The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

News of the National Elections Commission’s promise of the conduct of an impartial, transparent, free, fair and professional elections in October 2017, the Management of TRANSCO CLSG high-level Donors’ Coordination meeting taking place in Monrovia and the Press Union of Liberia’s extension of the holding of its 2017 Excellence Awards program are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

National Elections Commission Assures Impartial Elections in 2017 

According to the FrontPage Africanewspaper, the Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) says the Commission remains committed to conducting impartial, transparent, free, fair and professional elections in October 2017. Cllr. Jerome Korkoyah said the Commission is presently reaching a milestone in election preparations with the draft voter registration roll being finalized for exhibition, which commences on June 12 and closely followed by candidate nomination. Cllr Korkoya spoke Tuesday at the Monrovia City Hall when registered political Parties, under the umbrellas of the Inter-parties Consultative Committee presented to the Commission and International partners and stakeholders a Resolution committing themselves to peaceful and nonviolence elections in October.

Related Captions: Political Parties Want Remedial Action to Tackle Sources of Conflict(The INQUIRER), 22 Political Parties Commit To Non-Violent Elections(Daily Observer)  

TRANSCO CLSG High-Level Donors’ Coordination meeting in Monrovia 

The Management of TRANSCO CLSG, a regional transmission company responsible for the transmission of affordable and reliable electricity to millions of citizens in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea is holding a high-level Donors’ Coordination meeting in Monrovia, Liberia to discuss the progress and challenges in the implementation of the CLSG project. The annual meeting is being organized within the framework of the implementation of the CLSG interconnection project, to provide updates to stakeholders. The meeting runs from Wednesday, May 31, 2017 to Thursday, June 1, 2017 in Monrovia. Mr. Mohammed M. Sheriff, the General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG and senior staff of the Company have arrived in Monrovia for the meeting. The World Bank (WB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW) are among the key stakeholders attending the meeting. The Daily Observer says TRANSCO CLSG was created to carry out the CLSG interconnection project as reflected in the model agreed upon by the four Member States; that is to finance, construct, own, operate, develop and maintain an interconnection line between Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. This project aims at promoting a regional energy market and optimizes the use of energy resources in West Africa.

Related Captions: TRANSCO CLSG High-Level Donors Coordination Meeting In Monrovia(FrontPage Africa), TRANSCO CLSG To Hold A High-Level Donor Confab Today(In Profile)

PUL Extends 2017 Awards Night Date

An inside story of the In Profile Daily reads that the Press Union of Liberia has extended the date for its 2017 Excellence Awards. According to a release, the change of date is prompted by constraints in mobilizing logistics for the huge national event. Each annual award program is intended to identify and honor the work of journalists and media institutions that perform with distinction during a period under review. In other to accomplish this momentous phase of Liberian Journalisms’ Peer Review Regime, the Leadership of the PUL has now set Friday, June 16, 2017, as the new date for the Awards Night to make way for intense engagements of partners and sponsors, the paper says.

Related Caption: PUL Extends 2017 Awards Night Date(INSIGHT),PUL Extends 2017 Awards Night Date(The INQUIRER)

LACC, USAID/LPAC Conduct Financial Investigation Workshop

An Inquirer newspaper story writes that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Legal Professional and Anti-Corruption Program (USAID/LLPAC) have concluded a workshop in Financial Investigation for personnel of the LACC, Financial Intelligence Unit, General Auditing Commission and the Liberia Revenue Authority. The Workshop, which was held from May 16-25, 2017, brought together 30 participants who completed 32 hours of study and were awarded certificates of participation at the close of the workshop.

Related Captions: LACC, USAID/LPAC Conduct Financial Investigation workshop(In Profile Daily), LACC, USAID/LPAC Conduct Financial Investigation Workshop(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

Police To Shutdown RIA Highway 

The Liberia National Police (LNP) says the Monrovia to Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway will be shutdown to heavy vehicles beginning Wednesday at 6am to 6pm on Sunday evening, 4 June as part of traffic measures taken in observance of the ongoing ECOWAS Summit. “We have decided to close the Monrovia-Roberts field Highway officially to all heavy vehicles that will be traveling from Monrovia to Robertsfield to avoid breakdowns and inconveniences,” Police Inspector General, Col. Gregory Coleman, told a press conference Tuesday, 30 May at the Ministry of Information on Capitol Hill. He said the new regulation that is being put in place is intended to guarantee the safety of citizens, including the high level delegates that are coming here to participate in the ECOWAS Conference. He said if there is an extension beyond the time announced, the LNP will inform the public by means of text message. He urged heavy duty truck operators to use the Monrovia - Kakata highway, passing through 15 - Gate to get to Firestone Plantation in Margibi County in order to be able to make their journey to their destinations, reads the New Dawn newspaper.  

