LONESTAR CE LL M T N
A market-leading offering with room for expansion www.lonestarcell.com
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A Bold New
Digital World
Lonestar Cell MTN is enriching lives in Liberia as it leverages one of the continent’s leading names in telecoms to meet the demands of its subscribers and the needs of the country Writer: Matthew Staff • Project Manager: Donovan Smith
s a member of the MTN Group in Africa, Lonestar is successfully leveraging the prominent brand name in Liberia to enrich lives across the length and breadth of the country. Lonestar Cell began commercial operations in 2001 with Lonestar Cell MTN becoming the new brand name six years later following the acquisition of its mother company, Investcom LLC by MTN Group. The subsequent Lonestar Cell MTN Company became the first operator within Liberia offering GSM services; a pioneering position which the business has maintained over its 14 years of technological evolution. Entering the 2G domain before
evolving further still into 3G, Lonestar has remained market leader throughout, enhancing and expanding its network infrastructure across the country in the process, as subscriber numbers surpassed one million people. Now, with 1.3 million subscribers, and more than half of the market share, the Company is as driven as ever to saturate the entire country with its unrivalled standard of services. “We don’t yet cover 100 percent of the country but we are getting close,” Lonestar’s Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Osho says. “We have evolved over the years from GSM 2G and now into 3G, developing our network into all counties within the country. “We have also evolved our services
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The Company has invested heavily in customer services
from basic voice and SMS in the early days to a whole host of value-added services including music and a lot of other applications and advance data and IP services.” Investing large amounts into necessary IT infrastructures to support such developments in previously unexposed regions of Liberia has been another pivotal facet of Lonestar’s success, staying true to its overall dedication to improving the general way of life for people in the country. “I think our differentiator is that we are committed to the whole country and we know how to manage risk,” Osho continues. “We take a long-term view of all our markets so we can make our subscribers’ lives richer in the longterm by offering innovative services at great value for money.
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I think our differentiator is that we are committed to the whole country and we know how to manage risk
Prestige Motor Corporation P
restige Motor Corporation (PMC) was setup in 1997 with the aim of becoming a major player in the automotive industry. Liberia’s growing market provides a huge opportunity with an expanding consumer base for vehicle sales. With this in mind, in 2008, PMC negotiated and signed a dealership agreement with Ford Motor Company to become the sole dealer in Liberia, subsequently locating itself on the main boulevard which connects the Free Port of Monrovia with the capital city.In 2009, PMC became the exclusive dealer of the complete range of Ford vehicles in Liberia. PMC initially only offered the Ford Rangerand Everest to its customers, but has since expanded its product range to include a diverse line-up of Ford vehicles such as the Explorer, Escape, Transit,Fiesta, Fusion, Figo, EcoSport, Edge and Expedition. In confirming its commitment to growth on the continent, Ford has also brought the Mustang to subSaharan Africa. Further to this the dealership will introduce the new Ranger and new Figo in 2015, with the new Everest and Explorer due in 2016. The dealership’s showroom, workshop and parts department are operated by a team of well trained professionals. Each specialising in their respective fields, managed by an expert team of expatriates, employees undergo yearly training programs in and outside of the country. As a company, PMC’s relationship with Ford has made it possible for the dealership to
focus on what the consumers want and value by offering vehicles with innovative and smart technologies, stylish design, fuel efficiency, safety, service and maintenance excellence. Ford works hard to translate consumer needs into engineering characteristics for the product and addresses consumer trends in order to continuously improve. The majority of Ford vehicles in Liberia come standard with SYNC, Ford’s in-car connectivity system aimed at helping motorists to stay connected. The system recognises up to 150 voice commands, with no training required, and allows drivers to use natural language to dictate phone numbers, browse phone books, music and more. SYNC shows strides in in-car entertainment for Ford, although it has always endeavoured to include modern technologies that offer consumers the option to allow their cars to become a part of their digital lives. EcoBoost continues to deliver on Ford’s promise to offer class leading fuel economy across Liberia. PMC offers astandard warranty of three years or 60,000km on all Ford vehicles. The dealership prides itself in providing excellent customer service and an effective after sales offering to its customers.
