Liberia: Bong University Students Detest Undermining Schemes
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The Analyst (Monrovia)
4 October 2008
Posted to the web 6 October 2008
The concerned Bong University Students in Bong County appear to detest schemes and orchestrations intended to undermine the good works being undertaken by officials of the county.
The students said they do not support acts that are counterproductive to the wellbeing of the county, especially anything that is not legally prudent.
According to the students, they are against detention of people without court process and will not encourage the use of profane languages and baseless allegations against public officials.
In a statement issued yesterday with focus on the development in the county, the Bong University Students said they have been observing the constant publication of 'false information' by those they termed "paid agents" acting under the banner of Concerned Youth of Bong.
The students said such advocacy is only intended to bring the county to public ridicule and undermine its unity.
Commenting on other issues such as the audit conducted by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on the BMC Escrow Account, the students said, "after carefully perusing the audit report, there is no evidence linking the Bong Legislative Caucus, the superintendent and other county officials as alleged by those wanting to destroy the good record of our beloved county."
In the same vein, the students said they are happy with the performance of the county officials regarding ongoing developments in the county, such as the stadium project, the Kokoya road rehabilitation, the construction of the administrative offices in Zota and Jorquelleh for the commissioners, as well as scholarship for needed citizens.
Meanwhile, the Concerned University Students have commended the county's Legislative Caucus for using the court, rather than using their position and authority to come down on people.
"We, therefore, urge other youth groups in the county to desist from acts that undermine and destroy the county and instead join hands in the development process," the statement quoted the concerned students as concluding.
'Pay Taxes for Unimproved Land' - Assist. Justice Minister warns
By George J. Borteh
The newly-appointed and confirmed Assistant Justice Minister for Taxation, Cllr. Aaron B. Kparkillen, has underscored the need for Liberians to pay taxes for lands that are owed and yet to be improved upon.
He said lands that are not been improved upon are part of the real estate property that owners need to pay taxes, stressing that many land owners are not paying their taxes for their unimproved lands in the country.
"We must pay taxes for unimproved lands. You must pay seven percent as set value for real estate and many of you here are not paying taxes for unimproved lands as we speak", Assistant Minister Kparkillen reiterated.
He made the statement recently at a welcoming ceremony held in his honor and the Assistant Minister of Justice for Litigation, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, at the Justice Ministry in Monrovia.
Though Cllr. Kparkillen did not disclose the amount of money that has not been paid by unimproved land owners, he also stated that even owners of improved lands are not paying their taxes.
He furthered that among Liberian citizens who were currently paying real estate include President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, adding that since the Liberian leader is paying, all employees of the Justice ministry must get ready to do same.
"I will make sure first that all my bosses within the Ministry of Justice and others are clear, then we will start to pursue other Liberians to pay theirs, including other taxes," he said.
Assistant Minister Kparkillen alleged that many Liberians and non-Liberians, including Lebanese businesses doing business in the country, are evading taxes, thus having Liberia to lost millions of United States dollars.
Minister Kparkillen disclosed that most businesses operating in the country do not have what he considers as "Adequate Tax Record" and because of said practices; most of them do not give receipts to buyers of goods and services.
He avowed that if given the authority by the President of Liberia, he would perform to the letter and chase non-tax payers, since it is intended to boost revenue for government, stressing that there are laws to prosecute such people.
"Under the law, we've what we call "inadequate tax record" and the law says within five years time, if you continue or persistently keep 'Inadequate Tax Record', it is punishable by facing four years imprisonment, he said.
Relevant Links
Min. Kparkillen then thanked the President of Liberia for his preferment and promised to work in the best interest of the Liberian people by making sure that the taxation process at the Ministry of Justice live on forever in an improved way, and that all employees embark on the path of paying their taxes.
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Copyright © 2008 The Analyst. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
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