The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRARY 27, 2018

Today’s summary of the local dailies highlights news of Public Works Minister Mobutu Nyenpan touring key government’s projects in Monrovia; Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s recommendation for a dialogue aimed at finding an amicable resolution of an apparent crisis involving members of the Liberian Marketing Association and news concerning  the Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Mr. Tsutomu Himeno’s courtesy call paid on  Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Gbehzohngar Milton Findley on tuesday.

Public Works Minister Urges Contractors To Make Roads Accessible All Year Round

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that Liberia’s Public Works Minister Mobutu Nyenpan has told contractors that President George Weah’s pro poor government policy will be of no use if roads around the country are not accessible year round. Minister Nyenpan made the statement when he led a team of engineers on a guided tour of key projects in Monrovia on Saturday, February 25, 2018. During a brief stop on the Caldwell New Georgia Road, the Public Works Minister thanked a group of locals working with the CICO construction company, and indicated to them that President Weah’s pro poor agenda would be meaningless without them. “That’s why we have come to say thank you”, he said.  He told the male dominated staff that CICO is one of the best construction companies whose quality of work is outstanding among many contractors.

Related Caption: ’Pro Poor’ Agenda Will Be Meaningless If…Works Minister Tells Contractors (Heritage), Public Works Minister Tours Road Projects (Analyst)

Jewel Calls For Dialogue In Liberia Marketing Association Leadership Crisis

Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor is proposing a dialogue aimed at finding a resolution to an apparent crisis involving members of the Liberia Marketing Association. This followed her brief interaction with some aggrieved members of the association on Monday, February 26, 2018. The LMA members are questioning the legitimacy of the current leadership headed by Madam Alice Yeebahn, who was elected a year ago. In an attempt to resolve the conflict, the Vice President in her interaction with the aggrieved marketers requested a meeting with ten of them at her Capitol Building office on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Prior to her interaction with the aggrieved LMA members, the Vice President briefly attended the ongoing 6th National Convention of the Liberia Marketing Association, which is being held at the Rally Town Market, UN Drive, the head office of the Association, asserts FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: VP Howard-Taylor Calls For Dialogue In LMA (Heritage), Jewel To Intervene In LMA Crisis (The INQUIRER)

Japanese Ambassador Pays Courtesy call on  Foreign Minister Findley…Promises to Deepen Cooperation with New Administration

The Heritage newspaper quoting a foreign ministry release reports that His Excellency Mr. Tsutomu Himeno, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Liberia, has told H.E. Mr. Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, that his Government is committed to working with the Liberian Government. The Japanese Ambassador accredited to Liberia made the disclosure Monday, February 26, when he paid a courtesy visit on the Foreign Minister.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, Ambassador Himeno informed Minister Findley that his government is pleased to share the same fundamental values of democracy that Liberia embodies toward world peace.  On aid to Liberia from his country, he stated: “We can't do all. What we can do is based on your priorities which we would like to build on and strengthen the existing relationship between our two nations.” Responding, Foreign Minister Findley, thanked the people and government of Japan for the assistance they are giving to Liberia. He told the Japanese Ambassador that the Liberian Government, led by President Weah, is focused on reducing poverty, Liberians taking ownership of those foreign projects and the connection and construction of roads throughout the entire nation.  Foreign Minister Findley also told him that as the relationship between Liberia and Japan gets strengthened and more Japanese nationals begin coming to Liberia, it would be good for the Japanese to open their embassy near Monrovia.

Related Caption: We Are Going To Review Our Strategies’…Japanese Ambassador Tells Foreign Minister Findley (INSIGHT)

USA Remains Liberia’s First Ally...Weah Dispels Rumors, Sets Record Straight

According to the Heritage newspaper, Liberia’s President George Manneh Weah says the United States of America (USA) remains Liberia’s first ally, contrary to rumors that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) –led Government has sidelined the USA for France. Speaking at the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County following his return to the country, President Weah stated that the USA has been very instrumental in Liberia’s development with huge money being invested by the US Government in all sectors of Liberia. According to the Liberian leader, being the biggest ally to Liberia, the USA can never be overlooked by the CDC led Government headed by him.