T +231 (0) 888 777770 (Info) +231 (0) 887 777771 (Reception) +231 (0) 887 777774 (Sales) E prestige@haddadgroup-intl.com
www.prestigemotorcorporation.org
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TECHNOTECH INC
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ECHNOTECH INC sets itself apart from other generator set & electrical materials dealers is by having complete dedication to customer satisfaction. We have made it our mission to ensure customer delight. • Serving our customers throughout Liberia & Sierra Leone, with around 60 employees, deployed in our branches. • Whether you are looking for generators, automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear, generators for rent or a complete integrated power generation system, finding the best power solution takes a relationship with someone who understands your challenges the way we do. • After Sales Services include:
“Through this, we also make sure we are getting returns for our shareholders as well, but the most important thing is the investments we are making and the services being offered to show how important this country is to MTN.”
Expanding the network
Lonestar’s primary aim to this end is to cover 100 percent of the country through the additions it continuously makes to the network, ensuring that the services encompassed within this expansion are being modernised along the way. Over the past 14 years in line with this strategy, Lonestar has often been the first to form a presence in numerous towns and villages, building its reputation and notoriety in the process by bringing people closer to friends and family via the communication services being launched. “A lot of the time we are pioneering in these counties, so quite often we
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- Installation and commissioning - On-site support for properly operating and handling the machines according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Through this, we also make sure we are getting returns for our shareholders as well, but the most important thing is the investments we are making and the services being offered to show how important this country is to MTN
- Preventive Maintenance Contracts - 24/7 emergency call-out support for repair and overhauling. - Guaranteed Genuine parts availability. • In addition, we are specialist in Electrical Materials supply, and Electrical Contractors, Providing Reliable Products, with Affordable prices. Our products range includes Cables, And Wires, Wiring Devices, UPS, Control Panels, Earthing Materials and Lighting arrestors. ….
Liberia: +231-886-999111 +231-555-999110 Sierra Leone : +232- 79-333336 +232-79-333336 E hamdounrabih@yahoo.com
ONE SOURCE
THOUSANDS OF ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS.
LIBERIA: +231-886-999111 +231-555-999110
Major supplier of Electro-Mechanical Products Our services include; Generator sets from 2 to 2,200Kva, Mobile Lighting Towers, Genuine Spare parts, After sales service, Welding machines, Water Pumps, Electrical cables, breakers, contactors, switches, sockets, conduits, lighting, ear thing materials, Lighting arrestors. Our comprehensive services range from servicing and maintaining to repairing and completely overhauling the generating sets according to the manufacturer’s standards, in addition to sales of spare parts, warranty services and after-sales technical support. TECHNTOECH currently houses the biggest maintenance center in the country, providing 24-hrs. high-standard after sales services to all of its customers.
TECHNOTECH IS AN AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF A WIDE VARIETY OF UNIVERSAL BRANDS
SIERRA LEONE: +232-79-333336 +232-44-333336
Trusted by a number of significant contractors, construction & mining companies, mobile companies as well as local Manufacturers.
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FORTUNE SHIP About FortuneShip and its location FortuneShip, one of leading top 10 handset manufacturers in China, was established in 2010. Through our dedication to innovation, FortuneShip has enjoyed a constant and rapid growth and spread its business across the world. With its headquarters in Shenzhen, FortuneShip now have four R&D centers, three manufacturing factories, with more than 8,000 staff, US$1.45 billion revenue and total annual production output of more than 40 million units. Aiming to continuously provide its consumers with high quality and costeffective smartphones, FortuneShip has been working closely with top partners across various industries like Qualcomm, Mediatek, Spreadtrum, Corning and Google, and partnerships with 95% of overseas Top 1 local brands and 30% of network operators.
Lonestar Cell MTN headquarters, Congo Town
also offer a lot of education so that our subscribers are able to get their first handset and make their first calls on the mobile network,” Osho explains. “As we have grown, this same process has been applied to services like 3G as we continue to be efficient within our network and as flexible with our services as possible.” Each and every year a rigorous capital investment plan is put into motion to help facilitate its external broadening, ensuring that internal procedures and systems are equally advanced enough to cope with the developments. Osho adds: “We have to serve our customers across the length and breadth of the country so we need to expand our network across that same area too. This means that we also have to invest a lot into the systems and facilities that support our operations and even into the fleets that move all our goods; all for the end benefit of our subscribers.”
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Cooperation with MTN Group
We have to serve our customers across the length and breadth of the country so we need to expand our network across that same area too
Africa is a potential market with great opportunity and growth. Fortune Ship is making great effort to meet the growing needs of African market. MTN Group is a Top 1 network operator in Africa, and as strategic partners, FortuneShip and MTN started close cooperation in 2012. As a key handset supplier to MTN, Fortune Ship had lunched more than 10 different handset models to MTN with total volume of more than 5million units to the different MTN markets. Models range from 1.8inch Ultra Low cost handsets (ULCH) to 6.0inch LTE smartphones.
