Jeremiah Koung

JOSEPH BOAKAI

WRITTEN BY DR.SDWSR

The Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), as the principal importer of petroleum products in Liberia, can set petroleum prices by leveraging a structured pricing methodology similar to those used in other jurisdictions. Here’s how LPRC can approach this:

1. Components of Petroleum Pricing

LPRC can establish a pricing structure that includes the following components:

• Base Import Price: The cost of importing refined petroleum products, including freight and insurance.

• Wholesale and Retail Margins: Fixed margins for wholesalers and retailers to ensure profitability.

• Taxes and Levies: Incorporate government taxes such as excise duties, fuel taxes, and value-added tax (VAT) where applicable.

• Operational Costs: Include storage, distribution, and administrative costs incurred by LPRC.

• Adjustments for Market Factors: Apply adjustments for currency fluctuations, global oil price changes, and local market conditions

WRITTEN BY DR.SDWSR

James C. Dennis, Sr., a pioneering figure in Liberian journalism and founding member of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), passed away on January 13, 2025, in Monrovia23. Dennis, who was the third president of the PUL, was widely regarded as one of the oldest Liberian journalists3.

As a founding member of the Press Union of Liberia in 1964, Dennis played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of journalism in the country. His contributions to the field spanned several decades, earning him recognition as a media giant in Liberia.

Dennis's death has been noted by various sources, including the Liberian Observer Online and the Historical Preservation Society of Liberia. His passing marks the end of an era in Liberian journalism, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by many in the media industry and beyond.

The news of his death has resonated within the Liberian community, with tributes pouring in from various quarters. Robert O. Davis, a notable figure on social media, shared the news of Dennis's passing, further highlighting the impact of this loss on Liberian society

Liberia: Senator Joseph Raises Alarm Over US$2M Fire Equipment Amid Growing Fire Disasters

Senator Saah Joseph has raised concerns about the Liberian government's failure to provide $2 million worth of firefighting equipment that was approved in previous budgets. This comes amid growing fire disasters in the country, including a recent major fire at the Capitol Building.

1. The senator has called for the government to procure and assign fire trucks to each of the 73 electoral districts across Liberia5.

2. The $2 million for fire equipment was approved in the 2023 and 2024 budgets but has not been implemented7.

3. This call for action comes after a significant fire at the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, which caused extensive damage to the House of Representatives and other offices1.

4. The lack of adequate firefighting equipment was evident during the Capitol Building fire, as the National Fire Service faced challenges with limited resources1.

5. President Joseph Boakai has called for a swift investigation into the Capitol Building fire, vowing that those responsible will be held accountable3.

Senator Joseph's alarm highlights the urgent need for improved fire safety measures and equipment in Liberia, especially given the recent fire disasters and the challenges faced in responding to them.

Mana Sambola, a 41-year-old Liberian national, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for the illegal possession of firearms. The sentencing took place on January 8, 2025, following a contested hearing before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci in Albany, New York. Sambola's conviction stems from a search warrant executed at his apartment on May 22, 2023, where authorities discovered a Glock 43 pistol and an Anderson Manufacturing AM15 rifle, both of which he was prohibited from possessing due to prior felony convictions related to narcotics and firearms16.

During the hearing, it was determined that Sambola had acquired the Glock in connection with multiple offenses, including straw purchasing a firearm and making false statements to a firearms dealer. Additionally, he was found to have distributed controlled substances. Alongside his prison sentence, Judge Nardacci imposed a three-year term of supervised release following his incarceration1. The investigation involved several agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

WRITTEN BY 

Miners have illegally intruded on the Salayea Authorized Community Forest in Lofa County, Liberia, causing significant damage despite operating with expired licenses. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting community forests from unauthorized mining activities.

Key points:

1. Miners entered the 8,270-hectare Salayea Authorized Community Forest without community consent, violating the Community Rights Law1.

2. The miners, led by Ford Roy Tabolo, were found to have expired small-scale mining licenses. A review of Ministry of Mines records showed that Tabolo's four licenses expired in August 2024 and have not been renewed.

3. Environmental damage includes:

   • Felled trees

   • Polluted waterways

   • Use of 13 banned dredges on a tributary of the St. Paul River

4. 
   

5. Legal actions taken:

   • Salayea filed a lawsuit against Tabolo and two others for mining without a license, smuggling minerals, and criminal trespass.

   • The local court dismissed the case, stating it needed resolution from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Forestry Development Authority1.

6. 
   

7. This case is the fourth involving mining in a community forest in Liberia in the last five years, indicating a recurring issue1.

The situation in Salayea underscores the importance of proper licensing and oversight in mining operations, especially in protected forest areas. It also highlights the need for stronger enforcement of community forest rights and environmental protections in Liberia.

Liberia: 18-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Death of Liberian Man Found in Car in U.S.

Written by Dr.SDWSr.

An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Emmanuel Kwame Gbedee, a 57-year-old Liberian national, who was found dead in the backseat of a car in Johnston County, North Carolina.

1. The victim, Emmanuel Kwame Gbedee, was discovered on January 15, 2025.

2. Gbedee's body was found with an apparent gunshot wound in the backseat of a vehicle3.

3. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene after receiving reports of a suspicious vehicle3.

4. The arrest of the 18-year-old suspect was made on Wednesday, January 16, 2025.

5. The incident occurred in Benson, North Carolina.

The case is still under investigation, and authorities have not released further details about the suspect or potential motives for the crime. This tragic event has garnered attention within the Liberian community in the United States

LIBERIA IS FACING CEMENT SHORTAGE AND PETROLEUM

Written By Dr.SDWSR