The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017

Today’s edition of our Summary of the local dailies includes news of the passage of the draft 2017/18 national budget by members of the House of Representatives, the visit of a high-powered delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Elections Commissioners (ECONEC) to the Supreme Court of Liberia and the Lonestar Cell MTN and staff of the South African Embassy near Monrovia, launch an initiative to provide solar power to the Great Commission Orphanage in the Chicken Soup Factory Community, Gardnersville.

DOMINANT STORIES

House Passes 2017/18 Budget

Members of the House of Representatives have passed the draft 2017/18 national budget and have subsequently forwarded it to members of the Liberian Senate for possible concurrence. The New Dawn newspaper reads that the Plenary of the House voted in Session Tuesday, 18 July for the passage of the budget, which is in the tune of US$526,548,000.00. The 2017/18 national draft budget was submitted to the Liberian Legislature by the Executive Branch of government for scrutiny and passage.

Related Captions: Liberian Legislature Passes FY 2017-18 Budget of Over US$563 Million (FrontPage Africa), House Passes US$563.5M Draft Budget (Heritage), House Approves US$563.6M 2017/2018 Fiscal Budget (Daily Observer)

ECOWAS Network Of Elections Commissioners Visits Supreme Court Of Liberia

A high-powered delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Elections Commissioners (ECONEC) Tuesday paid a courtesy call on His Honor the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia. Speaking on behalf of his delegation, the President of ECONEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the Chair of Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission, said that his delegation was visiting Liberia at this time, to hold series of discussions with stakeholders in the electoral process in order to lend support to Liberia during this period. For his part, His Honor, Francis S. Korkpor, Sr., Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia expressed the delight of the Supreme Court to hold such discussions geared towards sharing ideas on such crucial matters as elections. Justice Korkpor   assured ECONEC, the ECOWAS Commission and the Liberian people at large, that the Supreme Court will endeavor to do everything within the law to ensure that justice is dispensed during this period of elections in Liberia. The ECOWAS Network of Elections Commissioners is one of the statutory bodies established under the ECOWAS Commission to promote the conduct of free fair and transparent elections within the ECOWAS member, states FrontPage Africa

Related Caption: ECOWAS Electoral Group Evaluates Challenges to October Elections (Daily Observer), ECOWAS Network Of Elections Commissioners Visit Supreme Court Of Liberia (Heritage)

Lonestar Cell MTN, South African Embassy Bring Solar Power to Orphanage

The Daily Observer says Lonestar Cell MTN, in partnership with staff of the South African Embassy near Monrovia, has launched an initiative to provide solar power to the Great Commission Orphanage in the Chicken Soup Factory Community, Gardnersville. Presenting Lonestar’s contribution of US$2,500 at a program marking the observance of Nelson Mendela International Day at the Great Commission School, the Manager of the Lonestar Cell MTN Foundation, Mrs. Miattah Walker-Pearson, said the company was delighted to be part of a project that will help change the living condition of orphans at the facility. Meanwhile, the South African Ambassador Accredited to Liberia Mr. V. P. Moodley commended his staff and Lonestar for such remarkable and selfless endeavor. Amb. Moodley pledged the commitment of his staff in helping to further transform the living condition of kids at the orphanage.

Related Captions: Lonestar Cell MTN Donates To Orphanage (Heritage), Lone Star Cell MTN Donates US$ 2,500 To Orphanage (The New Dawn)

OTHER STORIES

Proclamation Out For Liberia’s 170^th Independence Anniversary

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Wednesday, July 26, 2017, as Liberia’s “Independence Day” to be observed throughout the country as a National Holiday. Quoting a Foreign Ministry release, the Heritage newspaper reads that the official festive celebration of the Day will be observed in the City of Monrovia, Montserrado County under the theme: “Sustaining the Peace”. The Liberian leader is calling upon all citizens of the Republic, and all foreign residents within our borders to observe the day; and has directed that all Government offices and business houses be closed on this day from six o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridian. President Sirleaf, in the proclamation, is requesting all citizens in solemn cooperation with all prelates, priests, deacons, evangelists, imams, elders and other members of the sacerdotal order, regardless of religious creed, to gather together with one purpose in their respective places of worship in each city, town village, hamlet, home, especially in the City of Monrovia, Montserrado County on Friday, July 21, 2017 and Sunday, July 23, 2017, and offer thanks and praises to God for his blessings showered upon us in past and present times, and beseech him for his continuing goodness and beneficence towards all peoples and nations of the earth, especially, the people of the Republic of Liberia.

Liberian Police, Carter Center Launch ‘Don’t Bribe A Police Campaign’

The Liberia National Police (LNP) in collaboration with Carter Center on Tuesday launched the second round of the “Yes to peace, no to violence” and “Don’t bribe the Police” campaign in Kakata. According to Carter Center’s Chief of Party, Pewee Flomoku, the organization will continue to work on changing the minds of people through expanding the dialogues to other parts of the country. “This is our commitment. This campaign will continue in other parts of the country,” he added. The Police-community dialogue, according to Flomoku, is aimed at addressing the questions, concerns and making citizens believe in the Police again, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

CBRN, Lifespan Observe “Mandela Day”

In an effort to promote hygienic living environment in the society, the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) initiative in partnership with Lifespan Liberia, a non-governmental organization has observed “Mandela Day” characterized by cleanup campaign in and around the ELWA Junction community and subsequently an indoor program held at the Paynesville City Hall. Addressing participants at the start of the indoor program on Tuesday, 18 July National Coordinator and Focal Point of CBRN Platform in Liberia, Professor Martin S. Scott, says the international day of Philanthropy is observed in honor of the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who spent all his life fighting for social justice, equality and democracy in Africa. The New Dawn newspaper says the program brought together various security intuitions, including the Armed Forces of Liberia, Liberia National Police, and National Fire Service, among others. CBRN Focal Point Scott explains that every year July 18, people around the world are encouraged to spend at least 67 minutes, doing something positive for their respective communities, and countries at large to honor the late President Mendela for his tireless contribution to ensure freedom and democracy in Africa.

