The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

News of the Liberia National Police preparedness for the deployment of armed police officers at various zones, depots and detachments across the country, the U.S. Government ground breaking to support farm-to-market road rehabilitation in Liberia, Liberia’s Finance Minister Amara Konneh assertion that Africa needs a transformation based on inclusive growth for its people when addressing the high-level panel on fragile states at the World Bank and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment ground breaking ceremony for the construction works for three school annexes and a market hall are among stories dominating our today’s daily summary.

Dominant Story

Armed Police Officers Poised For Deployment…At Zones, Depots

The NEWS newspaperreportsthat the Liberia National Police is said to be preparing for the deployment of armed police officers at various zones, depots and detachments across the country. Already, the police have reassigned several counties, zones, depots and regional commanders to ensure effectiveness and productivity at their various areas of assignments. In a release issued late Tuesday Police Director Chris Massaquoi said there is a need for the deployment of armed police officers at various Zones and Detachments across Liberia to curb the growing wave of mob violence. Director Massaquoi made the statement Tuesday when he received 291 police recruits of Class 42 from field training, the release said.

Related Caption:Armed Police Officers To Be Deployed At Zones(The Analyst),Armed Police Officers To Be Deployed At Zones(Inquirer), Police Prepares To Curb Mob Violence(INSIGHT),As 291 Police Recruits Return From Field Training: Police To Deploy armed Officers At Zones & Detachments (Heritage), Armed Police officers Poised For Deployment ..At Zones, Depots (NEWS)

U.S. Envoy Launches Farm-To-Market Road Network In Nimba

U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac officially launched construction of a ‘feeder road’ from Bahn-Payee-Zuoplay, calling the groundbreaking ceremony the beginning of a major commitment by the U.S. Government to support farm-to-market road rehabilitation in Liberia.
Alongside Ambassador Malac, Liberia’s Minister of Public Works, Antoinette Weeks, local officials and farmers all turned a spade of dirt to mark the start of the road’s rehabilitation in Nimba County.  In comments to an audience of 350 government officials, women’s groups and farmers (April 3), Ambassador Malac said: “Between now and 2018, we intend to rehabilitate up to 500 kilometers of roads. These are farm-to-market roads that will connect agriculture production to commercial centers, helping to keep Liberians fed, and will also connect people to hospitals, schools, and communities. She said the project is important because the road rehabilitation will make travel easier for local residents.  “Not only are we rehabilitating roads; we are partnering with Liberian businesses to do so – these are Liberian roads rehabilitated by Liberian firms for Liberian development. “The people of the United States stand by our Liberian friends in agriculture and economic development,” Ambassador Malac said, “and we reaffirm our commitment to helping Liberia reduce poverty and achieve food security.” The Farm to Market Road Rehabilitation is a USAID/Liberia umbrella activity designed to provide infrastructure support to other USAID projects and to support capacity building of local Liberian construction companies, Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms, and public sector engineers. The project is aimed at 1) providing 100,000 people and smallholder farms in Lofa, Nimba, Grand Bassa and Bong Counties with improved access to markets by rehabilitating rural roads in support of USAID’s efforts toward food security and agriculture development 2) develop sustainable routine maintenance systems throughout Liberia and 3) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Public Works and private sector A&E firms for planning, design, and supervision of construction services of rural roads and bridges, FrontPageAfrica writes.

Related Caption: U.S. Ambassador Launches(New Republic), U.S. Ambassador Launches(Inquirer), U.S. Government Undertakes 500 Kilometers Road In Nimba(INSIGHT), U.S. Envoy Launches Farm-To-Market Road Network In Nimba(Heritage), Farm-To-Market Road Launched(NEWS)

