THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia  

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016. 

News of the inspection of ongoing projects in Montserrado county by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her presentation of safety gears tofemale motorcycliststrained by  the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment are stories dominating today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Ellen Pleased With Progress On Key Projects  

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed satisfaction over the significant level of work done at various projects inspected on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.  According to the Heritage Newspaper the president made the assertion when she toured ongoing project sites to ascertain progress made at the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Rehabilitation Project in Harrisburg, the NASSCORP Housing Units in Brewerville and VOA respectively. Briefing President Sirleaf on arrival, the Deputy Managing Director for Administration of the NHA, MR. Prince A. Wreh said the project, which commenced initially with the construction of 35 housing units, was followed by additional 70 units, and later 58 units - now totaling 163 housing units that are currently engaged by Liberians for occupation. According to an Executive Mansion release, following the tour, the Liberian leader’s inspection also took her to the Voice of America old Relay Station Community, where she interacted with members of the West Point Disaster Victims Association and urged them not to return to their previous community, even though they might be faced with difficulty, but urged them to engage into agricultural activities, as a means of sustainability. President Sirleaf assured that at the VOA Community, the National Housing Authority will constrict concrete buildings for the relocated west Pointers, reports theHeritage newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Pleased With Progress On Key Projects(The INQUIRER), Ellen Inspects Key Projects(The NEWS), Ellen Tours Ongoing Projects(In Profile Daily)

President Sirleaf Hands Safety Gears To Female Motorcyclists

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has presented safety gears to female motorcyclists, who were trained by the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security. Presenting the materials at the ABIC third floor Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on August 15, Sirleaf praised the girls for their courage and bravery in participating in the project, which she described as a contribution to national development.  She called on them to ride with care and avoid danger. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Pink Panthers All Girls Motorcyclist Project, an initiative of the ABIC, is aims to economically empower young women.

Related Captions: Ellen Identifies With ‘Pink Panthers’ Calls On The Female Motorcyclists To Ride With Care And Avoid Danger(Daily Observer), President Sirleaf Hands Jackets To Female Motorcyclists(The INQUIRER)

OTHER STORIES

LRA Bids ITAS Consultant Farewell

The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Elfrieda Stewart Tamba has applauded the excellent services provided by an Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) Consultant, hoping that he will return to the country to continue aiding efforts aimed at putting the LRA on a modern revenue collection trajectory. The Heritage newspaper reports that Madam Tamba spoke on Friday, August 12, at a farewell luncheon held in Mr. Mitiku’s honor. Mr. Mitiku spent eight months at the LRA as ITAS Implementation Advisor as part of support to the LRA by Adam Smith International under the IPFMRP Donor Funding Basket. He worked with the Management Information System Division (MISD), with specific focus on improving the application of the Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration System (SIGTAS) — a modern tax administration system designed to facilitate tax administration and improve revenue. In a brief response, the honoree said he was pleased to have worked with the LRA. Mr. Mitiku said he is willing to return because he did not complete what he started, a press release from the LRA said yesterday.

Related Caption: Consultant Farewell(Daily Observer)

Indian Consul Gen. Pledges L$1.5M Auditorium For Aware Int’l. School

The Indian Consul General to Liberia, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, also known as “Jeety”, has promised to construct a multi-purpose auditorium that will help enhance extracurricular activities in the country. The construction of the auditorium will cost at least L$1.5 million, and will be situated at the Aware International School in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. Mr. Jeety made the disclosure on Monday, August 15, during a ceremony held in commemoration of India’s 70th year of independence. The program was organized by the school as part its closing ceremony, writes the Daily Observer.

Liberian President Signs Book of Condolence for Edward McClain

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has led an array of Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials to sign the Book of Condolence for fallen Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, Dr. Edward B. McClain, Jr. According to an Executive Mansion release, the sombre ceremony took place on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in the Foyer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Consistent with protocol, the signing of the Book of Condolence by President Sirleaf and Cabinet was followed by the Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai and Members of the Senate, the Lower House and the Supreme Court Bench.  According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, heads of international organizations, as well as other sympathizers were present to sign the Book of Condolence. The Signing of the Book of Condolence continues Thursday and Friday respectively with former officials of government, religious leaders, heads of Public corporations and Ministry of State family among others. Dr. Edward B. McClain died on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the Wilgers Life Hospital in Lynwood, Pretoria, South Africa, following a period of illness.

UP Wants Speaker Tyler Out Says Tyler lost Trust of Colleagues

The Daily Observerreads that the ruling Unity Party has called on Speaker Alex Tyler to recuse himself from the speakership because he has lost the confidence of his colleagues. A statement issued under the signature of its Secretary General, Information Minister Eugene Nagbe, and approved by National Chairman Wilmot Paye, said the continuous bickering in the House has negative implications for the 2017 presidential elections. “We have come to the recognition that the situation in the House of Representatives is undermining the implementation of the National Development Agenda of the country with about sixteen months left before the end of the Party’s tenure. “The Unity Party therefore avers that Speaker Alex Tyler has lost legitimacy, the confidence of his colleagues and the public’s trust and therefore supports a leadership change in the House of Representatives,” the statement said.

