The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

News of the Liberia-America Partnership forum taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today,  President Johnson Sirleaf’s leadership role in the AU High-Level Meeting in N’Djamena, a five-day budget analysis workshop for legislative budget officers taking place at the capitol building and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) aimed at focusing on youth development are all dominant stories in our selected local news dailies for today, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.  

Dominant stories

Liberia-America Partnership Forum Today

The second edition of the US-Liberia Partnership Dialogue is expected to be held in Monrovia today in the vestibule of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Inquirer newspaper writes that in 2013, at a ceremony held at the United States Department of State in Washington D.C., President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton made history as they signed a statement of intent, which automatically launched a Partnership Dialogue that institutionalized the long-standing bilateral relationship between Liberia and the United States of America. Following that historic ceremony on January 15, 2013, the inauguration session of the U.S-Liberia Partnership Dialogue was held in Washington D.C on May 7, 2013, with the signing of a joint Statement following a day-long deliberation involving senior government officials of the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia. The second edition of the Dialogue which is scheduled for today is expected to highlight the historical significance of this institutional framework through which the United States and Liberia continue to reaffirm and expand the cooperation between the two countries.

Related caption: Liberia-US Partnership Dialogue Opens Today (Analyst)

Pres. Sirleaf Seeks Continental Dialogue On CAP

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has called for an effective Continental Dialogue on the Common African Position (CAP), so that it might be embraced by all. The Common African Position was derived by the African Union’s High-Level Committee of Heads of State and Government constituted by the Authority of the African Union, and headed by President Sirleaf. The Liberian Leader reminded her colleagues that the Committee’s mandate now is to ensure that the pillars reflected in the CAP – all essential to the welfare of the African people and the future of the continent – are integrated into the Global Development Framework which will be agreed in 2015. She said stressed that before the Committee goes out and negotiates with the rest of the world, it is imperative to ensure that all Africans, including fellow political leaders, policy makers, advocacy groups, the private sector and others, take full ownership of the CAP.
She pointed out that the Committee is still engaging stakeholders throughout Africa, and must also start talking to other regions of the world to establish partnerships and alliances around shared priorities, as well as negotiate, in good faith, the issues on which the continent and other regions differ. “We must look at how our priorities affect other regions and how their development agenda affects Africa. Our strong conviction in the justice and efficacy of our position must be tempered by flexibility, which also has its limits,” President Sirleaf told fellow Heads of State and Government. According to a dispatch from N’Djamena, Chad, the Liberian leader made the call on Friday, February 28, at a special meeting of the High-Level Committee where the Common African Position was formally launched, writes the New Dawn Newspaper.

Related Stories: Continental Dialogue for Full Endorsement (In Profile Daily), Ellen Wants Continental Dialogue (New Democrat), Pres. Sirleaf Chairs AU High-Level Meeting In N’Djamena (Analyst)

Legislature Sharpens Staffers’ Skills On Budget

The Legislative Budget Office of the Liberian Legislature is today, Monday, 3 March 2014 beginning a weeklong workshop under the theme, “Strengthening Capacity in Budget Analysis” for its staff. According to the Director of the LBO, Prof. Julius Ceaser, the workshop is intended to equip Legislative Budget Analysts who will be assigned to line Ministries and Agencies to collect data in budgeting and management of public funds. A press release issued in Monrovia over the weekend from the Public Affairs Department of the House of Representatives quotes Professor Ceaser as saying the caliber of speakers selected will prepare staff of the bicameral legislature support Unit to improve their skills and techniques in deriving nonpartisan, objective information through the available data, budget analysis and fiscal performance, and requisite knowledge to estimate government revenue for future fiscal needs. Director Ceaser also disclosed that Presenters will also lecture on the Role of the Legislative Budget Office in National Budget process, Capacity strengthening and Governance in the National Legislature, the role of Civil Society in the Budgetary process , Fiscal Impact Analysis of Legislation, Revenue Analysis and Expenditure reports. Speakers at the opening program include House Speaker Alex Tyler, Senate Pro Tempore Gbenzohgar Findley, the Chairpersons on Ways, Means and Finance of the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives, the Country Director of OSIWA and the Integrated Public Financial Management Reform Program Officer. The Legislative Budget Office was set up in 2010 by an Act of the Legislature to provide objective and impartial analyses of the national budget, funds and fiscal operations of central Government to the Joint Committee on Ways, Means and Finance. Due to the activities of the LBO, the Legislature involvement in the Budget process has been vigorous and robust. Participants of the weeklong seminar are drawn from the Legislative Budget Office. This is the second strengthening of staff capacity program by the LBO since it began active work in May 2011, the New Dawn newspaper reports. In another development, in a story captioned Budget Increment Risky,carried in the New Democrat Newspaper, the Director of the Legislature Budget Office (LBO), has called for a halt in the habit of members of the Legislature increasing the county’s fiscal when submitted yearly. Mr. Julius Cesar condemned the exercise and described it as “risking the hard earned tax payers’ money. Personally for me there shouldn’t be a budgetary shortfall if the legislature can only approve what is presented to them by the Finance Ministry. If you follow budgetary history, each time the legislature increase the budget there has to be a shortfall. And the reason is because they overstate what is being presented them; and so it puts the country at risk. The LBO was created by an Act of the Legislature in September, 2010 with the view to reviewing and analyzing the National Budget to ensure that the budget adequately considers the national priority program and ensure that the revenue projections are realistic. The LBO vision is to be a world-class legislative budget office recognized for its non-partisan posture, professionalism, integrity, and excellence and further enhance the legislative oversight capability of the members of the Legislature.

