PBA: Even with Yeng Guiao thrown out, NLEX still overpowers Alaska
Rogue cops marked as Gamboa’s targets in his appointment as PNP chief Quiñahan finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to help NLEX win its third game in eight tries.Bong Galanza also scored 14 while Poy Erram just missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.Jeron Teng led the Aces (3-4) with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Alaska played without key players Vic Manuel, Kevin Racal and JVee Casio due to injuries. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netNLEX went on a pivotal run in the second quarter en route to a dominating 91-70 win over Alaska in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.JR Quiñahan nailed back-to-back triples during a key 14-5 surge by the Road Warriors, who went on cruise control in the second half.ADVERTISEMENT Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LATEST STORIES Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Ironically, NLEX’s run happened right after its head coach Yeng Guiao got tossed at the 5:19 mark of the second quarter.“For some reason, we always play Alaska well,” said NLEX deputy Jojo Lastimosa, who called the shots after Guiao’s ejection. “If you noticed, the last couple of years with coach Yeng, I think Alaska has only won once over us.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSPORTSCoronation night?SPORTSThirdy Ravena gets offers from Asia, Australian ball clubs“We have a great record against them and we were confident heading into this game that we’re going to win against them,” added Lastimosa, whose squad led by as much as 28.It showed with NLEX keeping its foot on the gas pedal from the opening tip up to the final buzzer. Eugenie Bouchard’s bid for Australian Open spot ends in qualifying Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history MOST READ After woeful start, Magnolia Hotshots ‘peaking at the right time’ View comments
The shortage of quality ICT skills has been a recurrent theme in Liberia. Highly specialized skills required to automate processes are currently lacking and impossible to recruit anywhere in the country. This issue has several dimensions: a nation that is losing the war on illiteracy due to a failed educational system; a totally emasculated national labor market; other bearings of years of a 14-year civil unrest; and our unwillingness to embrace ICT as a significant driver of economic development and growth. And this shortage put to you, is strongly in software design, programming, project management and software business consulting. The following paragraphs is a discussion the lack of ICT skills in Liberia.We have reached a stage when new breeds of ICTs continue to emerge. Advancements in computing paradigms: social computing, big data, business analytics, unified communications, mobile computing, cloud computing, and all other technologies require resetting the design and architecture of applications and user interfaces. The only response to these changes is the strengthening of human capacity across what we now have as an ICT sector, enhancing the skills and competencies of existing and potential members. Such an initiative will foster innovation, growth and enhance the capacity of companies and individuals to compete on a level playing field with the foreign competition.The ICT skills shortage in Liberia, specifically in the area of computer programming concerns me a lot because computer science and software engineering significantly impact business automation. Business automation or automation as a whole is becoming or has already become the paradigm in the global economy. Visit many of our ministries and other entities and you will find out that many of the ICT Staff have never attended any ICT training or human capacity strengthening program since they graduated school. This particularly hurts their ability to innovate and perform because in ICT, things change faster than any other area. Remember “Moore’s Law?” The worst part about this is that there are not many ICT institutions in Liberia that provide the types of high quality skills needed for Liberian ICT professionals to work in “real” datacenters or ICT environments.For example, assemble a group of ICT professionals in Monrovia; then ask them about certain technologies… say, Open Source Software or Cloud Computing. You would be astonished at the responses you would get. While this is not their fault, it presents a serious problem for the advancement of our ICT sector and our economy. Why is this a problem for our economy? Well, the viral or widespread adoption of cloud computing, mobility and other technologies have driven fundamental changes in ICT paradigms. While we continue to struggle embracing ICT integration in Liberia, other countries have leapfrogged unto newer technologies that open possibilities for the development and growth of their economies. For example, the MTN Group, of which Lonestar Cell is a member, has been a driver if not a pioneer, of innovative technologies in Africa. Last year, (April 2013), MTN began the delivery of Cloud Computing Services in Ghana and Nigeria. It launched its “bouquet” of Cloud services in those countries and subsequently proceeded to the Cote d’Ivoire in August of 2013; an extension of that “bouquet” of Cloud services. The company plans to launch Cloud services in other markets including Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa. These Cloud services being provided “enable business automation tools to enterprises across professional services, micro-finance, health and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sectors.”Anyone with a vision