UNJLC LIBERIA BULLETIN 23
14 – 20 January 2004

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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.

Contact details for all UNJLC offices are available on the UNJLC website at http://www.unjlc.org/home/ref/04/03.html.

Please note that we are now only emailing a simple text version of the report for users in Liberia with low bandwidth. Users with web access may also see the report on the UNJLC website at http://www.unjlc.org/home/liberia/01_01.html.

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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

The DDRR Programme begins an intensive information campaign today

The UNMIL Force Brigade's total strength is now 9,891.

The Pakistani Contingent treated about 1,500 persons in a three-day free medical camp for the local population in Sass Town, Kley District. 

1,000 troops from the Ethiopian Contingent are now deployed to Zwedru.

2. Security

The DDRR Programme begins an intensive information campaign today. The disarmament and demobilisation of approximately 40,000 combatants, that commenced on 7 December, 2003 and halted after a week due to disagreements over payments to fighters, will re-commence next month. UNMIL, which is overseeing this programme, seeks to be better prepared and organised for the next phase. 

According to UNMIL reports, the security situation in and around Monrovia is relatively calm. Patrolling continues in the areas of Red Light, ELWA Junction, Paynesville and Camp Schieffelin. There have been some reports of robbery and lynching. A significant number of former GOL forces were observed in Monrovia and the Camp Schieffelin area without any show of hostility. 

According local reports, LURD Chairman Sekou Conneh is expected in Monrovia on 20 January. UNMIL has strengthened its presence in the capital as a precaution. Troops are positioned at the Executive Mansion, Jamkin, St John Bridge, and Star Building. 

The intra-factional fighting in the LURD ranks resulted from a segment of commanders calling for the dismissal of Sekou Conneh and replacement by his estranged wife, Aisha Keita Conneh two weeks ago. The internal struggle resulted in unrest in the LURD-controlled provincial capitals of Gbarnga, Voinjama, and Tubmanburg where a total of two deaths and three wounded were reported. 

The representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Liberia, Francis Blaine, and Willim Jerbo, the Executive Director of the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (NCDDRR) acted as intermediaries between the divisions in the LURD faction. Liberian state radio reported that a meeting was facilitated between Charyee Doe, the LURD vice chairman, and Ms. Conneh. 

The report on the state radio claimed Ms. Conneh had initially supported the overthrow of her husband’s authority by one segment of the LURD. However, she declines from assuming the chairmanship and cause further rifts. 

Momo Jibba, a close associate of former Liberian president Charles Taylor, was arrested aboard a Ghana Airways flight to Accra on 18 January after successfully proceeding through immigration with a passport bearing the name More Jones. Momo Jibba was a commander of Taylor’s Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU).

The curfew for UN staff (national and international) is 2400 hours to 0500 hours. The curfew does not apply to local inhabitants. 

Monrovia, Tubmanburg and Gbarnga are at UN Security Phase IV, while the rest of Liberia continues to be designated as Phase V.

3. Air Operations

WFP has re-commenced its air operations from Spriggs Payne Airport located within Monrovia. WFP was previously operating from Roberts International Airport (RIA), approximately 35 miles east of Monrovia. WFP is operating one LET 410 aircraft, with a 13-passenger capacity, in the West Africa Region servicing all missions in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

UNMIL has established Air Operations and MOVCON centres at Spriggs Payne Airport. UNMIL is currently conducting repairs to the terminal building and the VIP lounge. Barbed wire fencing has been put up to prevent pedestrians from crossing the runway. Re-surfacing of the runway and installation of night landing lighting is also planned. They have improved the VHF and HF communication capability at the ATC tower. 

The UNMIL fleet at Spriggs Payne is composed of one fixed wing airplane, a Beechcraft King Air 200, along with six MI8 helicopters.

Contacts for UNMIL are:
 Mr. Thomas Vandy: UNMIL Airfield Manager, Tel: N/A
 Mr. Thomislav Ristov: UNMIL Chief, Air Operations Centre, Tel: + 377 47 532504, E-mail: ristov@un.org
 Ms. Griffith, MOVCON, Tel: + 377 47 530 602, E-mail: griffithsk@un.org

ICRC is also operating its Beechcraft King Air 200 out of Spriggs Payne with regular flights to Voinjama and Zwedru.

