THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY -THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

Today’s News summary highlights top stories including news of the National Elections Commission’s assertion that  2017 general and presidential election will be free, fair and transparent marked by integrity;  the University of Liberia retirement of forty long serving employees as well as  the arrest  by the Liberia National Police of five suspects for committing multiple crimes in Liberia. 

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Also Included in the summary is the halting of the issuance of passports by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

DOMINANT STORIES

Poorly Motivated Security Officers Prone…To Negative Influences, NEC Boss

According to the NEWS newspaper, the Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Cllr. Jerome G. Korkoya on Wednesday said “security is not cheap; so it is very important to make a predetermination of the cost associated with financing election security operation.” Cllr. Korkoya made the disclosure at a two-day security coordination workshop held in Monrovia recently. According to the News Newspaper, the NEC Chairman said the presence of adequate security that is not only professional but one is well-motivated and neutral on Election Day is imperative, especially during critical stages, such as voting, votes counting, results transmission and collation. He stressed the need for candidates to be able to campaign free of any apprehension so that their supporters cannot be intimidated or harmed on elections day. According to him, adequate security during the election process is critical to provide protection of election materials, candidates, voters, observers and polling sites.

Related Captions: NEC, EU, UNDP Slate Election Security Workshop(INSIGHT), NEC Assures Transparency, Integrity In 2017 Elections (FOCUS). At the same time,speaking through a proxy at the start of the two-day Election Security Coordination Workshop, ECOWAS Special Representative to Liberia, Ambassador Babatunde O. Ajisomo urged security officials to remain loyal to Liberia's Constitution instead of the regime, especially during the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. Ambassador Ajisomo stressed the need for security officials to have clear understanding of the dictates and the tenets of the workings of the constitution and relevant parts of the electoral laws and guidelines dealing with electoral security. Ambassador Ajisomo said “with the nature of the system of government where the ruling party has an overwhelming control of all state's apparatus, the public expects that the security sector should be transparent and accountable to the citizens and not to the regime.” Also speaking, the Deputy Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG), Waldemar Vrey disclosed that UN Security Council would finally take a decision on UNMIL drawdown in December, but said he was optimistic that a small element of UNMIL troop would remain here to assist with the election. He challenged NEC's planner to properly plan the 2017 elections and noted that “when the election is properly planned, it would be easy for the security to manage it”, reports the NEWS newspaper under the caption “Don't Be Loyal To Regime"…ECOWAS Urges State Security“.

Related Captions: Recommendations Made At 2017 Elections Security Coordination Workshop(In Profile Daily), ECOWAS Envoy Calls For Electoral Offence Commission(FOCUS)

UL Retires Over 40 Long Serving Staff

The University of Liberia yesterday retired over 40 of its employees who have served the institution for ten or more years. During a program held on the campus in Monrovia, UL President Dr. Emmet A. Dennis congratulated the retirees and admonished them to celebrate their successes. Dr. Dennis urged them to reflect on how they can still contribute to the university “while in their resting chairs.” “Some of you, I believe, are still strong and can still offer your services on a part-time basis,” he said and described the retirees as “heroes of positive change in the heart of unending conflict of interests.” For his part, the acting President of the UL Faculty Association, Professor Mohammed H. Kpoghomu, urged the UL administration to improve the salaries of workers in order for the staff to meet up with the demanding needs of life. “If an employee’s income is reasonable,” he said, “pension becomes rewarding.” He lauded his outgoing colleagues for their many contributions to the university and called on them to look back and advise those they are leaving behind when necessary, writes the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: ‘Honorary Alumni’-UL President Confers UL Retirees(In Profile Daily), UL Retires Prof. Soni, Others(The NEWS)

Over US$ 19,000 Theft At Int'l Bank

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has arrested five criminal suspects and charged them with multiple crimes. Suspects Ricks Wilson, Emmanuel Dixon, Walacious Kaba, Melvina Weah and James Dawolo stand accused of Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Facilitation, Forgery and Theft of Property in connection with a scandal at the International Bank-Liberia Limited. The five criminal suspects were arrested January 18, 2016 at various locations in Montserrado County.  According to the detail of offence as stated in the police charge sheet, in December 2015, the suspects reportedly met, conspired and subsequently executed a criminal withdrawal of US$19,450. Police said it was also established that a cheque book was stolen from the International Bank's Firestone branch from Tabitha Renaissance Groups of Companies, according to the NEWS newspaper.

