The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies highlights news of President Sirleaf’s applaud to the Armed Forces of Liberia for their dedicated services and commitment in the performance of their duties; the singing of a US$20 million financing agreement between Liberia and the Saudi Fund for Development for the Gbarnga-Salayea road project; and the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services’ pronouncement on the need for US$20 million for the conduct of the 2018 Census.

The summary also includes the invitation from Ghana for President Sirleaf and other officials to attend the 60^th independence of that country.

DOMINANT STORIES

Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates AFL; Former President Obasanjo Calls for Commitment in New Army

Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the AFL for their dedicated services and commitment in the performance of their duties as evidence by their readiness and preparedness to serve Liberia. “The exceptional performance of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), clearly demonstrates the training they have received over the years,” the President said as she described the AFL as a professional and disciplined army. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) was speaking on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at program commemorating the 60th Armed Forces of Liberia Day celebration at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in Monrovia. She said the AFL has exceptional capacities that it can bring in supporting civil authority, particularly in the country’s development efforts as demonstrated over the years owing to training from partners that they have a vital role to play in the reconstruction of our country. Delivering the Keynote Address, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria paid tribute to the AFL for their gallantry and commitment to duties. Gen. Obasanjo said like Liberia, discipline, commitment and obedience must be the order of the day in the AFL. He however challenged Liberians as they approach the 2017 Presidential and Representative elections to observe the code of conduct and exhibit mutual respect for each other in order to have successful elections, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Congrats AFL-As Obasanjo Calls For Obedience In New Army (In Profile Daily), Be Neutral In 2017 Elections-Obansanjo Tells AFL, As Samukai Buttresses Point (The INQUIRER), ‘AFL Capable Of Maintaining Peace’-President Sirleaf (Daily Observer), Don’t Politicize New AFL’-Former Nigerian President Obasanjo (FrontPage Africa), Ellen Expresses Confidence In Army (The New Dawn), Obasanjo Warns AFL Soldiers (Heritage)

Gbarnga-Salayea Road Key to Local, Sub-Regional Trade Gbanrga-Salayea Road Project Gets More Support

Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima S. Kamara has reassured Liberians of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s commitment to improving their living conditions through the creation of an enabling environment for domestic and sub-regional trade and commerce through several ongoing road infrastructural projects. Minister Kamara made the statement last Friday at the program marking the official singing of a US$20 million financing agreement between Liberia and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for the Gbarnga-Salayea road project. He said the Gbarnga-Salayea road is cardinal to boosting trade within the local economy and also fostering regional trade. Speaking earlier, Saudi Fund for Development’s (SFD) Director General Mr. Al-Saud said the signing program showed the great interest of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Government of Liberia promoting the wellbeing and economic prosperity of Liberians and also deepens the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. For his part, Vice President Joseph Boakai, through a proxy, said the Gbarnga-Mendikorma Highway project will further increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Liberia and enhance the free movement of people and goods in the sub-region in keeping with the Mano River Union (MRU) protocol. According to the Daily Observer, Minister Kamara signed on behalf of the Liberian government while the Saudi Fund for Development’s Director General for Operations, Mr. Fawzi O. Al-Saud, signed for his organization. The program was held in Beyan Town, Lofa County, at the St. Paul River Bridge which links Lofa and Bong counties.

Related Captions: Finance Minister Assures Improved Regional Trade-As Gbarnga-Mendikorma Road Project Gets More Support (In Profile Daily), Min. Kamara Assures Improves Domestic, Sub-Regional Trade-As Gbarnga-Salayea Road Project Gets More Supports (FOCUS), ‘Critical To Improving Trade And Commerce’-VP Hails US$20 M Road Agreement (FrontPage Africa), Liberia, Saudi Fund Pen US$20M Agreement for Gbarnga-Salayea road Project (Heritage)

US$20M Needed For 2018 Census

According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), has announced that at most, US$20M is needed to conduct the 2018 Census in compliance with the Constitution. Article 39 of the 1986 constitution says that: “The National Legislature shall cause a census of the Republic to be taken every ten years.” Liberia’s latest and fourth Census was held in 2008. Census is the largest data collection exercise in a country, and is often undertaken every 10 years. LISGIS Director General Dr. Edward Liberty told the House joint Committee on Judiciary, Good Governance and Election in a public hearing in the joint chambers on Capitol Hill last Friday that the population data from the 2018 Census will play a major role in the formulation of constituency boundaries for the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, using the population threshold set by the Legislature. The LISGIS Director told the Joint Committee that the estimated US$20m was based on the population projection of 4.3 million at the rate of US$4.50 per head.

Related Captions: Liberia’s Population Heads For 4 Million (FOCUS), US$20M Needed for 2018 Population Census…Says LISGIS (Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

To Find Roadmap Out of Economic Recession: Byron Tarr Heads Panel of Experts

The Liberian Senate has setup what it calls an “Independent Economic Review and Advisory Panel” to review and proffer recommendations that will help address the current downturn of the Liberian economy. Since 2012, the inception of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s second term, the Liberian economy continues to function below the belt the early start of 2017 witnessed what one analyst called the “worst case scenario” triggered by the passage of a controversial tax amendment bill, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

Related Caption: Senate Constitutes Panel-To Probe National Economic Hardship (FOCUS)

Red Cross Lauds Local Media

According to an inside story of the INSIGHT newspaper reads that as Monday, February 13, marks the commemoration of World Radio Day, the Liberia National Red Cross Society has hailed the Liberian media for its numerous sacrifices in providing credible and lifesaving information to citizens of the country. World Radio Day is annually observed on February 13, to celebrate radio and how it helps shape our lives. A release quotes the Liberian Red Cross as saying, despite huge challenges; the media has been professionally robust in its reportage on humanitarian issues and other ills affecting people in the communities. The Red Cross says it recognizes that the media is a strong partner in advocating tor the wellbeing of vulnerable people and building a peaceful and resilient society, the Insight newspaper reads.

Related Caption: Red Cross Congratulates Liberian Electronic Media On World Radio Day (In Profile Daily)

FRAMP To Improve Feeder Roads Here

The Deputy Chief of Party of the Feeder Roads Alternative and Maintenance Program (FRAMP), Boniface D. Satu, has disclosed that USAID-FRAMP will improve and upgrade over 450 kilometers of feeder roads in four counties: Lofa, Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa, in order for the people in those parts of the country to have access to basic things such as schools, clinics, foods. He noted that the United States Government is committed to road maintenance in the country. Satu said the US Government, through USAID, has provided funding to Cardo to rehabilitate several feeder roads in the country. He stated, under the project, four new seals will be tested for future road rehabilitation in the country, apart from the asphalt and lateral pavement accustom to Liberia, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Albino Society Launches Medical Outreach in Bentol over 300 Patients Benefit

According to the President of Liberia Albino Society (LAS), Madam Patricia Logan, the initiative is intended to buttress government’s effort in providing health services to Liberians. She also pointed out that the scheme is aimed at affording albinos in Liberia the time to interact with the ordinary people. She said for too long people have refused to associate with albinos in their various communities and as such, the society is using the outreach as a means of creating public awareness and education that despite their pigment, albinos are humans. “We want to tell all Liberians that we are all on. We are using the outreach to propagate our plight. I mean telling them that we are human beings”, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.