Related Caption: Legislative embarks on financial capacity (INSIGHT)

MYS and YMCA sign MOU

The In Profile Daily reports that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) have entered into a memorandum of Understanding aimed at focusing on youth development and at the same time providing a cordial working relationship or collaboration between the two institutions. According to the daily, the ceremony was held in Paynesville recently.

Related captions: MYS/YMCA Sign MOU (FOCUS), MYS pens MOU with YMCA (INSIGHT)

Other stories

Gorgbor Chief Appeals For Social Services

The Town Chief of Gorgbor Town in Denita Clan, Borlorla Township is appealing to authorities of Margibi County to construct a school, hand pumps and clinic for his people. Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency (LINA) recently, town Chief Sackie Moses said since central government started giving county development funds, his town has not benefitted from the fund, the Heritage newspaper reports.

Related Caption: Gorgbor Chief Appeals For Social Sevices (Heritage), Gorgbor Chief Appeals For Social Services (The NEWS)

Weala Residents to Gain Access to Pipe-borne Water

 At long last the people of Weala in Cinta Township in Gibi District, upper Margibi County will have access to pipe-bone water-LINA reports. According to an official, funding for the water project estimated at US$189,000 comes from the 2012-2013 National Budgets. During the project kick-off meeting with Cinta Township Commissioner and his Project Management Committee on Saturday, Liberia Water and Sewer (LWSC) Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Frankie Cassell, said he was delighted to see the water project finally take off after many twists and turns. Cassell disclosed that to ensure the successful implementation of the project, the Water and Sewer Corporation Management has, in keeping the Public Procurement and Concession Commission guidelines, hired the services of a Liberian-owned contracting company, DAZ and DAZ Trading Company, to implement the water project. He said a technical team has been set up to adequately monitor each phase of the construction work, to its completion point. He commended the people of Weala for their patience and tolerance after several months of delay in starting the project. In remarks, the Chairman of LWSC Board of Directors, Mr. Kimmie Weeks said the Weala water project will be a pilot project for over 15 cities around the country. He said when the project is successfully implemented it will be replicated in selected cities to enable them have access to safe drinking water. For his part, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the DAZ and DAZ Trading Company, Mr. David Zinnah, thanked the management of the LWSC for his company's preferment to carry out the project. He assured that his company will professionally implement the water project, so as to win more confidence in the face of daunting challenges. In remarks, the Commissioner of Cinta, William Julye and the Project Management Committee Chairlady, Muniatu Brown, said they were happy to see the long-awaited water project finally get off the ground. Commissioner Julye said the water project was a "heart beat" project, as the people of his township were in dire need of safe-drinking water. The project, when completed, will supply safe-drinking water to over 10,000 inhabitants, , the New Dawn newspaper writes.

