Cape Palmas TV News

27/09/2023

Ambassador Ballout Speaks to the Press

27/07/2023

Liberia: AfDB Funded Liberian-Ivorian Project Lies in Ruins

As MRU trans-border trade efforts stall in Southeastern Liberia

When the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2019 invested a little over US$158k to construct a transborder trade facility in Pedebo, Maryland County, it anticipated that the facility would increase trade and cooperation among residents of communities along the Liberian-Ivorian border.

But four years on, the facility, which was constructed under the Mano River Road Transport Facilitation Program, now lies abandoned as it is no longer being used by the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) or residents of the host communities.

The market contains several stalls for dry goods sellers, a hand pump, storage, and two sets of flushing toilets with a water supply system. It was also meant to revitalize the local economy and provide a platform for small businesses to thrive, stakeholders said.

“This market facility has been abandoned due to its failure to attract vendors and customers,” said a local official who requested anonymity. “The lack of interest and participation from the local community has resulted in a deserted and unproductive space.”

“This has not only wasted the financial resources allocated to the project but has also hindered the economic growth and development of the area,” he said.

The official blamed the abandonment on the lack of productivity and engagement from the citizens.

However, the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) Maryland County General Superintendent, Abraham C. Wilson, disagreed and blamed the dormancy on the lack of cooperation from his Ivorian counterpart.

According to Wilson, the Ivorians have refused to rotate days on both sides of the border. He also said the situation is due to the inability of residents living in the surrounding communities to grow the necessary products to attract buyers.

“Our people who live around the border, for whom the market was built, do not actually have produce to take to the market for people leaving from Pleebo, Harper, and other areas to buy.

“The people said their soil can only grow sugar cane, and you know those from the Ivory Coast will not want to cross the river only to buy cane juice,” he added.

Wilson claimed that while he has been working with the county superintendent's office to design plans and strategies to make the market functional, those who live around the market seem to have no interest in the building.

“The LMA and the local authorities need to assess the reasons behind the market's failure and take appropriate measures to address the issues.

“This may involve conducting a thorough evaluation of the project’s planning and ex*****on, as well as engaging with the local community to understand their needs and concerns,” Wilson said.

27/07/2023

Liberia: Sen. Biney's Local Office Close for Unpaid Rent

The office in question used to serve as a primary point of access to the Senator but its closure has now left residents disappointed and concerned about the state of their representation, as the once-accessible office now remains inaccessible.

Senator James Biney's local office in Maryland County has been closed down for US$4,500 unpaid rent.

The decision to shut down Biney's office was made by the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court in Pleebo, Maryland County who has ordered the Senator to settle his outstanding bill. The court decision is a result of repeated notices that were served on the senator’s office regarding the outstanding US$4,500 bill owed to Zinnah B. Siaffa, the owner of the property.

According to Court records, the landlord had been requesting payment for several months, resorting to legal action after all attempts at communication failed.

The office in question used to serve as a primary point of access to the Senator but its closure has now left residents disappointed and concerned about the state of their representation, as the once-accessible office now remains inaccessible.

However, after the eviction order, Maryland County Public Defender, Atty. Adolphus Taylor reminded the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court that it lacks legal jurisdiction over the case, as such, he was violating the law.

Taylor stated that the court cannot adjudicate or hear a case worth more than US$2k in accordance with the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia.

But the Magistrate in Chambers, Emmanuel Nyepan, insisted that while the amount in question is above the court’s legal jurisdiction, the court has the legal authority to investigate or hear summary proceedings.

“In civil matters, Magistrates have jurisdiction in civil matters for the recovery of money, chattels, or debts not exceeding $2,000.01 in value.

“The court found Senator Biney guilty and ordered his office staff to leave the property,” Nyepan added.

Meanwhile, Biney’s legal team is yet to object to the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court ruling and have a place to vacate the property and turn the keys over to the court.