Africa Needs Inclusive Transformation To Rebuild - Konneh Declares

The New Dawn newspaper reports that Liberia’s Finance Minister Amara Konneh says in order for countries to build the resilience to combat fragility, Africa needs a transformation based on inclusive growth for its people. Addressing the high-level panel on fragile states at the World Bank Thursday, Konneh said improved management of the natural resource wealth, robust and effective responses to youth unemployment, urbanization, and climate change, is Africa best hope of tackling fragility and economic development. Standing in for Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Minister Konneh stressed the need for a new paradigm of partnership going beyond the Millennium Development Goals, one that stresses shared values, ownership, and national responsibility.  According to him, the consolidation of peace and stability in any country is intimately linked to efforts that spur sustainable economic development and inclusive growth. “A clear example of the peace dividend can be seen in the positive transformation of Africa in the last decade,” he stated. Addressing the panel, themed - Ending Conflict and Building Peace in Africa - a Call to Action’, Konneh said peace and stability in Liberia has created the necessary conditions for investment and engendered economic development and social transformation. “2013 was a landmark year for the people of Liberia, as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ushered in a decade of quiet peace.  According to him, Liberia achieved a milestone in 2013 when she began the implementation of the National Vision 2030 – the guiding principle that underpins the government’s national development initiatives over a 20-year period – out of which government constructed its Agenda for Transformation – a medium-term economic growth and development strategy – and a Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation.  The high-level event, chaired by African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka presented the findings of the Ending Conflict and Building Peace in Africa: A Call to Action, a panel report on fragile states in Africa. Panelists discussed the best way to form new partnerships that support African states as they build the basis for reconciliation, peace and prosperity.

Related Caption: Konneh Wants Inclusive Transformation(FOCUS), Improved Management Begets Stable Economy – Minister Konneh Tells African, World leaders (The Analyst), Africa Needs Inclusive Transformation To Rebuild – Konneh Declears(IN PROFILE

LACE Breaks Ground

The authorities of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) over the weekend broke ground for the construction of an annex at the Saniquellie Central High School, the Kpairplay Public School, Gbelay-Geh District, the Garplay Public School and the Ganta market, Baingar District. All the projects are in Nimba County. According to the acting executive of LACE, Marian D. Varfley, the agency has received a mandate from the government to implement all the legislative support projects in the country, and has broken ground for those in Bong, Cape Mount, Margibi, and now Nimba County, the Chronicle newspaper reports.

Related Caption: LACE Launches Construction Works For Schools (NEWS), LACE Launches 5 Legislative Projects In Nimba (IN PROFILE DAILY), Construction Works For Three School Annexes And Market Hall Launched (Heritage)

Air Cote d’Ivoire Hails Liberia Venture

According to the Focus Newspaper, the Country Manager, Mr. Sorro Toussaint, of Air Cote d’Ivoire assigned in Liberia and Sierra Leon has described his company’s operation in Liberia as positive. According to Mr. Toussaint, his company started operation in Liberia on January 7, 2014.  Mr. Toussaint mentioned that the company was dealing with the national Air Carrier from Cote d’Ivoire to Liberia but now has a new airline like Air Cote d’Ivoire with airbus 319 from Abidjan to Monrovia and other West African Countries.

Related Caption: Encouraging Sign Since Air Cote D’Ivoire Resumed (Heritage)

We’re Recycled’ - Police Chief Tells Outgoing Officer

 Col. Chris C. Massaquoi has told an outgoing police authority that his replacement did not indicate an end to his profession, lecturing him on how he has been recycled in the security sector here. The Police Chief spoke Tuesday, 15 April at an induction ceremony of the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Training and Development Mr. Alex S. Kawah, who took over from outgoing Commissioner Alphonso S. Samukai, Sr. at the National Police Training Academy or NPTA in Paynesville. Already, a new person has been named for the office of the Commandant of the National Police Training Academy to replace Mr. Samuel F. Dakina. Quite recently, there were major elevations at the LNP Headquarters after Mr. Darlington George departed the force to serve in the elite Executive Protection Service or EPS upon appointment by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: LNP Embarks On Internal Reshuffle(The Analyst)

