THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014

News of President Johnson Sirleaf's  vow to continue to respect the rights of others and maintain tolerance and understanding of people's attitudes, the Liberian Government and the European Investment Bank's US$27.3 million agreement to upgrade the runway and address safety at the Roberts International Airport and the Ministry of Information announcement about President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf meeting with the Foreign Minister of Norway, Borge Brende and the Administration of the USAID, Rajiv Shah are among stories  dominating our summary of today's local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Pres. Sirleaf Vows to Respect Rights, People's Attitudes, Tolerance

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has renewed her vow to continue to respect the rights of others and maintain her characteristics of tolerance and understanding of people's attitudes. She promised to remain engaged with all those who mean well for the country, noting that no amount of disrespect to the presidency will deter her from performing her constitutional duties. "You can be assured that whatever we do, we do it for the good of this country and my own tolerance, understanding, and respect for the rights of others will never change," she emphasized, according to an Executive Mansion press release. According to the release, the Liberian leader made the assertion at the end of a prayer service for the country at the Dominion Christian Fellowship Center on Tubman Boulevard on Friday, October 10. The service was the seventh edition of a national tarry organized by the Church of Liberia and held at the Dominium Christian Fellowship Center of the Isaac Winker Global Ministry. The Liberia leader said despite the seriousness of the Ebola fight, there were still some elements of the Liberian society playing politics with the situation. President Sirleaf assured the congregation that with her engagement with partners, there is now enormous international support coming to Liberia and that if Liberians unite in the fight, they will soon reverse the situation. She admonished all Liberians to continue to pray and at the same time observe all the anti-Ebola measures as outlined by health authorities and experts. "We have to follow their advice because we want to make sure that we kick this disease out of our country, region and the world which is concerned that it's beginning to also affect them," President Sirleaf said. The Liberian leader's comments were in response to a sermon delivered by Bishop Isaac Winker in which he spoke of total disrespect to the presidency, especially by the young people of Liberia. Bishop Winker said young Liberians were now using the various radio talk shows to abuse free speech and called on them to have a change in attitude. "If you wish to be a national leader tomorrow, it's time now that you gain respect from the people by equally addressing the presidency and other national leaders with respect and dignity," Bishop Winker told the young people. The New Republic

Related Captions: Ellen Promises To Respect The Rights Of Others, Ensure Tolerance and Understanding People's Attitudes(Heritage), Ellen Promises To Respect Rights Of Others(The Inquirer), "I Will Respect Citizens' Rights" Pres. Sirleaf Dispels Fears of Arbitrariness(The Analyst), President Sirleaf Promises To Respect The Rights Of Others, Ensure Tolerance and Understanding People's Attitudes(FrontPage Africa), President Sirleaf Promises Respect Rights (New Democrat), Pres. Sirleaf Vows To Respect Rights Of Others(FOCUS),  Pres. Sirleaf Promises Tolerance, Rights Of Citizens(The New Dawn)  

European Bank To Fund RIA Runway Upgrade 

The Liberian Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed an agreement worth US$27.3 million to urgently upgrade the runway and address safety at the Roberts International Airport (RIA). The 20-year loan for RIA was formally agreed on the sidelines of the World Bank/ IMF meetings in Washington at a ceremony attended by Minister Konneh and Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Mills Jones. The occasion also allowed detailed discussion of issues of pressing concern in Liberia, the government’s economic recovery plan and EIB engagement in West Africa, according to an EU release issued in Monrovia Monday. In remarks, Minister Konneh said: “The European Investment Bank has always been a true partner to the people of Liberia. The airport rehabilitation project is another clear manifestation of that partnership". EIB Vice President, Pim van Ballekom said his institution will continue its engagement with Liberian officials, partner institutions and European Union Delegations in the region and will ensure that any support it can provide will be of best use.“Upgrading Monrovia’s airport is essential for Liberia and we are pleased to share the experience from similar projects elsewhere in Africa. This is the first EIB operation with the Liberian Airports Authority and follows recent support for improving electricity generation in Liberia through backing for rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, reports the INSIGHT newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberia Gets $27.3M Loan-For RIA Runway Upgrade(The New Republic), Upgrade For RIA Runway-European Investment Bank Commits(In Profile Daily), RIA Upgrade Boost European Investment Bank Backs Urgent Morovia Airport Runway Upgrade(FrontPage Africa), US$27.3M For RIA Rehab(Daily Observer)

USAID Boss, Norwegian Foreign Minister Visit Liberia

The Analystreports that  the Ministry of Information has announced that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will today meet with the Foreign Minister of Norway, Borge Brende and the Administration of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Rajiv Shah. The visit comes in the wake of increasing international attention and support to Liberia in the fight against Ebola. The release noted that Administrator Shah is visiting to review progress of the overall response to the outbreak, especially the American involvement in the response. This is his first visit to Liberia since President Obama announced that up to 3000 US troops would be committed to combat the Ebola outbreak. Foreign Minister Brende, for his part, will get a firsthand look and briefing on the outbreak and its effect on the country. He is expected to renew Norway's commitment to assisting Liberia with Ebola, and the Scandinavian country's partnership beyond Ebola.