But inventory conducted on the property, according to the court, shows damage to twelve (12) locks, two (2) doors, and bathroom mirror sets.

According to the property owner, the Maryland County Senator is paying US$250 per month, amounting to a total of US$3,000 a year. Biney had earlier owed US$6,500 but, following a series of engagements, he paid US$2,000 out of the said amount in July of this year, Court record shows.

Biney was elected senator of Maryland County in 2020, after serving as a representative of Harper District for 12 years. Prior to this, he served as the National Patriotic Party’s representative to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) between 2003 and 2005.

07/03/2023

House Speaker Dr Charmbers Wife host meeting in Zone 11

07/03/2023

Ms.Tubman Of House Speaker,Dr. Bohfal Chambers' wife host meeting in Zone 11 , New Pleebo Community.

27/02/2023

Maryland County Freedom News

Logging Agreement singing between KARLUWAY #1 and WESTNAF Limited postponed due to lack of awareness.

11/02/2023

Happy birthday Alexandra Y Stemn. Birthday with more grace, love and long life.

08/12/2022

For Being In Possession Of Narcotic Substances , Ivorian Nationale arrested in Maryland county Value At $LD 500,000
By: Edward Stemn
December 7,2022
An Ivorian Nationale has be arrested and undergoing thorough investigation in Maryland county for been in possession of narcotic substances.
According to the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency-LDEA the 53-year-old Ivorian nationale was was illegally caught in possession of narcotic substances valued over LD$500,000.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday December 7, 2022 , the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency county Commander, Maryland, agent Joseph Tegeddine said the Nyan Sackor was arrested following an information from sources in the community that suspect Nyan Sackor who is a fisherman had a huge quantity of narcotic substances in his possession.

Agent Joseph further said, suspect Nyan Sackor was arrested around 1:00 am Wednesday, December 7, 2022, with 20 parcels of hard-grade ma*****na over the sea near Harper City.

The County commander of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency at the sametime described the arrest as a bold step taken by the security Detachment in the County in wake of the festival season in the County.

LDEA county commander meanwhile disclosed that suspect is currently undergoing investigation temporary withholding cells in Harper, Maryland.

suspect Nyan Sackor admitted to transporting said illegal substances from Cess town to Harper but at the sametime noted that the narcotic substances were given to him by a friend in the cess town where he went to fishing.

" I am a fisherman in Harper, and normally we can go over the sea fishing and sometimes reach nearby counties when the hustle is tough , but while coming back from Cess town, a friend asked me to carry his bag to Harper; I did not look inside the bag before reaching to Harper, I was arrested by the Security almost in Harper at about 1:00 am this morning," said suspect Nyan narrated ", the suspect said.
Meanwhile the suspect said i placed a call to the owner of the bag that contains the ma*****na, but the call did go through I am afraid of being sentenced". He lamented.

30/08/2022

ARTHUR-TV LIVE NEWS
ARTHUR-TV LIVE NEWS

HEADLINE: STUDENTS APPEALING TO MOE AND WAEC TO ADMINISTER RESITTER EXAMS IN SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF LIBERIA

By: Arthur P. Wesssh
[email protected]
0881228619/ 0888302518/ 0775000732.

ARTHUR-TV NEWS

Hundreds of Students from both private and Public institutions in the southeastern Counties of Liberia are appealing to the Ministry Of Education, West African Examination Council, Liberia Office and the National government to administer the resitter exam of WASSCE in the region.

Maryland students president Bartholomew J.D Toe spoke to our Media platform.

" We the Students of Maryland County appealing to the Ministry Of Education (MOE) And West African Examination Council (WAEC) to consider bringing the test in the Counties (south east) so some of our friends Who failed can atleast resit the exam".

Southeastern region is the biggest region in Liberia and host Six of Liberia's fifteenth counties, which include Maryland, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru,River Gee ,River Cess and Sinoe counties. Unfortunately for Students Who didn't passed the exams want resitter test to be administered in the region.

