Summary
Content
UNJLC LIBERIA BULLETIN 21
30 December 2003 – 6 January 2004
The aim of the UNJLC bulletins is to provide a concise weekly overview of UNJLC activities and the present logistical situation in regard to the crisis in Liberia. In addition sector/country specific reports will be released regularly in order to provide in-depth coverage of priority areas.
CONTENTS
- 1. Highlights
- 2. Security
- 3. Air Operations
- 4. Sea Port Operations
- 5. Customs and Immigration
- 6. Transport Infrastructure
- 7. Logistics Co-ordination
- 8. Civil-Military Co-ordination
- 9. Fuel (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / Commodity Prices
- 10. Other
- 11. Liberia International Staff
1. Highlights
UNMIL troops have deployed to Tapeta, Tubmanburg, Buchanan and Gbarnga. Troops from the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Ethiopian contingents have positioned in these key areas.
Following discussions with the LRRRC Executive Director requesting permanent representation in the HOC, Ms. Adella K. Kermah has been appointed to the HOC.
2. Security
Two hundred and fifty Ethiopian troops deployed to Tapeta on 3 January 2004. The town is controlled by Model forces and is located 35 km from the border with Ivory Coast.
Pakistani troops continued to deploy into Tubmanburg, controlled by the LURD faction, about 60 km northwest of Monrovia. Pakistani’s are currently patrolling the route from Kley Junction to Tubmanburg.
UNMIL has also deployed troops from Bangladesh to the MODEL-held port city of Buchanan and the LURD-controlled area of Gbarnga.
UNMIL plans to deploy troops from the Ethiopian Contingent to Zwedru.
UNMIL security reports indicate continuing isolated internal factional fighting. Looting and acts of banditry will continue to pose a threat to UNMIL and international organisations, while dissatisfaction or ignorance of the DDRR process could lead to further tension as we approach the re-commencement of the Programme on 20 January. The situation in Monrovia area is assessed as calm and peaceful but unpredictable. The threat of criminality directed toward off-duty UN military personnel in the city is high.
Last week, a series of incidents occurred in Monrovia which involved mobs of people carrying out their own version of justice by beating and burning local criminals. A criminal was beaten and burned in West Point, while a former ATU combatant was beaten to death in the Stephen Tolbert Estate. Another man was burned by a mob in the Red Light area.
The curfew timings for UN staff (national and international) are 2400 hours to 0500 hours. The curfew does not apply to local inhabitants.
Monrovia and key roads to Tubmanburg and Gbarnga remain at UN Security Phase IV, while the rest of Liberia continues to be designated as Phase V.
3. Air Operations
WFP is operating with one aircraft LET 410, with a 13-passenger capacity, in the West Africa Region servicing all missions in the region (Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea).
UNHCR is operating a Beechcraft to fly passengers between Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. For more information, please contact:
Mahamadou Guindo, Tel: + 377 47 530 181, E-mail: guindom@unhcr.ch
Below is updated information on the commercial airlines operating in Liberia:
Ghana Airways operates in Liberia 6 times per week, except for Wednesday. The destinations are Abidjan and Freetown. Flights to the U.S., via Accra, operate on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Flights to New York take place on Tuesday and Friday. Flights to Baltimore take place on Sunday.
Chartered flights should be discussed with the General Manager. Ghana Airways operates a DC-10 aircraft for its flights to the USA. Reservations should be made a week in advance.
Contacts in Monrovia:
General Manager
Tel: + 377 47 553764
Office: + 377 47 518791
Airport Office: + 377 47 553764
SN Brussels operates once a week on Wednesday. The airline flies a Boeing 737 aircraft from Monrovia to Brussels via Abidjan.
Contacts in Monrovia:
+ 37 47 512147
+ 37 47 535048
Satgur Air Transport Corporation operates three times a week: Mondays, Thursday, and Saturday. Currently, Satgur Air Transport flies to Abidjan only. Flights to Freetown shall resume subsequently. Satgur has international connection flights which can be arranged here in Monrovia. All such arrangements should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Contacts in Monrovia:
+ 377 47 511084
+ 377 47 550937
Weasua Air Transport operates six times per week, except on Sunday. The company provides transport for passengers and cargo. Weasua is the official agent for KLM, & West Coast Airways. International connections are carried out from Accra.
