Was The Liberian PRS Mission to America Successful? A Rejoinder


Introduction


When words of the Liberian civil war broke out in December, 1989, few Liberians paid attention to what will later come to ruin their lives forever. Liberians are curiously a self-satisfied people. When news went around that a delegation from the Liberian government was coming to American cities where Liberians reside, out of curiosity, few made it their duty to go and see what the delegation had to offer them.


What Attracted People to the PRS Town Hall Meeting


Most Liberians were concerned with postwar reconstruction efforts back home in Liberia. Many have promised, ‘that if all goes well’ they will return home soon. Others wanted to hear what Madam Sirleaf has done so far in her five years of presidency. To their disappointment, they were presented with a set of new promises that her Excellency, Madam Sirleaf is intending to carry out in the next several months leading to the 2011 elections.


Liberians in the United States also wanted a clear answer to the growing menace of widespread corruption in government. However, the delegation was not here to discuss corruption. They came over to present their government’s signature program, the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). Those who attended the meetings came out grumbling, that the subject of corruption was given a cold shoulder. All throughout their presentations, the delegation never discussed the effects of corruption on good governance. Neither did they mention that in a country like Liberia where the have-nots outnumber the haves, the continuation of widespread corruption could lead to public unrest.


The Issue of Corruption


There are many reasons why Liberians will not easily put the issue of corruption away. Back in 2005, Madam Sirleaf ran on a platform of ending corruption, end government financial mismanagement. According to her, she will make corruption, ‘public enemy number one’. A lot of Liberians are quite passionate about this issue. To say the least, a growing number of Liberians are disappointed with Madam Sirleaf’s inability to deliver on this key campaign promise.


Under Madam Sirleaf, Liberia is seeing an emerging, but frightening trend of politicking. For instance, few weeks ago, I was the subject of a smear campaign by a government official who was primarily groomed to put me down on a global social network. His only task was to present me as someone who was not credible enough to criticize our current national government. He called me “a big joke”, and one who was fired for underperformance. Not once did he disprove my claim that nothing significant has so far been achieved on the program he claims to supervise, the PRS. That was not his mission. But as cold, and as childish that minister may have appeared, this is one of many unwholesome tactics used by the Sirleaf Administration against her critics, today. I received many calls of concerns on the issue. Most people would have quietly backed off by such a smudge campaign.


But there is a saying that greatness is at the edge of destruction. No one favors the destruction of their integrity, let alone allow their life to be dragged to the edge of a destructive cliff. Why should the minister’s claims deter my noble mission against his administration? There is nothing to be ashamed of. My records of performance are there. With my own resources, I accomplished a lot for the county, and the Superintendent of Grand Cape Mount will tell you just that. I am a natural leader wherever I work. This is not to blow my own horn. I have a twenty year military experience under my belt. I have worked in many corporate establishments here in the States. I am an academic, an adjunct instructor. I am a seasoned research assistant. I am a trained administrator. There is nothing so difficult that I can’t handle. Unlike this minister, I have never made a bogus claim that a degree was conferred on me, but was not found on the school’s list of specializations. Neither did I claim that I am on a sabbatical for an MSIT in Policy Management that is not offered as a program at Carnegie. My credentials are genuine. My resume is authentic.


I am also not a quitter. I brave the storm when the going gets tough. I imagine how many pieces of advice the Rev. Martin Luther King got form his closed friends, and including his wife, Coretta Scott-King for defying the once feared White establishment? Martin, leave this thing alone, they may have pled. Dr. King took on what was mostly the segregated South, asking for equal rights for ALL. Sometimes, these priceless requests are just too difficult to fulfill. In Liberia, the demand for freedom took the lives of 250,000 Liberians. Those who are inspired by their own fate to defend a noble cause must be willing to compromise their personalities, and sometimes, even their own lives. In Liberia, many Liberian human rights and media organizations that are advocating for the end of corruption are dragged to court by syndicate and pariah organizations. There are Concerned Citizen pressure groups that speak up against those who campaign to end corruption.


Every time an anti-government demonstration is staged in Liberia, asking for some reforms, there is a subsequent pro-Ellen demonstration that will run into it, showing banners that suggested the government of Madam Sirleaf is great. Times are hard. Everyone is willing to do anything to put food on the table. News papers and media organizations share their burden of the syndicated ploy. For instance, Front Page Africa has several frivolous law suits hanging over its head for ‘unsubstantiated publications’. President Sirleaf too has taken one or two newspapers to court for libel. I honestly believe that, under the constitution, she is guaranteed her individual rights to take people to court. Equally so, people have a civic responsibility to report with facts. However it boils down to the seriousness of this matter, that a president, who should be leading the way to wipe out corruption in Liberia, is leading the efforts to discourage those who are helping to put an end to corruption.