Liberian Senate To Eliminate Ombudsman From Electoral Issues 

The Liberian Senate is discussing an Act that seeks to clearly define the scope of operations of the Office of the Ombudsman that would hear and investigate complaints coming out of the Code of Conduct. The lawmakers are suggesting that complaints connected to sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the National Code of Conduct should not be the determination of the Ombudsman, rather the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the courts. This recommendation was put forth by the Chairman on the Ombudsman Committee, Senator Morris Saytumah. Section 5.1 of the Code states: All Officials appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia shall not: a) engage in political activities, canvass or contest for elected offices; b) use Government facilities, equipment or resources in support of partisan or political activities; c) serve on a campaign team of any political party, or the campaign of any independent candidate.  While section 5.2 states: Wherein, any person in the category stated in section 5.1 herein above, desires to canvass or contest for an elective public position, the following shall apply; a) Any Minister, Deputy Minister, Director General, Managing Director and Superintendent appointed by the President pursuant to article 56 (a) of the Constitution and a Managing Director appointed by a Board of Directors, who desires to contest for public elective office shall resign said post at least two years. Meanwhile, the Senate is yet to confirm those nominated by the President for the office pending the passage of the Act to amend Part XII of the Code of Conduct for the Creation of the Operational Framework of the Office of the Ombudsman, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

EPA Conducts Stakeholders Consultation For GVL

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded a one-day multi-stakeholders’ consultation on behalf of Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) for the proposed cultivation of oil palm on 6.496 hectares situated in Trembo and Barclayville Statutory District, Grand Kru County. The interactive dialogue attracted stakeholders including representatives of pro-democracy groups, line ministries like Forestry Development Agency (FDA), Ministries of Agriculture, Land Mines and Energy, Labour and members of communities that would be affected by the oil palm plantation.  According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, EPA is responsible for the protection of the environment and conservation of biodiversity through the implementation of policy that ensures long term economic prosperity for Liberia. GVL is an Indonesian company that entered into a 65 years concession agreement with the Government of Liberia. The company’s concession covers 220, 000 hectares in five counties including Sinoe, Grand Kru, Rivercess, River Gee and Maryland. In accordance with the environmental laws of Liberia, the company recently applied for a permit to cultivate oil palm on 6.496 hectares in Trembo and Barclayville Statutory District, Grand Kru County.

Liberian Telecommunications Authority, Postal Ministry Commend Orange GSM

The heads of the Liberian Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications have both commended the Board and Management team of Orange Liberia for its investments and commitment to vigorously expanding telecommunications in Liberia.  The pair made the commendation at programs marking the official ribbon cutting and dedication of the company’s new corporate headquarters and primary store on capital Bypass, reads the FrontPage Africanewspaper.

Gov’t Convenes Political Peace Forum

The Government of Liberia is endeavoring to ensure a peaceful electoral process that will subsequently culminate in a smooth transition for the first time in over 40 years. To accomplish that objective, a two-day national political forum is scheduled to be held beginning today, Wednesday, May 31, at the Monrovia City Hall. The forum appears to be an effort to diffuse the tremendous tension generated in the country since the upholding of the constitutionality of the Code of Conduct (CoC) by the Supreme Court of Liberia. The Daily Observer says the two-day event with all political parties in the country, is aimed at having them commit to the maintenance of peace in the country. Many opposition leaders believe that the intent of the forum is to find common ground on the Supreme Court’s ruling on the CoC. The Supreme Court upheld the Code of Conduct, a ruling that has given rise to public skepticism about the qualifications of some presidential aspirants to participate in the elections.

Fire Guts JFK Cholera Unit

The Daily Observer reads that the Cholera Unit (left wing), which is adjacent to the National Drug Service (NDS) and the hospital’s mortuary, was gutted by fire.The fire, according eyewitness account, reportedly destroyed the unit’s electrical panel boxes and several important documents including patients’ medical records. Although no human casualty was reported,

The cause of the fire has not been established, but security officers and employees at the medical center said the fire began in the laboratory where drugs and other essential medical equipment are stored.

