BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY WED, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

Today’s edition of our news summary highlight stories about the 26 member Schengen Countries under the European Union disclosing plans to officially commence the issuance of Schengen Visa in Monrovia; NEC Chairman Jerome George Korkoya disclosure that the Government of Liberia has provided US$400,000 to the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct the Saturday, October 5, Senatorial By- Election in Grand Cape Mount County as well as President  George Manneh Weah’s  submission of several concession Agreement worth over USD$640 million to the Legislature for ratification.

Liberians Get Easy Access…To European Visa

The News newspaper quoting the Foreign ministry’s Press release  reported that the 26 member Schengen Countries under the European Union have disclosed plan to officially commence the issuance of Schengen Visa in Monrovia, beginning September 16, 2019 at the French Embassy near the Liberian Capital, Monrovia, a release has disclosed. It can be recalled that during the second session of the EU-Liberia dialogue, Liberia called on the EU to consider the issuance of Schengen visa in Liberia, as it would alleviate the difficulties confronted by Liberians wanting to travel to Europe something the EU agreed and confirmed that Schengen visas would be shortly delivered in Monrovia. The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished all passport and all other types of borders.  According to the Foreign Ministry release, travelers wishing to visit any Schengen countries will no longer have to go through the challenges to travel to Abidjan for Visa to Schengen countries but are further advised to book an appointment with the France Embassy through the Local Temporary Schengen Visa Center, located at the Royal Grand Hotel, 15^th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia.

RELATED CAPTION: Liberians to get Schengen Visa here(New Dawn)

Gov’t Gives US$400,00 For Cape Mount By-Election

Government has provided US$400, 00 to the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct the Saturday, October 5, Senatorial By- Election in Grand cape mount County. NEC Chairman, Jerome George korkoya made the disclosure while launching the civic education recently in Grand Cape Mount. He admonished both the candidates and their followers or sympathizers to be civil in their campaign which ends on Friday, October 4 midnight.  According to the Inquirer newspaper, Mr korkoya stated that it is constitutional duties of registered voters to cast vote for any candidate of their choice.

NEC Receives Over 96K Ballots for Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial By-election

The National Elections Commission (NEC) on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 received the ballot papers for the conduct of the Grand Cape Mount County By-election, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2019, a release from the Commission has said.  According to the release, the 96,250) ballots which, arrived from the Republic of Ghana, contains tactile ballots for the visually impaired registered voters. The consignment also includes training ballots, folders, and record of the counts. The ballots were received and taken to a “secured” location under the guidance of officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Daily Observer newspaper writes

Over US$640M Agreements…Submitted For Ratification 

President Dr. George Manneh Weah has submitted several concession agreement worth over USD$640 million to the Legislature for ratification, Deputy Press Secretary Smith Tobby has disclosed. Mr Toby made the disclosure Tuesday 17, 2019, at the Executive Mansion regular press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia. The Deputy Presidential Press Secretary said on September 6, 2019 the President sent a communication to the legislature and requested for the ratification of investment incentive agreement between the Government of Liberia and Capital Link Incorporation.  He said the agreement which worth US$35 million is for the construction and development of cement plan in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, with the capacity of producing 500 tons of cement per day and will later expand to 1000 tons daily. He further disclosed another agreement between Liberia and Prestige Port Buchanan worth US$277 million which the president has submitted to the legislature for endorsement. Under the agreement, he said the concession will create over 1000 job; improve access to education, healthcare, among others, attest the news Newspaper.

Imminent ‘Shake-Up’ In Gov’t…Executive Mansion Discloses

At long last, the Executive Mansion through Deputy Presidential Press Secretary has disclosed that President Dr. George Manneh Weah is expected to make what he refers to as ‘Shake-up and movement in government soon. The Deputy Presidential Press Secretary made the disclosure Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the Executive Mansion regular press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia. The According to the news Newspaper, Toby said the president has already signaled that he’s about to make movement in his government with the relieving of Gabriel Nyenkan from Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEIT) and moving him to his office as Advisor on Communications.  He said the president is sleeping on his words to the Liberian people and he will make sure where there’s a need for shakeup   there will be shakeup and where there is a need for question on performance, he will do so.

Companies Bid For Ganta-Tappita Road Construction

According to the news Newspaper, Liberia’s Infrastructure Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan has reechoed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to road reconstruction and other infrastructure works in the country. We have come here today to let you know that the Government of Liberia is committed to building roads in this country, which is essential to the movement of our people, including goods and service,” Minister  Nycnpan told a team of journalist in an exclusive at the German Embassy in Monrovia, where a daylong seminar comprising of bidders commenced. Minister Nyenpan’s comments came amidst huge infrastructural challenges confronting the Liberian government and nation. Liberia, like many other African economies, is highly dependent on international trade.

Community–Policing Partnership Training Opens In Monrovia                                                                             

 A four-day community policing training opens in Monrovia for Police officers, Community Leaders and Community Watch Forum members. Over 120 watch forum members and 186 police officers are to be trained, to provide quality services to the public and to also strengthen community policing – partnership. The United Nations Development Programme Joint Rule of law initiative in partnership with OCHCR, is providing support with funding from Sweden and Ireland. Community Policing is an effort geared towards bringing on board all relevant stakeholders towards ensuring and sustaining peace, stability and security in the communities and the Country at large, the New Dawn newspaper imply. 

Education Min. Denounces the Polytechnic Status of YMCA

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Commission on Higher Education wants to emphatically make it Crystal clear that it has not issued any accreditation or license to the Young Men Christian Association ( YMCA) to operation as a Polytechnic College. Meanwhile, the Ministry is aware of YMCA being operated as an after School Program for Young adults and Potential leaders especially,it the periodic cycle of Computer Training Program which they have been doing well. Therefore, they should continue so by offering the regular after school Program for the development of skills and empowerment of Liberians for future challenges, pens the Inquirer newspaper.

NIR’s Head on Significance of Tubman University

 The Executive Director the National identification Registry, Honorable J. Tiah Nagbe says the continual existence and prosperity of Tubman University in Maryland County is an imperative to the development of not only the southeast region but the nation as a whole. Hon. Nagbe said Tubman University, formerly called the William VS Tubman technical college, was established in that part of the country to close the gap of higher education in southeast and believe that need still exists today, the Inquirer newspaper writes.

My Gov’t will Succeed In Improving the Economy’ Weah Optimistic, Assures Implementation of NED’s Recommendations                                 

President George Manneh Weah has expressed optimism that his government will succeed in improving the economy of the country and better the lives of the people. Speakin to worshippers at the Georgia panten United Methodist Church in Monrovia, on Sunday September 15, 2019, President Weah acknowledged the prevailing challenges that berserk the nation but said he remains hopeful of greater success during his leadership. He called on Liberian to exercise restraints and patience as his government works to address challenges of the economy, the In Profile Daily reports.

InSITU Project Launched IRC, Partners Commended  The International Rescue Committee

IIRC), In collaboration with the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Health (MOH) with support from the Gesellschaft fur International eZusammenarbeit ( GIZ), has officially launched a nine-month project under the theme’’ Supporting Referrals and community Linkages with integrated Severe infections Treatment Unit (InSITU) Programme in the country, pens the In Profile newspaper.