can address the endemic culture of impunity with consequences for such illegal actions, adding: “those actions impinge on the ability of our people to construct a viable and sustainable future in dignity. They must be grounded in the law without discrimination and manipulation.” He called for the strengthening of integrity institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the General Auditing Commission, among others.The former student leader ushered in the new ULSU after years under a ban on student democratic activities by the military dictatorship of the late Samuel Kanyon Doe. Woods and many others, including the late Wuo Gabie Tappia and Momolu Lavela, fought to reactivate and re-organize the party.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Forensic Lab…AG recommends legal action be taken for non-delivery of items By Jarryl BryanThe Public Security Ministry has been flagged by Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma in his 2016 report for not being in compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA) and the Procurement Act 2003.Auditor General Deodat SharmaAccording to the AG in his report, the Ministry went back on its own agreement when procuring goods and paid an unnamed overseas contractor, who was supplying the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, for goods it did not receive.Detailing the transaction, it was noted that for 2016, amounts totalling $999.7 million was spent to procure goods and services. This includes a sum of $145.6 million which went towards purchasing drugs, medical supplies and field material. There was also a $21.9 million agreement with the overseas supplier for forensic laboratory materials for the Laboratory, located at Turkeyen.Zeroing in on the agreement, the Auditor General noted that it mandated 50 per cent of the advance payment be paid within seven days of the contract being signed, after the supplier provides a bond for the advance from a recognised financial institution.The other half was supposed to be paid when the items were delivered, inspected and certified by the relevant agency. A penalty clause also ensured that fees at a rate of 0.03 per week to a maximum of 10 per cent of the contract sum would be charged for late execution of the order.But on June 27, 2017, the overseas supplier was paid $9.9 million when it delivered forensic laboratory materials worth just $3.1 million. The Auditor General noted that materials valued at $6.7 million were not delivered, at odds with the agreement the Ministry signed.“In addition, the remaining three cheques in the sum of $11.9 million were still on hand at the Ministry. It should be noted that two of these cheques totalling $10.9 million have since become stale dated while the other cheque in the sum of $994,457 was updated. This is in breach of the FMA Act and the Procurement Act 2003,” the Audit Office observed.In its response to the audit findings, the head of the budget agency indicated that efforts would be made to contact the supplier in hopes of having the items delivered.However, the Auditor General recommended that legal action be taken by the head of the budget agency for the items. It was also recommended that the cheques be updated and refunded to the Consolidated Fund.The law is very clear about the procedure for unspent monies in Government departments, once the monies came from the Consolidated Fund. Section 43 of the FMA Act states: “Except as otherwise provided in this Act or in any other law, at the end of each fiscal year, any unexpended balance of public monies issued out of the Consolidated Fund shall be returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund.”It is not the first time the Public Security Ministry has been flagged by the Audit Office for paying monies for goods not received. Earlier this year, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daniella Mc Calmon was grilled by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over questionable transactions dating back to 2014.It was found that an American company, Tactical Supplier Inc, was sole sourced by the then Home Affairs Ministry to provide an Industrial Washer and Dryer. Despite payment being made for the items, they were not delivered.Government has, some time ago, pronounced that the Forensic Laboratory would be fully functional by next year, once it has the requisite staff and equipment. In several high-profile cases, samples from murder victims have had to be sent overseas by the Police for DNA testing.According to previous pronouncements by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, the Lab is currently equipped to conduct testing including on currencies, forged documents and ballistics.Under the second component of the Public Security Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), there are provisions for improving the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness towards preventing and conducting crime investigations.This component is being funded at the cost of US$5.5 million through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Apart from the procurement of equipment for the laboratory, the CSSP will facilitate local and overseas training, and training materials for laboratory staff and the Police Force in terms of crime investigation and evidence collection.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John Huskies were on the road last night, Friday, January 10, as they took on the Sexsmith Vipers.To start off the game, at 7:17 remaining in the first period, Gary Loewen would score a goal on the Vipers, with assists by Jared Loewen and Connor Kindrat, making the score 1-0.Then in the second period, the Huskies were on a roll as they would score four goals on Sexsmith, two of which were on a power play.- Advertisement -As the Huskies headed into the third period, the score was 5-0 over the Vipers.The Pups would go on to score five more goals on the Vipers throughout the third, eventually shutting out Sexsmith with a final score of 10-0.Up next, the Huskies are home tonight, Saturday, as they host the North Peace Navigators for a special Salute to Seniors fundraiser game. puck drop is 8:00 p.m. at the North Peace Arena.Advertisement