Liberian Author to Launch Electronic Library Soon

A Liberian author has announced the launch of an E-Library in Montserrado County. Josiah F. Joekai Jr. disclosed in an interview over the weekend that on June 3, 2017, an E-Library will be officially launched in the district with the first six schools poised to benefit. According to Mr. Joekai, he has negotiated for and justified to Camp Peace-Liberia which agreed to provide 40 tablet machines as an initial contribution towards the process in order to provide quality education in the district and Liberia at large, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

ECOWAS Launches Program To Combat Fistula In Sub-Region

The Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender of the ECOWAS Gender Development Center (EGDC) has launched an ambitious program to combat obstetric fistula in the sub-region. Dr. Fatimata Dia Sow stated that the program is intended to treat 1,500 patients annually in the sub-region and reintegrate them socially and economically into their societies. Dr. Sow made the disclosure Wednesday at a program to commemorate International Day to End Fistula held at the Monrovia City Hall, the INSIGHT daily news asserts.

Sub-Regional Youth Confab Kicks Off Today

A two-day regional conference organized by the West African Youth Network (WAYN), in collaboration with the Center for Security Studies and Development (CENSSAD) officially kicks off today, May 31, 2017 in Monrovia. WAYN is a regional youth empowerment organization established in March 2001 in Monrovia and now operates in 12 of the 15 West African Countries. Making the disclosure on Monday, the Program Coordinator of WAYN, Mr. Mohammed Kanneh, said the upcoming conference is to ensure that young people play critical roles in the holding of peaceful and credible elections in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. Liberians will go to the poll in October of this year to elect a president, vice president, and 73 representatives, who will steer the affairs of the state for the next six years, while neighbor Sierra Leone will go to the polls in March of next year, reads the In Profile Daily newspaper.  

Gender Minister Wants Women Take Leadership Role in Health System Management 

Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Julia Duncan Cassell says the untapped potential of women in health has undermined the contribution they could make to effective leadership for health systems strengthening globally.  Minister Callell attributed this approach to what she observed as the low representation of women in health leadership which has significant implications for population health. Speaking at the International Council of Nurses program at the 2017 Congress and share experience on sustainable health care and empowering women under the theme, “Nurses at the Forefront Transforming Care” in Barcelona Spain on Monday May 29, Minister Cassell said leaderships in health require unique competencies to compete with their male counterparts, the Heritage asserts.

IBFD Publishes Book on “Taxation Of Ships And Aircrafts”

A front-page story of the INQUIRER newspaper reads that the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) Headquartered in the Netherlands has launched its latest publication on its International Tax Law Series, focusing on Taxation of Shipping and Air Transport in domestic Law, EU Law and Tax Treaties. The current publication includes Sections on Liberia, authored by Liberian Tax Expert and Academic, Theophilus Dekonty Joseph of T. D. Joseph and Associates, Certified Public Accountants. The work comprises the proceedings and working documents of the annual seminar held in Milan, Italy in November 2016, and details taxation practices of highly transnational industries engaged in the shipping and air transport sectors, the paper reads.  

Water Purification System to Benefit 7K Unification Town Residents 

According to the Daily Observer, more than seven thousand (7,000) residents of Unification Town/Smell-No-Taste in Lower Margibi County will benefit from a water purification system supplied per family. Mr. Doc Lawson, Chief Executive Officer of Domani Sports in partnership with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Liberia (YMCA) will provide the system. During a meeting with Unification Town Mayor Esther G. Kiawu yesterday, Mr. Lawson, along with YMCA Branch Coordinator Francis Karpu, explained the effectiveness of the system that will relieve the residents of their difficult search every day for clean drinking water. The demonstration forms part of the “FOLLOW THE WATER” campaign by DomaniSports and YMCA which was initially aimed at providing clean water only to children who play sports, but has now been extended to entire households. In an easy demonstration before officials of the mayor’s office, Mr. Lawson said the system’s proprietary hollow fiber membrane filters are small, portable, easy-to-use, and reliable, adding that they are free of charge and can last for more than 15 years without needing replacement.

RIA Resorts Given 30-yr Tax Break

Thirty-four (34) of the 73 Representatives on Capitol Hill during Tuesday’s session voted to ratify a 30-year Investment Incentive Agreement between Liberia and the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Hotel Resorts, Incorporated. In Tuesday’s session, there were 38 Representatives present, and 34 of them voted overwhelmingly for the passage of the agreement. The Lawmakers unanimously voted for the passage of the ‘Tax Holiday,’ following a report from the Joint Committee on Investment and Concession and Judiciary. The report argued that the hotel or tourism business is a struggling industry in Liberia, and should therefore enjoy a tax holiday. Representative Zoe E. Pennue, chairman on the House Committee on Investment and Concession, said the agreement would initiate the construction of a hotel and resort comprising 164 rooms and suites, a presidential suite and provide 1,000 jobs and additional electricity to the airport and its environs. He said these will further create a modern and healthy condition in and around the airport in accordance with generally accepted health and sanitation procedures and laws, reads the Daily Observer.