The Inquirer (Monrovia)
20 November 2007
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has assured the public that the perpetrators of the weekend incidents at the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), which resulted to the death of the company's Plantation Manager, Bruno Michiel, will not go unpunished and that they will be rounded up to face the full weight of the law.
The President, who is on a Middle East tour, made these comments in a statement released yesterday by her office through the Press Secretary, Cyrus Wleh Badio.
According to the statement, which was issued to the media, President Sirleaf said she would want to assure Liberians that these calculated attempts to frustrate government's efforts by instilling fear and insecurity among the people which, have the propensity to discourage investors, will not succeed.
She reaffirmed her determination to pursue the development agenda of the country stressing that the implementation of these goals will remain unwavering.
The statement further quoted her that she is deeply troubled at the apparent reckless acts of violence by individuals who wish to create unnecessary tension and terror in the country, with the objective of undermining the government's efforts to secure a peaceful and stable environment for its people.
She also expressed her deepest sympathy and condolence to the family of the Belgian national, Bruno Michiel; the Management and staff of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) for the loss of a dear and young life of someone who had shown remarkable commitment to the improvement of the lives of the people of Grand Bassa.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) says it has deployed extra security personnel including military and police officers, in support of the Liberia National Police (LNP) on the plantation of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) near Buchanan.
The latest action of the UN Mission comes against the backdrop of the killing of the Belgian expatriate worker of the company, Mr. Bruno Michiel, who was reportedly gunned down by some local residents that are opposed to the expansion of the company's operation in areas located in Division 3 and 4.
UNMIL said in a statement issued yesterday over the violence that occurred at the plantation over the weekend that security personnel immediately cordoned the entire area as soon as UNMIL was alerted about the situation.
The UNMIL statement added that UN police officers are also assisting the LNP, through a joint investigation team deployed from Monrovia.
Speaking also about the death of the Belgian national yesterday, Vice President Joseph Boakai expressed condolence to the management of LAC for the death of Mr. Michiel and that the circumstances relating to the death of Mr. Michiel will be quickly and thoroughly investigated and those found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
In a statement issued by the office of the Vice President under the signature of his Chief of Office Staff, Samuel A. Stevquoah, Veep Boakai vowed that the GOL will never be defeated by those he called, "criminal elements" in the society who are bent on creating a negative image of the country. He said that the government has beefed up the security system and remains determined to continue its crack down on armed robbery and other related crimes.
Meanwhile, Students from Grand Bassa County at the United Methodist University say their attention has been drawn to the death of the Plantation Manager of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), Bruno Michel in district #3 in Grand Bassa County coupled with the weekend coincidental armed robbery incident on the Buchanan- Monrovia Highway, which led to the stealing of USD$ 150,000 intended for the company.
In a statement issued under the signature of the Publicity Committee Chairman, Student T. Alexander Bhebealded, the students described the act as counter-productive, barbaric and an incident that does not represent the people of Grand Bassa County.
The students welcomed the USD$ 22million expansion agreement reached between the GOL and the company expressing the hope that this is not a calculated attempt to evict the original inhabitants from their land without benefits. They urged the government to be true in its promises made to the rural dwellers.
At the same time, the students expressed the hope that the culprits and their accomplices will face the due process of law regardless of who they maybe.
They also called on the LAC management to exercise restraint as investigation into the matter is being investigated.
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