THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Today’s edition of the summary includes news of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Appointment of Dr. James N. Kollie and others to the Liberia Maritime Authority; the Cabinet’s mandate of a measureable, attainable and time-bound implementation plan to the country’s energy sector; the Central Bank of Liberia’s warning to individuals and businesses involved in the hoarding of Liberian dollars; and the official launch of the issuance of vehicle registration documents at the Margibi County Service Center in Kakata by the Ministry of Transport. 

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen makes Additional Appointments in Government

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has with immediate effect made additional appointments in government affecting the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA). According to an Executive Mansion release, those appointed include Dr. James N. Kollie-Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles A. Gono, Jr., Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration and Safety, Monrovia Office (Reappointed), amongst others the Heritage newspaper reads.

Related Captions: Kollie Takes Over Maritime; Security Sector Changes Loom, As Isaac Jackson Heads To IMO; EJS Government Shake-Up In Play (FrontPage Africa), Ellen Makes New Appointments… Isaac Jackson Goes To IMO (The NEWS), James N. Kollie Is Liberia’s New Maritime Boss (Daily Observer)

Cabinet Reviews Energy Sector Performance Scorecard; Mandates Measurable Implementation Plan

Cabinet has scrupulously reviewed the energy sector performance scorecard and accordingly mandated a measureable, attainable and time-bound implementation plan that will ensure an impactful access to the mass of the people as well as an opportunity for enhancing increased economic dividends for the country. Cabinet received updates on achieving a “Big Light Tomorrow” dream with emphasis on completing key power generation projects in line with medium-term plan including the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric power Station, HFO plants, and the construction of additional plants through private sector intervention to stabilize power supply, according to an Executive Mansion release. Cabinet was also, among other things briefed on the need to complete key transmission and distribution projects, commence the construction of more, embark on a minimum of 20,000 additional connections, an additional 3,000 street lights across the country by Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and target reduced tariff and ensure improved delivery of electricity services by the LEC, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Cabinet Reviews Energy Sector (Daily Observer), Cabinet Reviews Energy Sector Performance Scorecard…Mandates Measurable Implementation Plan (Heritage)

Transport Ministry Commissions Vehicle Registration Documents in Kakata

The Ministry of Transport in collaboration with its partners is expected to officially launch the issuance of vehicle registration documents at the Margibi County Service Center in Kakata City today.  The FrontPage Africa newspaper quoting a Transport Ministry release says documents to be issued will include vehicle license plates, driver’s license and other transport related services, and that the center will not only serve Margibi but also nearby counties. Minister Cassell Bush said the initiative is part of government’s de-concentration platform, under the decentralization program. The decentralization platform seeks to take services offered by government to the people. Various service oriented Ministries have begun working through the County Service Centers being established across the country. The issuance of transport services will now add to the over 20 services offered at County Service Centers. According to the release, the Transport Ministry’s services will be extended to Buchanan, Grand Bassa, in the first week of October this year.

Related Captions: Transport Commissions Vehicle Registration Documents…In Margibi Today (The NEWS), Transport Ministry Commissions Vehicle Registration Documents Today (FOCUS), Transport Ministry Commissions Vehicle Registration In Kakata (Daily Observer)

CBL Warns ‘Currency Hoarders’

According to the Daily Observer, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has warned individuals and businesses involved in the hoarding of Liberian dollars to desist or face punitive measures. The warning by the CBL comes in the wake of a disclosure by agents of the bank that some individuals and businesses are operating outside of the banking system. The bank, in a release, said those involved are hoarding large volumes of currency, especially Liberian dollars. Some of the hoarders, CBL said, are using their cash hoards to adversely and artificially impact the exchange rate; actions, which according to the bank, have the propensity to be interpreted as ‘economic sabotage.’

Related Caption: Who’s Hoarding Liberian Dollars? Central Bank Warns Violators (FrontPage Africa), CBL Warns Currency Hoarders (Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

UN Extends Liberia Peacekeeping Mission

A front page story of the FOCUS news daily reads that the United Nations Security Council has extended its peacekeeping mission in Liberia for three more months. The council voted unanimously on Wednesday, to extend the mission while reaffirming its readiness to consider withdrawing pending a proposed review of the situation in mid-November.  In June, Liberia assumed responsibility for its security for the first time since the civil war ended in the West African country 13 years ago, leaving behind a reduced U.N. force of about 1,200 troops in a supporting role. The peacekeeping force was deployed in 2003 to help stabilize Liberia after a four-year civil war. That conflict and a previous civil war are said to have killed more than 250,000, the paper says.

