Bulletin 3 - UNJLC Liberia
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as of 2 September 2003
UNJLC bulletins aim 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.
Contact details for all UNJLC offices
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CONTENTS
1. HIGHLIGHTSWFP Air Service: An AN-12 passenger aircraft will replace the smaller LET-410 as of 11th September. In addition, supplies of Jet A1 are expected to be available for use at Roberts International Airport from 5th September. UNJLC has begun surveys of the warehousing, customs, and trucking facilities in Monrovia. An initial fuel survey has been completed. Daily port schedules and ten-day operational forecasts for the Freeport of Monrovia are now published by the National Port Authority and disseminated by UNJLC. 2. SECURITYMonrovia city remains at UN Security level IV, while Phase V is in effect outside of the city. No incidents of note were reported in Monrovia city during the reporting period. UNSECOORD FSCO: Eric Asare: +377 47 519 150 UN Liberia Communications Centre: +377 47 559 430 3. AIR OPERATIONSThe development of a WFP Common Air Service for the region continues to take shape. Passenger: An AN-24 will arrive in region on 10th September, becoming operational on the 11th. The AN-24 will carry a maximum of 48 passengers with an additional small parcel cargo capability. A schedule for passenger services is currently under formulation. Flights are envisaged as servicing Abidjan, Monrovia and Freetown. Flights to Conakry will be included as and when required. The AN-24 will replace the current LET-410, which will return to the WFP Guinea operation from where it has been on loan. Contacts for Passenger Bookings: On the 9th September the AN-12 currently employed in regional cargo transport will withdraw from service. The withdrawal of the AN-12 will represent, for the current time, the halt of dedicated cargo flights. UNJLC has circulated questionnaires to establish agency/NGO projected cargo flight needs. It is hoped that, with the return of these forms, a full analysis of the viability of continuing a cargo service can be made. Procedures: Cargo booking procedures are now posted on the UNJLC website.Key points are:
Between 26th August and 1st September, UNJLC has facilitated the receipt of 96MT of humanitarian cargo at RIA. Incoming cargo includes urgent medical supplies, ICT equipment, and vital spare parts for handling machinery at Monrovia Freeport. UNJLC has acquired AIS information on the 20 main airfields in Liberia. However, this information dates from 1998 and, until the security situation permits fresh assessments, this information cannot be verified. Full details can be found on the UNJLC website. 4. SEA PORT OPERATIONSThe National Port Authority (NPA) has organised, since 25th August, daily port co-ordination meetings at Monrovia Freeport. The meetings (14.00 weekdays, 10.00 weekends) establish the schedule of operations at the port for the present and coming day, while a four-day forecast of incoming vessels is compiled. On Wednesdays a ten-day forecast is made. Due to a current lack of email, word processing, and photo copying capabilities at the port, UNJLC now collect the schedule on a daily basis and circulate a formatted version to the humanitarian community. This information will shortly be available on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org). Monrovia Freeport has the following wharfs and piers:
UNJLC and NPA are currently in the process of collating dimensions of port infrastructure, including wharfs and piers. Full details of warehousing facilities in the Freeport have been collected by UNJLC. These will be linked with a map of the Freeport and disseminated. NPA Port Manager: Romeo Clark, +377 47 513 534 NPA Deputy Port Manager: John Smythe, +377 47 515 050/510 902 NPA Port Operations Manager: Julius Gooding, +377 47 513 526 NPA Technical Manager: James Popoe, +377 47 513 536 NPA Pier Supervisor: Emmanuel Horton, +377 47 521 662 5. BORDER CROSSING, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONWaterside border crossing to Sierra Leone (closed since February 2003) opened for pedestrian traffic on Saturday 23rd August. Motor traffic is still not permitted. UNJLC have begun the process of compiling and analysing current customs and immigration procedures at RIA and Monrovia Freeport in relation to the smooth flow of humanitarian operations. 