The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

News of President Johnson Sirleaf’s zero tolerance declaration on human trafficking in the country, the spread, deaths and transfer of Ebola patients to Monrovia, President Johnson Sirleaf’s additional appointment in Government, the ratification of the Kuwaiti US$14.2 million loan for the rehabilitation of the Port of Greenville are among stories dominating our Wednesday, March 26, 2014 edition of our regular news summary.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen vows zero tolerance against trafficking

According to the Heritage newspaper, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has vowed zero tolerance against the crime of Human Trafficking in the country. President Johnson-Sirleaf pointed out that human trafficking remains one of the biggest crimes in the world which Liberia is prepared and ready to fight against. In a bid to achieving this milestone, she said government’s words in fighting the crime will match its action in ensuring that trafficking of human beings is combated within the territorial boundaries of the country. The Liberian leader was speaking Tuesday, March 25, 2014 when she officially launched a five-year National Action Plan (NAP) on Trafficking-In-Persons (TIP). The launch of the five-year NAP on TIP was held at the Monrovia City Hall. The five-year NAP on TIP captures a systemic policy approach as to how the Liberian Government through its sector Ministries and Agencies intends to curb this international organized crime in a local framework and globalized network. The National Task Force is headed by the Ministry of Labor and Co-Chaired by the Ministry of Justice. Among other things, the NAP on TIP lays out a zero-tolerance posture by the Government of Liberia ( GoL) in the fight against all forms of human trafficking in Liberia.  It is a direct response to the local, regional and international realities, demanding for such a broad program strategy as a major requirement. “The launch of this National Action Plan puts Liberia in the right place for defenseless people who are vulnerable to trafficking.

Related captions: Ellen Abhors Human Trafficking(The CATALYST), President Sirleaf Launches Anti-Human Trafficking Five-Yeear National Action Plan(Frontpage Africa), Fight Against Human Trafficking Remains Gov’t’s Priority(Observer), Gov’t Vows To Fight Trafficking(The Inquirer), Gov’t Ready To Fight Traffickers(The New Dawn). In related development under the caption HUMAN TRAFFICKERS BELONG BEHIND BARS, United States Ambassador Deborah Malac says human trafficking is an evil and unfeeling crime that shouldn’t have any place in a civilized world. Ambassador Malac said perpetrators of human trafficking need to be put behind bars. Speaking at the launch of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan at the Monrovia City Hall on Tuesday, Ambassador Malac indicated that the plan demonstrates the Liberian Government’s commitment to address human trafficking and outlines how to combat it through the four P’s” - Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership. According to her, the Liberian Government has prioritized efforts to combat and eliminate human trafficking. “With very limited resources, Labor Minister Juah Lawson has led other members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Task Force in taking concrete actions to accomplish these goals.  Other members of the TIP Task Force include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Health, Foreign Affairs, Gender, and Interior,” Ambassador Malac indicated.  She disclosed that the Liberia National Police and Bureau of Immigration are also playing a crucial role in the fight against human trafficking, the News newspaper writes.

Related Caption: America Wants Perpetrators Behind Bars (The New dawn)

“Humana Trafficking Is A Major Challenge”

The Minister of Labor, Cllr. F. Juah Lawson has disclosed that trafficking in persons is one of the “biggest” violations of human rights in the world. Speaking at the official launch of the five-year National Action Plan in the fight against trafficking of human beings within Liberia yesterday, she noted that statistics have shown that annually, women, men and children are victims of the crime. The Ministry of Labor Boss said after graduating from a 14 year of civil crisis complemented by the gradual but steady restoration of the rule of law, human trafficking, among other transitional organized crimes, have become a major post-conflict national security challenge, says the Reporter Newspaper.

