The Bureau of Public Affairs   

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, MAY 5, 2014

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s meeting with the Liberia Labor Congress, the provision of pipe-borne water in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, and the Death of Madam Fatu White are among the dominant stories on today’s newsstand.

Dominant Stories

President Sirleaf Extolled Liberia Labor Congress For Level Of Engagement In Addressing Labor Disputes Across The Country

The Liberia Labor Congress (LLC) is commending government for its commitment to job creation and the level of industrial harmony currently being experienced across the country. According to an Executive Mansion release, a delegation of the LLC headed by its President General Alfred Thomas said, recent developments have given players in the labor sector hope of robust reforms. He made the assertion during a meeting with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her temporary office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, May 1, or May Day, FOCUS reports.

Related Captions:Ellen Meets With Leadership Of Liberia Labor Congress(Heritage Newspaper),and Pres. Sirleaf Meets Leadership Of Labor Congress(The Analyst Newspaper), Labor Congress Reaffirms Commitment(New Democrat Newspaper)

Zwedru Gets Pipe-borne Water

Residents of Zwedru, the provincial capital of Grand Gedeh County, now have access to pipe-borne water for first time in at least two decades. The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) Grand Gedeh branch, Eastman Kruah, disclosed this at a roundtable discussion of the various line ministries of government organized by Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Peter L. Solo. The round-table discussion, which was chaired by Information Minister Lewis Brown, took place Friday at the Administration Building in Zwedru. According to Kruah, LWSC Zwedru is currently supplying over 92,000 gallons of pipe-borne water to over 40 registered customers, including 30 households, seven business customers and four Government of Liberia (GOL) customers, four days in the week. The LWSC Zwedru boss told the gathering that the project is solely sponsored by the government to ensure that every inhabitant of Zwedru and its environs has access to safe drinking water and good sanitation facilities. “We have been able to contain about 95 percent leakage on our main distribution and transmission lines,” he said. Kruah further disclosed that the water being supplied in Zwedru is one of the best in the country in that it contains high vital minerals, including Calcium and Magnesium, making it easily purified by using chlorine only. He noted that the project will be expanded by 1.5 km and six to seven hours within Zwedru as many people are now demanding the service. The service is being provided at a very cheap price, he said. Meanwhile, Kruah has disclosed that the Liberian Government, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, will construct six modern latrines and rehabilitate three existing ones with shower facilities in Zwedru City. He put the cost of the water and sanitation project at about US$1.13 million, saying it will be completed within a time frame of 18 months, the New Dawn Newspaper writes.

Related Captions:Zwedru Residents Get Clean Water (New Democrats Newspaper), and Zwedru Gets Pipe-Borne Water(News Newspaper, New Dawn Newspaper and the Analyst Newspaper)

Fatu White Dies - Former Commissioner of Customs, UL Professor

The death is announced of Mrs. Fatu White, former Commissioner of Customs, Ministry of Finance, and R.L., which sad event suddenly took place last Friday afternoon. After suffering a massive heart attack while traveling in a car driven by a friend, she was pronounced dead on arrival at the Benson Clinic in Paynesville just past seven on Friday evening, May 2, 2014. Fatu was in her 60th year. For over a quarter century she taught Management at the University of Liberia and was Chair of the university's Management Department. A product of the Trinity Parish Day School where she began her early education, Fatu White attended the Ganta Methodist Mission and B.W. Harris High School, where she completed her secondary education. She later entered the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, United States of America, where she took the Master's in Business Management. Just as she graduated, the military coup took place in Liberia and many tried to persuade her to remain in the USA for a while.  But Fatu loved her country and said she was doing no such thing.  Immediately after graduation, she returned home and started work in her field.  She
was appointed sales and marketing manager at Vanply in Greenville, Sinoe County, headed then by Mrs. Juanita Snyder, later Neal. In the late 1990s she was appointed Commissioner of Customs, where she served  until 2003 when the government of President Charles G. Taylor ended and the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) was installed. A passionate businesswoman, she undertook her own business enterprises and later joined Abidjoudi Brothers Corporation, which she served for many years. Fatu Gittens White was born at the Carey V. Dyer Memorial Maternity Center on now the Capitol By-pass in Monrovia on July 13, 1954, unto the union of Ms. Mary Zaye (later Sherif) an Mr. Christopher Gittens of Benson Street, Snapper Hill, Monrovia. In the 1980s while serving at Vanply, Fatu met, befriended and married Mr. Nathan White, who was a shipping manager in Greenville.  To this union two children, Eric  Denzel, 19, and Asara Argle, 7, were born. Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Mary Z. Sherif; father, Mr. Christopher Gittens; Fatu's children, Eric White, 19, and Asara White, 7; a foster daughter, Joan Thomas; her sisters, Mrs. Vida Mensah, Vice President of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Mamawah Sherif, Sethi Brothers administrative manager, Mrs. Bindu Sherif Dunbar, Yatta Sherif, Mrs. Weatta Sherif-Chesson, Eliza Japloe and Gertrude Scott; and brothers Abdul Sherif and  Philip Henry. According to her sister, Mrs. Vida Mensah, funeral arrangements will be announced later, Daily Observer reports.