Contacts in Monrovia:
+ 37747 516275
+ 377 47 531181
+ 377 47 554081 (RIA)
+ 377 47 515944 (RIA)
+ 377 47 550133 (RIA)
Contacts: WFP West Africa Air Service contacts are as follows:
| Ivory Coast: WFP West Africa Air Service WFP Office Rue Jesse Owens Angle Boulevard de la Republique Residence Tropique 3 Abidjan Plateau Contact: Alain Rakotovao |
Liberia: WFP West Africa Air Service Ground Floor, WFP Office United Nations Office Mamba Point Monrovia Contact: Nyenati Bayusie |
|
Sierra Leone: Contact: Stela Pasic/Rosemary Parnell |
4. Sea Port Operations
UNJLC has requested a meeting with the National Port Authority (NPA), WFP and UNMIL to further discuss the priorities of the Needs Assessment for the Port. The meeting will also address harmonisation of NPA charges to the UN agencies, removal of the two wrecks at the main pier of the port, and the rehabilitation of alternative ports in Liberia.
The Freeport of Monrovia has a capacity to offload not more than 4 ships simultaneously: 2x160m and 1x 100m on the main pier
1x160m on the BMC pier
Since the resumption of United Nations activities in August 2003, the traffic at the Port has increased by approximately 25%.
Below is the breakdown of cargo volume from 1 January – 31 December, 2003. Relief cargo comprised 8 % of imports.
| Category | Import | Export | Total |
| Dry Bulk | 27,816 MT | N/A | 27,816 MT |
| Liquid Bulk | 43,030 MT | 31,227 MT | 74,256 MT |
| General Cargo | 132,859 MT | 24,565 MT | 157,423 MT |
| Relief Cargo | 36,016 MT | N/A | 36,016 MT |
| Container | 172,364 MT | 80,963 MT | 253,327 MT |
| Total: | 412,084 MT | 136,754 MT | 548,839 MT |
The Freeport of Monrovia is facing problems with power and shortages of fuel.
Contacts for the Ghanian Security contingent (UNMIL) at the Freeport are as follows:
Commanding Officer – Lt Col James Adoinama: + 377 47 530 657
Operations Officer – Major Louman Gbetanu: + 377 47 530 654
Military Intelligence Officer – Capt Errigton Commil: + 377 47 530 649
5. Customs and Immigration
A Customs consultant, Mr. Jim Williams, seconded to UNJLC will be arriving in Liberia on 13 January to carry out a study of the customs and immigration procedures, following by recommendations for policy proposals to the Government of Liberia.
The second draft of the UNJLC Customs and Immigration Guide is available.
6. Transport Infrastructure
The UNJLC road assessment project is nearing completion for the western and central regions of Liberia. Team A in the western sector will complete its assessment by 7 January, while Team B covering the central region will complete its mission by end of this week. Results from Team C in the eastern sector will be delayed. A database of assessment information and photos along with maps of GPS data collected are expected to be available shortly.
UNJLC will chair a Joint Task Force committee to recommend priorities for road rehabilitation and repair (in accordance with Agencies requirements) and a handover of responsibility to those Agencies and organisations that have allocated funds towards the end of January 2004.
As the deployment of UN peacekeepers troops continues in the major parts of the country, UNMIL will commence road rehabilitation of key routes according to the re-supplying requirements of its troops.
Taking into consideration the arrival of the rainy season in May and limited assets available for road rehabilitation, UNJLC is conducting a survey of the construction and heavy equipment companies operating in Liberia.
With respect to agency findings and reports on the majority of IDP needs and requirements, it is evident that rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure should concentrate in the western region, including the Lofa and Nimba counties.
UNJLC is updating the Liberian Tankers Association price listing. This includes the transportation rates as per location within the country; the cost of petrol products, mainly gasoline, kerosene, and fuel oil; capacity storage as well as the Tanker Association capacity. This Association has the responsibility to transport fuel around the country.
7. Logistics Co-ordination
The next meeting of the Joint Logistics Working Group will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the WFP Conference room on 7 January 2004.
UNJLC is drafting a Liberia Logistics Handbook that will be composed of logistical surveys and studies. This Handbook is intended to assist UN agencies and the humanitarian community in their operational and logistical planning for deployment into areas outside of Monrovia.
UNJLC is providing technical support to the drafting of a critical MOU for the use of UNMIL assets and facilities by the humanitarian community. This MOU includes cost recovery plans.