Words of Caution


In the 2011 presidential elections, one needs to watch out for these shadowy tactics. Madam Sirleaf is a decorated politician who gets what she wants. And this is why the UP wants her contest the 2011 elections at age 76. There is nothing wrong with that. However, she should play it by the rules. We are beginning to see this unethical political trend slowly creeping into our Liberian communities here in the United States. Let me draw your attention to two events. Recently, one of Madam Sirleaf’s former noted critics, returned from Liberia, only to become her chief spokesperson. This is a great thing. We should be striving to win the hearts of those who despise. On the contrary, those converted disciples should not lead the way in spreading falsehoods. Our consciences should be our guides. We owe our unfortunate fellow Liberians upon whose lives and bloods, we thrive to become presidents, senators, representatives, cabinet ministers, syndicate columnists and writers today, a fair share of honesty. Our departed mothers, fathers, children, and kindred need to feel the effects of the PRS and other flagship programs, in their places of rest. No one needs to measure the success of a national development program like the PRS, by the eloquence of a PowerPoint presenter. Most of our people died in the Liberian civil war, responding to the eloquent voices of Mr. Taylor or Madam Sirleaf’s call to level the executive mansion of Liberia.


Grading of the PRS Town Hall Meeting


It is quite unfortunate that those who graded the recent PRS presentation did so in the absence of a performance matrix based on variables. I wonder why the success of a key national outcome, should be based on how well spoken, or how tall and handsome the presenter was. Liberia is a country that is gifted with many eloquent speakers. As I mentioned earlier, Charles Taylor is a very eloquent speaker, and so is Madam Sirleaf. Even Edmond Gray, is eloquent. But the PRS is not about eloquence. It is a performance driven program. It is a program that was started in July of 2008 and scheduled to end in June of 2011. Any success of this program must be graded on what has been accomplished so far.


In Grand Cape Mount where I worked on this PRS program, let me give you a heads up on some of my individual accomplishments. Please be informed that, the car I used for work, the gas, the numerous calling cards, where I resided, the internet service to dispatch reports, all came from my savings. Sometimes, I asked fellow NGO workmates for stationery, just to get by. On the ten or months that I stayed in the county, the Ministry of Planning stopped by twice. The first was to introduce me to the county, and the other was for a workshop held on manpower capacity building. There were few calls placed asking for reports. They will only call when asked by the IMF to provide a report.


Term of Reference of the CDO


As a County Development Officer, I oversee the day to day operations of the CDSC and Working Committees. Lend support to County Administration (CDSC and WCs) in reporting on the implementation progress of PRS/CDA deliverables utilizing approved LRDC reporting templates. Support County Administration to ensure appropriate linkages between WCs and the Planning and County Statistics Units in terms of monitoring and tracking PRS/CDA Deliverables and providing timely reporting against indicators within LRDC Deliverables Tracking Matrices. Support County Administration to ensure regular monitoring and support to implementation of all projects in the 3-year PRS project cycle through establishing and managing a database that contains all development projects committed and under implementation within the County (specifying delivery date, implementing partner, type of project and sector, and the location of project implementation District, Clan and village level), among others. And with this term of reference, I developed the following work annual plan:


Recommendations


1. It is recommended that LNP conduct community policing among boat owners and their occupants on the need to be law abiding.




2.RPAL should be admonished to comply with security advice given by the Guthrie Coordination Committee and that the matter should be properly handled to avoid a spillover effect.


3.The LNP and Joint Security Task Force of Tewor District especially Tieni should be rotated quarterly to avoid compliancy. However, one common practice among security units in these areas bordering our international friends is the unusually high level of connivance with smugglers in the transporting of contrabands into the Liberian side of the border. This should be investigated and those found guilty as alleged should be meted out with disciplinary measures as this is the escape of smuggling suspects is commonplace.


4.With increase in population in Congo, LNP Commander should increase strength in Porkpa District and ensure deployment of LNP in Congo to record and report crimes.




5. UNDP Arms for Development should consider the launching of a final arms for development program in the County especially so being a border county.




6. UNDP Small Arms Unit should take into consideration that most of the ex-combatants, returnees, and refugees from Guinea and Sierra Leone commissioned as private individuals in Porkpa and Gola Konneh District are still struggling with accommodation outside their areas. Therefore service providers should be encouraged to reach them or appropriate reintegration programs must be designed for them.