Related Captions: Six Nabbed For Stealing Over US$19,450 From IB(New DEMOCRAT), Women, Four Others “Criminally” Withdraws US$19,450 From International Bank(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

Technical Problems Halts issuance of Liberian Passports

The Daily Observer quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that due to some technical problems experienced over the last few days, the Bureau of Passport and Visas will not accept any new passport application on Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15, 2016. According to the release, adult passport applicants who were given the necessary tickets to come on Friday, April 15, 2016 are advised to come to the Bureau of Passport and Visas to begin the process of obtaining their Liberian ECOWAS Biometrics Passports; while minors are advised to the return on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, which is the next enrolment date for children. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to thank the general public and passport applicants for their understanding.

Related Caption: Passport Issuance Suspended (New DEMOCRAT)

Foreign Minister Meets with Two-Member US Foreign Relations Senate Committee

Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara has suggested that some form of United Nations Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) presence remains in the country until after the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. Ambassador Kamara told a US Foreign Relations Senate  Committee delegation visiting the country that  Liberians have been a little bit paranoia about UNMIL drawdown, and in her view the level of fear should be erased; adding, ‘we have to continuously explain to our people that on June 30^th, 2016, UNMIL is not going to disappear, especially as we approach elections. According to a Foreign Ministry Release, Foreign Minister Kamara made the assertion when a two-member delegation of the US Foreign Relations Senate Committee paid her a courtesy visit on Monday, March 28, 2016, the New Democrat daily writes.

Senate Passes Liberia Land Authority Act

The Liberian Senate has unanimously voted to pass into law the proposed Liberia Land Authority Act (LLAA) submitted to that body by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in September 2014. The Act, which has been forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence, will, when passed fully into law, establish an autonomous agency of government called the “Liberia Land Authority (LLAA)” which will be devoted solely to land matters. The Liberian Senate’s vote came amidst holistic approval and significant modification of the Act by the Senate’s Joint Committees on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, and Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions in the chambers of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, the INSIGHT newspaper reports.

Bassa College Gets US$9K Lab Equipment

The Grand Bassa County administration has presented laboratory equipment worth US$9,599 to the Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) for use by its Science and Nursing Departments. Funding for the equipment came from the Social and County Development Funds. The equipment presented included two sets of resuscitation devises for newborn and adults; five sets of breast examination simulator; three sets of skeletons and multi-system manikins. Others are height measuring board, ophthalmoscope, gynecological training simulator, eight pieces of female pelvis, anatomical model for kidney and one set of child birth skills training simulator, among others, the INSIGHT news daily asserted.

Carter Center/EU Launch Access to Security, Justice At Gbarnga Hub

An inside story of the In Profile Daily newspaper reads that the Carter Center has officially launched its European Union supported program in enhancing the rule of law and good governance through increase in transparency and access to information in the Security and Justice Sector at the Gbarnga Regional Justice Security Hub. According to the Deputy Project Lead, Alphonsus Zeon, the one day talks with stakeholders were focused on how to recognize some gaps in information dissemination, the kind of information citizens need, and create the platform for the easy access of information as well as fast-striking information through community stations. Mr. Zeon further said their goal at Carter Center in the dissemination of information will quickly be met for the promotion of security and justices in Liberia through every one’s commitment.

US$900K Projects Take Off In Bomi Schools, Bridges and Clinics Listed

The Daily Observer reports that the Superintendent of Bomi County, Samuel F. Brown, has said there are eleven projects, including clinics, schools, bridges and a multi-purpose building, valued at US$900,000, being undertaken in the county. Mr. Brown described the projects as milestones for the county. He said many of the projects will be completed in ninety days, including teachers’ and nurses’ quarters to help ease the challenges teachers and nurses face in finding proper housing in the county. Mr. Brown said other projects include the construction of Besiah, Devane and Barmo bridges in Senjeh District, and Zuweh Town Bridge in Suehn, Mecca District, among others. Cooper Town Administrative Hall and Mulbah Town School in Suehn Mecca are other projects being implemented. Resources are being mobilized to begin other projects, including Third Administrative Headquarters, Malama Clinic. “We have projects for latrines and a water system and hope we will soon begin, particularly in Tubmanburg, to help address those needs our people are faced with,” he said.