UNJLC is planning assistance for asset identification and support to a general evacuation plan.
An interim MEDEVAC procedure drafted by UNJLC is awaiting approval.
The Logistics Coordination and Movement Control Centre (LOCOMOC) Cell in the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC) Work continues supporting the Inter-Agency Communication Project to develop quick-impact inter-agency communication. LOCOMOCC will provide a presentation to the sectoral CIMIC officers before they go to the field. The Cell is involved in operational and logistical planning support to the DDRR process as it resumes on 20 January. The Cell will support UNOCHA at the UN Agency and Donors coordination meeting on 10 Jan, 2004. This meeting will focus on articulating plans and funding gaps in anticipation of the Donor Conference later this year. The LOCOMOCC will also be involved in coordinating the movement of IDPs from irregular camps in and around Monrovia to formal camps in the neighbouring counties.
NGO Liaison:
The Liberia NGOs Network (LINNK) participated in the UNMIL DDRR Sensitisation assessment in Buchanan and Tubmanburg on 5 January, 2004.
LINNK has targeted 500 communities in 5 regions of Liberia. These communities will be sensitised on the DDRR programme.
RedR Engineers for Disaster Relief, agreed to provide a number of subsidised seats for the upcoming Security Management Workshop to National NGOs who do not have sufficient funds to cover the full cost. This workshop will take place February 10 – 13, 2004. Interconnection, a US-based NGO, has volunteered website support services to national NGOs in Liberia.
Following discussions with the LRRRC Executive Director requesting permanent representation in the HOC, Ms. Adella K. Kermah has been appointed to the HOC.
The points of contact at the HOC are as follows:
General:
Stephen Hiscock, Tel: + 377 47 530 434, E-mail: stephen.hiscock@wfp.org
Logistics Coordination & Movement Control:
Steven Eames, Tel: + 377 47 534 468, E-mail: steven.eames@wfp.org
Civil-Military Coordination:
Stephen Hiscock, Tel: + 377 47 530 434, E-mail: stephen.hiscock@wfp.org
Major Noel Duffy, Tel: + 377 47 532 516, E-mail: monrovia.guest8@wfp.org
LRRRC Liaison:
Adella K. Kermah
Liberian NGO Liaison:
Momo Larmena, Tel: + 377 47 530365, E-mail: momo.larmena@wfp.org
Security: Arve Skog, Tel: + 377 47 529 616, E-mail: arve.skog@undp.org
Humanitarian Information:
Varney Kawah, Tel: + 377 47 521 726, E-mail:varney.kawah@undp.org
The HOC is located on the ground floor of the WFP building. The opening hours are: Mon-Fri: 08:30 – 18:00. Sat: 10:00 – 15:00.
8. Civil-Military Co-ordination
The deployment of the Pakistani contingent (sector 2) in Tubmanburg continues. One company is positioned in Tubmanburg and one is located at Kle Junction. Sector Headquarters have deployed 374 troops, while 344 troops are deployed by the Battalion Headquarters, hence a total of 718 troops. There is a regular patrol established between Kle Junction and Tubmanburg.
One thousand troops from Bangladesh (sector 3) have been deployed to Gbarnga, while 250 troops were deployed to Buchanan on 31 December.
The deployment of the Ethiopian contingent (sector 4) to Tapeta commenced on 3 January. About 800 troops and 55 MT of equipment were transported by air.
Next week, troops from the Ethiopian Contingent are planned to deploy to Zwedru. The deployment will be assisted by the Rotterdam Ship. Two hundred personnel and equipment will be transported to Greenville on 10 - 12 January. From Greenville, the contingent will proceed to Zwedru by road.
UNMIL’s CIMIC section will be conducting a one-day workshop on 6 January for the CIMIC officers of the recently-deployed contingents.
UNMIL has established temporary fuel storage centres in locations of UNMIL military presence with the following capacities :
Sector 1, Kakata - 10,000 L
Sector 2, Tubmanburg - 20,000 L
Sector 3, Gbarnga - 22,000 L
Buchanan - 30,000 L
The total strength of the UNMIL Force Headquarters is now 105 (out of 165), including a dedicated "Civil Military Cooperation" (CIMIC) section. Next to the 1st Brigade, 109 Military Observers are now deployed in the country. The Force Brigade's total strength is 8,542. There are 72 CIVPOL officers.
