THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2015

The dominant stories for today’s summary include, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s New Year message, the presentation of elections result to the Liberian President by the National Elections Commission, the certification of newly elected Senators, and the assurance of macroeconomic stability by Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

DOMINANTS STORIES

 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's New Year Message

As we Liberians across this great resilient nation gather with our family and loved ones, I want to wish you a happy and healthy New Year. New Year is always a hopeful moment. As we look back at the end of a very difficult 2014, we do so with the knowledge that we have the capacity and the commitment to each other to reach out for a better and brighter Liberia. The people of Liberia have made great personal sacrifices in the fight against this Ebola virus disease. As a result of our sacrifices, the numbers of Ebola cases have declined considerably. The 16 Ebola Treatment Units including the Monrovia Medical Unit for healthcare workers have only 63patients as of December 28; 42 of which are confirmed cases. Lofa, the former epicenter of the disease, has not reported a case since November 4. Most of the Southeast, including Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Grand Kru have not reported any confirmed cases in many days although ETUs are being brought online to provide care should cases be found in those counties. I thank each of you, community leaders, Christian and Moslem Community, our civil society and especially our healthcare workers who have been on the frontline with a passionate endurance to this fight. We also want to thank our bilateral and multilateral partners whose support has made the progress possible. However, I need to let you know that in the last 21 days we have had 131 new cases of the disease. There are 96 confirmed cases with laboratory tests; 58 cases in Montserrado, 20 in Cape Mount, where there is a resurgence and 2 in Nimba where there previously had not been a case for 62 days. It means that Ebola is still among us. As a result, until and unless we get to zero, we must maintain the same level of intense attention, caution, and prevention practices that helped to get us where we are today. We must continue to shout loudly through voice and action that Ebola must go because getting rid of Ebola is everybody's business! As we intensify efforts to move from treatment to prevention; by focusing on the rebuilding and strengthening of our healthcare system through training, better compensation for doctors and healthcare workers; through better equipped health facilities and improved road condition and access to these facilities. We are pleased that we had a peaceful election on December 20. We congratulate our senators-elect for their victory and ask God's blessings and direction as they prepare or continue to take on the responsibility of national service. We commend the losers for their constructive and peaceful participation in this Victory for Democracy and encourage them to identify other ways in which they can continue to serve their country. The National Elections Commission deserves our praise for the efficient organization and arrangement of the process. We recognize the role of all political parties, independent candidates, observers, civil society organizations, the media, and representatives of the competing interests at the various precincts for their contribution to the process. We want to pay tribute to our gallant men and women serving in our various state security apparatuses for their loyalty, devotion and commitment to ensure law and order during the entire campaign period and on Election Day. They gave to their country as they had sworn to do so diligently. We appreciate and acknowledge their service to the call of duty. Although imperfect, the successful results of the polls serve as concrete example to our sub-region, to Africa and the rest of the world that Liberia, a long way from the past, is now symbolizing the first steps of a journey toward democratic maturity. As we start this New Year, let us begin anew, putting old habits, old grievances and old differences behind us. Let us carry the torch of reconciliation and compromise. It is my prayer that God will guide us in these pursuits. Have a happy and prosperous New Year. God bless Liberia and save the State, quotes the Daily Observer.

Related Captions:Ellen Urges Liberians To Reconcile (The News),New Year Message of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Focus),Pres. Sirleaf Urges All To Reconcile and Compromise (Daily Observer)

NEC Presents Election Results To Pres. Sirleaf

According to In Profile Daily, The Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) led by its Chairman, Cllr. Jerome Kokoyah recently paid a special visit to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. According to an Executive Mansion release, the visit was aimed at briefing the Liberian President on the outcome of the 2014 Special Senatorial Election and to formally present to her the results. The meeting took place in the temporary office of President Sirleaf at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, December 30. Chairman Kokoyah was accompanied by NEC’s Co-chair Sarah Toe, Commissioners Jonathan Weedor, Davidetta Brown Lassana, Sam Joe and the Executive Director, Lamin Leigh. The NEC Chairman, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked President Sirleaf for accepting to meet with the Board of Commissioners. He later briefed her on the overall electoral process and formally presented the outcome of the elections. Cllr. Kokoyah stressed that the NEC was pleased and satisfied with government’s protection of the independence of the Commission. “Madam President, let me personally thank you for respecting and protecting the independence of the National Election Commission. You promised just that when you appointed me along with other Commissioners and I am pleased that you kept your word. You absolutely respected our independence and there was no interference. This is a real boost to our democracy and we owe it to you and the Government of Liberia,” Chairman Kokoyah said. He commended the Ministries of FINANCE and Development Planning, Health, Justice and the various security parastatals for the various roles they played in the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, safe, peaceful, credible and successful election. In response, President Sirleaf thanked the NEC for efficiently and effectively managing the Special Senatorial Election process.