Related Caption: Weala Residents To Gain Access To Pipe-Bone Water (Heritage), Weala Residents To Get Pipe-BorneWater (the NEWS)

Bong Citizens Pass New Development Budget

Citizens of Bong County represented by delegates at the Special Development Council Sitting have passed a development budget of US$2,785,672.30 for the fiscal year 2013/2014. The development budget allotted US$50,000 each to 10 of the 13 districts, while Fuamah, Sanoyea and Salala Districts received US$100,000 each. The Bong County Development Budget, which will be financed by both the Social and County Development Funds, also set aside US$134,657.47 for scholarships in six universities, including the University of Liberia, AMEU, and AMEZU, among others. The Special Development Council sitting chaired by Senator Henry Yallah, who was recently elected Chairman of the county's Legislative Caucus, allotted US$125,000 for the completion of ongoing projects. Meanwhile, some delegates at the Saturday sitting argued that the US$300, 000, which constitutes part of the China Union financial engagement, targeting Fuamah, Sanoyea and Salala Districts be evenly distributed among the three. But the decision that was rejected by Fuamah-Sanoyea District Representative, Korpu Barclay, who threatened to seek redress, if the delegates' decision is not reversed. However, 74 of the 91 qualified voters, voted in favor of the decision, and resolved to remain resolute that the affected communities or districts will always benefit from the fund. The sitting was then boycotted by Representative Barclay, followed by the Fuamah delegates, while those of Sanoyea and Salala remained to the end of the sitting. Responding to the decision of the delegates, Bong County Caucus Chairman Yallah thanked the delegates saying, "You have helped us to lay this issue to rest.” Bong County annually receives US$500,000 from ArcelorMittal, US$1,750.000 from China Union, US$100,000 from BHP Billiton, US$84,000 from AmLib Liberia, while US$200,000 comes from the Government of Liberia. The expenditure of these amounts is decided at the County's Special Development Council sitting held each year, Says the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: Bong Citizens pass New Development Budget (Heritage), Bong Citizens Pass New Development Budget(FrontPage), Bong Citizens Pass New Development Budget (The NEWS), Bong Citizens Pass new development budget(INSIGHT), Bong Citizens Pass new development budget (In Profile Daily)

Women Storm Monrovia

The New Dawn newspaper reveals that in commemoration of International Women’s Day, 8 March, the third regional workshop on gender, climate change, and land and forest tenures in Africa will take place in Monrovia under the auspices of REFACOF or African Women's Network for Community Management of Forests, the Foundation for Community Initiatives and the Rights and Resources Initiative. According to a dispatch, the regional workshop will bring together more than 50 participants from 16 African countries along with donors, development partners, and issue experts. Following the conference, a rally and parade involving over 150 women from across the Liberian countryside will be greeted by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who will also receive the outcomes of the conference. In Liberia, as in most Central and West African countries, indigenous peoples and local communities do not own the land and forests on which they have lived and cultivated for generations. Instead, government claims ownership instead. Officials expected at the conference include Liberia’s Gender Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell; REFACOF President Cecile Ndjebet of Cameroon, Julie T. B. Weah, Executive Director, Foundation for Community Initiatives or FCI, Liberia; and Solange Bandiaky-Badji, Africa Regional Director, Rights and Resources Initiative.

Lawmakers Speaks On Liberalization Policy

The failure of government to enforce the Liberianization Policy has claimed the attention of the Co-Chairman of he House of Representatives Statutory Committee on Executive, Grand Cape Mount Representative, Emerson Kamara. He noted that despite setting aside of certain businesses exclusively for Liberians by law, foreign nationals are currently involved in these businesses, with the Ministry of Commerce doing nothing to right this wrong, the NEWS newspaper writes.

Liberian Diplomat Lauded For Good Work In Diaspora

A sub back lead story of the Heritage newspaper reports that United Liberians Association of Belgium (ULAB) through its President has lauded the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Isaac Chennoweth Yeah, for his excellence performances, while serving that position. In a letter of appreciation, Mr. Kingston Washington Wleh Sr. on behalf Liberian Diaspora organization thanked Mr. Yeah for his selfless and overwhelming job done of the years, especially in working with the organization (ULAB).

Liberia Will Be Great Again -Bishop Afolabi Prophesizes

 A Nigerian clergyman, Bishop Mark Afolabi has prophetically assured Liberians that their country will be great ‘again’, while blasting African leaders for allegedly being very selfish and greedy. Bishop Afolabi from the Living Faith Ministry in Lagos, Nigeria, a.k.a Winner’s Chapel spoke to the NewDawn recently at the end of celebrations marking the third anniversary of the Remedy Chapel Movement International in Monrovia. Serving as guest preacher for the three-day festivities from 26-28 February he encouraged Liberians to be patient: “I know Liberia will be great again.” According to the Bishop, the problem of Africa is lack of real leadership, noting that everywhere, corruption is visible. “They don’t have the welfare of the people at heart; the people are selfish; they are greedy; they match all the wealth for themselves and their families, but you know this kind of wealth doesn’t last,” he said. The clergyman further lamented that what the masses should be enjoying and sharing is often taken by their leaders. 
However, in the midst of the unfolding misrule, Bishop Afolabi cautioned Liberians to fear God, reminding that the Bible warns that the wicked will be cut off in the midst of their days, the
New Dawn newspaper reports.

