Daily Media Summary, 04-3-2014
The Bureau of Public Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia
NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014
The continuous fight against the deadly Ebola Virus, the ongoing EU-Africa Summit, the US$14M Kuwaiti loan to Liberia, the reconstruction of Tuckerta Community Clinic and Red Cross’ donation to Roberts International Airport are among selected stories for today’s news summary.
‘Stop Eating Bush Meat’….EPA Warns of Ebola Threat
The lead story of the News news daily reports that the Ebola epidemic in Liberia is creating local and international spotlight amid growing fear amongst the population that the disease could spread rapidly if preventive measures are not put in place. Ebola, which appears to be the world’s leading killer disease, was confirmed to be in Liberia early this week by health authorities. So far, there are two cases yet, and indications are that the figure could rise. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency )EPA) has issued a statement warning the public to stay away from eating bush meat, emphasizing that the Ebola virus can spread through direct contact with the blood, saliva, urine, stool and secretion that contain the infectious virus in animals as well as humans.
13 Nurses Quarantined In Lofa-As Body suits Arrive For Health Workers
At least about thirteen nurses at the Foyah Borma Hospital in Foyah District and Telewoyon Hospital, Vionjama, all in Lofa County have been quarantined. The nurses, one of which is said to be showing symptom of the deadly Ebola virus that have spread across from neighboring Guinea here, all at one point came in contact with the two sisters, one already deceased, at the two hospitals. The nurse whose symptom has become very visible is said to be isolated from the rest who are closely being monitored, sources at the two hospitals told this paper Tuesday. The two sisters, one of whom had returned from Guinea to Foyah, a district in the northern Liberian town of Lofa and the other already quarantined at the Firestone Hospital were the only known officially reported Ebola cases here so far. The affected nurses were involved in the treatment of the sisters. Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bernice Dahn is reported to have confirmed the confinement of the nurses in Lofa in an interview on a local FM station Wednesday. The confinement of the 13 nurses which has sparked fears amongst other health workers in Lofa comes amidst the arrival of personal suit for health workers on Wednesday. The suits which were brought in from Guinea as an emergency package with experts from the French MSF based in Guinea, is ahead of a special flight expected here today with huge consignments of personal body suits for health workers. Health officials told this paper Wednesday night that the special flights has on it two officials from the US Center for Disease Control or CDC to help monitor and track the virus. The two CDC officials will be embedded at the Ministry of Health.
The arrival of the additional health workers and equipment to help in combating the virus has witnessed a concerted effort and collaboration between the agencies of government so far, at least as far as immediate tax waivers and the issuance of visas for the experts are concerned.
Meanwhile, it is also being reported that health workers from the Kolahun Hospital in Kolahun District, Foyah Borma Hospital in Foyah and the Telewoyon Hospital in Voinjama are refusing to touch patients that are reporting with fever, diarrheal and body ache, fearing that they might be Ebola affected patients. Nurses and other health workers in the county are calling on government to provide protective materials to prevent them (nurses) from directly coming in contact with the virus. It is also reported that residents of Lofa and Nimba Counties are now taking preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus. Residents of Foyah are said to be preventing their relatives and children from going to Guinea where the virus originated. Citizens are also said to be restricting their hospitality toward people. The Government of Liberia on Monday announced a number of measures to curtail the spread of the deadly Ebola virus outlining several preventive measures, a day after it confirmed the first two cases of the virus here. Among the preventive measures are avoiding direct contacts with body fluids of infected persons, which include having sex with suspected persons, not eating dead bush animals and being very careful in handling fresh bush meat. Others include avoiding bathing dead bodies of suspected patients, eating plums/mangoes and other fruits partially eaten by bats, avoid eating monkeys, bats, and bamboos. “The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to confirm that two out of the seven samples sent for laboratory analysis of the Ebola Virus in Liberia are positive, indicating that Liberia now has an outbreak of the virus,” the ministry said in a statement issued Monday. As part of the measures health officials here established hotlines for the public to call and get basic information about the disease, the New Dawn writes.
