Daily Media Summary 2017-02-23
The Bureau of Public Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia
DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
Today’s edition of the summary of our local dailies highlights news of President Sirleaf’s dedication of the Saclepea City Hall named in her honor, released the third edition of its official investor’s guide, titled ‘Invest Liberia by the National Investment Commission and the decision by Liberia to host the international women colloquium on March 7, 2017.
DOMINANT STORY
President Sirleaf Dedicates Saclepea City Hall; Lauds Citizens for Keeping the Peace
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dedicated the Saclepea City Hall named ‘Ellen Johnson Sirleaf City Hall’ in Saclepea City, Nimba County. According to an Executive Mansion release, speaking at the dedicatory ceremony in Saclepea, Nimba County, on Monday, February 20, during the cutting of the ribbon to a modern City Hall; President Sirleaf said the dedication of Saclepea City Hall is a clear demonstration that the people of Nimba County are hard-working and committed people. She urged them to maintain the City Hall and keep it clean for the purpose intended. She pointed out that the opening of the City Hall marks a major transition to a new governance approach aimed at making citizens comfortable. Meanwhile, President Sirleaf has recommended twins who are suffering from some form of deformity to be taken to the J. F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia for medical checkup and treatment. The two kids are Martha Wenday and Laykarnue Wenday of Vaye Graie, reports the Daily Observer.
Related Captions: President Sirleaf Dedicates Saclepae City Hall-Lauds Citizens For Keeping the Peace(FOCUS), Ellen dedicates Saclepae City Hall(The New Dawn), President Sirleaf Dedicates Saclepae City Hall(The INQUIRER), Ellen Dedicates Saclepae City Hall Lauds Citizens for Keeping the Peace(Heritage)
Agriculture Key In Liberia’s 3rd Investor’s Guide
The National Investment Commission (NIC) Wednesday released the third edition of its official investor’s guide, titled ‘Invest Liberia.’ Invest Liberia was done along with the agriculture sector profiles covering priority sectors and its newly constructed website, www.investliberia.
Related Captions: Guide To Liberian Economy-NIC Launches Third Edition Of Its Investors Guide(FrontPage Africa), LNIC Launches Investor’s Guide, Sector Profile, Website(FOCUS), NIC Launches 3 Investment Promotions(The INQUIRER)
Liberia Hosts Int’l Women Colloquium on March 7
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has announced the holding of the International Women Colloquium in Liberia and the official celebration of International Women’s Day on March 7-8 at the SKD Sports Complex in Monrovia. This year’s International Women’s Day will be held under the global theme: “Be Bold for Change” while the national theme is “Women Bold in Change for a Better World”. The International Women Colloquium is being Co-Convene by Her Excellency, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ms. Maria Teresa Fernandes del la Vega Former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, the FOCUS newspaper says.
Related Captions: Women Colloquium: Liberia To Host International Women’s Day Celebration(FrontPage Africa), Liberia hosts International Women Colloquium on March 7(The INQUIRER)
OTHER STORIES
NEC Registers 60,135 In Upper Bong
Upper Bong County Election Magistrate Daniel Newland has announced the immediate closure of two voter registration centers in Electoral District Three. The centers are Sunday Market in Bassa Community and the Wohn-a-Nehn School on the Camp Tubman military Barracks in Gbarnga City. Speaking to the Liberia News Agency, Newland said the centers are closed because they have met the National Elections Commission (NEC) requirement of 3,000 registrants per center. Newland, however, said centers are still available in electoral district three, especially in Gbarnga area, for registration. He named the John F. Bakalu, Gboveh High, William V. S. Tubman Gray and Melekie as centers that are still open around the Gbarnga area in electoral district three. Newland disclosed that up to date, 60,135 persons have registered in Upper Bong County, the Heritage newspaper reads.
Related Caption: NEC Registers 80,135 In Upper Bong(FOCUS)
Gov’t, Others Lauded for Establishment of Preventive Institute
The Deputy Minister for Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Tolbert Nyenswah, has lauded the efforts of the Liberian government and its international including the World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control amongst others for the establishment of the country’s first National Public Institute intended to control disease outbreak. The Deputy Health Minister noted that with the creation of a separate National Public Health Institute from the Ministry of Health will enable government in preventing any future outbreak that might have the propensity to pose threat to citizen’s life. He pointed out that with the establishment of the country’s first ever National Public Health Institute, there will be much focus placed on epidemiology diseases and medical research, theHeritage newspaper reads.
UN Official says Women Participation Key to Stability
A representative of the United Nations Women in Liberia says increase in the participation of women and incorporation of gender perspectives in all activities are key to stability of the country. Fabric Laviolette stated that within the United Nations, the gender theme group is the main coordination mechanism that provides technical guidance to United Nations agencies and their mission. Laviolette made the statement Wednesday at a program marking Global Open Day held at a local hotel in Monrovia. Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo is an opportunity to increase awareness of women’s representation and participation in decision-making processes, to promote access to justice, and to help offer peace and security resolutions to empower women, the Heritage newspaper reads.