will agree with me that it is just a matter of time for Lonestar to begin delivering Cloud services in Liberia; a service I would have liked to see LIBTELCO provide. Yet, it requires highly skilled ICT professionals to run a Cloud Computing environment and as I said earlier, that’s something we are colossally lacking. So, what happens when Lonestar or Cellcom decides to start providing these services? Obviously, those companies will be constrained to seek the needed skills elsewhere, thus hurting our economy. How does it hurt our economy? When foreigners are brought to do jobs that Liberians should be doing, there’s capital flight… I would assume!Many ICT professionals know that cloud computing is a given. It is now the key enabler for other disruptive technologies like social and mobile computing. Though cloud computing has become mainstream, many countries are still in the early stages of adoption. Liberia is not among those countries yet. And even if we have the infrastructure now to enable adoption, there is a possibility that we will be affected by the mounting skills crisis.The problem is not that ICT professionals do not want to improve themselves. The problem is that the focus of their leaders is someplace else. For instance, in some organizations when the leader’s laptop is connected to the Internet where he or she can gain access to email, online news and Facebook, then it’s all good. Meanwhile, many of the processes in that building remain antiquated, although there’s a budget for ICT. Speaking of budget, another thing that hinders ICT infusion in Liberian organization is their willingness to spend their entire budget on “Scratch cards” and ignore other important aspects of ICT, such as training. How does this help ICT infusion?The point I am trying to make is that it is time we place focus on building human capacity for ICT to enable us enjoy the benefits it provides. And this should not only be about building large ICT schools, or adding to universities’ and colleges’ programs. It’s about ministers and directors investing in their ICT staff; high schools introducing ICT programs, businesses providing ICT scholarships, competitions and internship, and ICT professionals taking on the responsibility of educating themselves using the vast resources available on the Internet.Also, universities and colleges need to collaborate with government and businesses to determine their needs and those of the economy’s. Through surveys, interviews and other research approaches, they will be able to garner the types of information needed to design their course offerings. I see most universities and colleges in Liberia with large business and public administration programs but yet, we don’t see a large Liberian business coterie. And how many public administrators do we need for a country that has fewer than four million people? Do we need more public administrators, or do we need technologist, engineers, doctors, et al?Finally, the hardest thing about being an ICT professional is that you don’t enjoy the luxury of taking a break from learning. If you decide to take a break from learning or do not follow the trends, you are lost. Changes in technology are faster than any other area. What was a cutting-edge technology yesterday is an antique today. And that’s the same with knowledge of ICT. And this is why we must develop an environment that ensures continuous improvement and development of ICT skills.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Lofa County Senior Senator Sumo Kupee has suggested to the plenary of Senate that further discussions on the demise of Charles Gyude Bryant, former Chairman of the erstwhile National Transitional Government of Liberia, be dealt with at the level of the leadership of that august body.“We don’t need to haul this too much,” said Sen. Kupee, “because Chairman Bryant’s contribution to this country was good for all of us, and if there is a problem I do not think that we should be pulling and hauling at this time of his demise. I think we can deal with it at the level of the leadership of the Senate, [who] will subsequently inform the plenary what the decisions are.”Describing the issue as a very sensitive state matter, Pro Tempore Gbehzohngar Findley agreed with Senator Kupee that it be handled at the level of the leadership of the Senate.The decision by the Senate at its 28th day sitting Thursday was prompted by a verbal concern raised by Maryland County Senator John Ballout on the lack of discussion from the position of the Senate on the death of Chairman Bryant, who passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, at the age of 65.Senator Ballout, who hails from the same county as the late NTGL leader, said the lack of discussion from the position of the Senate concerning the death of former Chairman Bryant, as well as the bereaved family’s decision to exclude the Government of Liberia from official participation in his funeral ceremony, needs that body’s attention.“I opted to bring to the attention of the plenary the lack of discussions of the passing of a very eminent past leader, and for whatever reason or circumstances surrounding his death and the implications therein contained, it still doesn’t stop this plenary from being informed of his passing, from discussing his passing or having a representation to the family. We are talking about somebody responsible for transitioning this country from war to peace. His death has to be formally brought to the attention of the plenary, but that has not been done.”Responding to Senator Ballout’s concern, Pro Tempore Findley disclosed that neither he, nor the President of the Senate or Secretary of the Senate has received any official communication from the family of the former Transitional leader.