Related Captions: Ebola Victim’s Family Quarantined (The Inquirer Newspaper), Curran Hospital Seeks Pre-equipment To Fight Ebola (Analyst Newspaper, Insight and Heritage Newspaper), Lofa NGO Raising Ebola Awareness (Analyst Newspaper), Health Promoters’ Network Joins Health Ministry In Spreading Ebola Message (Daily Observer), Ebola Outbreak In Guinea “Limited” (National Chronicle Newspaper) and Bush Meat Is Harmful To Your Health And Life (The New Republic Newspaper)
Ebola Transmission Risks ‘Very Low’; US Updates Citizens
The U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has been advised that a woman confirmed to have Ebola has traveled to the Firestone Plantation Camp in Monrovia. The woman at Firestone contracted Ebola while caring for her sister who died of Ebola in Foya, Lofa County, Liberia. She was at Firestone under observation in isolation, but unfortunately left the Foya area late night on March 29 and traveled via taxi to Monrovia to see her husband. Five other people were in the taxi with her, including the driver. She then took a pehnpehn (motorcycle) to a nearby clinic, where she was seen and released. This woman is the only person in Liberia confirmed to have Ebola at this time. Currently, the woman with Ebola and her family are quarantined in their home until they can be moved to an appropriate facility. Contacts from the initial taxi, the taxi driver, and the motorcycle driver have been identified and are being followed closely by the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the World Health Organization. The MOHSW is coordinating identification, tracking, and preparing isolation plans. Risk of transmission remains very low as Ebola is contracted through contact with blood and body fluids or contaminated articles. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, though 8-10 days is most common. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens, especially those traveling to or residing in the forest region in South Central Guinea or Liberia’s northern border region enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate, FrontPageAfrica reports.
Close The Border – Liberty Party Urges Liberian Government
The Analyst newspaper says following extensive deliberation by the National Executive Committee of Liberty Party at its regular Tuesday meeting, the party has reasoned that it will be in the best interest of Liberia to have its borders with the Republic of Guinea closed in the wake of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in that country which has n wintered Liberia. Liberty Party believes this action will send a clear signal to our citizens, in particular, that the country is faced with a severe health situation that requires stringent measures to protect the lives of its people. The party notes that such action comes with corresponding consequences, including economic social and political. However, it believes that nothing is more of an imperative now than securing the health of its people. The party further indicated in a release signed by its Secretary General Jacob J. Smith, that Liberty Party believes that leaving the borders opened to unrestricted human traffic in the wake of the life-threatening virus could be interpreted as a demonstration of insensitivity.
Related Caption: Close The Neighboring Borders With Liberia To Strengthen The Fight Against Ebola (Analyst Newspaper)
Ellen urges Adoption of Common African Position
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on African leaders to commit to implementing the recommendations of the Common African Position (CAP) for Africa’s transformation. She said by doing so “we will not only transform the current realities of our people, but we will also fulfill a sacred duty of leaving a stable, peaceful and resourceful Africa to future generations”. President Sirleaf made the call when she addressed the Seventh Joint Annual Meetings of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance in Abuja, Nigeria at the weekend. President Sirleaf, who is also chair of the High Level Committee (HLP) on CAP, on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, said the creation of a common development agenda is a historic development and a call to action, the News Newspaper reports.
Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Joins Members Of The High Level Panel On Fragile States To Launch Report (Insight Newspaper),
Min. Dukuly Meets New Chinese Envoy
Internal Affairs Minister Morris M. Dukuly on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, received in audience, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Zhang Yue at his Capitol Hill Office. During the meeting, Minister Dukuly hailed China’s numerous assistance to Liberia, the latest being a donation of US$4 million worth of engineering equipment to the Ministry of National Defense. Minister Dukuly described China as a great and good friend whose contribution to Liberia’s infrastructural
Related Caption: Minister Dukuly Wants More Chinese Investors (Insight Newspaper)
LBS Showcases Several Equipment Purchased from Proceeds of Its “$ Campaign”
The Heritage Newspapers writes that the Management of the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS)on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 showcased several equipment it purchased from the proceeds of its “$ Campaign” which is a program organized by the LBS management as a means to galvanize support from the general public in order to beef up its budget. Speaking at the presentation of the equipment, the Chairman of the Campaign, Mr. Patrick Honnah, said the program, which is still ongoing, is intended to raise money to the station due to its low budgetary allocations.
Related Caption: LBS Begins Using Proceeds From “Dollar Campaign” (The Inquirer Newspaper),
US Envoy, Local Officials Discuss in Nimba
United States Ambassador to Liberia Debora Malac is on a tour of Nimba County on economic prospects in the county. Ambassador Malac’s visit, which started on Monday, March 31, 2014, ended on April 2, 2014. During the tour she held discussions on ongoing development projects in the county funded by the United States Aid for International Development (USAID), according to the Liberia News Agency. She will also meet the County Administration on secondary road projects, rehabilitation of the Sanniquellie Municipal Water System and its extension to Ganta, local business investment and training opportunities, among others, the News Newspaper writes.
