MONROVIA: The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has resolved an impasse between the Manager of Voice of Liberia, Journalist Sekou Sheriff, and Lebanese Businessman, Ali Kobeissi.
In a complaint, dated February 9, 2023, Sheriff informed the Press Union of a threat against his person made by Kobeissi during an investigation of alleged under stating of taxes by an Indian Businessman, Jitendra Johnny Babani, owner of the Goodluck Hardware Center.
Sheriff told the Union that he was insulted and called a blackmailer during an investigation which did not involve Ali Kobeissi.
During Monday’s hearing, Kobeissi unconditionally apologized for his unruly comment to Journalist Sheriff which included f*** letter word.
Kobeissi said there has been no problem and interaction between him and Sheriff until the unfortunate outburst.
He thinks the line was cross and he deeply regrets the situation.
Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia has condemned the action of Ali Kobeissi.
The Union wants business people throughout the country to provide access to journalists seeking news and information in the interest of the public.
Right information helps develop financial system and gives way to national economic growth and development, the PUL asserted.
Journalists, the Union indicated, must be able to prepare information gathered from investigations for broadcast and publication.
The PUL insisted that journalists must at all time act in the best interest of informing the public and not engage in holding of scoops for pecuniary gains.
Commerce Inspectors Get Salary Increment
MONROVIA: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), has carried out upward adjustment in the salaries of 142 employees within its Inspectorate Division.
The salary increment, which takes effective as of February 2023 affects 2 Regional Coordinators, 14 Senior County Inspectors and 126 other inspectors.
A Ministry of Commerce and Industry release, signed by its Communications Director, Jacob N.B. Parley, says the decision was reached recently by the Senior Management Team (SMT), at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
In accordance with the decision, Regional County Coordinators at the Ministry who were previously earning a monthly salary of US$260.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty USD) will now take US$550.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), representing 112% increment.
Senior County Inspectors who were earning US$260.00 will now earn a monthly salary of US$450.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty United States Dollars), representing 73% increment.
According to the release, all other inspectors who were earning a monthly salary of US$160.00 (One Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars) will earn US$285.00 (Two Hundred and Eighty-Five United States Dollars), representing 78%.
The decision by Minister Mawine G. Diggs-led Senior Management Team at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the release says, is line with ongoing efforts to step up effectiveness and productivity at the entity through motivation.
