The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 6, 2018

News on the elections of the new leadership of the 54^th National Legislature is the lone story dominating our summary of the local dailies for today, Tuesday, January 16, 2018.

DOMINANT STORY

Bhofal Chambers Elected House Speaker-Rep. Moye whips Barchue 41–25 to win Deputy Speaker post

Dr. Bhofal Chambers, Maryland County District #2 Representative, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 54th Legislature Monday. Dr. Chambers, a member of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), was elected on a “white ballot” after former Deputy Speaker Hans M. Barchue and former Speaker Edwin M. Snowe, Jr. declined their respective intentions after being nominated earlier. The Maryland County lawmaker replaced former Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay of the 53rd Legislature, whose tenure expired Monday, January 15. His tenure is expected to run from January 15, 2018 to January 15, 2024. The House Speaker promised to reform the House of Representatives and declared, “I will like to let you know that you will not be disappointed. This House will be rebranded. Your hopes will not be withered. We will build your prospects.” He urged members of the 54th Legislature to be honorable and “to be within your authority not to diminish the honor that the people have reposed in you.” Also in keeping with Article 49, Hon. Prince K. Moye of Electoral District # 2, Bong County, was elected by majority members of the House of Representatives as Deputy Speaker of the 54th Legislature. Also, members of the House of Representatives elected on white ballots, the current Chief Clerk, Mildred Sayon; Deputy Chief Clerk, J. Sayfah Geeplah; and Brigadier-General Martin Johnson as Sergeant-at-Arms, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Chambers, Moye Lead Lower House-As Chie Becomes Senate Pro Tempore (In Profile Daily), Chambers Elected As Speaker (The NEWS), “Friendship” Will Not Supersede Liberians’ Interest…New House Speaker Vows (Heritage), Liberia’s New Speaker Promises to Rebrand Legislature (FrontPage Africa). At the same time, the Daily Observer also reports under the caption “Senate Elects Pro Temp, Leadership Members by Resolution”, that the Liberian Senate at the first sitting of the First Session of the 54th Legislature yesterday elected Grand Kru County Senator Albert Tugbe Chie President Pro Tempore and the 10 Statutory Committee members through a resolution signed by over 27 Senators. According to the Secretariat of the Senate, the resolution became necessary following an announcement by Lofa County Senator Stephen Zargo late Sunday evening of his withdrawal from the race to keep the Senate united. The motion of the resolution proffered by Grand Bassa Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence also called for the elevation and upgrading of the Committees on Public Works and that of Education to leadership status. This followed after the passage of another resolution electing reshuffled members of the eight-member leadership committee.

OTHER STORIES

AfDB President Receives Liberia’s Highest National Award– Participates In High-Level Panel On International Migration In Africa

In recognition of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina’s efforts to improve the lives of the people of Africa through the bank’s High 5s development priorities, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has conferred Liberia’s highest national award on him. The bank’s ‘High 5s’ are ‘Light up and power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.’ The bank is credited with transforming the lives of Liberians through financing road and infrastructure projects, providing electricity, and the improvement of water and sanitation services. Quoting a release issued by the bank, the Daily Observer reads that the bank will present two key infrastructure programs to the Board in 2018: the Mano River Union Road Transport Program Phase 2 and the Liberia Scaling up Renewable Energy Project, with a total indicative funding of US$86.9 million. A budget support operation will also be considered by the Board in January 2018.

JFK Doctors, Nurses Hailed For Hard Work, Commitment

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended doctors, nurses including the management and staff of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center for demonstrating commitment, hard work and confidence in serving the country. She referred to the doctors, nurses and the management as ‘Awesome Heroes’ who have worked to restore the JFK: adding, "All of you who have worked so hard, You have restored JFK to what it is right now; We say thank you; You are indeed the ‘Awesome heroes," President Sirleaf noted. The Heritage newspaper quotes an Executive Mansion release as saying that President Sirleaf made the commendation on Saturday, January 13, 2018 on the compound of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center when she joined JFK management and staff including doctors and nurses to celebrate JFK@50 - the Rebirth. President Sirleaf emphasized that JFK must remain a Liberian hospital that has demonstrated confidence and appreciable services.