"we need to forward our education and we are begging national government, local ministry of education and the five counties Legislative caucus to help us advocate for the exam to be administered in the region mostly maryland County."
Meanwhile Daniel Nagbe
Vice President for Grandkru students association also added to Bartholomew".

"We are appealing to WASSCE and all prestigious figures in Liberia to help bring the resitter test in the southeastern region, this will make majority of our friends to sit the exam for the second time".
Nagbe disclose that some of those students are self supported and majority of them will not be able to go to the various Centers selected by WAEC ,Liberia Office for the exam to be administered, because of the distances and financial problems.

The Grand Kru Student Association Vice President said WAEC has already selected their centers but they appealing to them.

The Grand Kru Student Association Vice President said WAEC has already selected their centers but they are appealing to them and the government for the examination to also be administered in the southeastern region.

"We are asking the Liberian government through MOE and WACE office to please create one Center in Maryland County and other Southeasterner counties were the test will be administer to reduce transportation burden to Monrovia, Ganta, Gbarnga, Kakata and other centers that are far away from the south east even some of us doesn't have that Money to paid as well as Money to feed oursevles.

Tubman University is located in Maryland but one cannot get admission when he/she doesn't pass WASSCE and this is a complete setback to our advancement in education, if you cannot afford to go to any of the Counties where the test will be administered than it means your dreams will die.

The Students from various Schools met on the 22nd of August 2022.

This Media institution gathered.

Cape Palmas TV News is a online media service communication Network that operates online from Marylan

26/08/2022

11/08/2022

05/08/2022

You are asked to follow us as we will be bringing the August Born Association thanksgiving service live at the AG Church in Gebio Pleebo city Maryland.
Time is 10:00 am, this Sunday August 7,2022.

01/08/2022

Pathologists arrive in Maryland County

August 1,2022
In an effort to establishing a probable cause of death surrounding the death of 8, years old Levi Koffa who went missing and was later found in lake shepherd on Monday, the 18th of July, the government has dispatched a team of Pathologist to Maryland county to conducted an authopsy on the remains of the late Levi Koffa.
The team of Pathologist headed Dr. Benedict Kolee conduct an autopsy on the remains of the late Levi Koffa on Monday August 1 2022.
According to Dr. Benedict Kolee said the final report of the Autopsy is expected to come up with in two weeks.
Dr. Benedict Kolee told observers that part of the examination is expected to be done outside Liberia.
Meanwhile the pathologist are expected to conduct similar authopsy on the remains of the late Anthony Tiaka in Pleebo city.
As for his part, the grandfather of the 8 year Levi Koffa, Odyssey N.Koffa has lauded the effort of government for sending pathologist to the county to establish a probable cause 9f hos grandson's death.
At the same time Mr. Odysseus N.Koffa asking government to tell the family of the late Levi Koffa as to how he left his School campus in New Kru Town before being discovered dead along the lake shepherd bank.
Mr. Odysseus N.Koffa is also urging the rural women, youth groups, and the entire citizens of yhe Maryland to remain calm and stay out of the streets as they wait on government to come up with the final report.
It can be recalled that Levi Koffa who went missing on Monday July 18, 2022 in Harper, Maryland County and later on the 20th of July lifeless body was discovered at about 1:00pm in Lakeshepered's community.
The late 8years 9ld Levi Koffa left his home on July 18, 2022 to school and never returned prior to the discovery of his dead body.Prior to the discovery if his lifeless, citizens in Harper, Maryland County launched a campaign ai in vigorous search for little Levi Koffa but couldn't be found.
Citizens and family members of eight years old Levi Koffa endlessly search on the streets and all corners of Harper District hoping to finding him alive.
The Autopsy conducted by Dr. Benedict Kolee at the Samuel Hare's funeral home in outsketch of Harper city was observered by women groups, Human rights actors, Youth and the family of the late Levi Koffa.

