The New Dawn newspaper reports that President George Manneh Weah has commended the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for its numerous interventions in fostering and maintaining the peace Liberia now enjoys. Mr. Weah underscored UNMIL’s enormous contributions in maintaining the nation’s peace that is positively impacting the lives of Liberians. President Weah spoke on Thursday, March 22, 2018 during a media stakeout in the foyer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He welcomed the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Madam Amina J. Mohammed and her delegation. President Weah commended the gallantry of the men and women in blue helmets for ensuring peace and stability in Liberia. President Weah noted the significance of the visit of Madam Amina Mohammed especially at such crucial time of the end of the peacekeeping mission in the country. He acknowledged the hope the United Nations has given Liberians adding, Liberia has to protect and sustain the peace. He expressed his commitment towards ensuring it happens. For her part, Madame Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations congratulated President Weah on his elections and noted that after 15 years of strengthening the democracy and ensuring peace, the UN remains committed to helping his administration succeed. The UN Deputy Secretary General said the United Nations is excited about President Weah’s national development plans and is willing to assist him achieve his Pro-Poor Agenda. She noted that the purpose of her visit is to bring an end to a successful partnership between Liberia and the U.N in the restoration of peace to the country.
Related Captions: UN Commended For Intervention In Liberia (In Profile Daily), We Will Keep The Peace-UN Assures Continuous Support (The INQUIRER)
Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Dozen Others Confirmed
Following weeks of delay and reported intensive closed-door lobbying, the plenary of the Senate at its 19th day sitting yesterday received a report from its Committee on Health, Gender, Children, and Social Protection recommending the confirmation of Health Minister-designate Dr. Wilhemina Jallah. Also recommended for confirmation by the Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture & Tourism was another controversial nominee, Eugene Fahngon, for the position of Deputy Minister for Public Affairs, Ministry of Information. According to the Daily Observer quoting the agenda of Thursday , plenary received over 35 nominees’ recommendations for confirmation, which was eventually taken in executive session.
Related Captions: Senate Confirms ‘Controversial’ Health Minister (The New Dawn), Dr. Jallah Confirmed As Health Minister (The INQUIRER)
OTHER STORIES
Liberia Participates In Agreement Establishing African Continental Free Trade Area
The In Profile Daily reports that Liberia has actively participated in the conference, which drafted the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the purpose of the agreement is to establish a single market for goods, services, and movement of persons in order to deepen the economic integration of the African Continent. This is in accordance with the Pan African Vision of “An integrated prosperous and peaceful Africa” enshrined in Agenda 2063. The objectives for creating this Continental Free Trade Area by the African Union include among other things creating a liberalized market for goods and services through successive rounds of negotiations. It is also to contribute to the movements of capital and natural persons, and facilitate investments building on the initiatives and developments in the State Parties and Regional Economic Communities which is recognized by the African Union.
Weah Meets Medical Students
According to the In Profile Daily , President George Manneh Weah on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 met with about 200 aggrieved students of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine and Pharmacy of the University of Liberia. The meeting, held in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium focused on concerns from students regarding delays in the payment of their per diems and the lack of transportation to convey them to and from school. Speaking to the medical students, President Weah enjoined them to bear in mind that his government belongs to them and called on them to always channel their grievances through a civil approach. President Weah implored them to set up a committee for a meeting with Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel B. Tweah for Thursday March 22, 2018 to sort out the their per diems and transportation concerns. The Liberian leader however informed the students that while it is true that their concerns were germane and legitimate, they should also bear in mind that those concerns were inherited.
Ministry Of Labor Resolves APM Terminals Impasse
The Ministry of Labor, after an investigation, has ruled into the stalemate between APM Terminals and its employees, requesting the company to remit all employees’ unpaid leave allowances. The Ministry, in its ruling, said the APM management must make the payment within 15 working days and inform the Ministry of the calculation done by staff and schedule for payment. The Ministry also urged the firm to expedite the contract review process for all third-party contractors and share its proposals on further action with the Ministry within 30 days . The FrontPage Africa newspaper recalled that on Monday, March 5, workers at APM Terminal boycotted work, citing poor working conditions and made several demands. In order to end the impasse, the APM Terminal management requested intervention by the Ministry of Labor. The daily says Labor Minister Moses Y. Kollie deployed the Assistant Minister for Labor Standards, Atty. Welma Blaye Sampson and Assistant Minister for Trade Union and Social Dialogue, Hon. Togba R. Croyee Porte to mitigate the situation.
Weah Receives Swedish Ambassador
According to the In Profile Daily President George Manneh Weah on Thursday, March 22, 2018 received in audience Ambassador Olof Skoog, Swedish Permanent Representative to the UN and Chairman of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in Liberia and delegation at his Foreign Affairs’ office. He commended the delegation for their efforts in sustaining the peace in Liberia and assured them of government’s commitment towards continued peace and reconciliation. President Weah applauded the Swedish Envoy and the government of Sweden for their role in strengthening Liberia’s democracy and peace. He however reaffirmed his determination to youth development, women empowerment and the issues of land rights; as these are the three cardinal points of the UN Peacebuilding initiative.For his part, Ambassador Olof Skoog congratulated President Weah on his ascendency to the presidency and said the purpose of the visit was to form partnership with the Government of Liberia in ensuring that reoccurrence of the issues that could bring Liberia back to chaos are avoided. He pledged his support for the promotion of youth development and women empowerment.