Ebola Patients Transferred To JFK

At least two patients suspected to have contracted the Ebola virus were on Sunday, March 23 transferred from neighboring Guinea to Liberia, specifically in Nimba County. The New Dawn Nimba Correspondent says the patients along with additional three individuals shot by gunmen in Guinea were transferred to the Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Ganta City, Nimba. But all of the patients, including the suspected Ebola victims have since been transferred to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia. Dr. Plaude Monga told reporters at the Ganta United Methodist Hospital that the patients have been transferred to the JFK in Monrovia. Dr. Monga confirmed that three persons shot by gunmen in Guinea were brought to the Ganta hospital and subsequently transferred to the Liberian capital along with the Ebola patients. Prior to this report by the United Methodist Hospital, the County Chief Medical Doctor, Lawrence Cooper, told members of the Nimba Legislative Caucus that on a daily basis, they received patients from neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea. Dr. Cooper said he has, however, told all health workers in the county to transfer all Ebola patients to JFK, because there is no area to keep such patients at the hospital in Nimba. He said over the past 50 years, the hospital in Nimba has called for relocation, but to no avail, thus, calling on government to do a quick impact project to host patients. Dr. Cooper said there have been challenges in keeping patients while awaiting medical doctors. In Ganta, health workers were told to dress in their medical outfits. This latest report comes a day after health authorities in Monrovia reported that the virus has killed at least five patients in Zorzor, Lofa County out of six that were reported, the New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: Ebola Virus Will Cause A National Disaster In Liberia If..Lofa Lawmaker Warns(HERITAGE), “Uncontrollable Death Looms” – Sen. Dr. Peter Coleman Lectures Senate (INSIGHT), Ebola In Monrovia? 1 Quarantined at JFK Medical Center 2 Suspected Cases Identified at Ganta Hospital (Daily Observer), No Handshaking in Ganta(The ANALYST)

Amara Accepts Blame On Budget

 Liberia’s Finance Minister Amara Konneh has accepted blame here for a continuous shortfall in the national budget. “I’m responsible for the budget shortfall in Liberia because I’m the custodian of the people’s money, and when anything happens to it, I should be held responsible because I’m the Minister,” Konneh told a press conference Tuesday at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. He said adjustments made by the Legislature on the original draft budget also increased targets unrealistically, and in other cases, poor infrastructure, bureaucracy and bottlenecks in the Executive branch hindered the timely realization of the amount projected. The Finance boss noted that with all of those problems one cannot blame anyone else for the shortfall, but him. According to him, in the face of the shortfalls, the Ministry of Finance has put in place stringent technical, administrative and legal measures to recover tax revenue for the remainder of the fiscal period. “We have set a revenue mobilization task force; we have increased our tax awareness; we have reorganized our tax administration personnel to ensure the most effective distribution on talent and responsibility in order to meet our revenue targets going forward; we have identified and met with delinquent taxpayers to give them time to settle their obligations  to the government and we are working with the Ministry of Justice and the Board of Tax appeals to prepare litigation against those who fail to pay their taxes,” he stressed. The Minister added that these are short term measures intended to improve revenue collection.  He noted that the ministry will start a spot verification of taxpayers to validate payments, adding that with this action, the government expects improvement in the collection of taxes on income, goods and services. Minister Konneh disclosed that crack down on delinquent taxpayers, including publishing the list of persons, businesses and public institutions with outstanding tax obligations and initiating legal proceedings to recover taxes are all part of the unforgiving measure that will be taken by government against tax invaders, adding that with such tough measures by government, revenue generation looks promising for the remainder of the fiscal year, The New Dawn says.

Related Caption: Gov’t Payroll Is dominated By Syndicates Of Corruption – Loses Tens Of Thousands of Dollars Yearly, (Heritage), Liberia Faces Economic Decline – Finance Minister Wants Country Increase & Diversify Export (The Analyst), ‘Ambitious’ – Konneh Takes Blame (IN PROFILE DAILY), Konneh Raps On Economy – Says performance Swings Between 2012/2013 (The New Republic),Finance Minister Takes Responsibility For Budget Shortfall(FrontPageAfrica)

US$14.2m Loan Approved For Greenville Port

The House of Representatives has unanimously concurred with the Liberian Senate to credit Four Million Kuwaiti Dinars (4,000,000.00) equivalent to US$14.2m) from the People and government of Kuwait. The credit (loan) is for the rehabilitation of the Port of Greenville on a 1.5% interest, and is to be paid within 22 years. The Port of Greenville, located in the South east, is one of four ports of the nation damaged by during the civil war. The House’s concurrence was taken Tuesday March 25, 2014 following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Ways, means and Finance and Judiciary requesting Plenary to endorse the Agreement, the INSIGHT reports.