“I think there are some issues between the family and the state, and I don’t know if those issues have been resolved. But as soon as those issues have been resolved we expect information from the Executive Mansion to the Legislature.”The late Bryant led the country’s sixth interim government, known as National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), from October 2003 to January 2006 as the consensus choice of the three major warring factions – Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), and Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia.According to the family, it was Chairman Bryant’s wish that there be No Panegyric, No Official Gazette issued, No Laying in State, No 21-Gun Salute, No Military Escort, or any State function over his remains. The families intend to carry out his wishes.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Farmers practicing the newly introduced “conservation agriculture” around the ArcelorMittal concessional areas in Nimba County, recently exhibited their first farm produce at the mini agricultural fair in Zortapa, Nimba County.About seven groups from within Zor Community participated in the exhibition, which brought together scores of community members, including chiefs, elders, youth, students, and women and among other.Farm produce displayed at the fair were mainly vegetable products including beans, corn, cassava, pepper and ground pea (peanut).Speaking on behalf of the citizens of Zor community, Paramount Chief Joseph Y. Yormie stressed that short term training was not enough to give the citizens all the knowledge required to stand alone.He said there had been many training around the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) but neither of them yields any result that could sustain the citizens and stop them from fencing around the nature reserve.He said looking at the exhibition, he thinks, the conservation agriculture will be sustainable and beneficiary to the citizens of Zor and therefore called on authorities of ArcelorMittal and its implementer—RICCE—to extend the duration of the project and also include the remaining communities within the Zor Chiefdom.RICCE is implementing for ArcelorMittal to teach the farmers living around the ENNR to shift from the old farming method to new one.In January last year, RICCE introduces a new farming method called “Conservation Agriculture” in and around the communities surrounding the ENNR.In conservation agriculture, according to RICCE, the farmer doesn’t require burning the farm after brushing, but rather go ahead with their planting their crops and also the farmer has the opportunity to continue farming on the same spot over and over with less energy.The Forest Development Authority and citizens of Zor reached an agreement in 2008 to co-manage the Northern Nimba Nature Reserve after years of hurdle between FDA and communities over the surveying of the reserve.On the tour of some demonstration sites, the program manager Renee Gibson explained that individual farmers are getting involved and carrying on their project other than the group.She further explained that farmers are now being taught to build their own organic fertilizers so as to keep their crops fertilized.According to our Nimba Correspondent, vegetable crops seen at the demonstration sites of the newly introduced farming method looked fresher than that of the old farming method where burning of bush is done after brushing.“The money you take to fell will be used to pay your child’s school fees, so the conservation agriculture is good,” said one Peter, a farmer.However, Zor Community residents have called on ArcelorMittal’s authorities to include tree crop in the program and also extend the training duration so as get more insight on the new method.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Of more than 13,000 candidates who sat this year’s University of Liberia (UL) placement and entrance examination, only 15 passed, this newspaper has learnt. A renowned economist, Mr. Sam P. Jackson, who made the startling revelation over the weekend said, this is another disastrous indication of the country’s poor educational system.This is a repeat of the same results recorded from the 2013 UL placement and entrance exams in which none of the over 25,000 candidates made a successful pass. This massive failure sent shock waves across the globe.Mr. Jackson’s disclosure of the appalling exam results was contained in a paper he presented at a just ended two-day forum on economic recovery from the Impact of the Ebola Epidemic.The theme of the forum organized by Consortium of Concerned Businesses in Liberia was “Strengthening Trade and Commerce for Post-Ebola Liberia.”UL president, Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, confirmed the exam results when he told the forum that the testing committee had completed the marking of papers with results confirming officially that “only 15 out of 13,000 students that sat the exams successfully passed.” “The testing committee and the faculty senate will look at the results and make recommendations”, Dr. Dennis had said in a recent interview. Mr. Jackson said In order to create an educated and a trained work force, there was a need for the government to spend substantially more on education with the goal of improving academic attainment and financing vocational and technical programs.What is sad is that admission to the state-run University is exposing the weak educational system with high school graduates desirous of enrolling at the university failing massively in the two recently administered