Nimba, Margibi Get Modern Fire Service Station

An inside story of the FOCUS newspaper reads that the Government of Liberia has constructed two separate Fire Service Stations and turned them over to the County Administration and the people of Nimba and Margibi Counties. The construction of the fire stations in two of Liberia’s more populated cities gives the National Fire Service the necessary capability to reduce the risk of fire damage to life and property in those cities. Ganta and Kakata were selected, following needs assessment conducted by the Fire Service. Over the years, the two communities have been characterized by fire incidents resulting in the loss of lives and properties incidents that could have been prevented. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Ministry of Justice managed the construction, the report says.

UL Releases ‘Comprehensive’ 2016/17 Academic Calendar

The Daily Observer reports that authorities of the University of Liberia (UL) have issued a release detailing the institution’s academic calendar for 2016/2017. According to the calendar, registration for old, returning and transferred students will begin on Monday, September 26 and run through Monday, October 10. Classes will officially begin on Monday, October 17; while Freshmen orientation and registration will take place between October 10 and 24. In line with the schedule, the 2016 college-based commencement convocation will begin on Wednesday December 7, and end on Tuesday December 13. It will be closely followed by a joint commencement convocation on Wednesday, December 14, for all six graduate and professional schools.

‘Constitutional Review Deserves Caution’-USAID Deputy Consul General

The Daily Observer quotes USAID Deputy Consul General, Atty. William Young, as saying that a nation that is going through a constitutional review process needs to realize that there is need for caution in the exercise. Addressing students of the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute, who are expected to be sworn in as associate magistrates of the Liberian Judiciary, Young said reforming fundamental documents like the Constitution, where changes are made, “you would also be creating loopholes.” According to the daily, He did not mention any of the propositions adopted for review at the recent Gbarnga conference. According to him, a constitution review is a disciplined process and as such, “when you are working on the documents, you have to be transparent and take serious consideration into the views of everybody, including minority groups.”

“Take Ownership of Community Projects” - USAID-FRAMP Deputy Chief of Party

The Deputy Chief of Party at the Feeder Roads Alternative and Maintenance Program (FRAMP), Boniface Satu, has called on members of the Project Coordination Secretariat (PCS) to take ownership of the project as it relates to the development and maintenance of feeder roads in their community, district, and the country at large. Mr. Satu said the PCS was established under the government of Liberia-USAID partnership agreement, with the primary objective of providing coordination support for successful implementation of the four-year feeder road alternative and maintenance program. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the FRAMP Deputy boss made these remarks during the induction and launch of the PCS, held on September 13, 2016 in Sanniquellie City, Nimba County.

ComsLib Announces 500 Scholarships…For Ebola Orphans

A non-for-profit organization, Community Service Liberia Incorporated (Comslib) has announced the approval of a 500 scholarship fund drive for academic 2016/2017. According to a press statement read Wednesday in Monrovia, the Chairman of the Board George Gyude Wisner said the scholarships target children whose parents died during the Ebola crisis. The group said the scholarship fund drive project would also provide educational materials such as shoes, book-bags uniforms, stationeries, among others to the beneficiaries. Wisner said the scholarship fund drive would be named in honor of one of Liberia’s prominent sons who contributed his life towards educating many Liberian for more than 50 years, reports the NEWS newspaper.

We-Care Certificates 30 Teacher Trainers…In Critical Thinking

According to the NEWS newspaper, the Critical Thinking Liberia program of WE-CARE Foundation has certificated 30 teacher trainers. The teacher trainers, according to WE-CARE, came from Liberia’s three rural teachers training institutions including Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute, Zorzor Rural Teacher Training Institute and Webo Rural Teacher Training Institute. According to a press statement, of the 30 trainers, 13 received certificates of achievement in Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT) teachers, while the remaining 17 received certificates of participation. Mrs. Yvonne Capehart Weah, Program Coordinator of WE-CARE Foundation, pointed out that RWCT started 2007 in Liberia with the training of teachers at the primary, second and tertiary levels.

Party Turns Brutal: Liberia’s Defense Minister Son Shoots Friend

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the son of Liberia’s Defense Minister Michael Samukai, shot Zardee Andrews Wednesday in ‘Thinker Village’ along the Robertsfield highway. According to family sources close to the victim, “On September 13, between the hours of 9 and 10 pm, Michael shot our brother Zardee in his neck attempting to kill him at the Tropicana Beach located in Thinker Village along the RIA highway. But with God being God, the bullet, according to X-ray report passed through his neck”. According to the family, the attempted murder incident occurred when Charlotte Samukai, the wife of Michael, was celebrating her birthday and invited Andrews and others to her birthday celebration at the Tropicana Beach.

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