US$57,000 Drugs Donated

Bomi County District Number 3 Representative, Haja Siryon, has donated assorted drugs valued at US$57,000 for use by health facilities in the district. Representative Siryon made the donation in Jenneh #3, Dewein District, and Bomi County on Friday. Speaking to reporters after the donation, the Suchn and Dewein Districts Representative said she was moved by the poor health conditions of citizens in her district, the NEWS newspaper reports.

UNICEF Gives Support – To Youth & Sports Ministry

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has provided US$240,038 as additional funding to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) in support of the National Youth Service Program (NYSP). The fund, which represents the second amount of UNICEF funding for the current phase of the NYSP was recently remitted to the Ministry’s account under a direct cash transfer arrangement between UNICEF and MYS. In a communication to Youth and Sports Minister Eugene Nagbe concerning the remittance of the amount, UNICEF’s Resident Representative to Liberia Sheldon Yett restated his agency’s commitment to the Ministry aimed at promoting youth empowerment, peace and reconciliation in Liberia, the NEWS newspaper reports.

Liberian Footballer killed - Police yet to arrest ‘perpetrators’             

 A Liberian footballer has been killed by unknown persons in the St. Paul Bridge Community, outside Monrovia. According to information gathered by family members and friends, Prince Toby Wleh, 26, unknown persons shot him on his side during the late evening hours of Thursday, February 27, 2014, while he was returning to his Island Clinic residence. Island Clinic is located within the St. Paul Bridge Community.   But the information divulged that player Wleh, affectionately known as “Solari”, did not die immediately after he was shot.  He died during the early morning hours of Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Redemption Hospital in the Borough of New Kru Town where he was taken after he was shot.  The deceased was a player of First Division Club, Gedi and Sons F.C. His remains have been deposited at the A. B. Anderson Funeral Home in Gardnersville, awaiting funeral arrangements.  Meanwhile, no arrest has been made by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) in connection with the incident. According to the Commander of Zone One,  Mr. Alfonso Paypay, efforts are being made to bring to book the  ‘perpetrators’ of what has been described as wicked, cruel and barbaric act.  He said measures had been put into place by the police to stop such a wicked and   barbaric act.  It can be recalled that sometimes ago, a local money changer identified only as Christian was shot several times with a “single barrel pistol”, while returning from his cell phone booth located at the Island Clinic Junction. Several cell phones and an unspecified amount of Liberian and United States Dollars were also taken away from the victim.  At the same time, Montserrado County District # 16 Representative, Edward S. Forh, has challenged the LNP to maximize their efforts to bring the ‘perpetrators’ to justice.
He wants the strength of the LNP to be beefed up in the community, especially the Island Clinic area. The cold bloody killing of the Liberian football has sent shock waves not only across the St. Paul Bridge Community, but the entire Monrovia, with many expressing sorrow over his death. His death has been widely condemned, The Heritage reports. 

LIBA Denounces Amended CBL Act…Prexy Wins Election on White Ballot

The Liberian Business Association (LIBA) over the weekend ended its second National Convention in Ganta City, Nimba County. According to the Inquirer newspaper, delegates who attended the just-ended LIBA convention strongly disagreed to the draft amendment against the CBL Governor recently passed by the National Legislature which many referred to as the ‘8G Bill’. Speaking at the official opening of the convention, LIBA President, Dee Maxwell S. Kemayah, Sr. said LIBA will not give support to anyone who is in support of the CBL amendment draft.

UNDP, SURIDO Launch Small Grant Project On Agriculture, Climate Change

The United Nations Development Program () in collaboration with the Sustainable Urban and Rural Integrated Development Organization (SURIDO) over the weekend launched its small grant project on agriculture and climate change adaptation in Bomi County to assist residents of the county in providing and protecting the forest, writes the Inquirer newspaper.

Local Farmers receive US$2.4m from ArcelorMittal

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that ArcelorMittal Liberia has started payment of resettlement claims to 425 farmers from the towns of Gbapa and Zolowee in Nimba County. The payment process began February 28, when 50 farmers received their first payments. The payments continued through the weekend, with one hundred additional farmers receiving their compensation benefits. By the time the process is completed this weekend, the company will have paid US$2.4 million, the largest resettlement payment for any concession operating in the country.

