THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2015

Today’s edition of the summary of our selected dailies captured the Liberian Senate’s official induction of 12 of the 15 newly elected senators from the 2014 Senatorial election, the National Investment Commission’s continual negotiation with foreign investors to attract revenues for the country, despite the deadly Ebola epidemic, among others.

New Senators Take Seat Today

According to the News newspaper, the Liberian Senate will today, in a special session, officially induct 12 of the 15 newly elected senators from the 2014 Senatorial election. Decision for the new senators' induction was recommended by the Senate Committee on Rules, Order and Administration after perusing their certificates and credentials. On Monday, the senators submitted their certificates of election and other credentials in line with the standing rules of the Senate. The new senators include Jewel Howard-Taylor of Bong County, Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, Jonathan Kaipay of Grand Bassa County, Daniel Naatehn of Gbarpolu County and A. Marshall Dennis of Grand Gedeh County. Others are Albert Chie of Grand Kru County, Conmany Wesseh of River Gee County and Stephen J. H. Zargo of Lofa County. The rest are J. Gbleh-bo brown of Maryland County, George M. Weah of Montserrado County, Francis Paye of River Cess County and J. Milton Teahjay of Sinoe County.

Related Caption: Senate Starts On Faulty Proceeding…Inducts new Senators Today(The Inquirer)

Liberia ‘Still Negotiating Contracts In The Amidst Of The Ebola’

The Executive Director of the National Investment Commission George Wisner has disclosed that the Commission is currently negotiating with foreign investors aimed at signing contracts in attracting revenues for the country, despite the deadly Ebola epidemic.  “There are ongoing negotiations in spite of the Ebola virus, contrary to what many people think; that the virus has driven all of the investors. While it is true that there are setbacks and many of our friends are asked to slow down, there have been numerous proposals mostly in the mining area”. The NIC Executive Director said Tuesday, January 13, 2015, that in the next one or two weeks, the commission would announce to the nation the signing of an infrastructure development agreement, that would enable a transshipment of minerals from Guinea through the port of Buchanan using Liberia’s existing railroads.  Mr. Wisner also said the NIC is negotiating a gold mining agreement through Hummerburg resources in Sinoe County. The NIC Executive Director also named Ducor Palace Hotel as one of the areas that have received huge interest from foreign partners. He said a South African firm expressed interest, and the NIC has also received a communication of interest from an American firm, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

China-Team Cures Three Liberians

According to the New Democrat newspaper, the China-Financed Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia on Monday discharged three Ebola patients after they all tested negative for the virus twice, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The Spokesman, Hong Lei said the three patients, two women and a seven-year old boy who were found to be infected with the virus in December, were all cleared after 20 days of treatment at the Chinese facility.

‘Be Professional In Inspecting Businesses Commerce Boss Tells Inspectors

Liberia’s Commerce Minister Axel Addy has called on inspectorates at the Ministry to be professional when carrying out their duties. Speaking at a program marking the distribution of inspectors 10% bonuses to over 20 inspectors, the Minister Addy said the manner in which inspectors carry out their duties determine whether they would attract more revenues from businesses. He said “as you can recall we jointly work together in putting in place guidelines for inspection, particularly general and specific technical inspections”.  Minister Addy disclosed that the process started last year and the Ministry agreed that the inspection would be done with respect. The FrontPage Africa newspaper quotes Minister Addy as saying that in the first two quarters of last year, the inspectorates collected over US$ 100,000.00 and over LD$400,000.00. He commended the inspectorates adding that despite the challenges of logistics and budgetary support, the inspectorates were able to raise huge amount. One of the recipients Miatta Lewis commended the Ministry for the percentage given to them.

Fire Engulfs World Food Programme Building In Liberia

The head office of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Monrovia was engulfed by fire late Tuesday evening. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but the road leading to Mamba Point, around the UN Avenue in the city was blocked, as police and UN vehicles stopped civilian vehicles from entering the vicinity of the incident. The FrontPage Africa newspaper quotes some eyewitnesses as saying that the fire started about 6PM from the warehouse in the basement of the building, causing considerable damage but in no time, several fire trucks arrived on the scene to put out the fire. The WFP has in recent months scaled up its operations in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, West African nations hit hard by Ebola, delivering food to more than 1 million people, including those in quarantined, remote communities.