entrance and placement exams. He spoke on the topic, “The State of Liberia’s economy before the Ebola Disaster, Impact on GOL’s Capacity to Deliver on National Development Agenda and National Budgetary Realignment.” In his paper, Mr. Jackson stressed the need for realigning the national budget to respond efficiently to short-term/emergency priorities, including support to critical sectors and domestic enterprises.In several interviews with teachers and students across town over the weekend shortly after the exam results broke, a home teacher, Julius Tawo Howison, said the results coming from the university were troubling and needed to be properly examined by the government before it is brought to the attention of the public.Another teacher, Larry Johnson called for the re-examination of the standard of the university and the high school curriculum, noting; “we have to look at the standard the university is using to fail those candidates and the UL’s motive. If they do not want students to attend the university due to overcrowding, let them say so. They should not discredit the country’s entire education system.” For candidate Grace George, the results seemed like a dream, because according to her, “I know what I wrote as my test answers so I did not expect to fail.”Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Dear Editor,I want to thank Alim Hosein for the letter, “We need to teach English and other languages, but this does not preclude respect for Creolese” (SN, 22nd March 2018) in response to my letter, “What is the merit of learning Creolese at university level?” (SN, 20th March 2018).Alim Hosein listed six points that I will debate:Point One: Creolese is our language, and everyone speaks it.Creolese is not our national language, nor is it our mother tongue, as the vast majority of our ancestors came from different parts of the world.Point Two: Other countries have not abandoned their mother tongues to learn “foreign languages” (English).On the contrary, many countries of the world have evolving languages and cultures. There are now more English speakers in the world. As I noted in point one, our national language is NOT Creolese.Point Three: What is wrong of building national pride?It is good to build national pride, but too much pride is arrogance.Point Four: Why should the various dialects of Creolese be a hindrance to promoting Creolese?I am sure that there is an opportunity cost in promoting Creolese; in that money, time and people (resources) can be better utilised elsewhere.Point Five: The rest of the world is interested in learning Creolese.Really? How many Creolese converts have there been in the last twenty years, in comparison to people learning English Language?Point Six: Mr Ori’s thinking is the old, Imperialistic thinking.Not true. We have been a colony of England, which has shaped us. No amount of rebranding will change that.To promote Creolese because our education system (English in particular) is failing Guyanese, and promoting Creolese (in general) is a waste of time and effort.Yours faithfully,Sean Ori
Dear Editor,There are many issues effecting this country, our beloved Guyana, and these issues seems unimportant because the nation seems to be brainwashed with the rewards of the oil as the ruler’s way of governing is forcing businesses to close or directly shutting down places and causing the unemployment rate to increase drastically and expense climbing in every house.For quite a while now, the fuel price has been an issue because of the increase, causing minibus operators to strike because they know that an increase in fare would be an additional burden to the commuters, and instead of reaching to an agreement, they just ignore this issue as if it’s not important. One would have expected a reduction in spare parts, tires etc, just to level out the expense for a minibus owner but no! This nation will benefit from oil so, this burden is not important. Now without a doubt, the fares will increase and there’s noting commuters can do but pay the fare, where some have to use three different transportation to reach either work or home every day. Some good life!In one of the newspapers, we’re seeing the Government signing tougher sanctions against the fishing industry which I am in somewhat agreement with and wonder why they had to wait until we got sanctioned and one industry is closing before acting and what plans they have for the pollution that occurs every time the kokers open. To date, garbage is still being dumped into the trenches throughout Guyana and is a tremendous threat to marine life, so are there any plans to combat that?Guyana is indeed blessed with a tremendous amount of resources that once utilised, we could earn a decent reward, but with a Government whose eyes seems bigger than their vision, I am sure we cannot capitalise because only the oil seems important to them. From the time we were sanctioned or even before, we have dried shrimp and fish that on demand all over locally, especially in the interior and use it in many types of food that could have been marketed overseas.There are many things that we have that the world don’t know about except when hearing about them from fellow Guyanese or tourists, that could make a tremendous impact and we could earn a lot if marketed but this Government’s vision seems limited and help from them seems fruitless. I guess you have to be established to get their attention.The dried fish and shrimp business should be considered because many countries could use products like those, especially those that are prone to disaster. We have a lot of vegetables that could be canned also, instead we are not hearing any plans about that, instead we are importing canned vegetables even though the exact vegetables are grown here. While businesses are closing, this Government should have approached the management and explore the possibilities available instead; but, no, they don’t care because your action might be considered as a form of victimisation against them, even though, their way of governing is causing busineses to close. Such is the good life.Sincerely,Sahadeo Bates
