The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Stories of Government’s revelation of no new cases of the Ebola virus reported in Monrovia, with a confirmation from Sierra Leone authorities on decision to curb the Virus, theMinistry of Commerce and Industry’s plans to launch awareness on an economic partnership agreement in Monrovia, President Johnson Sirleaf’s words of caution to graduates of Class II of the President’s Young Professional Program are among stories dominating the Thursday, March 27, 2014 edition of our news summary.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ebola Fear Spreads - Gov't Says No New Case

Fear of the deadly Ebola virus spread here on Wednesday, with many supermarkets erecting signs asking customers to wear gloves before touching fruits or vegetables. Same was applied to supermarket attendants. But the government here has relaxed the fear, saying, no new cases of Ebola infected patient has been reported since the death of some Guineans in the northern border region of Lofa County, indicating that there are no new deaths related to the disease. The government also said patients transferred from the Ganta Methodist Hospital suspected to have contracted the virus were diagnosed and the test proved negative at the JFK. In an update on the virus, the government says samples from suspected persons have been forwarded to the French charity MSF in Guinea for preliminary examination, and further confirmation from the preliminary findings will be provided from Lyon, France, the New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: ‘Ebola Not In Liberia’ – Information Minister Lewis Brown, Health Ministry Clarify(Daily Observer), Gov’t Gives Ebola Update(Analyst), No Ebola Confirmation(The New Republic), Panic – Prompts mass Exodus Over Ebola News(IN PROFILE DAILY). In a related development, the Daily Observer reports under the caption Sierra Leone, Liberia To Tackle Ebola Virus that Sierra Leone and Liberia are expected to hold talks on curbing the deadly Ebola Virus threatening the Mano River Region, Sierra Leone authorities have confirmed. The region is faced with an outbreak of the dangerous virus that has killed dozens of people in Guinea while four are confirmed dead in Liberia from “a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever”. In a brief chat with this network, Liberia’s medical officer assigned at the border, Mrs. Kebbeh Morris, expressed concern over news of the outbreak and advised commuters to be careful while traveling in these areas. She declined to give details on the latest action by her government in addressing the problem, but maintained that plans are underway to address said critical matter.

Commerce, ECOWAS Launch Economic Partnership Agreement

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is expected to launch awareness on an economic partnership agreement (EPA) on April 8, 2014, in Monrovia. According to a release, the agreement aims at creating reciprocity through the establishment of free trading agreement areas which conform to the regulation of the World Trade organization (WTO), and build regional integration process in the African Caribean Pacific (ACP) Countries. The implementation of the plan of the Economic Partnership Agreement Development Program (EPADP) is to identify and articulate carefully sequence and synchrononized programs, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

Related Caption: Commerce To Launch ECOWAS Partnership Agreement(INQUIRER), Commerce, ECOWAS Collaborate(New Democrat)

Pres. Sirleaf Urges PYPP Class III To Continue To Excel

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged graduates to continue to excel and apply their knowledge and skills to better themselves and create a peaceful and prosperous Liberia. According to an Executive Mansion Press release, President Sirleaf made the remarks at the graduation of Class II of the President’s Young Professional Program (PYPP) at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium. On Wednesday, March 26, 2014, 22 young professionals graduated from the program and will be absorbed in the Liberian Civil Service, reports the Insight Newspaper.

Related caption:President Sirleaf Urges PYPP Class III To Excel Always(FrontPageAfrica)

National Concessions Bureau Tours Arcelor Mittal

The Director of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), Ciatta Bishop, has lauded the management of Arcelor Mittal for its effort in transforming the lives of Liberians through its mining operation and social commitment. Director Bishop expressed satisfaction at the company’s initiatives in the areas of health, education and the general welfare of its employees and residents in nearby communities. The Director arrived in Yekepa recently as head of a five-man NBC team, whose mission was to become familiarized with the company and assess its activities, within the context of the Mineral Development Agreement signed with the government in 2005 and amended in 2013, writes the National Chronicle Newspaper.

Related Captions:National Concessions Bureau (Insight Newspaper), NBC Pleased With Arcelor Mittal Activities (FOCUS Newspaper)

PPCC Holds W’shop on Corruption, Transparency

The News newspaper writes that the Public Procurement and Concession Commission on Wednesday held a technical workshop for line Ministries and agencies of government. The workshop was geared towards enhancing structural authorizes ability to prevent corruption, ensure transparency and promote compliance. The workshop is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded project, Strengthen Transparency Accountability Oversight and Participation (STAOP). The STAOP project aims to support the achievement of the Agenda for Transformation and the objectives of the UN Development Assistance Framework for Liberia (2012-2017) which prioritizes strengthening governance and promoting transparency and accountability.