T 0086-13480938466 E Kelly@fortuneship.com
www.fortuneship.com
One of leading Continuously providing our consumers with high quality and cost-effective smartphones
TOP 10 handset
manufacturers in China
W E H AV E B U S I N E S S PA R T E N E R S I N O V E R 5 0 CO U N T R I E S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D
For any enquiries on Fortuneship products please contact Kelly Lin via Email Kelly@fortuneship.com / Mobile number: 0086-13480938466 Office address: 6th. Floor, Kingson Building, New Energy Innovation Industrial Park, No.1 ChuangSheng Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, P.R.China
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MTN culture
Having the financial backing and the market knowledge to achieve such vast and significant growth stems largely from having the MTN name as an influence. While each market is treated for its individual merits and challenges, the sharing of expertise, market analysis and supply chain relationships is critical for each of the MTN arms spread across the continent, and Liberia is certainly no different. “Making lives richer is key to everything we do so we are always looking at the way our customers work and play and what we can do to make their lives better,” Osho says. “This means looking at every service and how we can best support them with each, and this is something that being part of MTN allows us to do.
ADI CONTRACTORS
Making lives richer is key to everything we do so we are always looking at the way our customers work and play and what we can do to make their lives better
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DI CONTRACTORS combines professionals with diverse backgrounds of experience, offering services with competence in a rapidly expanding business world. It is recognized that the complexity of many of today’s problems necessitates that human and financial resources of the corporation be closely interrelated and coordinated to yield maximum productivity and return. General construction services ranges from low cost to high structures, renovation/refurbishment & maintenance, commercial/industrial complex. We have experienced professionals with a high sense of duty and direction providing services in: Civil Engineering, (Masonry, Concrete and Structural Works, Wood Technology, P.o.p. Designs and Electrical Engineering (General wiring of residential, commercial and industrial structures, generator installation/maintenance, solar technology and electronic services), Electromechanical (General welding, constructions of steel tanks, steel gates, steel spiral staircase etc.). At ADI, our mission focuses on people. The people who hire us to do the job. The people who work in, live in, and enjoy our creations. These are our customers. And we’ve been exceeding our customers’ expectations for over 20 years. Tailoring solutions to fit their needs. Managing the construction process in an efficient, quality-conscious, cost-effective way. Every bolt and beam—every decision on and off the site is an opportunity to maximize value for the customer. Our prime customers are Lone Star Cell MTN, Total Liberia, World Bank Liberia Country Office, Central Bank of Liberia, G T Bank Liberia, Global Bank Liberia, Eco bank Liberia, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) US Embassy Liberia and Ministry of Public Work.
www.adicontractors.com
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www.adicontractors.com
✓ Civil construction works (General / Industrial) ✓ Road Construction (Design and Construction) ✓ Providing Exceptional Finishes ✓ Refurbishment & Renovation works ✓ Facility management & maintenance ✓ Security surveillance system & security doors ADI constructs and renovates all types of buildings: corporate headquarters, research and development complexes, educational campuses, healthcare facilities, hotels / conference centers, multi-family residential developments, retail malls and lifestyle centers, government buildings, correctional facilities, senior housing, and structured parking facilities.
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ENGINEERS ARCHITECTS SKILL TECHNICIANS GENERAL BUILDERS
ALL PREPARED TO DELIVER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
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RAZZOUK BROTHERS
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azzouk Brothers has been established since 1969. They are the leading importers and
distributors of Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances, Home and Office Furniture, and IT & Networking Equipment as well as FMCG products. The iconic company has been operating in both wholesale and retail for the better part of half a century which revolves around a dynamic team that evolves with the market demands. T +231-886-51 61 51 E sales@razzoukbros.com
www.razzoukbros.com
MTN’s brand name helps to form international partnerships
“The MTN name also helps in forming multinational partnerships as well, leveraging the Group’s supply chain to ensure we get the best technologies into the country, while saving energy and being efficient on our side as well.” While this inevitably provides cost advantages too, the affiliation with MTN as a whole has been essential in supporting its systems and subsequently providing a service to Liberia worthy of its market-leading standing. “There is a whole lot of best practice that we share among the MTN operations, so we get to understand how customers might respond to services based on what has happened in other countries,” Osho continues. “All the markets are different but we can still learn about where things are headed. “A culture of best practice and sharing is something we take very seriously and is important as part of our culture here at Lonestar.”
