The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018

Stories on Global environmental watchdogs, Sime Darby’s saga, the death of an alleged hijacker in Paynesville, the visit of SOS Children Village International Boss to Liberia and the deploying of 4G LTE by Orange Liberia to 10 cities in Liberia are among the selected stories for today’s summary.  

GW Gives Weah Benefits Of Doubts 

Global environmental watchdog, Global Witness, appears to have given President George Weah the benefits of the doubts following his pronouncement over the weekend to prosecute former government officials fund culpable of receiving brides to award oil Block 13, to Exxon Mobile in 2013. In March, Global Witness published report Catch Me if You Can, describing how the sales of the oil block was tainted by corruption. The 2013 approval of the deal, according to GW findings, was marked by $200,000 worth of “bonus” payments by the state oil agency. Weah told a gathering of government officials and partners in the port city of Buchanan last week that his administration is ready to act on the Global Witness report, which alleges corruption into the purchase of the oil Block. Last week, the committee established by the President to look into the Global Witness report presented its findings to Mr. Weah, though details of the findings are still closed to the President’s chest, but he said on Thursday that those former government officials found culpable will be dealt with under the law. A copy of the Committee’s report has not yet been made public, and it is unclear what steps the government will take to act on its recommendations. Global Witness calls on the government to publish the Committee’s report and ensure a thorough, fair investigation into those involved in the 2013 Exxon deal, according to the New Dawn newspaper.  

Sime Darby Agrees To Implement Recommendations…As Plenary Endorses Motion To Include Tortured Victim 

After several weeks of debate on the Special Legislative Investigative Committee’s report on the operation of Sime Darby Plantation Liberia, the management of the company has agreed to fully implement issues highlighted by the Committee. The Sime Darby Plantation Liberia operating in Bomi and Cape Mount Counties yesterday responded to the recommendations highlighted by the House of Representative indicating commitment to continue to work and improve the relationship with employees, locals, national government, civil societies and NGO partners in their concession areas, reports the Inquirer newspaper.

Related Caption:  House Issues Ultimatums to Sime Darby-Lifts contempt charge(Daily Observer)

Liberian Technology Firm Targets Urgent Needs

A modern technology firm known as Alniaboh Liberia Inc (ALI) is now in Liberia to address the urgent need for professional business management services for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations. ALI is a 100% Liberian-owned firm founded here and headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Blamoh Nah. Nah says his company is in the country to help proliferate electronic accounting for small to medium - sized businesses and organizations in Liberia.By so doing, he says the company trains entrepreneurs, auditors, accountants, finance officers, financial experts and senior business students from different corporations, organizations and institutions. Accounting software such as QuickBooks, SAP, Basic & amp; Advance excel, powerpoint, SPSS and Access are some of the areas training are provided in. The firm says it has training sessions for the public and customized training classes for individuals and organizations at their convenience. The company’s CEO says his business is duly registered with relevant agencies of government in Liberia to provide technology and business process outsourcing services, business solutions, accounting and tax services, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Wheelbarrow Operator Kills Hijacker In Paynesville

The reports New Dawn newspaper, inhabitants of the Parker Paint Community in Paynesville woke up over the weekend to news surrounding the alleged killing of a notorious hijacker identified as Sackey Nelson by a wheelbarrow operator to be identified. Witnesses spoken to on the scene where the remains of the victim commonly known as “Body Man” was have said that the deceased was responsible for most of the night - time hijacking of victims’ handbags, cell phones and valuables in the area. Witnesses Mohammed Sesay, Sidikee Mah and Louis Stewart say Body Man allegedly hijacked the unidentified wheelbarrow operator when he met his demise. They say the wheelbarrow operator was returning home from Redlight where he usually go to transport people’s loads when a scuffle ensued between he and the hijacker. According to the witnesses’ account, the wheelbarrow operator overpowered Body Man after stabbing him with the deceased’s own knife. They further narrate that a day before Body Man was killed, he was being hunted by some people whose uncle from Guinea had been hijacked and robbed of all of his belongings including a suitcase in the same Redlight. They say Body Man transferred his criminal activities in the Parker Paint surroundings, attacking and robbing people with impunity. His corpse has been buried by some community people due to his overstay in the area to avoid pollution.  

SOS Children’s Villages International Boss Visits Liberia 

The honorary president of SOS Children’s Villages International, Helmut Kutin, visits here as a special guest of SOS Children’s Villages Liberia. Mr. Kutin is on a five-day visit to Liberia as part of tour of SOS Children’s Villages programs in the region. While in the country he will tour SOS Children’s Villages Liberia programs, including the SOS Family Care; Family Strengthening; and Youth programs, respectively. He will also visit education and health facilities in the country. The honorary president of SOS Children’s Villages is also expected to meet with key government officials and other stakeholders as well as speak to the Liberian public about SOS’s work and strategic directions In Liberia, Mr. Kutin worked to get a country agreement signed with the Government of Liberia that led to the establishment of SOS Children’s Villages Liberia in 1981. He also led the construction of the first SOS Children’s Villages here, SOS Children’s Villages Monrovia. In 1985, he was elected to succeed Hermann Gmeiner as President of the umbrella organization SOS Children's Villages International and thus became the most senior representative of SOS Children's Villages worldwide. He resigned as President at the 2012 General Assembly and was succeeded by Mr. Siddhartha Kaul. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to the work of SOS Children's Villages, he has been given the title ‘Honorary President’, asserts the New Dawn newspaper.  

ULAA Leadership Expresses Willingness …To Work With Government As It Meets VP Howard-Taylor 

The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), the umbrella group of Liberians and their various organizations in the Americas, has expressed its willingness to work with the Liberian government. Quoting a release from the Office of the Vice President of ULAA the Heritage newspaper reads that the commitment when the Chairman of its National Board of Directors, Mr. George Toto, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor at her Capitol Hill office in Monrovia. During the visit, the ULAA Board of Directors Chair congratulated President George Manneh Weah and Vice President Howard-Taylor on their recent election and hailed the Liberian people for the explicit confidence reposed in the two leaders. Mr. Toto appealed to the Government of Liberia to work with the U.S. Government to re-examine the deportation of over four thousand Liberians in the United States. In response, Vice President Howard-Taylor welcomed the group’s campaign for dual citizenship and added that President Weah is already a frontline supporter of the cause for such advocacy. She described ULAA as a key development partner, expressing on behalf of President Weah, the Government’s commitment to closely work with the Union, other key Diaspora institutions, as well as other traditional partners in achieving the national development agenda.

Orange-Liberia Deploys 4G Network To Ten Cities…Says Communication Strategist

According to the Inquirer newspaper, one of Liberia’s biggest telecommunication companies, Orange-Liberia has begun deploying the 4G LTE Network to Monrovia and ten other counties in Liberia. The Orange-Liberia Communication Strategist, Dr. Kimmie Weeks made the disclosure at the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Celebration at the Tubman Hall Auditorium at the University of Liberia on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Weeks said Orange-Liberia is the first company to deploy the 4G LTE network in Liberia, adding that it will enable Liberians to have access to internet and better telecommunication services all over the nation.