Related Captions:Fatu White, Former Custom Commissioner is Dead(FrontPage Newspaper), Fatu White Dies(Daily Observer), and UL Professor Fatu White Is Dead (Inquirer)

Other Stories

Ellen Congratulates Ethiopia On 73^rd Independence

The Heritage Newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry’s release: The President of the Republic Of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the joyous occasion commemorating the 73^rd Independence Anniversary of that sisterly Republic. In her message to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr.  Hailemariam Desalegn, President Johnson Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberia extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of Ethiopia.  “It gives me immense pleasure to extend to you and the Government and People of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the People and Government of the Republic of Liberia,” the Liberian President added in her message. President Johnson Sirleaf further entertains the hope that as Liberia joins Ethiopia in commemorating this joyous event, the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between the two countries and their Peoples will be further strengthened. She also expressed optimism that the two Governments will work together in furtherance of the principles of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting international peace and security, good governance and cooperation among all nations. The Liberian leader then prayed that the Almighty God will endow Prime Minister Desalegn with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots into greater prosperity.   

Related Caption:Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Ethiopia(New Dawn Newspaper)

Journalists Seek Budgetary Support

Moves to ensure that the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) benefits from the national resources each year seems eminent as journalists hold talks with legislators, the Chief Executive Officer of the Multi Services Incorporated, Mr. Benson Whea has disclosed. Multi Services Incorporated in a Liberian owned Media entity that engages in media capacity building development, marketing with partners based in Africa, Sweden and the United States. Speaking Gbarpolu County over the weekend during the observance of the World Press Freedom Day, Mr. Whea, said talks were ongoing to ensure that government incorporates the PUL into its budgetary process, reports New Democrat Newspaper.

 ‘UNESCO’S World Book Capital Program Recognizes Work Of Liberian Writer’

 According to the Heritage Newspaper, the UNESCO sponsored World Book Capital Program has selected President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf’s book,  ‘This Child Will Be Great,’ as the Book of the Month for June 2014.  President Sirleaf’s book was selected as part of activities commemorating Port Harcourt, Nigeria, as the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2014. In her inspiring memoir, President Sirleaf explains her rise to power, her early childhood, her experiences with abuse, imprisonment and exile, and her struggle for democracy and social justice. President Sirleaf’s book is among twelve tomes by distinguished African writers that are being featured monthly this year.

Gbarpolu Citizens Cry For Development

Citizens of Gbarpolu County are calling on national government to provide more health facilities to the county. Speaking to reporters in Gbarpolu over the weekend during celebrations marking World Press Freedom Day, a local musician Cooper Molubah, said, “The essence of electing officials is to seek the welfare of those people who elected them to power, rather than abandoning them to live in abject poverty.” He said Gbarpolu has only one health center which is bad for the entire county, noting people living in rural areas don’t have access to clinic or hospital coupled with deplorable road condition. “Our various Lawmakers have nothing to do about this situation; they don’t listen to our plight”, said the musical artist, who also expressed disappointment in the county’s officials for not catering to the needs of the citizens, but making empty promises. Molubah said it is not uncommon for an official of government to make promises that they cannot fulfill. “We the citizens are suffering; we only have one health center, one public high school with no ambulance to rush people to the clinic whenever there is an emergency”, he lamented further. He said lack of safe drinking water is another problem faced by the people as the only hand pump available in the county operates intermittently so they have no alternative but to fetch water from nearby creeks. “For me, I don’t see the reason why our officials were elected, because they all have turned their backs on this county in terms of development. We don’t have light, no good teachers; every time we get sick, nurses will tell you no medicine, no good roads for business people to come and sell their goods,  even students find it difficult to reach to their various schools”, said another resident, Kasia Molubah. She appealed to government to improve the lives of the people by providing social services, particularly health, roads and education, New Dawn reports.

