The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local daily includes among other stories news of the National Democratic Institute launch of the observation report on Liberia’s electoral process and the Government of Liberia pronouncement on an increase of 13 and 12 United States cents in the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel respectively.

Election Under Spotlight NDI Launches Observation Report - Makes Several Recommendations To NEC

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) over the weekend released its latest observations and recommendations on Liberia's Presidential and legislative elections come October. The launch of the observation report on Liberia’s electoral process follows a five-day assessment mission by experts from various African Countries and the United States representing the NDI. Speaking to journalists at a conference in Monrovia, the Head delegate of the mission, Johnnie Carson, said the delegation has observed the electoral process thus far and have come up with several recommendations that can be considered in the remaining days before the October 10 elections. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in the USA said these recommendations are to enhance confidence in the electoral process and to foster peaceful, credible and transparent polls.

Related Caption: President Sirleaf Holds Talks with NDI Delegation Ahead of Elections (Ducor Post)

Gov’t Increases Prices Of Petroleum Products  

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), has announced with immediate effect an increase of 13 and 12 United States cents in the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel respectively. According to a petroleum price circular issued by the government, the retail pump price for a gallon of gasoline has increased from US $3.07 to US$ 3.20 or its Liberian dollar equivalent from LD$350 to LD$370 while the retail pump price for a gallon of diesel fuel has also increased from US$3.05 to US$3.17 or its Liberian dollar equivalent from LD $350 to LD$370.The prices in Liberian dollars were calculated using the Central Banks approved exchange rate of 1USD to LD$116.65. The new petroleum price circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company took effect as of Wednesday, August 31, 2017. According to the FOCUS newspaper, the decision to increase the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel is a result of a shift in the perimeters that are frequently used to determine the prices of these products in the country.

“Ministerial Complex Will Be Fully Completed In 2019”- Says MPW Official

The FOCUS newspaper quotes Public Works Ministry Assistant Chief Architect, Mr. Winnerfor Prout Richards, as saying that the Ministerial Complex project, which started on 25 October 2016, would be officially completed and turned over to the Liberian government on 24 August 2019. The Ministry said construction work on the buildings expected to house the Ministries of Education, Commerce, Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) have reached 40 percent completion. According to Mr. Richards, clearing of huge concrete rocks is ongoing at the spot where the multi-purpose building, power house and water reservoir are situated.

Laid To Rest Funeral Service For Amb. Alexander Wallace Held in Washington, DC

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reads that funeral service for His Excellency Alexander H.N. Wallace, III, Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Syria, was held in Washington, D.C., United States on Saturday, September 2, 2017. Ambassador Wallace died on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at his Residence in Cairo, Egypt. The funeral service, attended by hundreds of sympathizers, including family members, officials of the Liberian Government, as well as former colleagues, was held at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Heading the official Government delegation was Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, while the Liberian Embassy in Egypt was represented by Mr. Mohammed Nye, First Secretary and Consul, who described the late Ambassador Wallace as a father figure who provided inspiring leadership. Delivering a statement on behalf of the Government of Liberia at the service, Minister Shoniyin said Liberia has lost a veteran diplomat who has sacrificially served his country for several decades.