[asset|aid=418|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=1291ea0763c390dabfc32c737f2b1b96-Gidney 1_1_Pub.mp3] All four candidates face off for their final debate tonight in McBride. Liberal and Conservative candidates for the Prince George-Peace River riding both say their parties have set aside funding to deal with job losses in the forestry sector. In regards to yesterday’s announcement that the Takama Mill in Fort Nelson would close at the end of October, Conservative Jay Hill called the news “devastating” for a community that worked so hard to keep their mill open. Hill said his government’s contributions to a trust fund for each province would help laid-off workers find other options. [asset|aid=417|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=1291ea0763c390dabfc32c737f2b1b96-Hill 1_1_Pub.mp3] – Advertisement – In contrast, Liberal Candidate Lindsay Gidney says westerners are tired of seeing aid packages always being doled out eastward, and his party would take a lead role in immediate action to specifically help the ailing forestry sector here.Advertisement
Game Notes…Huskies goalie Travis McLean earned his first NWJHL victory playing a solid game. It looks like the pups have two goalies they can rely on…..After being held scoreless against Peace River the Huskies first line looks like it is beginning to find some chemistry….they were on the ice for four of the pups six goals combining for eight points. The Fort St. John Huskies ended their losing streak at three games by defeating the Grande Prairie Wheelers 6-3.Things did not look good for the pups heading into this game. They were facing a notoriously tough Grande Prairie squad and were reeling after losing three very lopsided games against similar caliber clubs. The Huskies managed to perservere and played their most complete game of the season to outplay the Wheelers from the opening faceoff. One has to wonder if it was a question of chemistry because the team looked to really come together for the first time this season.It was Huskies captain Aaron Dendys who got things started. Dendys scored the first goal of the game by brilliantly tipping in a point shot by Jordan Walters to give the pups the early lead just 2:05 into the first. The Wheelers answered quickly, scoring just over two minutes later when Kyle Weegar beat goalie Travis McLean to pull things even 1-1. Chris Sperling was able to restore the Huskies’ lead with just 38 seconds remaining in the first. He made a nifty move to fool a Wheelers defenceman and then fired a wrist shot into the net to restore the Huskies lead 2-1 heading into the second.- Advertisement -It was the second period that provided most of the action. Jaxon Glass scored on a beautiful passing play, taking a feed from Robbie Sidhu to put the Huskies ahead 3-1. Jordan Walters fired a blistering shot from the point under a minute later to put the pups up by three. The Wheelers scored very quickly on a goal by Hector Lamouche, but the Huskies came roaring back. Robbie Sidhu made the Grande Prairie defence look ridiculous with his stickhandling skills just missing a goal, but thankfully Cody Hilldebrand was on the doorstep to knock the puck in and make sure Sidhu’s effort did not go to waste.Sidhu, who was owed a goal after that fantastic piece of stickhandling, managed to tally just two minutes later making the score 6-2. The Wheelers managed to add another goal to make the game 6-3, but that was as close as they would come as the Huskies managed to clamp down defensively.The Huskies are off next weekend for a much deserved rest, but will be back at it October 29th on the road against Sexsmith. Tune into 100.1 Moose FM or Energeticcity.ca with Huskies play-by-play man Mike Feeney to hear all the action!Advertisement
U.S. and Los Angeles County figures for 2006 were unavailable. But Tina Pasco, executive director of the Los Angeles County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said law enforcement in Los Angeles and elsewhere has stepped up efforts to reduce drunk driving in recent years. Statewide, the CHP reported arresting 93,690 motorists for DUI, 4 percent more than the previous year. Officials cited 1.17 million drivers for speeding, up 6.6 percent. Brown said law enforcement and traffic safety officials have stepped up efforts to enforce drunk-driving laws while also increasing public awareness about seat-belt use. Officials said it was unclear whether the one-year drop in fatalities may indicate a broader trend. SACRAMENTO – California traffic fatalities dropped last year by the biggest margin in more than a decade amid increased public awareness about safe driving practices, officials said Tuesday. Last year, 3,907 people were killed in traffic crashes and collisions statewide, down about 9 percent from the previous year, according to the California Highway Patrol. “That’s still too many, but the fact of the matter is it’s a large reduction,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. “A 9.2 percent reduction in fatalities means hundreds of people got to go home and see their families and friends rather than make a visit to a hospital or morgue.” Christopher Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety, said state officials will make additional efforts this year to target illegal street racers and repeat drunk drivers, and to educate high school students about safe driving. “While significant progress was made in 2006, there is still much work to be done,” Murphy said. “One needless death is one too many.” Nationally, the rate of traffic fatalities has decreased over the last decade. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the national traffic fatality rate in 2005 was 1.47 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.73 fatalities per 100 million miles in 1995. In 2005, there were 43,443 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, up less than 1 percent from the previous year. Pasco said later this month, MADD will honor 281 officers from throughout Los Angeles County who removed 22,784 impaired drivers from the roads. “Whenever you see law enforcement focusing on a particular area, whatever that crime is, it’s driven down,” Pasco said. “In this particular case, in California and certainly within CHP, you have DUI enforcement that has stepped up. And when that happens, we see lives saved.” harrison.sheppard @dailynews.com (916) 446-6723 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The RCMP received a report of a stolen blue 2017 Ford F350 on March 31, 2019, at approximately 2:15 pm, from the parking lot of the North Peace Leisure Pool.Video surveillance shows the vehicle was taken the same day at approximately 1:30 pm.Two males are suspected to be involved.- Advertisement -The truck is described a:2017 Ford F350 Super Duty LariatBlue in colourwith a red tidy tank in the box of the truckThe suspects are described as:Suspect 1:Advertisement 
Caucasian male,short black hair,wearing a white and blue striped t-shirt,shorts andblack shoesSuspect 2:
Malewearing a white t-shirt,pantsbaseball hat,riding a bicycleThe Fort St John RCMP continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident or can assist in identifying these suspects, please contact the Fort St John RCMP at 250-787-8100.Should you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppersnebc.ca
CALGARY, A.B. – TransCanada Corp. topped expectations as it reported a profit of $1.00 billion in its latest quarter, up from $734 million a year ago, as its revenue edged higher.The pipeline company says the profit amounted to $1.09 per share for the quarter ended March 31. That compared with a profit of 83 cents per share in the same quarter last year.Revenue for what was the company’s first quarter totalled $3.49 billion, compared with $3.42 billion in the first quarter of 2018.- Advertisement -On a comparable basis, TransCanada says it earned $987 million or $1.07 per share for the quarter, up from $864 million or 98 cents per share a year ago.Chief executive Russ Girling says the increase was due to the strong performance of the company’s legacy assets, along with roughly $5.3 billion of growth projects that were placed into service in the quarter.Analysts on average had expected a profit of 99 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon.Advertisement
THE woman who witnessed her partner being brutally murdered in Buncrana has paid a special tribute to him and insisted: “They killed him for nothing.”Arelene Farrelly described trying to save Andy Allen, 24, when he was shot to death by vigilantes. In a message to Mr Allen, whose funeral was on Monday, Ms Farrelly wrote: “Your’e my bestfriend, I loved you so much and always will, how will I ever wake up and sleep without hearing you say how much you love me, words can’t describe the much happiness you brought into my life and the memories we will always have will always be in my heart, love you Andy so much ! And heres ur thousand kisses that u always sent me.”The message on Facebook is accompanied by pictures of the stars.Ms Farrelly told friends on the sute how she tried to save his life after the shooting.“I have never seen so much blood in all my life,” she said. “I tried to give him CPR but it didn’t work. It was like slow motion.” Ms. Farrelly said Mr. Allen – a father of two – had done nothing wrong. “They killed him for nothing,” she said. BUNCRANA MURDER: GIRLFRIEND SAYS ‘THEY KILLED HIM FOR NOTHING’ was last modified: February 14th, 2012 by BrendaShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:andy allenbuncrana murdergirlfriend
Donegal are behind against the Ulster select by 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time in the Match for Michaela at Casement park in Belfast.Martin Penrose got the goal for Ulster but he admitted at half-time that he was going for a point but managed the goal. However Penrose expects Donegal to go for Ulster in the second half.“Donegal won’t want to loe and we certainly don’t either,” he said.An attendance of 18,622 have paid to see the game and raise funds for the Michaela Foundation.Many of Donegal’s regulars including Michael Murphy, Karl Lacey and Colm McFadden have not started the game. DONEGAL BEHIND AT HALF-TIME IN MATCH FOR MICHAELA was last modified: November 3rd, 2012 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:donegalMATCH FOR MICHAELATG4Ulster