The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 21, 2017

Dominating today’s newspapers are stories on the dedication of several projects in Montserrado by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as  the ongoing strategic meeting taking place in  Paynesville City by the Association of Mayors and Local Government Authorities of Liberia amongst other stories selected for today’s summary.

Pres. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Dedicates More Development Projects

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dedicated separate development projects on Tubman Boulevard, Bentol and the Freeport of Monrovia. She said Liberia stands to experience growth and development once people are committed and taken ownership. She said the growth and development of the country cannot be about the many hospitals and schools built; but the way Liberians will conduct themselves, stressing - Liberians should take responsibility to sustain the growth and development and not to always rely on others. “Development comes from people; People commitment to their own development; through the way you talk, the way you think, the way you walk, what you say, how you do it, indeed what really brings development. She said until we can take responsibility for our own development; please do not depend on anybody else - because they can help but at the end of the day, they will not always be there with you,” President Sirleaf noted. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 in Bentol City, Montserrado County where she had gone dedicate and cut ribbon to the newly constructed Montserrado County Service Center, reports FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Dedicates Last Service Center In Mont. (Inquirer), Pres. Sirleaf dedicates Several Projects (Insight), Ellen Dedicates Development Projects (Heritage) and Montserrado County Service Center, Oil Terminal Dedicated (New Dawn)

Mayors Association Holds Strategic Meeting

The Association of Mayors and Local Government Authorities of Liberia (AMLOGAL) on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 began a two-day strategic meeting to develop a five-year plan (2018-2022) and to develop the 2018 annual work plan. The two-day meeting, which is being held at the Gold Key Hotel in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, is supported by the United Cities and Local Governments – Africa (UCLG-A) and Citizens Alliance. The strategic meeting is geared towards promoting the growth and development of the organization, as well as to enhance development at the local level, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Related Captions: Association of Mayors and Local Government of Liberia Develop 5-Year Plan (FrontPage Africa), Mayors Association Holds Strategic Meeting (New Dawn) and Mayors Association Holds Strategic Meeting (Inquirer)

NEC Releases New Voter’s Listing

According to the New Dawn newspaper, barely five days to the holding of the December 26 run-off Presidential election between the governing Unity Party and the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change, the National Elections Commission has released the new Final Regisgration Roll for the runoff poll. Addressing a news conference on Wednesday December 20, at the NEC headquartersw in Monrovia, Chairman Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya says, “with the foregoing, the new final Registration Roll (pre-cleanup) 2, 183, 629, removal from duplication process 274, deletion from recards of shared voter Identification cards 87, total deductions from FRR 361, new FRR 2, 183,629 – 361 totals 2, 183,268 qualified voters for the run-off.”

Related Caption: NEC Gives Update On Voter’s Cleaning Exercise (Inquirer)

LEC Managing Directors Heads TRANSCO CLSG Technical Committee

According to the Inquirer newspaper, the Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, Mr. Ernest R. Hughes has been appointed as the head of the TRANSCO CLSG Technical Committee. Mr. Hughes was appointed during the recent meeting of Board of Directors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire which convened from December 11 – 13, 2017. The meeting was attended by Board members from the four CLSG countries and the Secretary General of the West African Power Pool (WAPP). The technical committee is responsible to review all technical issues relating to the implementing of CLSG projects in the four West Africa Countries and advice the board of directors. The appointment of Mr. Hughes will serve as a major boost for Liberia’s energy sector.

Nimba Tops Revenue Collection

Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Elfrieda Stewart Tamba has applauded Nimba County Taxpayers for contributing the highest to the revenue collection from the counties for the first Quarter of 2017/2018. A total of US$1.8m was collected from rural and customs business offices across the 15 counties from July 1 to September 30, of which collection from Nimba County alone contributed a total of US$482.8k or 27% of gross receipts from the counties. Of the amount contributed by Nimba, US$378k or 78.3% came from Customs ports, with Loguatuo and Ganta ports bringing in US$231k and US$147k respectively. A total of US$1.8m was collected from rural and customs business offices across the 15 counties from July 1 to September 30, of which collection from Nimba County alone contributed 27% of gross receipts from the counties, reports the Inquirer newspaper.

Related Caption: Nimba Tops Revenue Collection From Counties For Quarter 1 of 2017/2018 (Insight)

UNDP Supports Anti-Corruption Commission With State-of-Art Tools

. On Monday 18 December, UNDP joined the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to dedicate the new forensic digital lab (funded by UNDP), and operation and reports rooms (funded by USAID), It’s just a plain door, but when you look closely, you see how hi-tech it is. A thumbprint and key card gets you access. A blast of cool air greets you when you open the door. You’re in the control room - Computers, scanners and other small, but powerful, machines perch on the desktops. It’s the new heart of the Liberian defense system against corruption. These machines can break through data encryption, track money as it flows in and out, and capture all the nuances that add up to corruption. “Refurbishing the operation and record rooms (USAID), and the equipment for the cyber-lab and training of dedicated staff (UNDP), we’ve upped our game in investigations to achieve our mission,” said Charles JL Gibson, Commissioner of LACC pens the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

INCHR Commit to Battling Harmful Traditional Practices in Liberia

The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) says it will continue fighting harmful traditional practices and culture that violate the rights of individuals. The acting chairperson of the INCHR, Atty, Bartholomew B. Coley, during his opening speech at the program said the commission will go out to ensure that the rights of its citizens are protected. He was speaking at program marking the celebration of the International Human Rights Day in Bomi County.  “We will ensure that the veil of tradition and culture that supports discrimination and abuse against children, women and persons with disabilities is pierced,” he noted. Atty. Colley also called on Liberians and the international community to join in the endeavor of protecting the rights of citizens, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Liberia's Police Chief to Receive Prestigious Golden Star Award

Liberia’s Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman has been nominated to receive the 2017 prestigious    Golden Star Award for Distinguished Security Service in West Africa. The Award which is the 14th edition will be conferred on the Liberian Police Inspector General on February 6- 9 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda at an exhibition that is expected to take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre. According to an LNP release, a communication addressed to the Liberian Police Inspector General by the Security Watch Africa signed by the Retired General Joseph Nunoo- Mensah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Patrick Agbambu International Coordinator and CEO said the Liberian IGP was nominated as the result of a meticulous assessment of his official and personal drive for the provision of security and safety for the people and businesses of Liberia. The group also stated that the nomination of the Liberia National Police Inspector General is also based on his commitment to security and safety in the Republic of Liberia through selfless service, pragmatic leadership, Patriotism, innovation and untiring efforts in entrenching sanity , safety and security in Liberia, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.