Related Caption: US Envoy, Local Officials Discuss In Nimba (The New Republic Newspaper)
Red Cross Donates Personal Equipment to RIA For Travelers Safety
The Liberia National Red Cross Society has donated 13 boxes of Personal Protective Equipment to management of the Robert International Airport to protect travelers against the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia. Each of the boxes contains 20 pieces of protective gowns, 100 gloves, 20 noise masks, and hand sensitizers among others. Making the donation, the Director of Disaster Management Ambullai Perry said his is in furtherance of the Ted Cross Commitment to stop further spread of the deadly virus in Liberia. The lasts donation on Tuesday was in response to the request of the RIA Management for the safety of those using the airport, pens the Insight Newspaper.
Save The Children Reconstructs Tuckerta Community Clinic
According to the Inquirer Newspaper, more healthy babies are being delivered and no maternal mortality has been reported yet at the new Tuckerta Health Facility catering for over 6,000 residents in upper Margibi County. Through the intervention of Save the Children, residents of the Tuckerta Community have sigh of relief that their basic health needs will continue to be met after the Old Tuckerta Community Clinic was recently broken down due to the road extension of the major highway leading through to Bong County which let the residents bewildered and frustrated as to where they would be taken during serious illnesses.
Mary Broh Chairs July 26 Committee
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has appointed one of her closest confidantes, Madam Mary T. Broh as chairperson of the pending 168th Independence Day celebration in the Southeastern region of Liberia. The program will be held in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties. The former controversial acting Monrovia City Mayor is on record for implementing numerous projects given her by the office of the President, thus making her development driven public servant.
The disclosure was made to by Representative Matthew Zarzar of Electoral District # 3 in Sinoe County. According to him, members of both counties’ Legislative Caucuses are optimistic that projects earmarked to be implemented for the upcoming Independence Day celebration will be properly and professionally completed. He mentioned that the General Service Agency (GSA) Director General who was appointed by the Liberian leader is noted for hard work, and as such meaningful projects will be implemented in the two counties. The senior partisan of the ruling Unity Party (UP) did not mention projects that have been earmarked for construction prior to the celebration. Speaking further, he clarified that his letter written to Finance Minister Amara Konneh not to give any fund for development projects is aimed at ensuring that tax payers’ moneys are properly accounted for. According to him, the value for money is a good financial management system, and as such, he will not support any fraudulent act in Sinoe County.
He intoned that his communication was intended for projects earmarked for the 168th anniversary and County Development Funds (CDF) to be properly utilized. Representative Zarzar stated that his advocacy is intended to put the county on par with other political subdivisions. Meanwhile, Madam Broh is a citizen of Grand Kru County with numerous cities, small population with little infrastructural development, the FOCUS newspaper reports.
World Bank Building School In Tindowah Town
The Commissioner of Gbarma District in Gbarpolu County, Siafa Konneh, said an elementary school is being constructed in Tindowah Town in the district with World Bank funding. Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency in Klay District, Bomi County during the Commissioners’ Council of the Western Region meeting, Administrative Building in the district has also been renovated. He did not disclose the cost of the project, but said funding came from the County and Social Development Funds of Gbarpolu County. Meanwhile, Commissioner Konneh has disclosed that youths of the district are benefiting from youth government-funded Liberia Youth Empowerment Program (LYEP), the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.
Big Intercession For Liberria-As LCC Announces National Fast & Prayer
In the wake of serious national insecurity that have plagued this country, various associations of the Christian Church of Liberia including the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), the Liberian Fellowship of Full Gospel Ministers (LFFGM) and Association of Evangelicals of Liberia (AEL) are calling for a national fast and prayer throughout the country beginning on Sunday, April 6 through Friday, April 11, 2014. A dispatch signed by the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Fast and Prayer Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr. and approved by the Rev. Dr. J. Kortu Brown, acting president of the LCC says in Monrovia that the event will be held on the theme: “HEAL OUR LAND LORD” with the text drawn from 2nd Chronicle 7:13-14, the Analyst newspaper reveals.
