The Inquirer (Monrovia)
1 May 2008
Labor Minister, Kofi Woods, has taken exception to claims in some quarters that the reported high unemployment rate in the country is a contributing factor for the increased level of armed robbery in the country.
Minister Woods said contrary to this perception, he believes that no amount of joblessness should make anyone to burst into people's houses at night to engage in such a heinous crime.
Speaking to this paper Tuesday at the new offices of the ministry on the UN Drive, Minister Woods said it was unacceptable that some individuals would want to hide behind the issue of unemployment to commit armed robbery stressing that Liberians should not encourage such societal vices under the pretext that there is lack of job.
He declared the act as a national emergence and as such, there is a need to reinforce the judicial system of the country and the rule of law process to deal with the practice.
Minister Woods added that the prevailing increase in the wave of armed robbery cases signal a call to all communities for residents to organize a well-responsible and matured community watch team that would work with the security forces in dealing with the issue.
He then called for the strengthening of the laws on the book in dealing with the crime. Minister Woods also called for the setting up of a fast-track court that would try cases of armed robbery because as he put it, it was now an issue of national emergence.
According to him, because of the many years of violence and criminalization, many individuals feel that to obtain something, they must engage in violence, stressing that there is a need to work on the sociological effect of what happened as a result of the war.
For his part, Deputy Labor Minister, John Josiah, who also spoke on the issue, said those engaged in armed robbery have the opportunity to get quick and abundance of employment in the country.
He said a bulk of the work in the country are labor intensive jobs that do not require any skill labor and as such, most of these jobs suit those who claim that they do not have the skill for which, they are engaged in armed robbery.
He wondered why someone who claims he does not have any skill would refuse an opportunity for employment on a farm when such an offer is made.
Meanwhile, Minister Woods said as part of efforts of the government to build up the capacity of its people, it has developed skills training institutions like the MVTC, where young people are being trained to make positive contributions to the society.
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Hi All
From the argument made that unemployment is the chief factor of arm robbery in the country. I disagreed with that, because we as Liberian need to put the entire factor to context yes its part of the problem but not the key factor. Because, president Taylor legalise looting, as means of survivor as commanded of the rebel fighter. I believed one need to put the entire factor to context, before amalgamation, to some kind of conclusion.
I believed this government need a very good public relation officer, (PRO) to show case, the real issues inherited by them, and… [Read Full Text]
Bravo Minister Woods. People who are very naive will always give credence and or excuse for individuals who continue to commit heinous crimes against the people. What a menance this is. The best person in life is the one who uses his mind,hands and infact his total being positively to improve himself, the community and the world at large. Liberians will have to abandon the pseudo-politicing and get to work to development themselves and the country as a whole. Enough is enough, the saviour -Ellen Sirleaf with her able body of staff- is in control. Who else do… [Read Full Text]
I agree with the second individual comment. It is extremely difficult to reside in a country were criminals are given the chance to harass people. Those that do not have jobs, are all of them harassing people at night at home and in the streets? NO. Then find something to do, look at the rice issue the world is having today. Unemploy able body men, get together with a plan, proposal for help and join hands in rebuilding our reach soil that we have.Or some program that will enable them even without skills to have something to engage themselves into… [Read Full Text]
I beg to differ with Mr. George regarding his comment on the spate of armed robberies in Liberia. If all the unemployed people ( 75% + ) in Liberia were to resort to armed robbery, the result will be even worse than what we hsve been through in the past. We should not in any way condone any act of terrorism and blame it on unemployment. we should stop blaming goverment for all the unemployment in the country which dates back to the 1980's. What we should rather be concentrating on is how to create an enabling enviroment for… [Read Full Text]
I am Mr.Quamellen M. George,a sociology major at the Cuttington University.The statement by Minister Woods is not surprising.I want to let the minister know that the increased armed robbery is dued to the strains those who are involved are faced with.He is backing the Liberian government.According to sociology, when ever the living conditions of the people deteriorate, it poses seroius theat to the nation involved.According to the Strain Theory,when the social order for proper behavior that calls for the achievement of success become difficult for some elements of society, the have nots, the high school dropouts,or the most vulnerable ones… [Read Full Text]