Related Caption: Kuwaiti US$14M Loan Ratified – As Greenville Port To Benefit, Economic Boom in Sight (The Analyst), Liberia Borrows US$14M From Kuwait (The NEWS), USD14M NPA – Kuwaiti Loan Agreement Passed (Reporter Newspaper

President Sirleaf Names Officials To Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry Of Public Works, and Judiciary

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has appointed the following officials to positions in government, pending confirmation by the Honorable Liberian Senate, where applicable: Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) – Mrs. Elfreda Stewart Tamba-Commissioner General, Mrs. Dekontee King Sackie-Deputy Commissioner General For Ops/Technical. Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Board of Directors: Cllr. Robert C. Tubman – Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Charles R. Bright –Member, Mrs. Aletha Brown Cooper – Member, Minister of Finance-Statutory member, Minister of justice-Statutory Member, Minister of Commerce & Industry-Statutory Member, Commissioner General of the LRA-Statutory Member. Ministry of Public Works: Mr. Claude Langley – Deputy Minister For Technical Services, Mr. Jackson J. Paye – Deputy Minister For Rural Development and Community Services, Ms. Lauretta E. Reffell – Assistant Minister for Administration, Mr. N. Pawon Boayue – Assistant Minister For operations. The Judiciary: Attorney Karsor K. Zubah – Traffic Judge, Bensonville Traffic Court, Montserrado County, Colonel Sinyeneltu Gea-Weah – Traffic Judge, River Gee Traffic Court Montserrado County, attorney Benjamin B.W. Jlah – Debt Judge, River Gee Debt Court, River Gee County, Attorney Quincy A. Q. Garnett – Associate Magistrate, Clay Ashland Magisterial Court, Montserrado County, Attorney John Lafayette Griggs – Associate magistrate, Arthington Magisterial Court, Montserrado County, Attorney Lionel B. Clarke – Associate Magistrate, Arthington Magisterial Court, Montserrado County, Attorney Daniel P. Charles – Associate magistrate, Gardnersville Magisterial Court, Montserrado County, Attorney Eric N. Cooper – associate magistrate, Paynesville magisterial Court, Montserrado County, and Mr. Enoch S. Garlawolu – notary Public, Commercial Court, Montserrado County, The Analyst newspaper asserts.

Related Caption: President Sirleaf Names officials To Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Public Works, and Judiciary(INSIGHT), Sirleaf Names Officials To Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Public Works, and Judiciary - Elfreda Tamba Heads Revenue Authority(FrontPageAfrica)

EU Approves €6.5b for W/Africa

The European Union Delegation to Liberia has announced the decision of the European Council to provide at least €6.5 billion Euros for the Economic Partnership Agreement Development Program (PAPED) for West Africa during the period 2015-2020. The funds are intended to greatly enhance trade and investment flows to 16 West African countries, including Liberia, thereby contributing to their development, sustainable growth and poverty reduction. The provision of the funds by the European council according to the EU Liberia office is an essential element of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiated with West Africa, and will provide funding for projects linked to trade, industry, transport and energy infrastructure in the region, as well as through support to civil society, the INSIGHT reports.

Related Caption: EU Approves €6.5b for Trade…In West Africa, Liberia Inclusive (the NEWS),EU Approves 6.5b for Trade…In West Africa, Liberia Inclusive (Daily Observer),EU Approves 6.5b for Trade…In West Africa, Liberia Inclusive (IN PROFILE DAILY)