Related Caption: L-CBRNE, LifeSpan Liberia Launch Project to Honor Mandela’s Day (FrontPage Africa)

Pres. Sirleaf Blames Government For Poor Revenue Generation

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed fear over Liberia Tax Law which she said is creating difficulties for the country’s revenue generation. She noted that Liberia’s tax base is too narrow stressing if nothing is done to widen the tax base, the Country will not move forward. She made particular reference to the tax policy; tax laws, tax administration and management, Risks and revenue reporting system among others. Speaking at the Liberia Revenue Authority Revenue Symposium held at the Monrovia City Hall Tuesday, Sirleaf explained that Liberia is behind the curve in improving its tax law which has resulted in people paying low taxes on land and other things. President Sirleaf called on the Liberia Revenue Authority to ensure that all government officials, including assistant, deputy, ministers, as well as heads of autonomous agencies and public corporations, the legislature and judiciary be made to pay all taxes owed government, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Ellen Wants Officials’ Salaries Frozen (The New Dawn)

Nigerian Singer Makes Blind Liberian Lad’s Dream Comes True

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as “Flavor Nabania,” has brought to light the hidden talents of a blind Liberian lad by featuring him in his newest song entitled “Most High.” The featuring of little Semah G. Weifur  by the Nigerian artist, Flavor is a dream come true to the blind lad according Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Juli Endee, because Semah is a born musician and he is also a big fan of the Nigerian singer. The 11-year-old boy who was born blind grew up at the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) International Resource Center for the Blind, headed by Mr. Beyan G. Kota.

CNFA, Partners Working to Reduce Rice Import By 30%

The Heritage local daily writes that Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) with support from the Japanese rice grant (J-Rice) says it is working towards ensuring that the importation of is reduced by 30 percent in 2020. The project is part of US$2 million Ebola recovery support of the Government of Japan to the Government and People f Liberia, through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This was disclosed by Victor Ngorbu, Manager and Component Two le3ad of the Co-Investment Fund, Liberia Agribusiness Development Activity (LADA) in Voinjama, when presenting the overview of the three-day Business Development Training Workshop for rice processors in Lofa County.

Turkish Mining Company Imports US$3M Exploration Equipment

The Turkish-owned Gold Exploration Mining Company, MGN Gold-Liberia, is at the verge of intensifying its exploration exercises in the country. The company over the weekend brought in high tech exploratory equipment worth over US$3 million onboard a huge Turkish cargo aircraft. MGN-Liberia Logistics Manager, Ed Backhouse told newsmen upon the arrival of the equipment at the Roberts International Airport that the equipment will help enhance the current production levels in mining efforts as well as carryout further explorations, writes the  INQUIRER.

Gd. Kru Youths Break Grounds For US$3,000 Intellectual Center

The New Dawn newspaper reads that youths, under the banner Grand Kru County Intellectual Forum or “Ageewulu” has broken grounds for the construction of an intellectual center value more the US$3,000 in Barclayville, Grand Kru County. Media consultant Mr. James Myking Suah, says the construction of the center is intended to promote economic, social, political, sports, education, security and developmental issues concerning Grand Kru, Liberia and the world at large. He says if completed, the center will have the capacity to host over 150 persons and will contain three offices, situated in Barclayville, Wapleken community.

Agric Minister Wiles On Extension Service

The Heritage newspaper quoting Agriculture Minister Seklau E. Wiles as saying that effective extension services are crucial to the development of the country’s agriculture sector. Min. Wiles disclosed that the Ministry has embarked on the process of revamping and strengthening extension services across the country for sustainable development of the sector. According to the daily, the Agriculture Minister made the statement at the close of a two-day national extension consultative workshop aimed at revamping and strengthening extension services across the country for sustainable development of the sector held at the Central Agriculture Research Institute in Bong County.

9 AFL Soldiers Complete Training in China

The Daily Observer reads that nine members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have returned home after completing training in their various areas of expertise under the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Liberia bilateral relations. The soldiers expressed satisfaction with the training and said they were delighted to return home to contribute to Liberia’s development.

Senate Receives National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Bill

According to the Daily Observer, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted to the Liberian Senate for enactment a Bill titled: An Act to Amend Title 23, Natural Resources Law, Liberian Code Revised by Repealing Subchapter B, Fish Resources and to amend title 30, Public Authorities Law to create the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority. The Bureau of Fisheries has been under the Ministry of Agriculture, until it was recently transferred to the Liberia Maritime Authority under an Executive Order. When passed into law, President Sirleaf assured it will facilitate the management and development of the fisheries and aquaculture resources for the benefit of the Liberian people, “most especially those communities whose livelihood depend on these resources.”