Liberia Celebrates World TB Day With Optimism to Eliminate Disease
The National Leprosy and TB Control Program (NLTCP) of the Ministry of Health of Liberia and partners will join the World on Saturday March 24, 2018 to commemorate this year’s World TB Day. Globally, each year March 24 is commemorated as World TB Day to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. According to the INSIGHT newspaper, this year’s official observance will take place in the Airfield Community, Montserrado County, under the Global Theme: “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world”; with the National Theme: Leaders Make History. End TB.
“Not Business As Usual” Ministry Of Commerce And Industry Plans To Enforce Price Regulation On Commodities
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Professor Wilson Tarpeh, said the Ministry has put down plans to vigorously monitor the prices of various commodities in the country. Addressing the journalists at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing for the first time as Minister, Prof. Tarpeh said the new regulation will require a “very radical measure”. According to Minister Tarpeh, most of the commodities prices on the markets are astronomically hard for the ordinary citizens. “This cannot be doing business as usual. The CDC-led government is not a business as usual government. It is not going to happen. We will have people coming into the market, disrupt the market and after disrupting the market they leave.” According to him, there is a law that states that everything an individual is selling should be tagged with a specified price, asserts the FrontPage Africa newspaper.
Senate Receives US$50M Annual Budget Proposal for Pavements of Highways, Freeways
The Liberian Senate on its last day sitting before the Easter Break, Thursday received a letter from Senate Pro Tempore Emeritus Arma Zolu Jallah seeking the Senate’s approval on an annual basis, US$50 million appropriation in the national budget over a period of fifteen (15) consecutive years for roads. According to the Gbarpolu County Senator, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Public Works, the purpose of the budget is for the pavement of highway systems, freeways, major and minor highways and primary streets, among others. The approval of the proposal, Senator Jallah’s letter concluded, will attract and precipitate the migration of people to new environments “and will certainly boost local economies and facilitate infrastructure development. ” the Daily Observer reads that a motion by Senator Conmany B. Wesseh was passed to send the letter to the committees on Public Works, and Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget.
US Navy Helicopter To Land At American Embassy In Monrovia
A U.S. Navy helicopter participating in the Exercise Obangame Express 2018 will be landing at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia on March 24. Exercise Obangame Express 2018, which is sponsor by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime security and information-sharing practices to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. The INSIGHT newspaper says the exercise is taking place from March 21 to 29 in multiple areas at sea and ashore. According to US Embassy statement issued in Monrovia, thirty-one nations are scheduled to participate in this year’s exercise
NASSCORP Ends Interactive Forum
The national Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) has ended a two day interactive forum aimed at educating employers and employees of the private and public sectors on the new NASSCORP Act. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the interactive forum which brought together stakeholder to NASSCORP operations and highlighted major reforms that have been carried out the interest of retirees and other beneficiaries of the corporation scheme.
House To Hold Popular Consultations On Dual Citizenship, Landownership Bills Easter Break Extended By One Week
Members of the House of Representatives have agreed to unprecedentedly add one week to their traditionally two-week’s Easter Break to have a face-to-face with their respective constituents about the ‘controversial’ Dual Citizenship and Landownership Bills. According to the Daily Observer , the constituents’ meeting is intended to help lawmakers make an informed decision on a growing controversial issue currently the subject of intense public debates. Some legislators have already raised questions about the granting of citizenship to non-Negros and have openly expressed opposition to it. On the other hand, some legislators share President Weah’s opinion that the Constitutional clause restricting citizenship to individuals of Negro descent is racist and needs to be scrapped. Whatever the case, in the final analysis the matter must be decided by the sovereign will of the people expressed through a national referendum. However on Thursday, March 22, 2018, during the 19th day sitting, House’s Speaker Dr. Bhofal Chambers formally adjourned session for three weeks, comprising the two-week Easter Break and one-week Constituency Meeting.
UAE Investment Delegation Visits Liberia, Eyes Severaal Sectors
The In Profile Daily reports that on Wednesday March 21, 2018 of a top Level Business Delegation representing His Highness Sheikh Dr.Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the Middle East arrived in the country. According to the daily, the delegation is said to be in Liberia to meet with relevant government Ministries and Agencies on how to explore investment opportunities in key sectors of the Country. The daily gathered that since the delegation arrived in the country Wednesday , it has met with authorities of the Ministry of Public works, Posts and Telecommunications, National Investment Commission and the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Account Liberia Monie R. Captan among others.
Liberia's Parliamentary Network Officers Inducted
According to the In Profile Daily , officer and members of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF Liberia Chapter were inducted into office on Wednesday March 21, 2018. The daily reads that fourteen Parliamentarians from the Senate and the House of Representatives were inducted by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Prince K. Moye who administered the Oath of office. The inducted officers include Rep. Munah E. Pelham Youngblood, Chairperson, Senator Peter coleman, Co- Chair for National Affairs, Rep. Edwinn Melvin Snowe Jr., Co- Chair for International Affairs, Senator Yonblee Kangar Lawrence, Secretary General Rep. Dixon Seboe, Financial Secretary, Senator Dallas Gueh, Asst. Secretary Rep. Thomas P. Fallah, Public Relation Coordinator, Senator Stephen Zargo, Coordinator for Monitoring and Rep. Ben Fofanna, Coordinator for Evaluation. Rep. Mainma Briggs Mansa, Chaplain General, whereas Senator Alphoso Gaye, Edward B. Dagoseh, Sen. Conmany Wesseh, and Rep. Jeremiah Koug, were inducted as Advisors respectively.