7.It is strongly recommended for NGOs to extend their services to Congo Mano River and beyond. Donors should reconsider the construction of the Konjah Bridge in Congo which cuts off the people in Sokpo Clan during the rainy season. This is evident now that this region continues to see heavy down pour of rains.


8.USAID under IBIS and SSF did a fantastic job in upgrading the Madina/Robertspot principle Highway. Nonetheless, it was only done as an all season road. Donors or GOL should consider paving it since this road leads to a future Tourism site.




9. Cape Mount is a relatively very peaceful county with no serious inter ethnic or tribal tensions. However, there exist latent land disputes that erupts abruptly especially during farming periods. The establishment of Peace and Reconciliation Committees has help tremendously to amicably settle such disputes. However, more needs to be done resolve some of these land dispute issues to avoid spillover.




10.The lack of knowledge on acquiring land remains a concern. The land commissioner should be facilitated to create awareness by sensitizing the people on how to acquire land. The County Superintendent was highly influential in acquiring community lands for use by Line Ministries.


11.GOL should fast track the formation of the Land Commission to address land disputes in the Country.


12.There is need for support to effectively train a County Peace and Reconciliation Taskforce in conflict resolution and management and to extend the reactivation of the clan elder’s councils. Such a committee could handle future disputes among county officials.


13.CDO and other stakeholders should continue to endeavor to convince both Superintendent and members of the legislative caucus to hold a monthly information sharing meeting to address differences and form consensus on development programs of mutual interest.


14.GOL and partners should also consider holding a national workshop to clearly show the roles, scope and powers of the executive and legislature in the counties and how both parties should collaborate in the effort to develop the county through the PRS/CDA. These entities must continue to smoke the peace pipe. Current friction between entities is hampering the progress of the county.




The strength of immigration officers in the county is still low and lacks the necessary logistics (radios, uniforms, stationeries, motor bikes or vehicles etc) to execute such challenging task. It is recommended that


15. The strength of immigration personnel should be increased to 83 to ensure effective deployment throughout the border especially to increase strength in York Island in Tewor District, Borbor and Gangama in Porkpa District and deploy officers to Congo Mano and Kawellahun, in Porkpa Districts, Keita and Varguay in Gola District.




16.A new County structure to house BIN, Customs and other offices and accommodation is near completion but needs to be furnished.


17.National Bureau of Investigation HQ should deploy additional personnel to ensure adequate coverage of the entire county and provide communication gadgets, mobility and office space in Robertsport.


18.County Attorney should ensure the restructuring of the Districts Joint Security Task Forces need to adopt the standing operational procedures developed by the CDO.




B) On the issue of Governance and Rule of Law, The appointment of qualified county officials by MIA is a positive stride towards enhancing the County Administration to take over full responsibilities in service delivery to the local population. The Line Ministry officials have cautioned the County Officials that the utilization of the funds should not be centralized to one ministry but should be diversified to include the funding of projects from other line ministries.


1. The Line Ministries also noted the need for regular cabinet meetings to be initiated by the Superintendent outside of the CDSC.


2. The structure housing the labor office is completely renovated but. It is recommended for the Ministry of Labor HQ capacitates the staff and office. The single motor bike used by the commissioner or head in Cape Mount should be replaced with a 4x4 jeep and other logistics.


3. Challenges in terms of coordination persist but with the strengthening of the pillars this has significantly improved through the intervention of the CDO, M&E Structure, and LISGIS. However, the need for the construction of a ministerial building to house all line ministries cannot be over-emphasized.


4. Also, the separation of the circuit Court from the administrative building is significant to give more space to county administration staff and create some level of physical separation and independence of the Judiciary.


5. Government should endeavor to design mechanism to allow government workers take their pay at the door step of their work place or introduce banking system of payment were banks exist that would enable principals to collect monies and pay same to their teachers under the supervision of the District Education Officer.


6. The issue of illegal pit-sawing has negative impact on locals as most of the trucks have contributed immensely to the destruction of the roads and bridges and the local communities benefiting nothing from the exercise. FDA should ensure that a written consensus from the local authorities has been given to a potential pit-sawyer before granting waybill to saw and collect timber from any county.


7. Government of Liberia to be lobbied to ensure the participation of local authorities in the negotiation of concession agreements.


8. Government to encourage Companies to recruit Liberians and to undertake development programs in their area of operations.


9. Even though the FDA has deployed personnel to Cape Mount, a shift to monitor illegal pit-sawing in Gola Konneh and Porkpa Districts should be a priority.


10. EPA has a low presence in Cape Mount though regionally based in Bomi County. The use of Lake Peso as public toilet is a tangible reason why the presence of the EPA must be strengthened.