Related Captions: Senate Election Brief - NEC Board Presents Final Results to EJS(FrontPage Africa),NEC’s Board Presents 2014 Results To Ellen (The News),and NEC’s Board Presents Final Results of The 2014 Special Senatorial Election To Pres. Sirleaf (Insight)

Weah, 12 Newly-Elected Senators Certificated - Three Placed On Hold

Liberia's bourgeoning Democracy took a rather complicated turn Saturday when the Supreme Court of Liberia put a hold on the certification of three Senators elected in the just-ended senatorial elections. Cllr. Jerome Korkoyah, Chairman of the National Elections Commission announced the decision to place the certification of the trio on hold during official program marking the acceptance of the results of the senatorial on hold. Supreme Court halts certification of Former Minister of State for Financial and Legal Affairs, Morris Saytumah, Cllr. Varney Sherman and James Tornollah of Margibi.Korkoyah told attendees at the certification that he received a phone call from a member of the Supreme Court notifying him of a complaint against Cllr. Sherman and two separate complaint against the declared winners in Margibi and Bomi Counties respectively.In the contested counties, Saytumah of the ruling Unity Party was declared the winner with 8,093 for 47.2% ahead of incumbent Senator Lahai G. Lansanah of NPP who has so far got 6276 votes 36.6% of the provisional vote cast. In Grand Cape Mount County, the ruling Unity Party candidate, Varney G. Sherman captured 13,651 votes totaling 61.7% defeating Fodee Kromah of the CDC who won 3,431 votes for 15.5%, signaling the end for the incumbent Abel M. Massalay of NPP. In Margibi, the incumbent Senator Clarice Jah in Margibi County bid the Senate farewell after losing out to Womba Jim Tornonlah of PUP who, after 100% precinct reporting won 7,893 votes for 30.5% ahead of CDC candidate, Ansu Sonii with 6,640 votes 25.7%. On Saturday, in a rather stinging indictment of the Supreme Court House Speaker Alex Tyler cautioned the high Court to stay clear of political issues and focus solely on legal matters. The statement is in line with prohibition against senators elect. According to the Election laws of Liberia, if a candidate is aggrieved he or she has the first line of complaint, followed by an appeal to the hearing officer and then the NEC board. A decision of the board can be put forth to the supreme court if the complaining party is not satisfied. However in this case, the process was skipped to the high court without going through the required process, pens FrontPage Africa.

Related Captions:NEC Certificates Senators-elect (The News),NEC Certifies 12 Winning Senator (Daily Observer),12 Senators-Elect Certificated (Heritage),and 12 of 15 Senators Get Certificates (The Inquirer)

Finance Ministry Gives Assurance

The Ministry of FINANCE & Development Planning (MFDP) has assured citizens and development partners that every measure is being taken to maintain macroeconomic stability, as well as effective management of the economy during this difficult period in our country. For the first half of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2014, the Government generated approximately US$298 million in revenue. Of this amount, US$209 million was generated from domestic sources (tax and non-tax revenues) while US$89 million came from external sources (Grants & Borrowing) as a result extensive negotiations with multilateral and bilateral partners. During the same period, even though the economy was severely challenged as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Government was able to spend more than US$35 million on healthcare services including US$9 million on Ebola Response and US$6 million for the restoration of basic health care services across the country. In order to ensure that the operations of Government continued unimpeded, including regular salary payments to active civil servants and non-essential staffs who were requested to stay home due to the crisis, US$106 million was expended on salaries and compensation related items. It was a decision of the President and the Government that in order to minimize the livelihood impact of the Ebola crisis, non-essential staff and all civil servants continue to receive their income to purchase basic food and other supplies. The MFDP says it wishes to further report that in addition to expenses on healthcare, other critical sectors still received support: Security (US$35 million); education (US$28 million); energy (US$6 million); infrastructure (US$27.7 million), senatorial elections (US$9.5 million) among others. As part of measures to accelerate economic recovery, the MFDP has provided special support for Agricultural INVESTMENT (US$2 million) and Private Sector development (US$1 million). These programs have already been established and fully funded. The Ministry therefore counts on all Liberians and our partners for their support and cooperation in meeting these targets during this very challenging period in our country’s history, reports the In Profile Daily.

