BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

Today’s edition of our daily summary captures stories about Gov’t, CICO signing agreement for Ganta–Saclepea highway, President Weah’s comment on peace building,launch of CVE community engagement component by NEC, reconditioning of Tubman High school by APM Terminal, UBA-Liberia wining bank of the year at Banker’s Award 2020as well as news of the agriculture sector getting major boost among others. 

President Weah Speaks On Peace Building

President Dr. George Manneh Weah has highlighted the importance of peace building at a two-day National Peace Building and Reconciliation Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County. Speaking Thursday, December 3, 2020, on the theme: “Enhancing Local Voices for Peace and Reconciliation at National and County Levels,” President Weah urged Liberians to join him in the task of peace building. Noting that conflicts devastate lives but only in peace development is assured. Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, the Liberian leader said “forgiveness is not an occasional act but a constant attitude that needs to be cultivated by all Liberians.” He pointed out that peace is the only way to help move Liberia forward, disclosing plan to call for a broad based conference in 2021 in an effort to help continue the peace and reconciliation drive of the country. He wants Liberians home and aboard to form a stronger partnership and an inclusive approach for total reconciliation, among other things. Moreover, he called on Liberia to foster peace in a move to rekindle their relationships with one another and to break away from their ugly past so as to promote social, economic cohesion and development,The Newsnewspaper says. 

Related Caption: President Weah Recommits to Maintaining Peace(The Analyst) 

Gov’t, CICO Sign Agreement For Ganta–Saclepea Highway

According to the Daily Observernewspaper, the Government and the Chinese Road Construction Firm Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) have reached an agreement for the construction of the 39-kilometer stretch of road linking Ganta and Saclepea. The document was signed by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel Tweah; Acting Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker Collins; and a CICO official at the highway groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday, December 2, in Ganta. A Chinese Embassy delegation, led by Ambassador Ren Yisheng, was also present. In the overview, the Acting Minister Collins said in early 2018 the government engaged the World Bank and the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund for the mobilization of financial resources toward the upgrading of the southeastern corridors, comprising the road segment from Ganta to Tappita (100km) and Tappita to Zwedru (125km), from an unpaved to an asphalt road, connecting these key commercial cities of the Liberian hinterland. According to Minister Collins, in December 2018, the result of the engagement between the government and World Bank was a formulated program of the World Bank for the implementation of the southeastern road. 

Agriculture Sector Gets Major Boost

The Liberian agriculture sector has received two significant donations of transport logistics from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the European Union (EU) through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI). A statement on the Ministry of Information Facebook said the items are meant to enhance the MOA and CARI’s interactions with and provide services to farmers across the country. The UAE funded project provided 15 Yamaha motorbikes for MOA field staffs in Bomi, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Nimba and Montserrado counties to support its program named and styled “Promoting Increased Resilience and Sustainable Income Generation, Food Security and Nutrition for Rural Women.” This project was negotiated by President George Manneh Weah during his state visit to the UAE in March 2018, says FAO’s Representative in Liberia, Mariatou Njie. Valued at US$4 million, the UAE’s supported project seeks to foster rural development and support 1 500 rural women with improved and sustainable poultry and vegetable productionThe Newsnewspaper reports. 

LRA Honors Taxpayers

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has awarded several taxpayers who contributed to the domestic revenue during the 2018/2019 fiscal year. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends on June 30 the following year. The LRA has for several years now made it a point to recognize taxpayers who, amid constraints, continue to meet up with their civil and corporate obligations. The fiscal year, according to Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah, brought in the revenue basket of the country US$525.9 million against the projected 518.9 million, something he said is laudable and for which those taxpayers need to be appreciated. Commissioner Doe Nah said the country needs infrastructure and other development, but meeting these development needs requires the contributions of all citizens in taxes, to enable the government to work towards what the country and its people want. According to the Daily Observernewspaper, he said the global pandemic makes it imperative for every country to rely on its own resource mobilization. In addition to the appreciation the LRA gives taxpayers every year, the Commissioner-General said there is a need for taxpayers to understand better what their obligations are and why tax collection is essential to the growth and development of a state. 