21/07/2022

No Independence celebration in Maryland county, Say superintendent George Andrew Prowd"
By: Edward Stemn
July 21,2022
Activities aim at commemorating the this year July 26 in Maryland county have been cancelled by county authority.
Speaking to journalists in a press conference on a local radio station,Superintendent George Andrew Prowd said the decision was reached by the county authority due the prevailing situation the county is faced with.
Superintendent George Andrew Prowd said the death of Anthony Tiaka on July 3 in Pleebo and Levi Koffa 8 years old on the 18 of July are serious blow to the county and the county can't be mourning and the same time be celebrating July 26.
Superintendent George Andrew at the same time said the lack of logistics for the Liberian National police has posed a serious security threat to the county.
"The LNP is doing regular patrol in the communities in the county due to the lack of vehicles, since the one and only vehicle own by the LNP was destroyed sin 2021 March during a protest in the county, the police has been without logistics", Superintendent George Andrew Prowd disclosed.
Meanwhile Superintendent George Andrew Prowd has called on the central government to provide logistics for the police in the county to enhance their work.
I was happy when heard in the news a new pickup was turned over to police in Ganta, Nimba county and it is my prayer that this will be extended to Maryland county.
The Maryland county superintendent cry and canceling of activities for this Year July 26 celebration came as a result of mysterious deaths of two young boys in the county within just less than a month.
Superintendent George Andrew Prowd us at the same calling on the bereaved family and the Citizens of the county to remain calm as the government is doing everything to investigate the deaths of the two students from both pleebo and Harper citizens.

09/07/2022

Women in Pleebo demand justice for Anthony Tiaka.

Women of Pleebo Sodokoen Statutory District demand justice for the unexplained death of Anthony Tiaka.

The women dressed in their Attire on the 7th of July matched peacefully to the statutory district superintendent office at compound hill calling on the government of Liberia to ensure that justice is served for the death of Anthony Tiaka.

Speaking to the local county Authority, the women leader, Christiana Walker said they are tired of these unwholesome acts that continue to deray the good image of the county.

"We give you seven days period to explain to us how student Anthony Tiaka die,if government can't tell us, we will go somewhere to get an answer", Christiana Walker said .

According to Christiana Walker the women are prepared this time around and they will not get tire until a proper redress is realized.

Addressing the women plight, the county Superintendent George Andrew Prowd expressed words of condolences to women at the same time said the death of Anthony Tiaka is pitiful and embarrassing to the county.

Superintendent Prowd condemned the act and assure the women of government's commitment to ensuring that justice is provided.

"The reports received from the police, medical people and the 12 men corriners jurors will be send to central government and at the same time requesting them to send pathologist to conduct an autopsy on the the body of the late Anthony Tiaka", superintendent Prowd said .

Superintendent George Andrew meanwhile called on the citizens, women and students to remain calm and be peaceful in their engagement.

Superintendent George Andrew then cautious the family to halt the planned burial of the dead body.

He assured them of government commitment to handle all expenses that will be incurred for the period of time the body will stay prior to the conducting of an autopsy.

Anthony Tiaka , is a student of the William VS Tubman university, a senior student reading Accounting.

He met his demise when he was last seen on June 7,2022 in pleebo, he wasn't seen until Sunday, July 3 in his bedroom, Zone 5 community in Pleebo city Maryland county.