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BEEVER COMPANY INC
There is a whole lot of best practice that we share among the MTN operations, so we get to understand how customers might respond to services based on what has happened in other countries
• Beever Company Inc. is a leader in the distribution and sales of quality equipment and heavy duty tools for various industries in Liberia. It provides a diverse range of heavy duty products such as diesel generators, logging machineries, power tools, lubricants, marine watercrafts, and other various electrical supplies. • Beever Communications Inc. (a sister company) is a megastore that consists of electronics and office equipment in Liberia. its showroom displays a wide range of electronic products as well as a diverse collection of office furniture, safes, and filing cabinets T +231-886-511112 E info@beever.com
www.beever.com
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RAZZOUK BROS IS THE LEADING COMPANY IN LIBERIA, DEALING IN EXCLUSIVE IMPORT & DISTRIBUTION OF
COMPUTERS
NETWORKING EQUIPMENT
HYGIENE GOODS
FOOD PRODUCTS
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LOYALTY: maintaining long lasting & continuous relationships with our suppliers
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS FURNITURE
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KODAK
DELSEY
IMPORT & DISTRIBUTION
PRINTERS & IMAGING
HOME APPLIANCES
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SHARP
COLEMAN OUTDOORS
CORE SERVICES CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
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GENERAL TRADING
Branch office in Beirut, Lebanon
HOME APPLIANCES
Headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia with offices throughout the country in Claratown, Freeport, and Congotown HOME & OFFICE FURNITURE
NETWORK EQUIPMENT
1969 - 2 people 2014 - 66 people
WWW.RAZZOUKBROS.COM | facebook.com/sharpshowroom | +231 886 51 61 51 | +231 555 77 77 74 SOME OF OUR MAJOR BRANDS ACROSS THE MANY INDUSTRIES THAT WE SERVE
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Commitment to Liberia
This culture also comprises a concerted understanding of industry and consumer trends specific to the Liberian population, which has often been conducted during challenging and tumultuous times within the country over the past 14 years. The recent outbreak of Ebola is one such example to have impacted Liberia in more recent times, but rather than shutting down and remaining passive, Lonestar again demonstrated its commitment to the public at large by directly involving itself in the relief effort. “It was a general industry effort during Ebola whereby we all stayed and continued to provide our services, and we also supported the many NGOs coming into the country to help combat the epidemic,” Osho recalls. “We supported them and gave them intelligent data so they could map where it was spreading, so they could
PROSECOM
It was a general industry effort during Ebola whereby we all stayed and continued to provide our services, and we also supported the many NGOs coming into the country to help combat the epidemic
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ROSECOM grew out of the need for the protection of companies’ vital installations and assets throughout Liberia. As a top-of-the-line private security company, with our well-trained and equipped officers, we ensure that our client’s facilities are protected to the teeth. However if there arises a situation beyond PROSECOM’s ability (which rarely happens), wherein our client suffers a loss, our insurers jump in and remedy the situation by absorbing any and all such loss or losses. In any and all cases our client gains. T +231 8868 83388 +231 8869 93399 E prosecom.security@gmail.com anyemabruce@yahoo.com
GLOBAL LOGISTICS SERVICES
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LS Incorporated is a fully integrated and the leading Liberian owned logistics company, providing quality logistics solutions to both local and foreign clients since 2011. Our Clients operate in such industries as Telecoms (MTNLonestarCell), Mining Services, Oil & Gas, Construction, Agro, etc. Our values are centred on the Six Ps; People, Passion, Performance, Professionalism, Promise and Profitability. As a member of the Panalpina Global Network, we have achieved a CAGR of 400% YoY since inception and are valued at over USD$11M. We are part-owned by the IFCcreated West African Venture Fund. T +231-880948409 E info@glsbusiness.com
www.glsbusiness.com
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Guard Services Securing Premises Criminal/Private Investigation Personal Bodyguard & Vip Services Securing Liberia since 2000
Uniform & Accessories Training
All We Do Is Security So We Do It Right
Prosecom
C onf idence & Reliability
Telephone: 0886883388 | 0886993399 | 0555514204 Email: prosecom.security@gmail.com | anyemabruce@yahoo.com Suite 1 LUBI Building, Randall & Broad Streets, Monrovia, Liberia
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A combination of MTN’s employer of choice status and investment in training, means that the company’s skills deficit is now manageable
quickly deploy across the country and utilise the data in the necessary areas. “We have been through ups and downs over the years but always remain committed to this country.” Lonestar Cell MTN’s commitment was recognised by the government of Liberia in 2013 as the leading tax payer in the country. This, in addition to its corporate social responsibility campaigns further demonstrates the Company’s levels of commitment and reliability.