VP Boakai in Malaysia to Compare Notes on Sime Darby’s Investment

Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai says he will continue to set out on a crusade to fetch those investments and partnerships opportunities that will deliver positive life changing conditions to the people of Liberia. Vice President Boakai said he takes great pride in exploring for more information and god engagement that will yield benefits for both the investor and the people of Liberia. Vice President Boakai was speaking Sunday at a welcome dinner hosted in his honor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Sime Darby. He said he and his delegation were in Malaysia to compare notes on how best Sime Darby’s investment in the oil palm industry can be of greater meaning and long term benefit to communities in the operational areas of Sime Darby as well as the people of Liberia. He lauded the company for the scholarship award that was held in Monrovia in 2013, according to a dispatch from Vice Presidential press Secretary, George Saah in Kuala Lumpur. The Vice President’s delegation include: the Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) and two Liberian Business men and one Business woman and the Executive Director of the Group of 77 Mrs. Kartumu Y. Boakai who has come to explore possibilities for possible collaboration with institutions with similar programs, the Vice President’s Chief of Staff Samuel A. Stevquoah and Policy Advisor Anthony Kesselly, the New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: VP In Malaysia(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Russian Ambassador Ends Duty – As Ellen Bids Him Farewell

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has praised the outgoing Ambassador of the Russian Federation for the many accomplishments during his tenure in Liberia, making specific reference to the long-standing relationship that the two countries have fostered over the years. According to an Executive Mansion release, president Sirleaf made the assertion when she received in audience, outgoing Ambassador, Vladimir Barbin, who paid her a farewell courtesy call to conclude his tour of duty in Liberia. Ambassador Barbin has been his country’s envoy accredited to Liberia with residence in Accra, Ghana since March, 2010. The Liberian leader stressed that during Liberia’s civil war both countries could not cooperate, but was glad that in 2006 the two countries re-established diplomatic relations which continues to strengthen, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

13 Teachers Rewarded Land

The administration of the David G. Barshell School System located in Paynesville outside of Monrovia has appreciated 13 of its teachers with one lot of land each for their services provided for the school over the past six years. Speaking during the official presentation of the parcels of land to the teachers recently, the proprietor of the school, Mr. Ceebee Barshell stated that the land presented to the instructors was part of the institution’s recognition of the performance of teachers who have served the school tirelessly. The teachers include; Edward Carr, Spence Walker, Eugene Freeman, Washington Kota, Elizabeth Davis, Massah Fahnbulleh and Miatta Fahnbulleh, reports the Catalyst Newspaper.

Ellen Chairs Meeting of The LDA Steering Committee In Buchanan

According to the Catalyst Newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Steering Committee of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA) have reviewed the one-year progress report of the “Agenda for Transformation (AFT)”, a five-year development plan drawn from the country’s 18-years “Vision 2030” Development Plan. The one-day meeting was held in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The Liberian leader reflected on the details of the five pillars of the AFT, acknowledged the roles and interventions of the different pillars and pointed out that the meeting was aimed at soliciting and reviewing options to accelerate the implementation of the AFT.

Liberia Gets Executive Post At African Lotteries

The Executive Director of the Liberia National Lotteries Corporation (LNLC) Mr. Martin Kollie has been elected Auditor of the Association of African Lotteries. Mr. Kollie and his counterpart from Benin, Madam Honrine Attikpa, were elected as Auditors, which gives them Executive Committee membership of the Association, recently in Dakar, Senegal during the 16^th congress of the Association of African Lotteries held from March 10 – 15, 2014, writes the Catalyst Newspaper.

Veep Boakai Commits to Lobby for Investment

Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai says he will continue a crusade to fetch those investments and partnerships opportunities that will deliver positive life changing conditions to the people of Liberia. Vice President Boakai said he takes great pride in exploring for more information and good engagement that will yield benefits for both the investor and the people of Liberia. Speaking Sunday at a welcome dinner hosted in his honor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Sime Darby, Vice President Boakai said, he and his delegation were in Malaysia to compare notes on how best Sime Darby’s investment in the palm oil industry can be of greater meaning and long term benefit to communities in the operational areas of Sime Darby, pens the Catalyst Newspaper.

90, 000 New Jobs Awaits Liberians

According to the Reporter Newspaper, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Amara Mohammed Konneh said, the government expects to create approximately 80,000 to 90,000 new jobs for Liberians. Minister Konneh said, these are jobs that are coming to Liberia for Liberians to ease the level of unemployment, but stated that the jobs will be provided steadily to cover the period of five to 10 years.

