The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Solomon T. Gaye
19 September 2006
Normal activities at the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center (LOIC) based in the Commercial District of Ganta, Nimba County came to a stand still last week when over 200 ex-combatants surrounded the Campus of the LOIC and held its staff hostage.
According to the spokesman of the ex-combatants, Edward Karlah of the Masonry Department of the United Nations Development Program/Joint Implementation Unit (UNDP/JIU), have refused to pay their incentives of US$30.00. He alleged that the UNDP/JIU have refused to pay their incentives for the past one and half months.
"We are holding these LOIC staff hostages to claim the attention of the Government of Liberia, UNDP, JIU and the international donors to come to our aid. Most of us here are not from Ganta but from other places including Karnplay, Buotuo, Tappita, Bahn and other districts in Nimba. If we don't get our money, we will march to UNDP sub-office in Ganta to demonstrate in demand of our incentives," the ex-combatants' spokesman lamented.
Mr. karlah also disclosed that they have given UNDP a three-day ultimatum to receive their incentives, and if they fail to comply, they,(combatants) will do anything to claim the attention of the government of Liberia. The Ex-combatants further threatened to cause trouble in Ganta if they cannot get their incentives.
The demonstration of the ex-combatants left several of the instructors to escape through the bushes for fear of being harmed by the ex-combatants.
When contacted, the Program Manager for LOIC in Ganta, Horace Yansine said that the ex-combatants are accusing the staff of receiving their incentives from the JIU/UNDP without giving it to them.
He disclosed that since the reopening of the LOIC in Ganta they have not received any money yet from UNDP.
"I want to make this special appeal to the JIU/UNDP to make efforts in bringing these ex-combatants incentives' because we are living in danger; we don't want to die before our time," Mr. Yansine stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yansine has appealed to the ex-combatants to remain calm as the matter is before the JIU/UNDP and the government of Liberia.
In a related development, the Liberia National Police has released the LOIC staff that was held hostage by the students early this month.
The Ganta police Commander, Maj. Sam Lyold urged the ex-combatants to desist from such acts and called on them to remain calm. He also warned that any disturbance on the school campus by holding any of the staff hostage, will leave the police and UNMIL with no alternative but to deal with the situation to bring law and order into the school.
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