06/07/2022

A 34 year old man sent to 3 years inprisonent For Sodomizing 12-Year-Old Boy
By: Edward D. Stemn
Date: July 6, 2022
The 4tth Judicial Circuit Court in Maryland County has sentenced Edwin Knight, 34-year-old man to prison for three years.
Edwin Knight commonly known as Adebayor was sentenced by the court after his conviction by the grand Jury for sodomizing a 12-year-old boy.Edwin Knight was sentenced on Friday July 1, 2022.
Edwin Knight sentence includes the duration of the length of time he has spent behind bar at the River Gee Central Prison.
Edwin Knight will serve his three (3) years of improvement where convicts from Maryland county are sent due the vandalizing of the Harper central prison in March 2021.
It can be recalled on September 24, 2021, Edwin Knight was arrested and charged by the Liberian National police in Maryland for allegedly sodomizing a 12 year old boy from the EasyTown Community, in Harper City Maryland County.
The victim was sent to the James Jenkins Dossen Memorial Hospital for medical examination while the defendant was underwent investigation.
From the medical report, it was established that the victim was allegedly sodomized, while the perpetrator was been investigated and charged with “Aggravated Involuntary So**my” and forwarded to court on September 28, 2021, Second Degree felony under the penal code of Liberia. The case which resumed on Monday June 13, 2022, and upon the reading of his indictment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the crime committed in open court.

The court’s final judgement the grand Jury from Maryland county in the November term of court in 2021, indicted the defendant Edwin Knight for the allegedly committing the crime of aggravated involuntary so**my. He was representing defendant Edwin Knight was by public defender Adolphus Taylor and repsentin state was attorney Philip G. Whiegar County Attorney of Maryland.
The final guilty verdict was read in court on Friday July 1, 2022, by resident Judge of the fourth Judicial Circuit court his Honor Nelson T. Tokpa .said the defendant pleaded guilty in court.
At the same time Judge Togba said the guilty plea by the defendant without any form of duress in which is disclosed that he is guilty of the crime charged in the indictment needs no further evidence to be produced by the state.

The final verdict meanwhile disclosed that Section 25.8 of chapter 25 of the Civil Procedural Law. “Admissibility in general: All admissions by a party himself or his agent acting within the scope of his authority are admissible. Every agent for a conduct of a cause shall have authority to make admission to that cause. The admission of every other agent in any matter under his control as agent shall be admissible”.

Wherefore and in view of the above mentioned, facts and circumstances defendant having pleaded guilty to the indictment, is judged guilty and convicted of the crime Involuntary So**my as charged by the state. Section 50.9 of the penal code of Liberia states: Authorized fines; restitution:

As of individuals. Except as otherwise expressly provided, and subject to the limitation contained and individual who has been convicted of an offense may be sentenced to pay a fine which does not exceed: (a) For a felony of a first or second degree, the commission which has resulted in gain for the defendant, an amount double the gain realized by the defendant, but if such crime has not resulted in gain for the defendant, only sentence of imprisonment without a fine may be imposed.
In accords with the above quoted provisions of the law and because the crime resulted in no gain for the defendant, the defendant is sentence to serve the period of three (3) consecutive years including the time he has spent in prison to common jail within the territory confines of the Republic of Liberia less the time the defendant was committed to prison by this court up to the date and time of court’s final judgement, said the final Judgement of the court.

24/05/2022

Freedom News
By: Edward D. Stemn
Pleebo City. Maryland county
MAy 23,2022

By: Police in Maryland charge and send to court Emmanuel Doe and James Doe for alleged Robbery, Assault, Highjacking,Thieft and Harassment

Police in Pleebo, Maryland county has changed ROBBERY, HIGHJACKING,THEFT, HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT: On the 23rd May, 2022 ,
Police in Pleebo Maryland county has concluded robbery a case involving two suspects Emmanuel Doe,30yrs male and James Doe 30yrs.
Emmanuel Doe and James Doe all of New Pleebo community were investigated and charged with alleged ROBBERY, HIGHJACKING,THIEFT, HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT:
On the 23rd May, 2022 3:00 am suspects Emmanuel Doe,30,male, and suspect James Doe, 30, male, resident of New pleebo Community were arrested and charges while in possession of lethal weapons harassing, Robbing, HIGHJACKING and Assaulting the citizens of Said community in pleebo City, electoral District #2.
Police reports quoting dwellers said that these alleged notorious criminals are in the constant habits of these acts thereby leaving the whole community in constant panic during both days and nights.
"A victim of the alleged criminal act of these two suspects, Morris weah, age 37, male , also a resident of New Pleebo community reported to the police on the 24th April, 2022 at 0800hrs, that the same the same notorious criminals went to his home at morning hour demanding money and placed him under hostage and while took away $775USD and also stabbed him on left hand that which left him with seriously bodily injury", police reports stated.
"Meanwhile base on these allegations, the police in pleebo lunched a massive search andon Monday, May 23 2022, were able to grabbed the two suspects while their leader SAMMY TOE is still on the run,"Police disclose
Since their arrest and investigation by the police, they are have charged, detained pending court trial.