The office of the Director of Civil Aviation is currently situated at Spriggs Payne Airport. The Agency of Civil Aviation has been involved in reviewing regulations and re-establishing international aviation standards. This includes restoration of the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication System (AFTN); defining search and rescue procedures; establishing an aviation security programme; and setting up an air navigation system.  The Bureau is responsible for processing over flight clearances, registration of aircraft, aircraft licenses, and air services agreements. 

The Director of Civil Aviation is Mr. James Attoh, Tel: + 377 47 550 712.

The Secretary-General of the Flight Information Region (FIR), based in Guinea, was in Monrovia for a brief visit to discuss areas of cooperation with the Civil Aviation Burea. The FIR covers Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. 

Contacts: WFP West Africa Air Service contacts are as follows:

4. Sea Port Operations

 UNJLC is leading collective negotiation between UNMIL, WFP, and NPA to re-negotiate port charges at Freeport Monrovia. A meeting was held with the National Port Authority (NPA) on Wednesday, 14 January at 14:00. Quotations from two companies are expected for the removal of the wreckage at two piers at the Freeport. UNMIL, in collaboration with UNJLC, will initiate quick-impact repair projects for generators, handling equipment and provision of spare parts and equipment. The NPA’s decision on the negotiation of port charges is expected this week.  

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

Mr. Jim Williams, customs and immigration consultant, seconded to UNJLC from DFID provided an outline of his mission to the Joint Logistics Working Group meeting on 14 January. Mr. Williams’ mission includes a review of the existing UNJLC Customs and Immigration Guide; identification of the need for further recommendations for the speedy delivery of UN goods; identification of any UN activities that may be hindering the customs regime; providing recommendations for the improvement of customs procedures; harmonising the ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ of customs regulations; adjusting customs regulations in line with those of the World Customs Organisation (WCO); and, review of auxiliary charges outside of customs issues if possible within the timeframe of the mission in Liberia.

Mr. Jim Williams has completed his first week of this three-week mission. Extensive meetings have been held with the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Planning, as well as the Bureaus of Customs and Immigration, the business community, and the Humanitarian Community. The views of those interviewed are being compiled along with recommendations for streamlining and advancing the systems. The resulting report will be presented to donors for possible follow up.

6. Transport Infrastructure

The data collection phase of the UNJLC road assessment project has now been completed. Work continues in conjunction with HIC to analyse the assessment data and to disseminate the results. A road task force of those potentially involved in funding and implementation of road repairs will be convened to delineate responsibilities and to ensure common understanding. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has conducted repairs to the bridge between Greenville and Zwedru, near Juarzon. The bridge has a maximum bearing capacity of 15 tons. ICRC has requested UNMIL to not over-use the bridge which can lead to damage. This issue was raised in the HOC meeting on Monday, 29 January. 

UNJLC coordinated a joint logistics assessment mission to Tubmanburg on 16 January. WFP, FITTEST and UNICEF participated.  Findings on the buildings for office and warehouse use are summarised as follows:

Building

The town is less than an hour’s drive from Monrovia. The County Superintendent is the local authority and his office is located in the ‘ex-Citibank’ building. The local population meets its water requirements from an artificial lake located at the Liberian Mining Company (LMC). Of 14 manual water pumps only 4 are operational. 

There is no communication infrastructure in Tubmanburg. Lonestar, the only GSM provider operating in Liberia, is planning to cover the city in the coming months. For installation of a radio network, the following were considered:
 VHF: Given Tubmanburg’s close proximity, base and mobile stations can easily access    repeaters in Monrovia. With proper antennas on both ends, communication between base stations can also easily be done.
 HF: The same applies. The distance will allow communication with Monrovia.  

Compliance with UN security and MOSS standards requires installation of a repeater. It will be monitored by the UNSECOORD radio room in Monrovia. The staff can then communicate via a handset in Tubmanburg. An alternative arrangement can be the installation of a radio with UNMIL operations.  

UNMIL will establish a sector headquarters in Tubmanburg. Telephone, fax and hi-speed data facilities will be available in the offices. Negotiations for the use of these resources by the humanitarian community are in process. 

The bridge at Kley Junction has been repaired by UNMIL.

