Daily Media Summary 2016-05-17
THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia
DAILY NEWS SUMMARY TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016
News of the submission of the draft national budget for the 2016/17 fiscal year to the National Legislature, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Message of Congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Norway on the occasion of their Constitution Day and the United States Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s urge for Liberians to fight corruption are among stories dominating today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies
Also highlighted is the holding of the 4th Political Dialogue by the Government of Liberia and the European Union.
DOMINANT STORIES
US$555.9M BUDGET SUBMITTED
The New Dawn newspaper reports that the Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, has submitted to the office of Speaker Alex Tyler, a draft national budget for the 2016/17 fiscal year.Speaking at the Capitol during the presentation, Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara said the total projected revenue envelop was US$555.9m, comprising US$495.5m for Core Domestic Revenue, US$30.2m as Grant and US$30.1m as Contingent Domestic Revenue.
Related Captions:MFDP Presents Legislature FY 2016/17 Draft Budget Draft National Budget is US$555.9 million(Daily Observer), Kamara Submits US$555.9m National Budget (FOCUS), US$555.9m Proposed Budget Submitted(In Profile Daily), andHouse Receives US$555.9M Proposed Budge(Heritage)
President Sirleaf Congratulates Norway on ‘Constitution Day’
The New Dawn newspaper reports a Foreign Ministry release, “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Norway on the occasion marking their Constitution Day, on May 17, 2016. Norway’s Constitution Day is May 17 and commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. It’s usually referred to as syttende mai (May 17) or Nasjonaldegen (The National Day) in Norwegian.According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Majesty, King Harald V, King of Norway and Admiral in the Navy, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in her own name extended to the Government and people of the Kingdom Norway sincere best wishes on the occasion commemorating that country’s 202nd National Day”.
Related Captions:President Sirleaf Congratulates Norway on ‘Constitution Day’ (Heritage), andLiberia Applauds Norway For 202 National Day(Insight)
US Ambassador Greenfield Challenges Liberians To Fight Corruption
The United States Secretary of State for African Affairs and former Ambassador to Liberia, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has trumpeted the responsibility of Liberians to fight corruption, champion democracy and sustain the 13-year peace in the country. Speaking to hundreds of students at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) yesterday, Ambassador Greenfield made reference to President Barack Obama’s statement in Ethiopia last year that African economies are “hampered by nothing else other than the cancer of corruption”, pens Daily Observer.
Related Captions:Corruption Threatens Liberia’s Democracy …. Says US Secretary For African Affairs Amb. Greenfield(In Profile Daily), and Top U.S. Official Opens Up Liberia… Attributes Backwardness To Corruption, Others(Heritage)
U.S. Envoy Launch Liberia’s National Security Radio Communications Network
According to FrontPage Africanewspaper,President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, have launched a new joint partnership to develop a “National Security Radio Communication Network aimed at further strengthening efficiency and effectiveness of Liberian civilian security agencies. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader and Ambassador Greenfield launched the Network on Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President Sirleaf said the launch was another milestone for Liberia amid UNMIL drawdown plan.
Related Captions:Liberia Launches National Security Radio Network (FOCUS), andNat’l Security Radio Network Launched(Inquirer)
Liberia’s Bribery Task Force Promises To Be Credible & Robust
The head of Special Task Force appointed by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to investigate the damning Global Witness report linking some senior officials of government to bribery, has committed the task force to conducting a creditable investigation. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, said the taskforce has a responsibility to the public and as such it will probe the matter and bring to justice those indicted in the report based on sufficient evidence, reports FrontPage Africanewspaper.
Related Captions:Task Force Begins Work…Promises Transparent Process (The NEWS), andTaskforce Chair Assures Impartial Investigation(Heritage)
Pres. Sirleaf Launches Tern District Rally; Over LD$700,000.00 Raid
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Saturday officially launched the Terh District rally aimed at supporting several development projects in the District amid huge support from the Bomi Legislative Caucus cum prominent citizens – raising L$700,000.00 in cash and pledges for Terh District, a newly created District in Bomi County, asserts the FOCUS newspaper.