US$14M Kuwaiti Loan Will Boom Economy-Rep. Matthew ZarZar Discloses
The Sinoe County District #3 Representative to the National Legislature, Matthew G. Zarzar, says the US$14 Million dollar Kuwaiti fund ratified by the House for the rehabilitation of the Port of Greenville will boomed economic stability, growth and development in Sinoe County. The National Legislature recently ratifies the Kuwaiti fund agreements of US$14 million dollars with an interest rate of 1.5% for 20 years for the NPA to commence rehabilitation of the Greenville Port as soon as possible, the Analyst newspaper reports.
15-Year-Old Gives Birth To Triplex In Nimba – Mother Cries Out For Help
The mother of a fifteen year old girl who gave birth to a triplex in camp 4 in Nimba County is calling on the government and philanthropic organizations to help provide support for the children. Madam Koo Lekpah, the Grand Mother of the triplex confirmed to our Nimba County correspondent that her daughter Kou Dahn gave birth to the three babies at the Yekepa Camp-4 clinic. Madam Lekpah lamented that since her daughters’ pregnancy, the father of the babies is yet to be seen, following several calls and efforts to get him. She is also appealing to health related organizations, the Liberia Government, Non-Governmental Organization and well-meaning citizens to come to her aid to ensure that the babies are in good health, the Analyst Newspaper reports.
Diplomatic Students In Election Debate
Emerging diplomats contesting electoral seats for the Foreign Service Institute or FSI student leadership were locked in an intellectual exchange Wednesday, as they presented platforms for various posts. Presidential candidates H. Moses Carter and his contender Talifa Roger Suah extensively debated each other’s ideology in an effort to persuade voters ahead of polling day this Saturday, April 5. First taking the stage, Mr. Carter, who says he believes in positivism and innovation, catalogued his platform into short, medium, and long terms. In his short term plan, Carter promised that when elected, he will mobilize his personal resources to provide a printer and accessories to afford students print their assignments and ensure the resource center is active.
He also plans to set up a study group or tutorial class for knowledge exchange, and to help fellow students be on par with their colleagues. He promised to, in collective effort with the class and FSI administration, work on challenges facing the library, highlighting books, air-cool and, updating the website, among others. In the long term plan, he said working with the class and administration, the Foreign Service Officers Association will be established as medium to keep graduates together, as well as develop a plaque to bear great contribution of the Foreign Service’s name. For his part, Mr. Suah promised to find a better place for his colleagues when elected, and that together they will leave the best legacy as emerging diplomats. He placed focus on academic issues - things that he said will enhance the strength of students. He said he will lobby and bring seasoned diplomats to enhance the Ambassadorial Lecture Series, and promised to negotiate between students and administration in terms of tuition issues, among others. Others contesting for positions include Madam Paula L. Mcborough and Victoria Johnson William for Vice Presidency; Julius Kanubah and Amjad M. Nyei for the Secretary General post; Mr. Saturday Z. Duncan, Deddeh Tokpa and Vivian Cooper Waylee for Financial Secretary; lone candidate Theresa N. Perwehn for Treasurer, and Alfreda Sambola Tozay and Christina M.Wagblo, Chaplain, respectively. Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister and Advisor to President Sirleaf, Ambassador George W. Wallace, Jr. has warned the emerging diplomats to control their temper, saying diplomats don’t show their vexations, the New Dawn reports.
New Education Scheme for Liberia
A global provider of online professional development services for the education sector, has announced an agreement with Secondary Educational Service (SES) to launch an e-learning pilot project in Liberia through an incubator program for education, the Business Wire reports. The Scheme will use a satellite connection to delivered will be carried out before the plan is implemented, with SES Broadband Services delivering the satellite Internet required. The project will be partly funded by BizClim through the incubator program and will add to a SES’s proven track record of providing broadband access for education in Africa, the New Democrat writes.
World Bank Embarks on School Project
The Commissioner of Gbarma District in Gbarpolu County, Mr. Siafa Konneh says an elementary school is being constructed in Tindowah Town with World Bank’s funding. Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency in Klay District, Bomi County during the Commissioners’ Council meeting, Commissioner Konneh said the Administrative Building in the district has also been renovated. He did not disclose the cost of the project, but said funding came from the County and the social developments funds of Gbarpolu County. Meanwhile, Commissioner Konneh has disclosed that youths of the district are benefiting from youth training programs, including the government funded Liberia Youth Empowerment program (LYEP), the News Newspaper writes.