Dear Editor,The Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) recently indicted its readiness to address competently, the institutional oversight of General and Regional Elections. In the last week of December 2018, several of our widely circulated newspapers reported the following statement of GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Ms Yolanda Ward, who in relation to the passing of the No-Confidence motion, affirmed that GECOM would uphold its constitutional mandate. She said:“For us at GECOM, it’s our constitutional mandate to conduct General and Regional Elections as well as Local Government Elections. If that is the decision that we will have to conduct elections within a short period, then we will have to ensure that those elections are held as required, because it is our constitutional mandate. I’m sure that our Standard Operating Procedures will click into gear and we will be prepared to execute elections at a time we have been asked to do.”Further, it is wide knowledge that GECOM has a register of registrants that is valid until the end of April 2019. It is based on the ninth and tenth cycle of continuous registration, and the last claims and objection exercises were undertaken in preparation for the November 12, 2018, Local Government Elections. Hence, GECOM should not have too many adjustments to be fully prepared for the Elections within the constitutionally due “90 Days”, after the Government has fallen. It is no secret that this APNU/AFC Government has demonstrated traits of being the most corrupt Government to occupy the seats of our National Assembly. In exercising Government matters, they are most dictatorial, non-transparent and acutely disrespectful to our people and Country’s obligations.They have failed to fulfil all their Manifesto promises to the citizens while enriching themselves. Significantly, production in most of the vibrant activities and areas they inherited have dropped drastically. This vindictive regime has dashed our youths’ future to the wolves rather than secure it. Spiralling crime, cost of living, as well as increasing taxes, now threatens and enslaves our basic existence, as this illegal Cabinet now attempts to force our people to witness their mantra and geriatrics in Parliament. The mansions and expensive Cadillac lifestyles of the few in the APNU/AFC cabal are too much for our small and hardworking population to bear.Ramjattan’s recent cries and utterances about new House to House Registration is merely a futile attempt to confuse the public and delay the process of having General and Regional Election in the stipulated, constitutionally-due date defined by the 90 days period. GECOM’s continuous registration activities improved the same list of registrants by way of the approved methods for use at the 2015, 2016 and 2018 elections. Given there were no outcries from Ramjattan or the APNU who deemed it good for those occasions, what is the issue now?It is public knowledge that there is a process in place to address the issue of deceased persons on the List of Registrants whereby the GRO department would submit a list of deceased names, which GECOM shall delete after authentication. We now await the statements of GECOM’s Chairman Justice (Retired) James Patterson, who is expected back at work on January 22, 2019.Mr Ramjattan, your time of calling is now! You and the fraudulent APNU/AFC cabal must answer our citizens at the polls!Sincerely,Neil Kumar
the fourth suspect held in the gruesome Berbice triple murder, Rakesh Karamchand, 27, of Sheet Anchor, Corentyne, was on Thursday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.In a packed courtroom Karamchand was not allowed to plead to the indictable charge of murder.Rakesh KaramchandIt is alleged that between July 21 and 22, 2016, he murdered Pawan Chandradeo, Jaikarran Chandradeo and Narish Rooplall at Mibikuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.While in court, the unrepresented defendant shouted and proclaimed his innocence.Karamchand, also known as ‘Rocky’ was remanded and the matter was transferred to Mibikuri Magistrate’s Court where the case will be called on October 4, 2016.The accomplices facing charges for the triple murder are Carlton Chaitram, 37, Jairam Chaitram, 17 and Tameshwar Jagmohan, 26; all of Mibikuri South, Black Bush Polder.Karamchand was recently arrested by the Major Crimes Unit. Police spokesman Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan related in a report that following a tip-off, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters conducted a covert operation in the backlands of the Corentyne, which led to the arrest of the suspect.An unlicensed shotgun and seven cartridges were also found, Ramlakhan revealed. He said that two other males were also in custody assisting with investigations in respect to the firearm used in the triple murder.On Friday, July 23, 2016, the bodies of Chandradeo Senior and Junior, and brother-in-law, Rooplall, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne, were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds.Police in a release said each body bore a single gunshot wound. The discovery of the bodies was made by a rice farmer, shortly after daybreak.