Ellen Emphasizes Manufacturing Above Exporting Raw Materials

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has stressed that Liberia no longer needs exportation of raw materials to other countries but must be a manufacturing country where finished goods will be sent out. Expressing the concern while receiving the Letters of Credence on April 30, 2014 from ambassadors, including Mr. Sentürk Uzun of Turkey, President Sirleaf recalled that the civil conflict in Liberia destroyed the infrastructure and fabric of the Liberian society, and as such exportation of raw materials will not do much help but producing goods that will enhance both domestic and foreign trades. Outlining some plans government has about the country, the President named the Vision 2030, which seeks to make Liberia self-sustainable and become a middle income country and the Agenda for Transformation that is a complementary program to Vision 2030 as key on her government’s development agenda on which foreign partners must act.“It is our resolve to shift from simply exporting raw materials to being a manufacturing nation,” she informed the new Turkish envoy. She added that government is quite aware that this ambition comes with huge challenges; reason for which she and her people are calling on all the partners, including Turkey, to direct their investments in the manufacturing and service industries. The President, acknowledging the level of peace Liberia has enjoyed, indicated that the environment now is better for such engagement, and therefore Turkey and others coming in should see it an opportunity to make the needed impact they can in Liberia’s post-war recovery process. The Liberian leader stressed, “Having enjoyed more than a decade of peace and stability, we can say with certainty that this is a favorable environment required for such engagement,” adding, “we therefore note with immense appreciation that your Government has emphasized its willingness and preparedness to explore with Liberia all existing opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and to contribute to the development efforts of the people of Liberia.” She expressed appreciation to the Government of Turkey for the support given to peacekeeping initiatives in Liberia, especially to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in which 25 Turkish police currently serve. The Liberian leader also acknowledged and thanked the Turkish Government for its technical support to the Monrovia and Paynesville City Corporations, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation as well as the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. She welcomed with delight, Turkish pledge of continuous support to Liberia’s reconstruction process. Presenting his Letters of Credence earlier, Ambassador Sentürk Uzun extended warm greetings from his President, Abdullah Gül, and sincere wishes for the prosperity of the people of Liberia and her personal wellbeing. He said Turkey is keen to share its development experience with Liberia and other countries within his jurisdiction especially humanitarian diplomacy, a key pillar of Turkish foreign policy, adding, that believing that the 21^st century will be Africa’s century, Turkey will continue to nurture the strategic partnership with Africa. Ambassador Uzun, who would be resident in Accra, Ghana, acknowledged that as Turkey highly relishes the friendship with Liberia, his government has instructed him to work for the strengthening of cordial relations as well as promote mutual beneficial cooperation between both countries. “During my tenure here, I will not fail to carry out this instruction to the best of my ability,” the new Turkish Ambassador to Liberia promised. He stressed that despite the distance that separates the two countries, the Turkish Government is willing to develop, wherever possible, economic, commercial and technical cooperation with Liberia to the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples. The new Turkish Ambassador disclosed that in recent years Turkey has improved her contacts and existing cooperation with Africa, and his government is willing and ready to explore with Liberia all existing opportunities for the mutual benefits of both countries as well as to contribute to the development efforts of the people of Liberia. Ambassador Uzun, who is accredited to Sierra Leone and Ghana also, said Turkey is committed to the goal of achieving peaceful relations among nations and pledged his country’s full support to effort aimed at improving international climate and the promotion of global peace and stability within the United Nations framework. “The principles of the Turkish foreign policy are strongly opposed to oppression,” he said. He said given the similarities of the two countries’ foreign policy objectives, he is confident that the coming years will witness frequent consultations between Turkey and Liberia. “Your Excellency, it will be an honor as well as a rewarding experience for me if I can make some contributions to the development of the relations of our two countries in the course of my accreditation here in Liberia,” he said, Daily Observer reports.

Tappita DEO Dies

The District Education Officer (DEO) of Tappita District, Mr. Thomas Karngbeae has died. He took over as DEO in the Nimba County, District #1 last December. Mr. Karngbeae remained ill until what some consider his untimely death, less than a year following his appointment as DEO.

He died April 17, in the “sick bush,” according to family sources. He had served as DEO with Zoe Geh Education District from 2006 until December 2013, when he took over Tappita Education District #1, from Mohamed Dekpa. According to family sources, shortly after taking over Tappita, he suddenly took sick. He was taken to nearly all of the hospitals in the country, but no diagnosis was forthcoming. At last, he was taken into the “sick bush,” in search of herbal treatment. There he, according to family members, passed. “We really don’t know what actually killed my brother; we tried everywhere to get him cured, but to no avail,” wept his brother, Augustus Karngbeae. The late Mr. Thomas Z. Karngbeae was born on June 17, 1952 in the Township of Kpatuo in Nimba County. He completed his primary education at the Zuolay Elementary school in 1970, and completed secondary education at Tappeh Memorial High in Tappita City, 1976. He obtained his B.Sc. Degree at the Teacher’s College of the University of Liberia, 1989. Because of the civil uprising, The late Karngbeae did not begin teaching until 1997, when he became  principal of the Sanniquellie Central High School  up until 2006 when he was promoted as DEO in head Zoe Geh Education District #1. He served in the position until he was transferred to Tappita in December 2013 where he remain until his death in April 17, 2014.