Related Captions: USAID Chief Rajiv; Norwegian Foreign Minister Brende in Liberia Today(FrontPage Africa), US, Norwegian Diplomats Arrive To Assess Ebola Situation(Daily Observer)

Over 200 Ebola Transit Centers To Be Constructed Across Liberia

The Focal person of the Community Care Center (CCC) Dr. Thelma Nelson has disclosed plans to construct more than 200 Ebola transit centers across Liberia. Dr. Nelson explained that the Ebola transit centers are intended to provide care for people who develop the symptoms and signs of Ebola in communities. The CCC Focal Person made the disclosure recently at a one-day workshop organized by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) for community –based organizations in Liberia, Heritage newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Over 200 Ebola Transit Centers To Be Constructed Across Liberia(INSIGHT), Over 200 Ebola Transit Centers To Be Constructed Across Liberia(Heritage), Over 200 Ebola Transit Centers To Be Constructed(The News)

Dismissal For Striking Health Workers

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Walter Gwenigale, has threatened to dismiss all health workers who are strike in demand of better salaries and risk benefits and the reinstatement of their leaders-Mr. Joseph Tamba and George Williams who were dismissed in February when they led a protest for better incentives. The strike action and subsequent threat from the Health Minster comes in the wake of devastating Ebola outbreak which has claimed over 2,000 lives including health workers and derailed the country’s economy, reports from Insight newspaper.

 Related Caption:‘They’ll NEVER Come Back’-Health Min Thrashes Demand of Striking Health Workers, as Spokesman George Williams Fears for His Life(Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

As ECOWAS Chair, I Would Join In The Fight  Against Ebola-President Mahama

President John Mahama, made this appeal on behalf of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday, 10^th October, 2014, when he met with the new head of EU, Mr. William Hanna at the Flagstaff house. The fight against Ebola has become a global despondency and although President Mahama acknowledges the support of the west to counties afflicted with the disease, he pleaded for more support in order to curb its Spread. President Mahama said it is unfair for countries such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to be ostracized while plagued by the deadly disease and gave the assurance the he would continue to use his position as the Chairman of ECOWAS to seek support for the sub-region, reports the New Republic newspaper.

VP Boakai Calls For Regional Approach To Eradicate Ebola

According to the In Profile Daily, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has underscored the need for an eradication of the Ebola epidemic from the Mano River Union States of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, saying a regional approach will help to wipe out the virus from the sub region. The Vice President pointed out that the absence of the virus from any of the three countries is a welcoming development but due to the porous borders and intercultural activities others will still be at risk hence the need to deal with the Ebola situation requires a regional solution.

Gov't to Build 16 More ETUs Nationwide

According to the New Republic newspaper, Government has disclosed plans to construct sixteen new Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) to increase the total number of ETU beds to over 2,000 across the country. Making remarks on behalf of the government at the formal opening of the October Term of the Supreme Court of Liberia Monday, Acting Justice Minister and Attorney-General of Liberia, Cllr. Benedict F. Sannoh, said a new Community Care Center (CCC) is being developed to cater for patients who may not yet be showing symptoms of Ebola. He said patients who are suspected of contracting the Ebola disease can also be isolated and given care at the Center, while waiting to be transferred to an ETU, if necessary. The provision of psycho-social support to individuals, families and communities affected by the Ebola virus and to frontline workers, Cllr. Sannoh said, is ongoing with every ETU having at least one mental health professional and two social workers.

200 Beds ETU Near Completion

According to the News newspaper, the new Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) at the newly constructed Ministry of Defense (commonly known as 540) in Oldest Congo Town is expected to be officially opened next week, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. Mr. Christophe Valingot, WHO Water and Sanitation Coordinator and ETU Supervisor said the new ETU with a capacity of 200 beds will be dedicated on October 20. Speaking Sunday when a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) toured the new ETU and UNDP project sites in Monrovia, Mr. Valingot said the facility will contain two units each containing at least 100 beds. The 200 beds ETU is expected to help reduce the number of Ebola suspected patients around Monrovia and its environs.

MoH Official Calls for Strong Post-Ebola Health Care System

Assistant Health Minister for Curative Services, Saye Baawo, says it requires collective effort and diligence for Liberia to develop a vibrant post- Ebola health system. He said the country's post-Ebola health system should be firmly established so that it can respond to national emergencies such as the current Ebola crisis and the restoration of regular health facilities that will guarantee health security for all Liberians. He made the statement at the Ministry of Information’s daily Ebola update held at the ministry on Monday. He provided updates on achievements made so far by health authorities to restore the country's healthcare delivery system during the Ebola crisis. The Minister said the country was taken unawares by the wave of the deadly Ebola virus, something that led to the abrupt collapse of the healthcare system, writes the New Republic newspaper

Stop Rejecting Ebola Survivors-Health Minister Warns

The New Dawnnewspaper writes that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is warning Liberians to stop rejecting Ebola survivors, stressing that the survivors did not infect themselves with the virus, but rather it is an unknown sickness that they encountered from other persons. Speaking Monday, October, 13, 2014 at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism during a regular press briefing, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale, said the fact that thousands of people are dying from the virus, family members should also thank God for some of their relatives, who went into the Ebola Treatment Unit or (ETU) and come out alive instead of rejecting them. Dr. Gwenigale said, rejecting survivors make them look like outcasts, which he said, is not good. He said they're coming back into homes should bring pride and happiness to every family member whose relatives contracted the virus, saying it is wrong to stigmatize others who went through tough times of medical treatment.  “I think the best thing to do is to encourage such people, because they have more ideas about the danger of this virus”, the Health Minister advised.