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President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has cautioned Liberians especially street peddlers to prepare themselves as the nation has entered 2008 for the action that the government intends to take when it comes to enforcing the zoning laws of the country.

The Liberian leader said the government couldn't allow citizens to break the zoning laws of the country by erecting structures that do not belong in residential areas in total contravention to the zoning laws of the country.

Speaking on Monday at her Foreign Ministry office when she met with Executive Mansion reporters at what was described as her Year End Interaction with the press, President Sirleaf said all those who erected their structures in violation of the zoning laws would now have to conform with the process this year 2008.

She said government has also been relaxed over the past time, with the issue of street peddling stressing that as of this year, this has to come to an end.

"We are now looking at places that we will designate for those that will want to do street peddling so that they can have the means of being somewhere that they can sell so that we can not have people on the streets impeding vehicular movement and the mobility of people from getting to businesses," she said.

President Sirleaf urged all concerned to cooperate and respect the laws because as she put it, government would enforce the law.

She added that the enforcement of these zoning laws, were for the good of those concerned as the decision is for their own protection and to send a signal to the world that indeed Liberia has changed and is becoming a normal nation and all those unusual things that occurred in the days of chaos are gone and that the nation is now putting on a new front that is becoming modern again.

She appealed to all concerned to respect the government's decision and avoid creating a situation where government will take what she called, "harsh action" against anyone.

On other issues, President Sirleaf described 2007 as a good year for the nation but noted that the issue of implementation remains the weakest point of the government.

According to her, the procedures and processes of the nation's international partners have to be met, something, which she noted cause frustration at times when implementation is slow but expressed the hope that as capacity improves, implementation would become accelerated in the next few months.

Commenting on the challenges of her government, President Sirleaf said there were still challenges left although progress has been made. She said there were still a long way to go in achieving the many goals left, adding, " it will take the collective efforts of all Liberians."


	WI Mandingo Association of Milwaukee
		Liberia: Ellen Warns Street Seller January 3, 2007 Patrick K. Wrokpoh President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has cautioned Liberians especially street peddlers to prepare themselves as the nation has entered 2008 for the action that the government intends to take when it comes to enforcing the zoning laws of the country. The Liberian leader said the government couldn't allow citizens to break the zoning laws of the country by erecting structures that do not belong in residential areas in total contravention to the zoning laws of the country. Speaking on Monday at her Foreign Ministry office when she met with Executive Mansion reporters at what was described as her Year End Interaction with the press, President Sirleaf said all those who erected their structures in violation of the zoning laws would now have to conform with the process this year 2008. She said government has also been relaxed over the past time, with the issue of street peddling stressing that as of this year, this has to come to an end. "We are now looking at places that we will designate for those that will want to do street peddling so that they can have the means of being somewhere that they can sell so that we can not have people on the streets impeding vehicular movement and the mobility of people from getting to businesses," she said. President Sirleaf urged all concerned to cooperate and respect the laws because as she put it, government would enforce the law. She added that the enforcement of these zoning laws, were for the good of those concerned as the decision is for their own protection and to send a signal to the world that indeed Liberia has changed and is becoming a normal nation and all those unusual things that occurred in the days of chaos are gone and that the nation is now putting on a new front that is becoming modern again. She appealed to all concerned to respect the government's decision and avoid creating a situation where government will take what she called, "harsh action" against anyone. On other issues, President Sirleaf described 2007 as a good year for the nation but noted that the issue of implementation remains the weakest point of the government. According to her, the procedures and processes of the nation's international partners have to be met, something, which she noted cause frustration at times when implementation is slow but expressed the hope that as capacity improves, implementation would become accelerated in the next few months. Commenting on the challenges of her government, President Sirleaf said there were still challenges left although progress has been made. She said there were still a long way to go in achieving the many goals left, adding, " it will take the collective efforts of all Liberians." allafrica