Related caption: PPCC Opens Workshop to Fight Corruption (New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

UNOPS To Complete Harper Admin Building April

 The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has disclosed that the Harper City Administration Building Complex presently undergoing renovation is expected to be completed at the end of April this year. The renovation work began in January 2013. Disclosing this to the Liberia News Agency in Harper, UNOPS Project Engineer, Joseph Sumo, said due to the ongoing work, the offices of the County Superintendent and other local officials were transferred to the City Hall in 2013. Mr. Sumo said the renovation of the building which comprises 37 offices, 13 bathrooms, 3 store rooms, a courtroom, conference room and kitchen, is being funded by Government through the County Development Fund. He said contractors are currently putting finishing touches to the building, while paving of the compound, which will climax the project, is expected to begin next week. Meanwhile, plans are being concluded for UNOPS to undertake four projects in the county this year. According to Mr. Sumo, the projects include a telecommunication building, post office, custom and regional security building complex, the New Dawn writes.

R’Cess-Sinoe Road To Be Completed Before July 26

following concern raised by Public Works Minister, Dr. Antoinette Weeks and others who formed part of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s delegation on her tour to Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties on the timely completion of the road, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Solid Rock Investment Inc., Mr. William B. Seton has assured the public that the road will be completed before the July 26, 2014 Independence Day celebration to be co-hosted by Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties, the INQUIRER reports.

VP Boakai, Senator Taylor Laud Liberian Education…As NETLIB Launches Liberia’s First Academy Of Talents On 5^th Gala Anniversary

Liberia’s Vice President, Hon. Joseph N. Boakai and Bong County Senior Senator, Jewel Howard Taylor, have lauded Mr. Abdullah L. Kamara for his excellent role in contributing to the educational needs of the country. Speaking at the 5^th Gala Anniversary of NETLIB in Oldest Congo Town last week, both VP Boakai and Senator Taylor said Mr. Kamara, being a true son of the soil, had invested tremendously in educating many Liberian youths in the areas of technical and vocational education, the INQUIRERreports.

10, 000 Modern Books, Computers Arrived From U.S. For Grand Bassa School System

According to the New Republic Newspaper, the President of the Grand Bassa County Association in the Americas, Mr. Jerome Z. Gayman, has underscored the Association’s commitment to the peace loving people of Grand Bassa County to help support quality education and better health care delivery system for the Liberian people especially Grand Bassa County. Speaking at a well-organized and elaborate occasion held on Sunday at the Bassa High School Auditorium of the formal launch of the Liberia’s Branch of the Grand Bassa County in Americas, Mr. Gayman disclosed that the Association in the Americas in collaboration with the Indian River State Collage in Fort Pierce Florida, USA has brought into the county 10,000 modern books and 100 computers for use by the Grand Bassa School System including the Bassa County Community College and other learning institutions in the county.

Catholic School System, Teachers Sign MOU

Authority of the Catholic Education System of the Archdiocese of Monrovia and Association of Catholic Teachers and Staff (non-Administrative) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) gear towards enhancing their relationship. The Education Secretary of the Catholic Education System, Fr. P. Sumo-Varfee Molubah represented his institution, while Mr. Ernest P. Belleh, Acting President of the Association of Catholic Teachers and Staff represented the employees. The MOU, which was signed on Monday, March 24, 2014 at the Ministry of Labor, followed the intervention of the Ministry of Labor in resolving differences between the parties and thereby promoting peace and harmony in the school system, the Heritage reports.

Two Water Companies Closed

The IN PROFILE DAILYreports that the Technical Inspection Team from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), comprising the Division of National Standard and Laboratory (NSL), has shut down two mineral water companies – Kpelle Mansion and Watusi. The two companies were shut down on Monday on Bushrod Island in the wake of ongoing general inspection exercise being carried out on business entities by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry across the country. According to the Commerce Ministry inspectorates, both Kpelle Mansion and Watusi were shutdown because of its operation in a poor environment coupled with the lack of proper equipment to produce safe drinking water. The Technical Team claimed that the two companies are not producing safe drinking water because they are using “very dirty environments and also lack proper equipment to operate as mineral water companies” in the country. The companies, NSL Technical Team further noted that it will not operate until they meet the Ministry to discuss their relocation and as well as getting proper equipment for operation or else they will remain closed for good.

UNHCR Closes Refugee Camp In Grand Gedeh

In a bid to provide better protection and humanitarian services to over 46,000 Ivorian refugees remaining in Liberia, the United Nations High Commissions for Refugee (UNHCR) has officially closed down the Solo Refugee Camp in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. The camp, which is located some 15 kilometers from Zwedru, the main city in Grand Gedeh, was closed down on Friday, March 21, after it was cleared of all structures that once provided shelter for refugees in that area. During the exercise, UNHCR Country Representative to Liberia, Khassam Diagne, said that the closure of the Solo Camp is part of the joint strategy by the Government of Liberia and his entity to consolidate refugee camps and provide targeted interventions especially in an environment where resources are scarce, the Daily Observer newspaper reports.