-Says he wasn’t given due process
By Thomas Kojo Roulhac
Monrovia-Liberian football administrator, Emmett Stages Glassco, has frowned on the Liberia Football Association’s decision to expel Class ‘A’ referee Josephus Torjilar.
However, Glassco believes Josephus Torjilar was not given due process. Early Tuesday, April 29, 2024, the Liberia Football Association announced with immediate effect, the expulsion of Class-A referee Josephus Torjilor from all LFA-organized activities.
According to the release, Torjilor’s expulsion was consistent with the Referee Committee’s report from the match Nimba vs Grand Gedeh in the ensuing National County Meet. “His poor officiating brought referring and the game into disrepute and also caused grave damages and losses,” the statement said.
Toljila’s controversial handling of the game caused Grand Gedians to furiously storm the pitch with violence that led to the injury of people and damages at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
Meanwhile, in August of 2019, Josephus Torjilar was handed a two-year ban by the Liberia Football Association after he admitted that he received US$100, following a second-tier relegation play-off match that saw Pags beat defunct Srimex 2-0.
Torjilar was found culpable of violating Chapter 13, section 2 point 6, which states: “Match officials are not allowed to accept gifts of any kind from members of clubs, etc. (cash or kind) before, during, and after a match.
But speaking with journalists at his office in Monrovia, the Senior Female Professionals President Emmett Stages Glassco said dismissing someone without according them due process is wrong. “We all know that he made some errors but to expel him without due process is wrong,” he said.
He continues: “The best thing was to recall the man from the tournament and send him for an investigation before coming up with such a decision”.
However, he said the Liberia Football Association should rethink its decision and give referee Torjilar due process.
“I am pleased to use this medium to call the attention of LFA and the referee committee to give the Class A referee due process and subject him to an Investigation” he ended the press conference.
Rep. Momo Siafa Kpoto Calls for Civil Service Independence at National Consultancy Policy Launch
Monrovia- Representative Momo Siafa Kpoto, an esteemed advocate for civil service reform and the representative for Lofa County District 3, delivered a stirring call to action for political neutrality and independence within Liberia’s civil service sector at the official launch of the National Consultancy Policy Guidelines.
In his impassioned address, Kpoto underscored the indispensable role of civil servants in propelling the government’s agenda forward across a myriad of vital sectors. He emphasized that the civil service embodies the essence of governance and is the bedrock upon which the nation’s progress rests.
“The civil service is not merely a bureaucratic machinery; it is the heartbeat of our government. Without the unwavering dedication and professionalism of civil servants, the wheels of governance would grind to a halt,” Kpoto asserted.
Drawing attention to the pressing need for safeguarding the integrity and autonomy of the civil service, Kpoto fervently advocated for the establishment of a Civil Service Commission. He emphasized that such an institution would serve as a rampart against political interference, ensuring that civil servants can discharge their duties without fear or favor.
“It is imperative that we establish a Civil Service Commission to shield our civil servants from undue political pressure and to uphold the principles of meritocracy and impartiality,” Kpoto emphasized.
In a nod to the significance of the occasion, Kpoto commended the launch of the National Consultancy Policy Guidelines, lauding its potential to streamline recruitment processes and foster greater transparency within government agencies.
“The introduction of the National Consultancy Policy Guidelines represents a monumental step towards ensuring that our recruitment processes are fair, efficient, and merit-based,” Kpoto remarked.
The Lofa County Lawmaker issued a rallying cry to all stakeholders, urging them to unite in support of a robust and independent civil service.
“I call upon all stakeholders – lawmakers, civil society organizations, and citizens alike – to stand with me in championing the cause of civil service independence. Together, let us pave the way for a government that truly serves the people,” Kpoto declared resolutely.
Representative Momo Siafa Kpoto’s plea for civil service independence resonates deeply in Liberia’s ongoing journey towards governance reform. His commitment to upholding the principles of professionalism, impartiality, and transparency serves as a beacon of hope for a brighter and more equitable future for all Liberians.