Gov’t Deploys PSU Officers In Bopolu

In an effort to fill the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from Gbarpolu County, the Liberian Government has deployed ten officers of the Protective Service Unit (PSU) of the Liberia National Police to Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County. Making the disclosure during a meeting with Gbarpolu county Assistant Superintendent for Development, Yassah Karmon Fallah, the PSU Commander, Prince Hena, said the officers were in Bopolu City to replace the UNMIL troops that recently left the city. According to the Liberia News Agency, Commander Hena indicated that while in Bopolu, the officers will conduct ‘confidence patrols’ and respond to critical incidents in the city, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

Liberia Got Talent To Be Launched Soon

According to the Reporter Newspaper, the Chairman of the Liberia Got Talent 2014 Launching Committee, a special new Liberian-owned sustainable talent development initiative in Liberia has announced that all is now set for the launching of the event in Monrovia in April. Addressing Journalists at new conference on Monday, March 24, 2014, in Monrovia, Mr. Mark Harris said, “Liberia Got Talent 2014 Launching Monrovia” is the feature of Liberian-owned entertainment.

National Housing Policy In Sight-Promises Decent, Affordable Housing for All

Mr. Samuel Thompson, Managing Director of the Liberia National Housing Authority (NHA), has disclosed that with the help of consultants, for the first time in Liberia’s history, the NHA has among other things, produced a new draft National Housing Policy to guide projections for providing 512,000 housing units in Liberia by 2030, the target year for Liberia to have achieved middle-income status. That means, delivery of these dwellings would require a build rate of 30,000 new dwellings every year – for the next 17 years – if Liberia is to become a middle income country. “Clearly, the old approach of the NHA actually engaging in the direct provision of homes has not worked and cannot be expected to bridge the glaring deficit in decent and affordable housing,” an NHA statement signed by the Managing Director, Samuel W. Thomason explained.  Based on those ongoing development plans, the NHA says a two-day National Stakeholder’s Colloquium is scheduled for April 17-18, 2014 and is expected to bring together a wide range of participants from across Liberia to deliberate on the draft policy.  Mr. Thompson says the policy draft would then be presented to the donor community, the cabinet and the Legislature for further review and input before being finalized for formal launching. The new National Housing Policy should provide a rational and holistic framework for passing new legislation, reforming existing organizations and creating new institutions to effectively address the significant housing needs of the country, according to the Daily Observer.   

Police Nab Notorious Armed Robber

 Police in Monrovia have arrested a suspected ranking armed robber Emmanuel S. Kennedy, and a female accomplice, Linda Cooper, with a short barrel gun and several rounds. They were held in handcuff at Police Spokesman Sam Collins’ office at the National Police Headquarters when the authorities displayed lethal weapon, ammunition and other green looking substances allegedly confiscated from the accused. Mr. Collins said investigators made the arrest Monday in the Chicken Soup Factory community of Gardnerville based on intelligence received.“A single barrel short gun and rounds of ammunition, including other proceed of crime were discovered from his home”. Kennedy has allegedly been on the run, having led numerous armed robbery attacks, and was allegedly in a hideout with his friend Linda Cooper when they both were arrested by police. In some historical background, Sam recalled that on 29 August 2012 suspect Kennedy A.K.A Shakaveh, was involved in an armed robbery of a white land cruiser jeep conveying an amount of US$150,000. He said the amount was being conveyed from Monrovia to the Liberia Agriculture Company or LAC situated in Grand Bassa County, when Kennedy and his accomplices attacked the vehicle and made away with the aforesaid cash. In the case of the US$150,000 robbery, Sam said suspect Kennedy’s accomplices included Solomon Mayson, David Gaye, Marcus Dunn, Aloysius Kieh, Patrick Gargar, Dester Yeabahn, Charles Gray and Abraham Kemoh. Citing another instance, he said on 24 September 2012, the very Kennedy again connived with suspects Bill Nicol, Constance Jallah and Sam Howard to storm Ecobank Liberia’s office situated on Cuttington campus in Bong County. In this armed robbery attack, the police said the named suspects inflicted multiple wounds on the staff that were met on duty, using armed and other deadly weapons. “They made away with US$240,588.00 plus LD 1,745.375.00. Moreover, on February 7, 2014, he was a ringleader in an armed robbery incident in Zubah Town involving US$70,000.00 worth of gold,” the police spokesman recalled, the New Dawn reveals.