24/05/2022

MARYLAND: Justice Smiles in Harper, As Harper City Solicitor Kun forwarded to River Gee prison for Allegedly s*xually assaulting a 21 year old female.

Harper City Magistratrial Court Solicitor Thomas Togba Kun was on May 23,2022 sent to the Fish town prison Facility in River Gee County after been sent to the Harper fourth Judiciary circuit court for allegedly s*xually assaulting a 21 year old female in Harper City, Maryland County.

The Solicitor was forwarded to the prison Facility in Fishtown River Gee County awaiting court trial, therefore, According to report the 21 - year female client was arrested by the solicitor Kun at the Harper Magistrial Court, she was requested by the solicitor to provide 40 USD in order to look into her complaint that she had earlier reported to the court.

According to report from the client said, she replied to the solicitor on her inability to provide such money. (40usd).
"The solicitor later told me to pay 20 Dollars USD which was still a huge sum that I could not afford, later he invited me to his house in his bedroom room where he started requesting for s*x from me, he even started touching my erogenous zones of my body; touching my breast ni***es; ramming hands on my buttocks while making remarks like " this thing I will f***k it today and "this sweet food will not pass me today since the money can't come." report form the client disclosed.

Our Harper reporter has gathered that during the process, the girl stood to her decision and rejected the s*x for justice and made an escape with yowling which went without not being noticed by community dwellers who were already on curious alert when the victim and perpetrator entered the community.

The Harper City Court Solicitor was sent to Fishtown City prison, in River Gee County for one for Month awaiting Court trial. It can also be recorded in last year ( 2021) the former Police Commander of Maryland's detachment viciously brutalized a female subordinate in Harper City, Maryland county.

11/05/2022

A four bedrooms apartment house gutted by fire in zone 7 pleebo Maryland county.
By: Edward Stemn
Pleebo city, Maryland county
May 9, 2022

A four bedrooms house in Zone 7 located in pleebo city, Maryland county on Monday May 09,2922 got burnt by fire.
The four bedrooms which belong to Maryland county Development superintendent, Robin Scott got burnt as a result of an electrical Shock.
The situation claimed the attention of many citizens of sounding communities came in their numbers to rescue the house but couldn't work due the intensity of the fire and not having equipment to arrest the incident rather stopping the fire from extending to nearby houses.
The incident was a scene of attraction as the community dwellers were seeing using barehands to stop the fire.
The burning of the four bedrooms apartment house got gutted by by fire in the absence of those tenants as there was no mean to retrieve any of their properties from the house.Everything belonging to tenants in the house got burnt and nothing was left untouched.
In an exclusive interview with Fredrick T.Bortue describes the situation as pitiful and such he regrets the situation.
Mr.Fedrick T.Bortue at the sametime express his dismays over the situation and want the national fire Service Maryland detarchment to be equip and empower to enable them work effectively.
"The county fire service sub-office is left without logistics and fire fighting equipment to make them quickly respond to fire outbreak", Fredrick Bortue added.
At the sametime, Fredrick Bortue is also urging the Liberians Electricity Cooperation to fully monitor all connection on a daily basis and to carry on proper connection so as to avoid the continue outbreak of fire that is causing the distrustion of properties in the county.
Adding his voice, the Pleebo Sodokoen Statutory District Superintendent, Emmanuel J. Quire condemned the incident and expressed his sincere sorry to the affected family and the tenants.
The pleebo Statutory Development superintendent is calling on humanitarian organizations, Liberian National Red cross Society, UN and philothropists to come to the aid by providing reliefs assistance.
All efforts to reach the victims and owner of the house was fruitless as the we couldn't find any of them to talk to.
It can be recalled on April 12, 2022and another five rooms apartment house got gutted by fire due electrical fault, while in July 2021 another five bedrooms apartment house got gutted by fire all due an electrical Shock in the same Pleebo.
Pleebo city is the commercial hub of Maryland and the most polluted city in the southeast but it is not layout and houses are densely close to one another.
The city not being layout and houses very close each other poses serious future threat to the city Incase of of any further fire outbreak.