7. Logistics Co-ordination

The second regular meeting of the Joint Logistics Working Group was held on Wednesday, 14 January, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. in the WFP conference room. Items on the agenda included a briefing by the customs consultant, port access and charges, UNMIL deployment, and the UNJLC road assessment. The participants were informed of UNJLC’s two-month presentation to the UN Country Team on 13 January 2004. The presentation was comprised of an overview of strategic infrastructure in Liberia and recommendations to overcome the constraints identified to UN deployment. Emphasis was given to the logistical challenges of re-supplying at the humanitarian hubs via land considering the poor road infrastructure and the on coming rainy season, and sharing of infrastructure and resources.

After discussions, UNMIL has indicated willingness to cooperate with the humanitarian community in providing access to crucial logistical assets in its areas of deployment. This includes: the use of two trucks per week from Monrovia to Tubmanburg, Gbarnga, and Buchanan; space in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft for the transportation of cargo according to availability; and, mobile storage facilities, fuel tanks, pre-fab’s, workshops and other resources in the identified locations.  A level 2 hospital will be located at each sector head quarter.  

UNMIL will permit access to the industrial water purification plants that are being set up in the locations. Daily water supply requirements per head are approximately 200 L. Regular re-supplying of water by road will be difficult. Therefore, UNMIL will permit access to these plants for the humanitarian community and the local population. 

UN Agencies may link in with UNMIL VSAT communication systems at each sector head quarter: Gbranga, Tubmanburg, Zwedru and Monrovia. 

Each agency is requested to provide its communications requirements to: 
Martin Kristensson
Tel: + 377 47 531 458
E-mail: martin.kristensson@wfp.org

The possible areas of cooperation and sharing of assets among UNMIL and the humanitarian community outlined above are undergoing discussion and will be formalised in the form of an MOU.

WFP, FITTEST, UNICEF and UNJLC conducted a logistics hub assessment mission to Tubmanburg on Friday, 16 January. The aim was to obtain information on the available infrastructure for future use by the humanitarian community and coordination in the use of the assets. The full report of the mission is available from the UNJLC office.

The Logistics Coordination and Movement Control Centre (LOCOMOC) within the HOC: 

The LOCOMOC is coordinating logistics activities of the humanitarian community as well as providing operational and logistical support in the planning of the DDRR Programme.

NGO Liaison:

 The HOC Humanitarian Briefing is rescheduled for Monday and Thursday, starting Monday, January 26, 2004.  Venue (WHO Conference Room) and time (5:30p.m.) remain the same.  This change is in response to HOC participants’ collective decision and vote during the Monday, January 12, 2004 meeting.  This forum provides an opportunity for humanitarian organisations to flag issues and share information.
 The Ministry of Labour has organized a 1-day workshop (January 23, 2004) for the humanitarian community. The purpose of this workshop is to create awareness on the Labour Employment Policy and Requirements governing agencies operating in the country.
 The Liberian Institute of Journalism (LIJ) is expected to formally launch its radio station Radio LIJ 96.6 FM this week.  The radio station was first established in 1999, as a non-profit training institute by CNN African Journalism Award winner, Vinicius Hodges.  Mercy Corps, an International NGO, which is funded by USAID, donated the broadcast equipment to LIJ.
 Camp leadership elections for Block leaders and deputies started on 17 January for all regular IDP camps in Bong, Margibi and Montserrado.  Elected leadership will assist in the dissemination of information to the wider IDP community and provide local governance within the camp.

LRRRC Liaison:

LRRRC Executive Director, Philip B. Dwuye along with UNHCR Senior Operations Coordinator, Theophilus C. Vodonou and some implementing partners visited Gbarnga to assess the security and humanitarian needs of the IDPs.  During this visit, the LRRRC Executive Director assured IDPs and refugees of the humanitarian community assistance and cautioned them not to be an obstacle to the relief process.

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
 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

UNMIL has deployed troops to Monserrado, Bomi, Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, and Margibi Counties.

The main segment of the Pakistani Battalion has moved from the Transit Camp to Tubmanburg. 

The deployment of the Ethiopian Contingent to Zwedru is ongoing. The deployment is being completed via air, sea and land.  The strength of the troops is 1,000. Zwedru is the provincial capital of Grand Gedeh County, and is the headquarters of the MODEL faction. 

CIMIC (G5) officers conducted a mission to Bo to assess NGO activity and hold a town meeting.  They also visited the Singe village.  