Nigerian Ambassador's Critics Charged

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged two Nigerians who led a mass protest in front of the Nigerian Embassy in Monrovia recently. The aggrieved Nigerians staged protest demanding the resignation of the Nigerian Ambassador accredited to Monrovia. The angry Nigerians claimed that the Ambassador has increased the price of the passport and does not support any initiative of Nigerians residing in Liberia. According to the Police charged sheet, the two Nigerians have been charged for terroristic threat and impersonation. They have sent to court for trial and subsequent prosecution when found guilty. But Nigerian Ambassador clarified that she does not have any right to increase the fee for Nigerian passports. According to her, only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigerian has the constitutional power to reduce or increaseFOCUS reports.

Related Caption: Nigerian Group Slights Claims Of Mayhem – Frowns On Reasons For Embassy Protest(Analyst)

Other stories

Angie Brooks Center Turns Five

The Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership, Development, International Peace and Security has begun celebrating achievements in women leadership in the county by opening activities befitting its 5^th Anniversary Celebrations today. Addressing a Conference ahead of the two months of celebrations yesterday, the Establishment Coordinator, Yvette Chesson-Wureh said ABIC is using the celebration to renew the dynamism that will promote greater gender equality and women’s involvement in peace and women, reports the Inquirer Newspaper. In a related story under the caption ABIC To Unveil Rural Women Center In Suakoko, theFrontPageAfrica reports that the Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC) says it will shortly dedicate the Chief Suakoko Center in Bong County.  Addressing a news conference on Tuesday in Monrovia, ABIC establishment coordinator Yvette Chesson-Wureh said the center’s establishment was in fulfillment of a promise made by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at the launch of ABIC in March 2009.  “As you may be aware, Chief Suakoko was a renowned Liberian female chief who contributed immensely in assisting the government of Liberia’s expansion drive to areas in Bong, Lofa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.  “The president stated that chief Suakoko was an inspiration for Angie Brooks, who in turn was her inspiration. Since that pronouncement by the president, ABIC has committed to support the establishment and construction of the center in Bong County.  “ABIC processed all the legal paper works and started the physical construction. As we speak, completion works are taking place on the structure situated on Cuttington University in Bong County. “We are thankful to funding from the government, through the office of the president, and also support from our partners. We are hopeful that the center will be dedicated by the end of April,” Chesson-Wureh declared.  ABIC is dedicating the Suakoko Center as part of activities marking its fifth anniversary since it was launched on March 8, 2009. It undertakes women’s empowerment, leadership development, international peace and security.
ABIC promotes gender equality and support the issues of women’s empowerment and involvement in mediation and peace initiative in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, FrontPageAfrica reports.

VP Boakai Calls for Strategy to Fight Disaster

Vice President Boakai, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has told a government high level disaster response meeting that it is only through a well-formulated response strategy, both in material and training that the nation can prevail against disaster. Vice President Boakai said that bitter experiences have taught Liberians that sporadic or knee-jerk responses to situations of disastrous proportions usually end with toll in casualty, which should not be if it is better coordinated. He made the remarks on Tuesday when he formally opened a government high-level disaster response meeting, convened at a hotel, to consider guidance for the future organizational structure of disaster management in the country, indentify mechanisms to coordinate the activities of government ministries, agencies and other stakeholders in the event of a disaster, identify requirements which need further research and action to improve the ability of the government to effectively manage disasters, and identify actions needed for Liberia to comply with ECOWAS mandate, the National Chronicle reports.

Liberia Gets Lab To Test Ebola, Lassa Fever

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has established a laboratory in Margibi County at the Liberia Institute of Biomedical Research (LIBR) to conduct test for Ebola and Lassa fever It has also set up case management treatment Centers in Foyah, Lofa County, and ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, according to an update issued by the Ministry on Monday. It said in addition, experts from US-based Center for Disease Control, MSF, Liberian National Red Cross and WHO are working with various Technical Committees of the National Task Force on Health Emergency in strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, psychosocial support and case management. The following hotlines have been set up where concerned persons can call for further information and provide notice about suspected cases. The hotline numbers are: 770198517, 0777549805, 0886530260, and 0886549805, the Analyst reports.