Philanthropists Assist Ganta College

As Liberia’s agricultural sector scrambles from scratch and vast institutional turmoil, delegation from the US Indiana Agricultural Leadership program has arrived in the country to help boost the sector. The delegation is expected to provide skills training and budgetary support to agricultural institutions specifically for the Liberia International Christian College based in Ganta, Nimba County. The 29-man delegation which arrived over the weekend is currently in Ganta assessing the facilities of the Liberia International Christian College. The Indiana agricultural leadership program is being sponsored by the Agri-institute; a United State based agriculture training entity, states the New Democrat Newspaper.

LICPA Trains 75 Professionals

According to the New Democrat Newspaper, about 75 accounting professionals from both government and private sectors are currently attending a weeklong Continuing Professional Development Training sponsored by the World Bank and implemented by the Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA) in Monrovia. The facilitating consultant Benjamin Korley, began the training with an overview of the risk-based audit, its intricacies, and the overall audit strategy.  He is expected to further expand on several others components of Auditing over the next six days. The training is being attended by Certified Public Accountants. A statement from LICPA said, this training, the first of ten in a series of upcoming trainings in being held under the theme, ‘International Standards on Auditing in the Audits of Small and Medium Sized Entities.’

Amb. Wesseh Receives Petition For Senate

The Analyst Newspaper writes that a local group of River Gee has petitioned the Minister of State without Portfolio, Ambassador company B. Wesseh, to contest the upcoming Mid-term Senatoial race in the County. The group, “Progressive Friends of Wesseh”, described the Ambassador as “a nationalist and patriotic Liberian who will forever be remembered in the history of the County” for the many contributions he continues to render the people of the county. Wessh, who has twice unsuccessfully contested the county’s Senatorial seat on the ticket of the governing Unity Party, was petitioned Sunday evening at his residence on the Duport Road in Paynesville City, at a ceremony marking his return from a medical trip in the United States of America. Chairman David Smiith said the group will campaign vigorously as well as “fight democratically”, to ensure that the Minister Wesseh will this time around ascend to power as Senator for River Gee County.

CRC Launces Consultation

The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has launched the first civic education and consultations meeting with citizens in Montserrado County and its environs. Speaking over the weekend at the start of the official civic education and consultations awareness held at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center Auditorium in Gardnerville on the Somalia Drive, the Chairperson of CRC, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott said the exercise is at critical junction and urged each and every Liberian to embrace the consultation in order to ensure that draconian laws in the Liberian constitution are removed or amended. Madam Scott said that prior to February 15, 2014; the CRC has been planning and seeking funding form international partner from international partners and the Government of Liberia to create awareness that focus on some or the provision in the 1986 constitution, pens the Analyst Newspaper.

Liberian Demands Vehicle Insurance Awareness

According to the Focus Newspaper, a cross session of Liberians are appealing to the Government of Liberia and companies licensed to provide massive awareness on the Compulsory Insurance Scheme or the third party motor vehicle process. According to Mr. David Ballah, providing massive education on the whole process of motor vehicles is very paramount because, according to him, Liberian citizens are yet to understand the entire process. Speaking to commercial drivers Monday in Monrovia, Mr. Ballah said it would be very important for those insurance companies licensed by the Government of Liberia to work in collaboration to educate the public about the third party insurance process on motor vehicles.

Liberia Institute of Professional Accountants (LIPA) Begins Classes In Monrovia

The Liberia Institute of Professional Accountants (LIPA) Incorporated began classes on Monday, March 3, 2014 at the Wells-Hairston High School Campus Mechlin Street after the orientation last Saturday. Mr. Olusegun Ezekiel Taiwo, the coordinator of the school of accounting, expressed his commitment to ensure that all accounting students in various High Schools, Universityies and Graduates will take an advantage to prioritize their study in the accounting field mostly undergraduate with major or minor in accounting. He advised all students to prioritize their education instead of paying too much attention on football and other social activities, states the Focus Newspaper.

Motor Vehicle Registration On Course

According to the Focus Newspaper, the Communication Officer at the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Samuel Barjibo Sr. has disclosed that the motor vehicle registration process at the Ministry is on course. Speaking Monday at his Transport Ministry Office in Monrovia, Mr.Barjibo explained that the Ministry is working in closed collaboration with the respective institutions that have oversight responsibility over the process to ensure that there is no problem.