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We have been through ups and downs over the years but always remain committed to this country
No more is this commitment evident than in the Company’s employment strategy, which has been formed to address another longstanding challenge within Liberia. Skills shortages continue to cause issues for companies in the tech domain, but the combination of MTN’s employer of choice status, and its willingness to invest in the required training, means that the challenge is now a manageable one. “It is very difficult to find skills but
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SERVICES • COMMUNICATION TOWER ERECTION • CIVIL WORK • GROUNDING OF EQUIPMENT & COMMUNICATION TOWERS • BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION • INSTALLATION OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS ON TOWERS • ELECTRICITY
TECHNOLOGY IS OUR GOAL
CLIENTS • LONESTARCELL MTN • GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA • UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN LIBERIA • UNITED STATES EMBASSY LIBERIA • ACTION AID LIBERIA • GT BANK LIBERIA • SENATE PRO TEMP ARMAH JALLAH-LIBERIA
MILTON ROBINSON & SONS INC PAYNESVILLE CITY, JACOB TOWN, SOMALIA DRIVE, MONROVIA, LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA
T: (231) 886-563-144/231-880-951-426 E: miltonrobinson4@gmail.com
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the MTN brand names helps to attract the best talent, both in Liberia and for Liberians looking to return home from other countries,” Osho notes. “We also have the opportunity to bring in talented and skilled people from other MTN operations to help develop the local talent that we have here in Liberia.”
It is very difficult to find skills but the MTN brand names helps to attract the best talent, both in Liberia and for Liberians looking to return home from other countries
Lonestar, as a result of its efforts in this area, has been accredited by the Investor in People (IiP) for its management of staff and the training and engagement that employees within the Company enjoy. This has proven especially important given the fast-moving nature of the telecoms industry in Liberia with new services and technologies introduced almost on a yearly basis, and the knowledge required from the labour force having to develop parallel to these developments. Once again though, Lonestar’s sustainable and collaborative approach to its people has alleviated these pressures and turned them into a differentiator within the market.
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The Company is dedicated to CSR projects in local communities throughout Liberia
Lonestar brings in talented and skilled people from other MTN operations
Superior quality
Extending the ethos of care even further, Lonestar’s dedication to corporate social responsibility has proven similarly significant over the years as it continues to find more ways to give back to the communities
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it operates within; whether that is through the core services it offers, or its Foundation’s work focusing on areas of education and health in the local regions. Osho says: “We always make sure we are part of the community in which
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we operate by not only making money but also by putting money back into the areas we do business. “This is something that MTN has always taken very seriously, and fits into our strategy of enriching the lives of our subscribers as well.” The market analysis and research that goes into this latter facet incorporates a full understanding once again of what customers want now and what they will want moving forward, accompanied by stringent piloting of new services to assess which applications and services customers will be comfortable using.
In the immediate term, this relates to the 3G services that are slowly but surely etching their way into Liberia’s routine network, while the long-term plan includes an inevitable progression towards LTE provision once the market and subscribers are ready to embrace the most modern of data and valueadded products. “We will sometimes have to educate our subscribers so that they can see the full benefits of the services we are unveiling to the market place, but our subscriber base will also grow far more than it is now,” Osho concludes. “Looking to the future, I expect us to keep our leading market share as we launch the LTE network while also improving our connectivity in terms of transmission, connecting cities with much more fibre than is being used in Liberia at the moment; all combining to offer a far superior quality service than we can offer even today.”
Libra Sanitation
“Sanitation is Dignity”
Libra Sanitation, Inc. is one of Liberia’s largest full-service, solid waste management companies, providing non-hazardous solid waste collection, low-scale recycling, water delivery, land scaling and landfill disposal services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. We pride ourselves on our community involvement, environmental awareness and a very strong commitment to personalized and friendly customer service. TEL: 231886511921 / 231776511921 / 231886492394 / 231886438172 EMAIL: librasanitationliberia@yahoo.com / mstephenk@yahoo.com / howegeorge@yahoo.com
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LONESTAR CELL MTN Oldest Congo Town Tubman Boulevard Monrovia, Liberia E: support@lonestarcell.com
www.lonestarcell.com