THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

The one day official visit of the United Nations’ Secretary General to Liberia, His Eminent Cardinal Vatican, Peter Turkson’s visit to Liberia and President Johnson Sirleaf’s emphasis on the need for the Government of Liberia to increase investment in the housing sector are among stories dominating today’s local dailies as captured in our summary.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ban Ki-Moon Arrives Today-Gov’t Welcomes Visit

The Parrot newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. BAN Ki-moon is expected to arrive in Liberia today for a one-day official visit, a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. The UN Secretary General is leading an 18-member delegation, which includes Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). While in Liberia, the UN Secretary General and delegation will meet with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other high officials of government. The delegation will participate in an Incident Management System (IMS) meeting at Monrovia City Hall; and hold a high-level meeting with President Sirleaf and other officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will be followed by a press conference in the foyer of the Ministry. Mr. BAN Ki-moon and delegation will also hold meetings with the United Nations Country Team in Liberia at the Pan African Plaza. The delegation will make a brief stop at the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU), Charlesville, near the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

Related Captions: UN Secretary General Visits Liberia Today(Daily Observer), Ban Ki Moon Arrives Today(New Democrat), United Nations Secretary General Pays Official Visit To Liberia(The Inquirer), UN Boss Visits Liberia Today(In Profile Daily), Ban Ki-Moon Arrives Today(The News), UN secretary General Pays Official Visit To Liberia Toady(Heritage), UN Secretary General Comes Today(The New Republic), UN Secretary General Visits Liberia (FOCUS), Ban Ki-Moon Visits Liberia Today(INSIGHT)

Catholic Pope Identifies With Ebola Response Team …As Cardinal Plays Visit To Liberia

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict, the sixteenth, has identified with the National Catholic Church Ebola Response Team in the fight against the Ebola virus by donating US$ 10,000 to the Catholic Church in Liberia. Speaking at a press conference at the Saint Teresa Convent School on Randall Street, His Eminent Cardinal, Peter Turkson, disclosed that he is here on a solidarity visit and to thank the local church for what they have done in the fight against the deadly disease. He mentioned that his mission is not to give new direction but to see what they have done and the challenges they are faced with. He stressed that this will enable him to see how best the Holy Father can help and that they will not over step or side-line the local churches, the Inquirer newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Vatican Cardinal Visits Liberia…Pays Courtesy Call on Ellen(Heritage), Vatican Cardinal Visits Pres. Sirleaf(The News), Catholic Church Officials Meet With President Sirleaf(The New Republic), Vatican Cardinal Peter Turkson Visits Liberia(FOCUS)

GOL Must Invest In Housing Sector -Says President Sirleaf; Commends CBL, LBDI for Mortgage Financing Scheme

The Daily Observer reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has underscored the need for the Government of Liberia (GOL) to increase investment in the housing sector. She observed that public investment in housing would be of great relief to low-income earners, giving them the opportunity for better homes and accommodations. She noted that affordable housing creates more jobs and incomes that contribute to the overall improvement of the economy. President Sirleaf made the statements on Thursday, December 10 at the official issuance of ownership certificate to National Housing Authority’s (NHA) Brewerville Estate residents, held in Monrovia under the auspices of NHA and in collaboration with the Liberian Bank for Development and investment (LBDI). The President called on sector institutions to ensure that affordable housing is available to all Liberians, irrespective of their location and financial status. The Liberian leader commended the tenants for taking a bold step to have their own homes. She lauded Central Bank of Liberia’s (CBL) Executive Governor Dr. Joseph Mills Jones, who invested seed fund of US$10 million in LBDI, in order to commence the mortgage sector in 2012. She also commended the Management of LBDI headed by its President and CEO Mr. John B. S. Davies, for their innovation in choosing mortgages as a product. She thanked NHA Management headed by Managing Director Samuel Wlue and NASCORP for their bold steps in restarting the housing sector.

Related Captions: Gov’t Awards Tenants(The New Dawn), NHA Gives Mortgage Certificate To 16 Brewerville Housing Estate Residents(In Profile Daily), 16 Receive Temporary Ownership Certificates(FOCUS), Pres. Sirleaf Seeks To Revise Tolbert’s Housing Policy-As LBDI Mortgages 89 Houses In Brewerville(INSIGHT)

VP Boakai Calls On Liberian Entrepreneurs To Insist On Quality Of Products

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has called on producers of MADE IN LIBERIA products to be particularly keen on quality and not allow a quick drive for money to influence them in producing inferior products, adding that they should measure their success by the pride that comes from the quality of their products. He said consumers look for products that are durable and that can outshine others, even if the commodities are of the same kind and there is virtually little or no competition. He lauded the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for devoting a considerable amount of time in implementing practical measures to promote, control and expand commercial and industrial enterprises and activities in the country. Vice President Boakai made the comments Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the official opening of the Liberia Market Place under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in Sinkor outside Monrovia. The Liberia Market Place is a platform of the Ministry of Commerce to showcase Liberian made products. The ceremony was held under the theme: From Vision to Implementation --Buying Liberian and Building Liberia, writes the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: VP Boakai Urges Local Producers To Prioritize Quality(In Profile Daily), “Made In Liberia” Store Launched(The Inquirer)