The Administrative District Commissioner of Doe District located within the Tappita Statutory District, Mr. Samuel Wehyee is outraged over the continued lawlessness within his district.Speaking to the Daily Observer on Monday, he said the acts of lawlessness within his district are posing serious threats to security for both the local authority and the citizens in general.Mr. Wehyee is infuriated over the recent murder of a 25yr old man who was stabbed to death in Dounpa town by his friend identified as Chris Slamiah on January 30th at the football field.Commissioner Wehyee said that on the night of 28th January, the perpetrator, Chris Slamiah and the victim, Dadah Vaye got into a confrontation during a wake keeping and during the argument Dada bit the perpetrator Chris on his face.He narrated that after the confrontation, the matter was taken to the Township Commissioner who sent the wounded person to a clinic for treatment pending an investigation.Commissioner Wehyee explained that while the case was pending until Chris recovered from the bite, Chris took a kitchen knife to the football field where Dadah was playing on Friday January 30th and stabbed Dadah four times in the chest, neck and stomach killing him instantly in retaliation for biting him. “After stabbing his friend to death, he fled into the bushes and was later arrested in a nearby town and taken to the police station in Saclapea,” said the Commissioner.Mr. Wehyee added that immediately after the boy died, his parent went after the parent of the perpetrator to take revenge on any of the family members.He maintained that, during the tension, a house belonging to the perpetrator’s family was broken down and their rice kitchen in their village set ablaze.“In the process, 14 members of the perpetrator’s family fled into the bushes for several days before reporting themselves to authorities in another town which is located far from where the incident occurred.Commissioner Wehyee’s frustration is apparently due to the escalation of killings with impunity in the area. Those who were involved in killing a man in Zua Town in late November were reportedly released from prison in Sanniquellie.It can be recalled that late last year, a man was tortured to death in Zua Town by a country devil and its followers after the man allegedly broke the town’s rule.Dounpa, where the boy was stabbed to death has a common boundry with Zua Town where the 58 year old man was tortured to death last year.The commissioner explained that the five persons arrested in connection with the torture and killing of the 58 year old man last year were recently seen going about their normal activities after being freed from Sanniquellie jail.He said the wave of lawlessness and killings in the district is causing fear among the citizens and restricting their freedom of movement.“We are afraid with this kind of lawlessness in the district because we do not have any security to accompanying us to the crime scene. There are only nine police officers in a large district like Tappita which comprises four administrative districts including Gbi – Doru. Kparblee, Doe and Boe and Quellah,” he said.“Even as we speak, our local office staffs including the messengers, clerk and other officers, are not on payroll and we cannot press on them,” he concluded.A police source at the Nimba Police Detachment has confirmed the stabbing incident and said that the perpetrator had been transferred to a local police station and is undergoing investigation. But unconfirmed reports reaching this paper said that the perpetrator was severely beaten by mobs upon his arrest.Dounpa and Zua Town in early 2008 were at loggerheads in land disputes during which several citizens were wounded in single barrel gun fights.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)