Liberian Radio Personality Bags Two Int’l Awards

As the world continues its battle against the coronavirus disease in different ways and forms to eradicat, it is important to acknowledge those who play vital roles in ensuring the fight against the deadly virus is successful in Africa and Liberia. In this regard, Karishma Pelham, a radio personality and humanitarian, has been awarded the African Goodwill Ambassador Award 2020. Though the fight against COVID-19 is not one hundred percent won yet, Mrs. Karishma Pelham Raad, a top Liberian radio personality and humanitarian, has gone to the extreme to make sure the mortality rate of the virus is minimal through donations and selfless humanitarian services. As Chief Executive Officer of Her Royal Highness (HRH) Charity Foundation, founded in January 2018 with the aim of helping the sick, disadvantaged children, refugees, the elderly, mentally and physically impaired individuals, the Goodwill Ambassador Events Agency dedicates this year’s African Goodwill Ambassador Award to her as “Africa’s Most Charitable Top Celebrity 2020” for her immense contribution in the fight against COVID-19. She is the first brand ambassador of the Aqualife Water Bottling Company, Security Expert Guard Agency of Liberia (SEGAL), Nicom Distillery and Media Personality. She reacted to the event as a celebration of hope and acknowledgment of humanity, theDaily Observernewspaper writes. 

UBA-Liberia Wins Bank Of The Year…At Banker’s Award 2020

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Liberia Limited has racked up an impressive list of national firsts, enough for it to claim to be the country’s leader in digital banking. A release said this position has won the bank the prestigious and internationally acclaimed Bankers Award, as “Bank of the year 2020”. The 2020 edition of the awards ceremony was held virtually on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, where UBA Liberia and six other UBA Subsidiaries won the honour for their respective Subsidiaries. John Everington, Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, explained that a rigorous and highly analytical process is made to reach each Bank of the Year decision and the institution’s reputation for independence, authority and integrity is applied to each submission. UBA Liberia has enjoyed immediate commercial benefit by being the first to be integrated with the Central Bank of Liberia National Electronic Payment System (NEPS) Switch phase two project. This enables interbank transfer and local routing of point-of-sale transactions through the NEPS Switch. As the only bank to integrate with this system, UBA Liberia is now the sole collecting bank for mobile tax payments via telcos on behalf of the Liberia Revenue Authority, The Newsnewspaper asserts.

Agriculture Sector Gets Major Boost

The Liberian agriculture sector has received two significant donations of transport logistics from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the European Union (EU) through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI). A statement on the Ministry of Information Facebook said the items are meant to enhance the MOA and CARI’s interactions with and provide services to farmers across the country. The UAE funded project provided 15 Yamaha motorbikes for MOA field staffs in Bomi, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Nimba and Montserrado counties to support its program named and styled “Promoting Increased Resilience and Sustainable Income Generation, Food Security and Nutrition for Rural Women.” This project was negotiated by President George Manneh Weah during his state visit to the UAE in March 2018, says FAO’s Representative in Liberia, Mariatou Njie. Valued at US$4 million, the UAE’s supported project seeks to foster rural development and support 1 500 rural women with improved and sustainable poultry and vegetable productionThe Newsnewspaper reports. 

Axle Load Control Project Contributes To Harmonized Law Enforcement

The National Authorizing Office (NAO) of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in partnership with the European Union will hand over four double cabin pick-up vehicles and three Weight-in-Motion Scales to the authorities at the Ministry of Transport (MOT), for use by the Axle Load Control Unit at the Ministry. A release said the four pick-up vehicles and the three Weight-in-Motion Scales are intended to help enhance the implementation of Liberia’s Axle Load Law and to raise awareness of the negative impact of overloading trucks under the “Axle Load Control Project.” The Axle Load Control Unit at the MOT is expected to use the equipment to carry out regional and country-specific guidance, and capacity-building activities. The Axle Load Control Project is supported by the European Union (EU) within the framework of the programme “Support for governance in West Africa’s transport sector ROC/FED/039-218.” This project demonstrates how the EU and Liberia are working together in financing road investments, protecting road transport, for improvement of trade and businesses that will lead to the enhancement of socioeconomic conditions in Liberia,The News newspaper discloses. 

NEC launches CVE community engagement component

National Elections Commission, (NEC) Chairperson Davidetta Browne Lansanah Wednesday officially launch the 2020 Civic and Voter Education, CVE, Gender and Communications Sections Community Engagement campaign at a one-day forum organized by the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions, CEIOS in Monrovia.The 2020 one-day CVE Community engagement campaign which was launched today Wednesday, 2 December focused on the prevention of violence during the conduct of the 8 December 2020 Special Senatorial Election, Constitutional Referendum and two Representative By-elections in Montserrado and Sinoe counties. Addressing CIOS members and other well-wishers in Monrovia the Chairperson of NEC Davidetta Browne Lansanah challenged Liberians to turn out and freely vote in the Constitutional Referendum with a yes or no vote for the eight measures, The New Dawnnewspaper writes. 