LOIC Graduates 110 Students

The (LOIC) Buchanan Satellite Program over the weekend graduated 110 students in different disciplines including carpentry, electricity, welding and masonry, among others. The graduation program held on the School’s Campus in the Waco Camp Community is the 13^th cycle graduation since the school was founded in the country. House Speaker who served as guest speaker and spoke on the Theme “Teaching without Content is Like Eating Food Without Nutrients,” called on the graduates to make the institution proud by putting their best in the world market. Speaker Tyler also cautioned the graduates not to be satisfied with the level of skills training obtained, but should do all that lies in their reach to add on what they have learned, the New Republic reports.

EPA Launches Biosafety Workshop

The Environmental Protection Agency or (EPA) Tuesday, 15 April launched a biosafety diversity plan workshop here for the enhancement of human safety in the country. The workshop, which is intended to decentralize affected areas in each affected community, brought together officials of government, members of the diplomatic corps, and various stakeholders to discuss measures that should be put in place in solving problems affecting the nation’s health.  Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the chief focal point of biosafety at the Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Johansen T. Voker, said Liberia became full member of the biosafety in 2002. He explained that the thought of becoming a member of this organization is to protect human environment, because “before we could become member there were many things lacking including good laboratory to conduct studies which had become a serious problem in the past.”  Mr. Voker said Liberia is one of the oldest countries in West Africa which needs to be protected from any kind of substance that will damage the health condition of her citizenry. According to him, the essence of establishing the biosafety is to protect every protocol that was established, including rules and procedures that regulate the movement of the LMO from one country to another in providing healthy material and substance for every member state, New Dawn says.

LPRC Boss Rescues Yana Boys

The Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Mr. T. Nelson Williams has rescued the Liberia Yana Boys Association of Liberia.  In so doing, Mr. Williams presented a 5KVA generator to the President of the Yana Boys Association, Mr. Prince Kollie at the offices of the institution on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.  Making the presentation, the Managing Director of LPRC noted that he decided to help the institution on grounds due to its many services rendered over the years.  He mentioned that the Yana Boys Association has been caring for the social services of Liberians by providing quality goods.  The Managing Director of LPRC indicated with the 5KVA, it will provide opportunities that will improve the business of the Yana Boys Association.  Mr. Nelson stressed that he is concerned about the prospering of people and has engaged into lots of social programs in the country.  He mentioned that the donation has no ulterior motives and that he will continue to work with the Yana Boys Association in bettering their lives.  Also speaking during the program, the President of the Yana Boys Association, Prince Kollie thanked Mr. Williams for such a gesture and mentioned that it will be used for its intended purpose in Liberia. Mr. Kollie stated that the institution will use the generator to increase its productivity and efficiency by continuing works after 6 pm. The President of the Yana Boys Association mentioned that his institution will increase trade and customer service to enhance economic growth in Liberia, FOCUS reports.

Intra-Ministerial Tourney In Quarter Finals

With barely one more groups matches to be played, the 2014 Intra- Ministerial Tournament organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport (MYS) is gradually rapping off with most Government’s institutions have already begun booking their slots to the next round which is expected soon. Group A: Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (MoPEA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) are through to the next round.  Group B: The General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Telecommunication Cooperation (LITELECO) are through to the next stage of the tournament.  For Group C: The National Social Security and Welfare Cooperation (NASSCORP) and the Ministry of National Defense (MoND) are the two institutions who made it through to the next round.  The Liberia Electricity Cooperation (LEC) joined the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MoPT) to represent Group D to the next round of the competition. As of Group E; the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) managed to qualify to the next round of the competition. In Group F; the Librarian Broadcasting System (LBS) qualified with the National Legislature to the next stage of the tournament.
According to the tournament fixture, there remaining three groups are in their last battle to see who made it through to meet their counterpart to the next round, FOCUSreport.