UNMIL Emergency Response HOTLINES:
Duty Officer HQ Sector 1: + 377 47 530 173
Duty Officer HQ UNMIL : + 377 47 532 313
UNMIL Force Commander – Lieutenant General Opande, Kenya.
Sector 1 Commander – Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo, Nigeria.
Civil-Military Co-operation Officer – Major Duffy: + 377 47 532 516
UN Civil-Military Co-ordination – Stephen Hiscock: + 377 47 530 434
WFP Civil-Military Liaison – Albert Fiawosime: + 377 47 530 209
UNJLC Civil-Military Liaison – Oleksandr Grebenyuk: + 377 47 532 378
9. Fuel (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / Commodity Prices
Further to the strategic fuel study carried out by UNJLC’s fuel consultant in November 2003, UNJLC has requested UN Agencies and NGOs to submit their fuel requirements per logistics hub in order to have these requirements incorporated into UNMIL’s fuel contract.
The exchange rate to the USD $ to LD $ 51.
| Fuel type | Retail Price (US$) | Street Price (US$) |
| Diesel | 2.20 | 2.40 |
| Gasoline | 2.25 | 2.35 |
| Kerosene | 2.10 | 2.45 |
| Commodity | Quantity | Price 30-12-03(US$) | Price 06-01-04(US$) |
| Sugar | 50kg | 26 | 24 |
| Rice | 50kg | 17, 18, 19,20 | 17, 18, 19, 20 |
| Flour | 50kg | 23 | 23 |
| Food Oil | 20 L | 22 | 24 |
| Bread | Loaf | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Tea | Pack | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Tomato paste | Can | 0.20 | 0.20 |
| Sweet potatoes | 50kg | 18.00 | 17.60 |
| Potatoes | 20kg | 21 | 21 |
| Mineral Water | 1.5 L | 0.72 | 0.80 |
10. Other
UNJLC has carried out a brief study of the labour procedures and requirements as decree by the Ministry of Labour. Information was provided by the Ministry concerning: acquiring alien work permits, the employment of aliens, the employment of nationals and responsibilities of the humanitarian community regarding labour practices. While international staff from UN agencies is exempt from acquiring work permits, personnel of international organisations are required to obtain work permit under gratis.
Exemptions apply as below:
| Categories of those exempted: | Fees Exemption |
| 1. Aliens employed by bona-fide religious organisations | Permit Fee (USD $ 400.00) |
| 2. Aliens employed by bona-fide humanitarian organisations | Permit Fee (USD $ 400.00) |
| 3. Aliens employed by United Nations Organisation | All Fees |
| 4. Aliens employed by Government of Liberia under bilateral and multilateral agreements | Permit Fee (USD $ 400.00) |
| 5. Female Aliens married to Liberians | Permit Fee (USD $ 400.00) |
The study also includes requirements in the writing up of contracts, contract attestation, filling of vacancies, and responsibilities of the employing agencies.
Contacts at the Ministry are:
Cllr. Lavalla Superwood, Minister, Tel: + 377 47 516 436
Mr. George Howe, Deputy Minister for Administration, Tel: + 377 47 511 921
Mr. Matthew K. Whayee, Deputy Minister for Manpower Planning, Tel: + 377 47 535 478
Mr. Melvin Dennis, Assistant Minister for Statistic, Tel: + 377 47 517 371
Mr. Philip G. Williams, Director of Labour Standards, Tel: + 377 47 528 997
Ms. Massa Dennis, Director of Aliens, Tel: + 377 47 517 375
The document on the Ministry of Labour is available from the UNJLC office.
11. Liberia International Staff
Peter Schaller: peter.schaller@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 090
Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org, m_dee99@yahoo.com Mobile: +377 47 530 187
Oleksandr Grebenyuk: oleksandr.grebenyuk@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 532 378
Steven Eames steven.eames@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 468
Farzana Rasheed: farzana.rasheed@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 531458
UNJLC Offices are located on the ground floor of the WFP building, UN Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia.
UNJLC Fax: + 871 763 467 061.
UNJLC Tel: + 871 763 467 060.
ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting, in the current emergency, to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, and overall to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Its mandate is to coordinate and optimise the logistics capabilities of humanitarian organisations in large-scale emergencies. UNJLC operates under the custodianship of WFP who are responsible for the administrative and financial management of the Centre. UNJLC is funded from voluntary contributions channelled through WFP. The UNJLC project document for Liberia can be viewed on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).