Liberia Government (Monrovia)
13 March 2008
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Wednesday observed Decoration Day with a warning that anyone found loitering around the Palm Grove Cemetery after dusk will be arrested a prosecuted.The President has, accordingly, directed authorities of the National Police Force to step up security around the premises to enforce the President's warning.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader issued the warning when she toured the Palm Grove Cemetery, in commemoration of Decoration Day. The President expressed dismay over reports that criminal gangs were breaking into graves in search of valuables and other possessions.
The President warned streets peddlers and others concerned to leave the cemetery premises before 6:00 in the evening or risk arrest. The Liberian leader's warning follows reports of increased criminal activities at the cemetery, with criminal gangs slashing and forcibly opening graves at night, in search of valuables believed to be buried with the dead.
Over a year ago, the cemetery was officially decommissioned by government due congestion and a fence erected, to curtailed illegal intrusion into the facilities by criminals.
Meanwhile, the President has visited the burial site of her ancestral parents in Kormah, Montserrado County. The President, accompanied by members of the Johnson family deposited wreaths on the graves bearing the remains of her loved ones, including the late Chief Jah Marley (Grand father), and James Carney Johnson (father), among the first indigenous Liberian to be elected a member of the National Legislature.
The President reiterated her call on residents of the area to engage in agricultural activities to improve their livelihood. She urged inhabitants of Kormah to advance concrete proposals to government that would make the area self-sufficient. Job creation, the President noted, "begins here, when you engage in productive activities. I am willing to work with you, but you need to demonstrate that you can also help yourselves," the President urged the people Kormah.
Responding to an appeal for volunteer teachers in the area to be placed a government payroll, the President informed the residents that the Ministry of Education is conducting an evaluation exercise, following which qualified instructors would be placed on government payroll.
She informed the residents that visiting Merci Ship management has agreed to renovate a clinic in Tenegah, to serve the health needs of the people in the area. The President disclosed that plans are also in the making to construct a secondary school in the area, with support from family members in the United States and abroad.
The President was responding to statements of appreciation from citizens of Kormah including students, elders, youths and women of the area.
Kormah, located about 45-miles from Monrovia is the ancestral home of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
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