President George Weah Launches Hunt For Gov’t Cars, Sets Up Special Presidential Task Force

It seems nobody is listening to President George Weah’s caveat about government vehicles after issuing two separate ultimatums ordering ex-officials to return said vehicles in their possession. And this would be the President’s first test to show how his administration would pragmatically deal with long standing issues that dogged his successor. Two weeks ago, the Liberian leader ordered all former officials to turn in government vehicles to the General Services Agency (GSA) on or before February 9. Again on Friday, February 23 following his return from his first overseas trip, President Weah again issued another two-week ultimatum requesting that vehicles must be turn in. This signals that his first ultimatum was totally disregarded by individuals sparking assertions about the improbability of regaining government assets. On Monday February 26, Pres. Weah again set up a special task force to “retrieve all government-owned vehicles still in the possession of former government officials,” according to FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Special Presidential Taskforce Constituted To Retrieve Government-Owned Vehicles (Heritage)

Welthungerhilfe, Partners Launch Multi-Actor Partnerships on Land

The race for land ownership is one of big issues in Liberia that has been engulfed with multiplicity of problems ranging from insecure land tenure forms and rights; lack of land use database for state, private, and customary lands; weak land administration and management; inadequate concession practices and protective mechanisms to prevent “land-grabbing” amongst others. These issues are causing serious problems for communities’ dwellers to get land for making their farms particularly in rural areas. On February 9, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), in conjunction with several Civil Society Actors, launched a Multi-Actor Partnership (MAP) on land governance in Liberia at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia under the title “Land for Life – Making Policies Work for Food Security,” reports FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Welthungerhilfe and Partners Launch Multi-Actor Partnerships (MAP) (New Democrat)

Pledge To Protect Women

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, Mrs. Piso Saydee has taken over the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection as that entity’s new Minister with a pledge to continuously protect women against sexual violence and promote women participation in national decision making. She took over Monday, February 26, 2018, at a former turning over ceremony held at the Ministry on the Capitol Bye-pass. She replaces Julia Duncan Cassell. Minister Tar took over after being confirmed by the Liberian Senate.

Implement TRC Recommendations…Liberia Council of Churches Calls on President Weah

The Liberia Council of Churches or LCC has reiterated calls for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or TRC recommendations. LCC President, Bishop Dr. Kortu K. Brown said full implementation of the TRC recommendations will resolve the long standing problems facing Liberia as a result of atrocities committed by warlords during Liberia’s civil crisis. The TRC was established as a result of the Comprehensive Accra Peace Accor (CPA) that put an end to the 14 years civil conflict in Liberia. Following conclusion of its investigations in 2010, the TRC laid out clear framework and strategic roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation, and the Agenda for Transformation. The Commission was also keen on economic empowerment and poverty reduction, the National Palava Hut Programme, the Whistle Blower Act of 2012, decentralization of political and economic power, constitutional review, justice sector reform, police reform, promotion of good governance and the rule of law, and the establishment of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Disaster Hits Bong…As Strong Destroys Homes, Leaves Several Residents Injured

Violent storm on Sunday destroyed several houses and business in Gbarnga City and its surroundings in Bong County, leaving several persons injured. Some of facilities which have been destroyed include Gas Stations, Market Buildings, the government run Dolokelen Gboveh High School Auditorium, Churches and dwelling places amongst others. In a interview with the Insight on Monday in Gbarga, some of the victims narrated that the disaster has created a serious setback for them. The victims including men, women, children and youth among others are currently homeless, pens the INSIGHT newspaper.

UNMIL Supports Grassroots Inclusive Reconciliation Effort

UNMIL on 23, February, 2018, organized a pre-National Reconciliation Conference meeting in collaboration with Government of Liberia and implementing partners, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Naymote. The meeting’s main objective was to discuss the outcome of two UNMIL funded projects implemented by SFCG and Naymote titled Local Voices for Inclusive Reconciliation and Reconciliation Dialogues in Support of Peace Consolidation and Improving Social Services in Margibi and Bong Counties. Key Issues identified in most counties include: land disputes, tribal and clan disputes, lack of political participation and illegal land sales among others. Both projects consisted of county reconciliation efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue among local communities in eight counties; Grand Gedeh, Margibi, Bong, Sinoe, Lofa, River Cess, Nimba and Grand Mount, writes INSIGHT newspaper.

AFELL Opens Legal Aid Office In Buchanan

The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has officially launched a legal aid clinic in Buchannan City Grand Bassa County with support from UNDP/UNMIL, the program will provide legal aid to women, children and other vulnerable groups. “The heartbeat of AFELL is to provide legal assistance to indegent persons, particularly, Women and Children in Liberia,” AFELL president Atty. Vivian Doe Neal said. UNDP and UNMIL are providing financial and logistical assistance to legal Aid Clinic programs in Montserrado and Grand Bassa Counties Atty Neal indicated, writes the New Democrat newspaper.