Related Caption: Women Participation Key To Stability Says UN Official(Focus)
Korean Gov’t Donates Vehicles to Gov’t
The Republic of Korea through Jhpiego has turned over vehicles valued at US$1.5 million to the Government of Liberia as part of a US$2.7 million Post-Ebola Support Project to reinforce the public health system in the country. The presentation the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-funded “Support for safe Quality Service” Project of medical equipment and material supplies to the government which was witnessed yesterday in the Ministry of Health compound in Congo Town, the INQUIRER newspaper reads.
Commerce Delegation on Two-County Tour
Commence Minister Axel M. Addy is expected to lead a delegation from the Ministry to Ganta, Nimba County and Gbarnga, Bong County respectively. The team is expected to leave Monrovia today for Ganta and is expected to arrive in Gbarnga tomorrow. Min. Addy will be accompanied by members of his Senior Management Team and Technical Advisors. The team will visit several manufacturing sites and will also host a Town Hall Meeting with the business community county officials and the general public to gather information on challenges faced by the consuming public and solutions to address their challenges in both counties, the INQUIRER newspaper says.
Ellen Switches On Solar Light Power In Totota
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has officially switched on a Solar Power Light in Totota, Bong County, in Central Liberia, commending Mr. William T. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Solar Power Plant and Mr. Emmanuel K. Urey, Project Consultant of the Liberia Engineering & CEO-Tech Consultant for being so creative in providing job opportunities for jobless Liberians. Liberia Engineering & Geo-Technology Consultant is a 100% Liberian-owned and operated Company, engaging into profitable livelihood activities. The Liberian leader used the occasion to urge other youthful Liberians to be creative like Mr. Thompson and Urey, by not sitting down idly, depending on others to do for them, what they are supposed to be doing for themselves, writes the Inquirer news daily.
UN Women Remains Strategically Positioned in Response to Needs of Women Entrepreneurs
The Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Women says the group remains strategically positioned in responding to the needs of women entrepreneurs and is also committed to ensuring strengthening partnership with the Government of Liberia and the Liberia Marketing Association. Mr. Peterson Magaoola said the United Nations Women will also improve and diversify livelihood options for market women in the country and cross border traders. He made the statement at the graduation program of the Next Level Business Training Program for Market Women in the country and cross border traders, the INQUIRER newspaper reads.
“There will be Good Election” President Sirleaf Assures Liberians
An inside story of the FOCUS newspaper reads that the Liberia leader has reassured Liberians that she is of the conviction that there will be a good election-come 2017. “I do believe we will have a successful election; I believe the Liberian people do not want anyone to disturb the 11 years of peace that we have enjoyed; so, be a part of the ongoing voter’s registration process,” the Chief Executive noted.
PUL, NEC Pledge Support To EMOL’s Voter Education
The Daily Observer says the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the National Elections Commission (NEC) have pledged their support to a not-for-profit group, Emancipation Movement of Liberia (EMOL) to strengthen voter education to ensure Liberia’s democratic empowerment. The pledge was made when an EMOL delegation, led by its Executive Director, Jarwinken Wiah, visited the NEC and PUL. NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya pledged to partner with EMOL in its community engagement and democratic empowerment programs after the elections. EMOL Project Director Aaron Manneh said EMOL is determined to empower citizens of the 73 electoral districts to help them put into practice Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution to compel elected officials to be accountable to them. For his part, the President of the PUL, Charles Coffey said: “The PUL will partner with EMOL in enlightening Liberians on their civic responsibilities.”
Related Caption: NEC, PUL Pledge to Work with EMOL(The INQUIRER)
ECOWAS Wants Intense Civic Education Ahead Of October Polls
According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the special representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia has called for a scaling up in civic and voters education. Ambassador Babatunde O. Ajisomo said if such is done, it would help increase the number of registered voters. He spoke when several ECOWAS Ambassadors, including the Ambassador of South Africa to Liberia, Vanapalan Punjanathan MOODLEY on Wednesday toured numerous polling centers in the West Point, New Kru Town, Logan Town and Duala communities. Ambassador Ajisomo also called on communities to get involved in the registration process no matter whatever disenchantment against the government, adding that it is their constitutional duty to do so.
LEC Loses US$18m
Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Managing Director, Mr. Foley Sackor, says the corporation losses US$18 million per annum to power theft. Mr. Sackor told the Senate Committee on Lands, Mines and Energy on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, 22 February that LEC is losing 33 kilo watt to power theft on a monthly basis, amounting to US$1.5 million per month; totaling US$18 million per year. The LEC Chief said power theft do not involve only low income earners, but also some big business entities allegedly including the Monoprix Supermarket and Mamba Point Hotel, among others. Quoting the LEC boss, the New Dawn newspaper reads that the LEC management has already taken the two business entities to court for legal redress. Mr. Sackor announced that the LEC has launched customer’s connection campaign that began in Clara Town on Bushrod Island, and is expected to benefit over 2,500 backlogs of new connections and faulty meters.