11/05/2022

Fishermen in Maryland Alarm Over Illegal Fishing In Maryland

By Edward Stemn, Maryland County Correspondent
Harper city/ Maryland county
MAY 11,2022

Local fishing group in Maryland County (Atena Fishing Cooperative) has raised concerns over what they termed as constant intrusion into their territorial waters by Ivorian based fishermen.
Speaking on behalf of his group, the Grebo fishing chief in Harper, Morris Gordo disclose that the frequent violation of those believed to be Burkinabes, Ivorian and Ghanian Nationals is not only dangerous for the Liberian fishing folks but it continues to affect them economically.
"Those guys can do anything to us in the water and run away because they are always in good number.
More besides, the equipment they're using we do not have them. We use one single fishing line with four or five fishing holes attached but the Accra line which sometimes takes about 1,000 fishing holes it's what they are using. So how can we pay taxes on time when they are going ahead of us to catch our fishes? This is a serious concern!"
Though NaFAA Deputy Director General for Technical Services, Mr. Patrick Boeh said government is making effort to curtail the situation, the local fishing group leader is calling on the Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and the National Coastguard to increase surveillance on the Liberian territorial waters to ensure legal compliance and prevent aliens from illegally acquiring state resources.
Mr. Gordo alleged that on several occasions they have complained to NaFAA local staff based in the county, but nothing is done to remedy the situation.
"Two, three years back NaFAA promised to deploy Coastguard in the county but the only time we see Coastguard is when it is time for tax payment. Immediately they finish collecting the taxes, they take them back," he added.
He made the statement during a meeting with Maryland Superintendent George A. Prowd and NaFAA Deputy Director General for Technical Services, Hon. Patrick Boeh at the county Administration Building.
Meanwhile, Maryland County Superintendent George Prowd has recounted the recent arrests of illegal fishermen in the county as part of government's response to resolving the illegal intrusion of aliens.

Supt. Prowd assured fishermen in the county of his office commitment to working with them in resolving some problems affecting them.

The Maryland County official is expected to shortly hold a closed door meeting with local fishing folks intended to identify factors hindering the fishing community for onward recommendations to NaFAA, an agency of government responsible for the management and regulations of fishing activities in Liberia.

It can be recalled that in November 2021, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has arrested several illegal Ivorian fishermen on board eight migrant boats while on fisheries patrol between the Liberian and Ivorian border in Maryland County.

The joint enforcement and compliance team, which included the Liberian Coast Guard, arrested the illegal Ivorian fishermen while fishing in Liberian waters without licenses or authorization.
The southeast of Liberia, particularly Maryland, Grand Kru, Sinoe and River Cess counties, according to reports, are associated with highlevel of illegal fishing activities involving Ivorian, Ghanaian andTogolese fishermen due to the common border with Ivory Coast and inadequate MCS presence.
The 2019 Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Development Law compels unauthorized migrant fishermen to pay the fine of US$7,500.00.
Meanwhile, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing across the country has led to the lost of millions of United States dollars in revenue over the years.