6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (Roads, Bridges, Rail, Ports, Airports, Warehouse)A distance matrix for Liberia is now available from UNJLC. Hard copies are available from the UNJLC office (Ground Floor, WFP Building, UN Drive, Monrovia) or are downloadable from the UNJLC website. A set of standardised infrastructure assessment forms are available from UNJLC. The forms are one-page tick box format and are designed for use not only by logisticians. UNJLC ask that those undertaking missions fill out these forms and return them to UNJLC who will ensure that the information is shared amongst the humanitarian community at large. The forms are available either from the UNJLC office, or the UNJLC website. UNJLC has identified available warehousing space in the Freeport area of Monrovia. Three warehouses are available and measure 9,381, 9,115, and 5,394 square feet. Contact person is Mohammed Bitar, +377 47 514 514. A full survey of warehousing in the Monrovia area is being undertaken by UNJLC and a report is expected in around two weeks. Initial information on the Liberian rail network indicate that it consists of three main lines:
A UNJLC survey of trucking companies in Monrovia has begun. Results will be circulated upon completion. 7. LOGISTICS COORDINATIONThe third weekly Joint Logistics Meeting was held at 11.00 hours in the HOC, ground floor of the WFP building. Briefings on the developments in the WFP Air Service and the Freeport of Monrovia were given (see ‘Air Operations’ and ‘Sea Port Operations’). Colour A3 UNJLC planning maps were distributed and a system for providing larger numbers of full size (A2) maps on a weekly basis has now been established. UNJLC maps are also available on the UNJLC website. Participants of the meeting agreed that daily hire rates for 4x4 vehicles is currently between US$35-50. It was also established that the Transport Union in Monrovia is no longer functional. 8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATIONThe 3rd Battalion ECOMIL (West African composite battalion) is now fully deployed thereby allowing a broadening of ECOMIL presence towards RIA and the IDP camps. ECOMIL also is providing patrols to IDP and refugee camps to the north-east of Monrovia. The 4th Battalion ECOMIL (Guinea Bissau, Gambia, and Togo) is currently arriving in Monrovia. They will be used to consolidate the existing ECOMIL presence. ECOMIL Emergency Response HOTLINE: +377 47 530 172/530 173 ECOMIL Force Commander – Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo Chief of Operations – Colonel Mark, Nigeria: +377 47 523 675 Civil-Military Co-ordination Officer – Lt Col Logonda, Togo: +377 47 529 882 Civil Affairs Officer – Major P. Spangler, USA: +377 47 522 25 UN Civil Affairs – Barry Jones: +377 47 530 197 WFP Civil Affairs – Albert Fiawosime UNHCR Civil Affairs – Ian Hall: +377 47 530 180 9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene)Fuel Storage: UNJLC has undertaken a survey of the fuel storage capacity in Liberia. Details of wholesale fuel storage and importers/distributors are outlined below: Fuel importation and distribution in Liberia is, by Act of Parliament, handled by the para statal Liberian Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC). In turn, LPRC franchises the importation of fuel to West Oil, a private enterprise. Distribution is outsourced to six main private sector players; Gepco, JSJ, Delta, Petrol1, Aminata, and Mobil. Fuel storage infrastructure and operation are however maintained by LPRC. LPRC Managing Director Deputy Managing Director for Operations Operations Manager Maintenance Manager Tech Services Manager Importers
Distributors
LPRC have six fuel storage facilities which are reported to be in service; Monrovia Crude Storage Terminal (CST), Product Storage Terminal (PST) and Main/Gardenersville sites, as well as Ganta, Buchanan, and Nezoe. A tank farm in Greenville is reported to be out of service and beyond repair, while a proposed site in Harper was never finalised.
The exchange rate to the US$ rose during the reporting period from L$55 on 26th August to L$57 on 2nd September. Fuel Prices
Commodity Prices
10. LIBERIA UNJLC STAFFPeter Scott-Bowden, Chief UNJLC Liberia, departed Monrovia on 2nd September to resume his position with WFP. He is replaced by David Pittfield. UNJLC Liberia contacts are: UNJLC Offices are located on the ground floor of the WFP building, UN Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia. |
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ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting, in the current emergency, to the Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Liberia, and overall to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Its mandate is to co-ordinate 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 will be posted on the UNJLC website. (www.unjlc.org).