MOA, SAI Sign Contrac To Develop CARI

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Sheladia Association Inc. (SAI), have signed a US$495,278 contract to provide architectureal engineering consultancy which will lead to the rehabilitation of the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) in Suakoko, Bong County. The Director of the Program Management Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Moses Zinnah, said under the contract, Sheladia Association is to conduct  field investigation and do a photographic map, detailed architectural engineering design, assist with tender evaluation, and supervision for civil works construction and rehabilitation of CARI, reports that In Profile daily.

Related Captions: MOA, SAI Sign US$495,278 Contract To Develop CARI(Heritage), MOA, Sheladia Associates Sign US$495,278 Contract(INSIGHT)

UNDP Donates Solar Powered Radios… To New Georgia

The Country Director of the United Nations Development Program, Kamil Kamaluddeen on Wednesday, December 17, 2014   handed over (UNDP) Liberia, 150 solar powered wind up radios to survivors of Ebola and vulnerable groups as well as those affected financially by EVD in New Georgia. Monstserado County, The President of Liberia recently launched the “No New Ebola Case Campaign “In New Georgia in recognition of the way in which residents of the community came together to fight the disease, writes the News newspaper.

Related Captions: UNDP Donates Solar Powered Radios-To Ebola Survivors In New Georgia (In Profile Daily), UNDP Donates Radios(The Reporter), UNDP Donates Solar Powered Radios(Heritage), UNDP Donates 150 Solar Powered Radios To New Georgia(The New Republic), UNDP Gives Solar Powered Radios To Ebola Survivors(FOCUS)

Liberian Staff Promoted at GVL

The Management of Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) has promoted Miss Brenda Howard and Miss Isaline Kollie, all Liberian staff to the positions of Administrative Manager and Administrative Assistant respectively. According to the New Dawn newspaper, both of them are stationed in a GVL Monrovia office. The elevation of the two Liberians is in keeping with Golden Veroleum’s commitment to elevate and employ competent Liberians in Managerial positions. The daily further added that this is the second time in 12 months that Golden Veroleum has promoted Liberians. In August this year, several Liberians from across GVL operations in Sinoe, Grand Kru and Monrovia were promoted to managerial positions.

Related Captions: GVL Promotes Two Female Liberian Staff(Daily Observer), Liberian Staff Promoted At GVL(Heritage), Liberian Staff Promoted At GVL(FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

Tomorrow Is D-Day..NEC Says All Is Well; Assures Voter

All is now set for the conduct of the Special Senatorial Election throughout the country, Liberia’s election body, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has disclosed. Thousands of Liberians will tomorrow go to the polls to elect 15 Senators of the first category expires, 139 candidates are vying for the 15 Senatorial seats at the National Legislature. Addressing a news conference yesterday in Monrovia, NEC Chairman, James G. Korkoya reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the conduct of free, fair and transparent Special Senatorial Election and encouraged all political parties to play their roles in ensuring the credibility of the election, according to the Inquirer newspaper.

Senate Concurs With House To Ratify Oil Block LB16

The Liberian Senate yesterday concurred with the House of Representatives on the Bill to ratify the production sharing contract between the Republic of Liberia, the Liberty Petroleum Corporation of Liberia, the Pillar Oil Limited of Nigeria, and the New Millennium Oil & Gas, for Liberia’s offshore Oil Block LB16. The Daily Observer quotes the Secretary of the Senate, J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh as saying that the awarding of the contract was recommended by Ernst & Young, an American company involved in the vetting of companies that participated in the bid round earlier this year. In another development, the Senate also late yesterday afternoon, at its executive session, concurred with the House of Representatives to ratify the New Petroleum Law (exploration and production Act of 2014), and the NOCAL Act of 2014.

Related Caption: Another Oil Deal Dealed(The News)

56 Parents Receive Grant From Street Child

According to the Daily Observer, a group of 56 parents last Thursday, received U$100.00 each, amounting to U$5,600.00. The beneficiaries were parents whose children, over 400, were removed from the street and reunited with them, through counseling and education. Providing the seed money to the beneficiaries at a program held in the auditorium of the Educational Promoters of Chocolate City, near Gardnersville, Monrovia, and Coordinator June Rose-Dangbuah told the parents that the seed money must be used in accordance with how to start and manage a business, at the end of the seminar that preceded the distribution. The daily writes that Street Child recently provided a U$5,000.00 grant to parents of 50 amputee children to ensure their sustainability, in the Elizabeth Legacy of Hope project.