Related Caption: UP Supports Leadership Change In House Of Representatives(Heritage)

VP Boakai Reassures Liberians of Building Resilient Health Sector

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has praised health workers across the nation for their resilience in working under sometimes difficult circumstances and conditions and reassured that rebuilding the heath sector remains one of the top priorities of the Government. He said partnering with philanthropists and organizations in the process of rebuilding the health program of the country is also high on the agenda and a priority, adding we will continue to identify areas of collaboration in this regards. Vice President Boakai was speaking Monday in the Borough of New Kru Town when he donated an assortment of medical supplies to the Redemption Hospital. The medical items were donated to the Redemption Hospital through the instrumentality of Liberia’s Honorary Counsel in Atlanta, Georgia by Cynthia Blandford Nash at the request of Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

‘Invest In Peace’

According to the In Profile Daily, the Chief of Party of Carter Center Liberia, Pewee Flomoku, has admonished participants of the first ever Peace Summer Camp 2016 to invest in peace by preaching the message of peace in their various communities and schools. Flomoku made the statement at the close of a month-long Peace Summer Camp organized by the Messenger of Peace Liberia (MOP-Liberia). According to him, since 1982, the Carter Center through its different programs has shown that creating a world at peace is possible journey. He said that is why his organization was proud to be partnering with MOP – Liberia to spread peace messages to young Liberians.

“Combating Teenage Pregnancy Essential To National Dev.”

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ciatta Stephens, said it would be very impossible to combat teenage pregnancy without adequate information on its overall statistics in the country. She enumerated the urgent need for government to ensure that sexual and reproductive health education are more accessible to girls and boys, noting that although government and its partners have made some gains, more needs to be done in that direction. Miss Steven suggested that instead of holding girls responsible for teenage pregnancy, it is the responsibility of everyone, including parent, community leaders and non-government organizations to ensure that the situation is discouraged in society, reports the In Profile Daily.

US$1M Allotted to Build Permanent Homes for West Pointers

The National Housing Authority (NHA) says it has allotted US$1 million to build new permanent homes for former residents of the Township of West Point in the VOA Community. NHA Deputy Director General Prince Wreh said the objective of his entity is to build more affordable homes for low income earners. He explained that the amount will construct only 125 units, which are not sufficient to accommodate the 1,700 family heads who were rendered homeless by season erosion in West Point. Wreh commended authorities of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs for partnering with the NHA to construct 32 two-bedroom temporary zinc apartments for the relocated West Pointers, the NEWS newspaper writes.

US$ 30K Robbery at UBA Three Detained

The Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice has incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison three men for allegedly conspiring with a former employee of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to steal US$30,000. The writ of arrest issued by Magistrate Kennedy Peabody, based upon a complaint filed by the UBA, commanded the court’s Magistrate Police, Captain Julius B. Swen or his deputy to arrest the living bodies of the four suspects. The three suspects were on Wednesday arraigned before the court  to answer to the charges of Theft of Property, Criminal Facilitation levied against them, while the fourth suspect is still at-large, the NEWS newspaper reports.

LNP Generates L$74, 000 from Traffic Tickets

The Traffic Division of the Liberia National Police (LNP) has generated L$74,975 and US$ 929 through the issuance of tickets for traffic violations in the month of July 2016. LNP Acting Director of Public Affairs, Chief Superintendent Lewis M. Norman, told the Liberia News Agency Tuesday that the monies were paid into government revenue. According to Norman, over 281 tickets were issued, out of which 104 were paid, while 193 tickets are still outstanding and three facing contest by alleged violators, the NEWS daily says.

Bassa Gets Running Water after 26 Years as LWSC Commissions two new Outstations

As part of the continuation of its efforts to deliver water to the people of Liberia, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has formally commissioned two new and fully rehabilitated outstations in Kakata, Margibi County and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Funded through a grant provided by the African Development  Bank (ADB) with support from the Government of Liberia, the new water systems has a capacity to ensure that 75% of the populations of those county capitals will have access to clean and safe pipe borne water, the INQUIRER newspaper writes.

Related Caption: As LWSC Commissions Two New Outstations: Bassa Gets Running Water After 26 Years(Heritage)

Peace Envoy Urges Media to Nurture Peace in Liberia

The National Peace Ambassador has challenged Liberian journalists to foster peace and reconciliation through their daily reportage of events in the country. Ambassador William Tolbert, III stated that the media has a major role to play in the process of maintaining and sustaining peace in Liberia as the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) draws down, the INQUIRER reports.

Gov’t Considers WASH Issues High Priority MPW Official Asserts

Deputy Public Works Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Jackson Paye, has observed that the Government of Liberia considers water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) a highly priority on its development agenda said as a testimony to that commitment, government has deployed coordinators in almost all of the counties to work with community dwellers for the provision of safe drinking water throughout the country. Mr. Paye made the statement Tuesday in an interview with the Liberia News Agency at his office on Lynch Street in Monrovia. According to Deputy  Minister Paye, government will strengthen the healthcare system through the provision, among other things, of adequate safe drinking water and make sanitation and hygiene widespread in every nook and cranny, the INQUIRER newspaper asserts.