11. Government should widely publicize the reform mineral policy and ensure the inclusion of local authority in the overall management of natural resources. There is unusually large presence of illicit mining activities going on within the county. Precious gems continue to fall in the hands of illicit miners. There is the need for a mining task force.


12. The increase in mining activities has resulted to increase in the population in several mining communities in Gola Konneh and Porkpa Districts resulting to an increase in crime that are not reported to the Police due to lack of transportation and limited LNP personnel presence. It is therefore recommended that the LNP beefs up the strength of its force in Gola Konneh and in Porkpa Districts respectively. This can only materialize with an increase in the overall strength of LNP assigned to the County which is only at 69 of the total number of 161 targeted by the PRS.


13. MPEA should ensure that the implementing NGO LADI is held accountable for the completion of the Police Station project which has been halted due to the county’s inability to provide land in time for the continue of police project.


14. LNP Monrovia HQ must continue the path of increasing the number of officers to Cape Mount to fast track the deployment of LNP to mining areas, border areas and expand the deployment of the Women and Children Protection Section Officers.


15. LNP HQ to institute disciplinary measures for those officers found guilty of deserting their post to serve as deterrent.


16. The need to rehabilitate structures and or construct a structure for use as office space and deployment of LNP officers to Congo Mano River should be seriously considered to restore the rule of law. So far, all magisterial courts are held under stringent atmosphere. Only one court house is partially constructed in Tieni.


17. The Porkpa District Magistrate should be encouraged to deploy to Bambalah as community has agreed to provide a house for on rental basis and the Town hall to be used for court sitting free of charge.


- The construction of magisterial courts in Madina, Bamballa, Tieni and Lofa Bridge should be prioritized.


- Proactive stipendiary magistrates should be recruited.


- GOL and partners should provide funds for the renovation of the prisons facility in Robertsport. Land has been provided for the construction of a new state of the art prison facilities in the Torso upper Tombey community outside of Robertspot


- Civil Affairs and County Attorney to continue to follow up and ensure deployment of LNP and Magistrate to Bambalah.


18. The Human Rights Officer and the County Health Officer should continue their efforts to ensure that justice is dispensed. UN Human Rights Commission and the MOGD must continue their current pace in protecting the rights of detainees, women and children.


C) On Economic Revitalization, Government and donors should continue to support public works to carry out construction or rehabilitation of roads and bridges and encouraging investors to expand their mining activities and ensure recruitment of Liberians.


D) GOL and Donors should establish appropriate skills training centers and encourage youth to be educated to be able to compete for jobs. The efforts of NRC, ODAFARA, and Youth Ambassadors should be ongoing.


E) Encourage youth in agriculture to see the sector as a business.


F) Encourage expansion of Agriculture such as supporting expansion of tree crops or cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, cocoa and coffee farms to provide temporal jobs.


G) Ministry of Labor in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency should be encouraged to develop a bio database of all unemployed Liberians in the County.


H) Lack of office space and inadequate staff are key challenges to enhance the capacity of the field staff. The County Superintendent should continue the path of land advocacy with local communities for construction of office facilities as a matter of urgent priority to enable the construction of the sector facilities. The issue of Agriculture is huge for the growth of any population and community. This increase in agricultural activities in year under review is evident that progress is being made. However, the late arrival of seeds and tools are factors that should be addressed. The engagement of youth in meaningful agricultural activities must be encouraged.


I) FAO and Ministry of Agriculture to focus on Youth and Women Groups engagement in developing seed multiplication sites at clan and district levels.


J) FAO and MOA to engage women groups in community gardening.


K) GOL and partners should encourage the construction of post harvest facilities such as stores and drying floors.


L) GOL / MOA to introduce mechanized agriculture.


M) FAO to consider providing vegetable seeds for the implementation of the women groups agricultural projects and support youth in Agriculture initiatives.


N) FAO to consider providing inputs to local fishermen such as fishing nets and out board machines to enable Liberians compete with other nationalities in the fishing industry.


O) MOA / FAO should ensure that only farmers who met with their obligations should be supported in the coming season.


P) On the issue of Revenue generation, government continues to lose out on important revenue maters. To stop this, Ministry of Finance should increase the number of Collectors, and ensure provision of mobility, rehabilitation of County Revenue Office and office logistics. Senior Collector to convene a Revenue Collection Task Force meeting to undertake an assessment to determine the various taxes applicable in the County and create a tax payer database. Future appointed Development Superintendent should call a meeting of all stakeholders to ensure that all fishermen collaborate with Customs Officials in the execution of their duties.