Related Captions:Assurances Of Macroeconomic Stability (Daily Observer),MFDP Assures Macroeconomic Stability (Insight),and Macroeconomic Stability Assured (New Democrat)

OTHERS

Foreign Minister Lauded For Ebola Fight

According to the Focus newspaper, Foreign Affairs Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan has been commended for working tirelessly with local and international partners to provide assistance to the Liberia Government against the Ebola virus. According to the local interest group head Hilary G. Johnson, the contribution of the Foreign Affairs Minister is commendable and as such, he should not go unnoticed as the fight against the deadly plague is at its remission stage. “The role of right group should not only be to criticize, but to rain praises on officials in the public sector if their contributions are laudable”, he noted. Commenting further, he pointed out that the accreditation of more foreign embassies’ diplomats is a clear manifestation that the former Finance Minister is a nationalist who wants to actualize Liberia’s development agenda. He cautioned the senior opinion leader of Lofa County not to feel complacent of mounting national and international recognitions given him to enable the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s led administration has an enviable legacy.

IOM Constructs ETU In Three Counties

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus in the country and attempt to fight it is an effort that continues to be exerted by the government and its international partners. As more experts from around the world continues to arrive in the country to help government in this direction, another international partner, call the International Organization for Immigration (IOM) says it is also helping to fight the Ebola Virus. A day to the New Year, the Chief of Mission of IOM Sortino Salvatore told FrontPage Africa that the organization is working with other key partners including WHO, Ministry of Health, Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), United States Department of Defense to construct ETU in three counties, Cape Mount, Bomi and Grand Bassa Counties, says the FrontPage Africa.

GOL Sets Ebola Recovery Agenda…Hydro, Health, Road Top

With the Ebola Virus Disease inflicting a massive toll on the Liberia economy and key sectors growth, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning says, the Government of Liberia (GOL) has targeted critical areas of interest for investment as the country prepares for post-Ebola recovery era. A recent survey by the World Bank Group, the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) and the Gallup Organization, shows massive decline in the real sector of the economy, with self-employed and wage workers the hardest hit, while the agriculture sector is beginning to see returns to work as the harvest approaches. Those areas, according to a press release from the Finance and Development Planning Ministry, include rebuilding the health system, reopening of schools, rehabilitation of the hydro and the bringing additional electricity on line, continuing the construction of more roads across the country, rehabilitation of the airport and investing in agriculture and the domestic private sector, reports the News newspaper.

UNDP On Cross-Border Ebola Infections in West Africa

According to the News newspaper, UNDP is set to help for the Liberian Government to build new border posts that would cut cross-border Ebola infections from Sierra Leone. Infections in Liberia's western border region have spiked recently as tight nit cross-border communities spread the disease across the often porous border. More than forty nine new cases have been recorded in the border county of Grand Cape Mount in December, including 12 in the past four days. UNDP Country Director, Kamil Kamaluddeen, said that in order to stop this new spread of Ebola into Liberia, borders must be properly patrolled and border officials need the right protection against the disease. "The official border crossings from Sierra Leone into Grand Cape Mount are all patrolled, however, there are a number of places where it's possible to cross without detection," he indicated. With UNDP assistance, Liberia's Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in setting up the border posts in remote areas, are often inaccessible where people are suspected to be crossing. UNDP will provide similar support to Liberia in four other counties on its borders with Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Related Caption:UNDP To Help Cut Cross Border Ebola Infections In West Africa(Heritage)

Transport Launches New License Plates

The Inquirer newspaper reports that the Ministry of Transport has revealed that several new measures are underway to shortly include the introduction of designed vehicle license plates and registration stickers in the country for the next five years. Minister Bush Cassell said the introduction of new license plates and registration stickers are to begin early this year announcing that all vehicles will be required to change their plates and stickers to the new design while the plates will also have stickers that will be placed on the vehicles to identify the county of residence of the vehicle owner. Addressing the Ministry of Information Press briefing just before the close of the year 2014, Transport Minister, Angela Bush Cassell also named the proposed Axle Load Law that is currently before the National Legislature for review and passage as well as the procurement of a contractor to automate the vehicle registration and drivers’ licensing processes.

Related Captions:MOT Unveils Plans To Upgrade Transport Sector(The Informer), and New Vehicle Plate, Sticker Insight (Parrot)

School to Reopen next Month

The Government of Liberia has announced the reopening o schools next month. It is said preparatory works leading to the reopening of schools will begin this month. The announcement of the reopening of schools was initially announced by President Sirleaf during her Simple English interview with UNMIL Radio last week. Latest reports indicate that official classes would resume early next month and that activities leading to that are expected to begin on course. Schools throughout the country were ordered closed during the second outbreak of the Ebola virus that claimed the lives of many people when the disease hit the country in August last year, the Inquirer writes.

Related Captions:GOL Declares Schools Open (Parrot), and Schools to Open(Daily Graphic)