OXFAM-Liberia Breaks Ground For Modern Water Facility In Mboo

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reads that OXFAM-Liberia has broken ground for the commencement of the construction of a modern water station facility for residents of Unification City in Mboo Statutory District, Lower Margibi County. Representatives of OXFAM along with residents and authorities of Unification City over the weekend performed the launch of the project. OXFAM WASH Program Manager, Kenneh Otieno Awuor told the audience that the construction of a modern water station in Unification City is an extension of his organization ongoing implementation of a two year US$500,000 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion project intended to buttress the government’s agenda in providing safe water and sanitation to the people of Liberia. Mr. Awuor disclosed that the 64.4 meters depth (224feet) borehole already drilled will have enough and sufficient water in the reservoir of the water station facility. OXFAM is the lead agency of the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion (WASH) Consortium in Liberia and also involves in delivering both emergency humanitarian assistance and long-term development projects.

Related Caption: OXFAM-Liberia Embarks On Water Facility Project (In Profile Daily)

CENTDRA Receives Farmington River Declaration

According to the In Profile Daily, the National Political Forum of Liberia on Monday, January 15 archived the 2017 “Farmington River Declaration” in the Center for National Document and Record Agency (CENTDRA), as part of the country’s cultural heritage for future reference and research purposes. The daily says the process is to also govern political parties and actors in any future elections to upholding the peace of Liberia so as to not trade its ugly past. On June 24, 2017, twenty Political parties gathered at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County to sign what is today known as the “Farmington River Declaration” in which the political parties committed themselves to holding a peaceful election.

Validation For Firearms Regulations Kicks Off

A three-day workshop aimed at validating Draft Regulations for the Firearms and Ammunition Act of 2015 (FACA), started Monday at the Barclay Training Center. The workshop which brings together representatives of all the country’s security institutions, including the National Port Authority and Liberia Airport Authority, is organized by the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LINCSA).  According to the In Profile Daily, the workshop runs from January 15-17, 2018.

Related Caption: 3-Day Firearms And Ammunition Control Act (FACA)  Validation Workshop Gets Underway (Heritage)

Liberia To Begin Food, Nutrition Survey…As Enumerators Undergo Training

The NEWS newspaper says the Food and Nutrition Division at the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the LISGIS on Monday, January 15, 2018 commenced a weeklong raining for enumerators to begin a comprehensive food security, nutrition and vulnerability Assessment survey across the country.

CDC’s Jewel Praises Outgoing Veep Boakai

The Heritage newspaper reads that Vice President Elect, Jewel Howard Taylor has praised outgoing Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, describing him as a vibrant tool in Liberia’s democratic process. Speaking Monday, January 15 at an official program marking the turning over ceremony of the official office of the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, which is located at the Capitol Building the seat of the National Legislature, Vice President-Election Jewel Howard Taylor lauded Veep Boakai for serving the Liberian Senate and the people of Liberia in restoring peace and the matured he is playing in the smooth transition of power after serving his country in the capacity as Vice President for twelve ye good years. According to the , the contribution made by the outgoing Liberian Vice President will forever be remembered in the history of the country. For his part, outgoing Vice President congratulated Vice President Elect Howard-Taylor for her victory as Liberia’s next Vice President.  Outgoing Veep Boakai also lauded members of the Liberian Senate for working with him over the past twelve years, saying they really helped him in transforming the 52^nd and 53^rd National Legislature. He promised to continue providing services whenever the needs arise of when the incoming leadership needs his little experience.

Related Caption: Boakai  Bids Farewell To Senate (The NEWS)

Police Boss Wants PUL, LNP Relationship Strengthened

The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police Col. Gregory Coleman has lauded the strengthening of relationship between the (LNP) and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL). Col. Coleman said the recent interactions between the two professional groups are clear manifestation of maintaining the peace. According to the NEWS newspaper the LNP boss made the statement on Saturday, January at the LNP year-end award ceremony and pool party at which time members of the LNP and the PUL were honored for their services to the society, reports the NEWS newspaper.

For Seventh Mission To Duside: Firestone Liberia Hosts Children’s Surgery International

The Liberia’s Firestone Rubber Company announced the arrival of the Children’s Surgery International (CSI) back to Duside for its seventh surgical mission and eighth mission to Liberia. Firestone said the medical team arrived Friday, January 12, 2018, at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County, and is expected to be in the country for one week. CSI, along with members of the Firestone Liberia medical team, will perform the operations, including facial and urological surgeries, on Liberia’s children completely free of charge. Upon arrival in Harbel, Lora Stege Koppel, CSI Board Member and Mission Lead, expressed her happiness to be back in Liberia and at Firestone. It can be recall that during its sixth mission, the CSI team along with their counterparts from Duside performed 57 surgeries. The Heritage newspaper reads that the CSI team also conducted 15 hours of lectures and educational sessions with approximately 450 health care practitioners.