CIMIC (G5) officers accompanied by Action Aid Liberia visited Robertsport. They report the local people have not commenced school. The people have been carrying limited repairs to the bridges and cleaning the local hospital.

On 15 January, the Pakistani Contingent opened a three-day free medical camp for the local population in Sass Town, Kley District. This was in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Drugs and equipment were provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). About 1,500 persons were treated at the camp.

Ukraine has sent 128 troops via a Tu-154 jet which landed in Monrovia. The contingent, which already has 45 servicemen in the capital, will be based at RIA. The full deployment of 300 peacekeepers and 14 helicopters will be complete in February.

An advance party of six Namibian soldiers left Windhoek on 18 January for Liberia to prepare the arrival of a battalion-strength contingent of peacekeepers. It is expected Namibia will send over 900 peacekeepers to join the UN mission in Liberia. 

The total strength of the UNMIL Force Headquarters is now 106 (out of 165), including a dedicated "Civil Military Cooperation" (CIMIC) section. Next to the 1st Brigade, 110 Military Observers are now deployed in the country. The Force Brigade's total strength is 9,891. There are 112 CIVPOL officers and a further 56 are expected later this week.  Distribution of troops in the sectors is as follows:
 Sector 1 – 3,559
 Sector 2 – 1,458
 Sector 3 – 1,340
 Sector 4 – 2,108

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 – Noel 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

 UNJLC has requested UN Agencies and NGOs to submit their fuel requirements per logistics hub/locations in order to have these requirements incorporated into UNMIL’s fuel contract.
 Fuel distribution to the interior of the country shall commence after the awarding of the UNMIL fuel contract in March 2004. This will be further confirmed. 
 Provision of anticipated fuel requirements should be made either to UNJLC or to:
Tim Washington, UNMIL
Tel: + 377 47 532 625
E-mail: washington@un.org

The exchange rate to the US $ to LD $ 53.

10. Other

WFP completed a three-day food distribution and assessment mission to Tapeta. About 8 metric tons of food was distributed to 1,000 people. 

The ICRC has set up health centres in Zorzor, Foya Kamala, Kolahun, Voinjama and Gondalahun.  ICRC rehabilitated the water pumps in those towns. The Committee has recently opened an office in Tubmanburg. 

Representatives from the Liberian Transitional government and the humanitarian community will seek aid at the international donor conference in New York next month. Liberia will request US $ 250-500 million for infrastructure, heath, education and the repatriation of refugees. 

Below is a list of the major newspapers and media-related institutions in Liberia:

 The News, Broad Street, Mr. Jerome Dalieh, Managing Director, Tel: + 377 47 517 470
 The Inquirer, Gurley Street, Mr. Philip N. Wesseh, Managing Director, Tel: + 377 47 516 533
 The Analyst, Carey Street, Mr. Stanley Seakor, Managing Director, Tel: + 377 516 334
 Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Clay Street, Mr. Terence Sesay, President, Tel: + 377 47 513376
 Ministry of Information, Culture, & Tourism, Capitol Hill, Mr. Moore T. Butler, Public Affairs Director, Tel: + 377 47 526292
 Ministry of Information, Culture, & Tourism, Capitol Hill, Mr. Emmanuel Todd, National Communications Director, Tel: + 377 47 551 944
 Ministry of Information, Culture, & Tourism, Capitol Hill, Mr. Samuel Lansa, Liberia National News Deputy Director

Below is a summary of the UNJLC products available from the UNJLC office and the website (www.unjlc.org):

 Customs & Immigration Guide   
 Harper Port Assessment 
 Buchanan Port Assessment    
 Warehousing Survey     
 UNJLC/GTZ Transport Survey     
 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)    
 National Tankers Union Prices     
 Monrovia Freeport Procedures     
 Monrovia Freeport Infrastructure    
 Fuel Storage       
 Liberia Distances Matrix     
 Banking Information      
 Bus Survey       
 Logistic Assets   
 Government Contact List/Organograms of Key Ministries 
 Roberts Int'l Airport Assessment      
 Spriggs Payne Airport Assessment     
 Fire Safety Regulations     
 Heavy Construction/Equipment Survey    
 Fuel Study  
 Labour Laws and Procedures     

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
 Jim Williams: jim.williams@wfp.org, Mobile: + 377 47
 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).