APM Terminal reconditions Tubman High school

As part of its social and corporate responsibilities, APM Terminal Liberia has begun replacing windows chairs at the William V. S. Tubman High School in Sinkor, Monrovia.Breaking news to reporters during program making the 52nd birth anniversary of the late President William V. S. Tubman on Monday, 1st December the Principal of the institution, Mr. Alaisis N. Golelore, said APM Terminal is installing new steel bars and window frames with glasses. Eight windows and 100 chairs have been provided, initially. Mr. Golelore explained that six windows upstairs, and two windows downstairs, are being replaced with new ones to prevent criminals and intruders from having access to the school’s campus.He disclosed that criminals had earlier broken into the premises and stolen chairs and other important materials. According to him, APM Terminal has agreed to provide 250 brand new chairs for students of the school, as it prepares to commence the 2020/2021 academic calendar. Principal Golelore also revealed the initiative was made possible through the Senate Committee on Education that negotiated with the Management of APM Terminal, indicating the APM Terminal has also agreed to paint the administrative building on campus, says the New Dawnnewspaper.

Liberia Rising Project sensitizes citizens on referendum

To enlighten minds of citizens across the country, a group of scholars under the banner, Liberia Rising Project has conducted a one-day community dialogue on the December 8th national referendum in the Borough of New Kru Town, Montserrado County electoral district#16. Giving an overview of the Liberia Rising Project, an executive of the project Jacob Jallah, a former assistant minister during the regime of former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said, the initiative came into existence as a result of group of scholars coming together to find amicable solutions to some of the problems confronting the country. “Every time we came together as friends to share fun and discuss, we always thought to remind ourselves that Liberia’s future squarely rests on the shoulders of those we considered as next generation”. According to the new Dawnnewspaper, he said the agenda and vision of the Liberia Rising Project is to give every citizen ideas to rethink and contribute to the forward march of the country. According to him, following 14 years of civil unrest in Liberia, that saw former President Sirleaf taken power for two consecutive terms, and subsequently turning over to current President Weah, they gathered themselves as patriots and introduced the project to give every citizen ideas on how to make political decisions. 

NEC Dispatches Elections Materials To Southeast

A head of Tuesday’s midterm elections, the National Referendum, the National Elections Commission, has begun dispatching elections materials to southeastern countries in Liberia. Liberia’s Election authorities are expected to conduct Special Senatorial Elections across Liberia to fill in 15 vacancies created by constitutional tenure at the Liberian Senate. The NEC will also be conducting election for the Referendum to amend certain portion of the Constitution seeking reduction in Presidential, Legislative tenures, dual citizenship, and proposal to change Election date on Tuesday. Our reporter who visited the Commission said elections’ authority confirmed that vehicles jam-packed with trucks containing elections materials were heading to Southeastern countries in readiness for the scheduled senatorial race.  NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Brown Lasanah announced the arrival of elections ballot papers, the ballot papers for Sinoe and District #9 Representatives by elections including ballot papers for Referendum. The NEC Boss also announced that Magistrates have been deployed across the 15 political sub-divisions and are in readiness. She said that the NEC had trained elections’ workers and boasted of the Commission’s full preparedness, to conduct a free, fair and transparent election, the Inquirer newspaper reveals.

LIPA Begins Training of LLA Staff in Customary Land Governance

The Liberia Institute of Public Administration has begun the training of Liberia Land Authority (LLA) Staff in Customary Land Governance and Gender Development/Women Land Governance. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training, the Director General of LIPA, Prof. Yonly stated that it was the right time for the training saying that there are more reforms at the LLA signals, the need to strengthen her capacity. He said knowledgeable workforce increase productivity at the work place. “We are excited about this. The concepts and methodology to these customized courses ae enriched and tailored for resilient personnel like you, “he stated.  The Director General, on behalf of LIPA’s Management and staff extended thanks to UNDP, especially Dr. Pa Lamin who he said has endlessly seen the need of capacity building across Liberia’s workforce across Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MAC).  He further extended thanks to other stakeholders and the LLA especially Mr. Aye Williams and his team that work assiduously for the training to become a reality, the Inquirerwrites.