Related Captions:Ellen Launches Rally In Terh District – L$700,000 Raised(In Profile Daily), Ellen Launches Terh District Rally(Heritage) andBomi Citizens Raise L$700,000 For Development(Insight)
OTHER STORIES
GoL, European Union Hold 4th Political Dialogue Today
The Government of Liberia and the European Union will Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. hold the 4th Political Dialogue at the C. Cecil Dennis, Jr. Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Dialogue is being held under the theme: “Conditions for Peace and Economic Growth”.According to a Foreign Ministry release, the one-day dialogue will focus on political and security matters, including the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) transition and counter-terrorism; elections - lessons learnt and the way forward for 2017; rule of law and human rights issues. Participants will also discuss Liberia’s economic situation including the 2016/2017 proposed national budget; bilateral trade issues; development cooperation issues including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda for Transformation mid-term review; update on Liberia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), ratification and economic partnership agreement (EPA), among others, reports the FOCUS newspaper.
Related Caption:GoL, European Union Hold 4th Political Dialogue Today(Heritage)
Today Is “World Telecommunication And Information Society Day”
The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release, “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has by Proclamation declared Tuesday, May 17, 2016 as “World Telecommunication and Information Society Day” and is to be observed throughout the country as a “Working Holiday”. According to a Foreign Ministry release, World Telecommunication Day was celebrated annually on May 17 since 1969 to mark the founding of International Communication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention on May 17, 1865. The ITU, comprised of 192 Member States and over 700 sector members, is the specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible to facilitate development of telecommunications and ICT services globally. Also, the Day is in consonance with the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution (A/RES/60/252) in May 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated on May 17 each year. In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey decided to celebrate both events on May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Related Caption:Liberia Observes Telecommunication Day Today(Insight)
President Johnson-Sirleaf Reflects on U.S. Support in Visit of Envoy
The FrontPage Africa newspaper, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Monday, May 16, 2016 received a U.S. Government delegation headed by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Assistant Secretary of State Greenfield arrived in Liberia on Sunday, May 15, 2016 for a 3-day official visit to Liberia. While in Liberia, the visiting American delegation will meet several groupings and individuals including Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, the leaderships of the Senate and House of Representatives, Representatives of political parties, amongst others. She reflected on the strong support of the U.S. Government on the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant in particularly and the many other support to various sector of the country’s development agenda.
AMERICA SPEAKS ON 2017 ELECTIONS
According to the New Dawn newspaper, visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ambassador Linda Thomas- Greenfield, says America has no candidate in any outside elections, and, and that her current visit here ahead of Liberia’s pending general and presidential elections should not frighten opposition political parties and politicians.Upon arrival here, she clearly told reporters that the only candidate America is interested in is the people and democracy, and wants to see Liberia continues on the tracks of democracy and improve on it, while ensuring “free, fair and transparent elections, moving forward.” Ambassador Greenfield says she is in the country to listen, advice and to support, while assuring U.S.’ continued commitment to Liberia.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS LAUNCH NAPSPATAL
The ceremony marking the launch of the educational development organization was held Monday, 16 May at the Len Miller High School in Sinkor, Monrovia. The Chairman of Parents-Teachers Association of Liberia (NAPSPATAL), Mr. Edward Sherman, said the primary goal of the association is to unite all private schools’ PTAs and ensure that they are effective in their functions. He noted that the organization will ensure that all private schools in the country have basic facilities such as toilet, Science lab, cafeteria, library and better health and sanitation, reports the New Dawn newspaper.
‘Mystery Ship’ Owner Surfaces
The mystery surrounding the ship, TAMAYA 1, which surfaced May 3, on the shores of Grand Cape Mount County, may now appear to be solved as one of three personalities, who recently arrived in the country, has claimed ownership. This was disclosed by the Ministry of Defense in a release issued Monday, May 16, in Monrovia. The Ministry, at the heart of the investigation surrounding the vessel, which ran aground and reportedly took at least two days before national security forces were alerted, said the three persons who have come to confirm the identity of the abandoned vessel, include Omowho Bernard and Tomogho Oye Amaliri, two of the four crew members who were onboard the vessel; the third person is Robert M. Saigha “the purported owner of the ship” Writes the Daily Observer.
Related Caption:Abandoned Ship Owner, Crew In Monrovia(Inquirer)
William V.S. Tubman University Service Center Fund Raising Launched
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has launched the William V.S. Tubman University “Capital Fund Raiser,” and generously donated US$10,000.00 in support of a modern Students Service Center of the university while heaping praises on outgoing President, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell for putting quality system in place for young people in the country in search of learning opportunities, report FrontPage Africanewspaper.
Related Caption:Pres. Sirleaf Launches Tubman University Capital Fundraiser(FOCUS)