The late Mr. Thomas Z. Karngbeae is survived by his Mrs. Wonseh M. Karngbeae, 13 children and 15 grandchildren. His body will be removed from the Gampa Funeral Home in Ganta City on Friday 2^nd May 2014 and taken to his home town of Kpatuo for a night of wake keeping follow by interment on Saturday 3^rd May 2014 at their family cemetery in Kpatuo, Daily Observer reports.

PIOM To Build Alternative Port In Sinoe

The Putu Iron Ore Mining (PIOM) in Putu Petrokon, Grand Gedeh County, has disclosed plans to construct an alternative port in Grand Butal Point, Kponkpo Mongar Town in Sinoe County, if government grants it iron ore mining license. The PIOM Management made the disclosure at a meeting with Information Minister Lewis Brown and delegation and the county administration, headed by Superintendent Peter Solo, at its field office in Putu Petrokon on Thursday.
The PIOM management said it intends to construct this new port directly south of the Sapo National Park, at Grand Butal Point(Kponkpo Mongar Town), Sinoe County to supplement the Sinoe Port that cannot hold most of the new mining equipment it will use for its operations.
According to the Liberia News Agency, the Administrative Officer, Tarley Dweh, said when completed, the port will contribute to the economic viability of that region, while at the same time mitigating potential environmental hazards to new communities that have been built along the Port of Sinoe. He added that the Port of Greenville, which was built in the 1960s by a German company, is small in size and is also obsolete to handle the modern equipment that PIOM will use, as well as the expected volume of iron ore that will be shipped through the port.
According to Mr. Dweh, the construction of the new port is in fulfillment of the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and PIOM, saying the port will be completed in six years once PIOM starts full operation. He noted that as part of its social corporate responsibility, the company will also pave the stretch of road between Grand Gedeh and Sinoe counties and provide funding to build the capacities of youth of the counties. He pointed out that PIOM has been operating in Liberia since 2005, with its operation are categorized in three phases -- exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility phases. “The exploration stage was to identify whether there was iron ore in the Putu Range, the pre-feasibility phase was to determine whether there is a large quantity and quality iron ore, while the third phase, which is the feasibility phase, is to determine whether it was feasible to make, huge investment in the sector and to continue with the technical study,” he explained. Mr. Dweh said during the exploration, the company discovered an ore deposit of 4.4 billion tons as opposed to the 2.2 billion tons initially estimated, adding, “this was why as part of the Mineral Development Agreement, the management has fulfilled the third phase by presenting to the Government a feasibility study to be granted a license to mine ore from Putu,” he added. The Government of Liberia, by law, has 90 days to either grant or deny the license to PIOM. If licensed, the company will have the right to mine ore for at least 80 years, New Dawn reports.

Cemenco Empowers 8oo Students

As part of its social responsibility, and buttressing the efforts of Government of Liberia (GOL) in the education sector, the Management of Cemenco Company operating in the country has demonstrated its commitment and had paid school fees for 800 students in different institutions on the Bushrod Island. The General Supervisor of Trumpet of Faith High School located at Jamaica Road, Bassa Town, Deacon Daniel D. Turkett, disclosed that Cemenco Company has contributed immensely to national development and growth, and always supporting the educational sector in the country, Inquirer reports.

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NIC Unfolds

The Chairman and Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the National Investment Commission (NIC) Michael S. Woterson has announced a strategic policy to boost and protect domestic investment in the country. Addressing the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press conference at the Charles Gbeyon hall of MICAT Thursday, the NIC boss intimated that the policy will encourage Liberians to invest in their country, INPROFILE DAILY reports.

Land Crisis Top Judicial Cases

Cases involving land dispute in the country make up about 75% of cases on the dockets of Judiciary Branch of government. Due to this factor, Assigned Circuit Judge Yussif D. Kabalast Friday said there is a need for judges and lawyers in the country to have more education in resolving land disputes which has become a major challenge within the Judiciary, INSIGHT says.

Related Caption: Civil Law Court Judge Raps On Land Disputes(Inquirer Newspaper)