The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

News of the House of Representatives concluding its first session with the passage of 15 legislations; Liberia Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner for Real Estate tax Division’s description of tax payment as a national duty and obligation;  as well as Ambassador Kemayah’s  assurance to President George Mannah Weah of his determination to deliver at the United Nations are among stories highlighted in todays’ edition of our summary.   

House Concludes 1st Session… Passes 15 Legislation; as 38 in Committee Room 

TheINQUIRER newspaper reads that, the 54th Legislature of the House of Representatives on Friday, August 31, 2018 concluded its first sitting with 15 legislation passes into law. In a news conference after its final sitting, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Bohfal chambers said that the passage of the 15 legislations was because of the rigorous scrutiny of the proposed laws and those laws passed represent the lowest number of legislation in 2018. Speaking on the committee set up by the leadership of the House, Speaker chambers noted that the essence of a sizable committee is to govern the affairs of the Legislature in terms of their own coordination with the Executive and others to ensure that things require governing the House are available.  

LRA takes tax awareness to Churches 

The New Dawn newspaper reads that Liberia Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner for Real Estate Tax Division Isaac Beyan Stevens has described tax payment as a national duty and obligation by all residents of Liberia. He says the development of any country requires the full cooperation of citizens, especially through the payment of their tax obligations, noting that tax payment is everybody’s business. A press release issued in Monrovia says the LRA, through its Real Estate Tax Division, is extending its tax awareness to churches to encourage worshippers to be tax compliant by meeting their tax obligations to the state. The LRA release discloses the campaign commenced on Sunday, September 16, at the Dominion Christian Fellowship Church located on the Tubman Boulevard in Congo Town, where more than one thousand worshipers were in attendance. Making a presentation at the Church Assistant Commissioner Stevens reminds worshipers

Related Caption: Liberia Revenue Authority Takes Tax Education To The Churches (FrontPage Africa)

“I Will Die Just To Deliver My Best”…Ambassador Kemayah Assures President Weah.

TheHeritage newspaper is reporting that the Liberia Permanent Representative to the United Nation (UN), Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has given his hundred percent assurances to President George Manneh Weah and the people of Liberia that he will die just to perform and fully represent Liberia at the UN and in other diplomatic capacities respectively. “Die” he was quick to clarify that it is not the physical death, but rather a full commitment to work in the supreme interest of the Government and its people as Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to the UN and Cuba respectively. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, September 16, 2018 after the end of the thanksgiving and honoring program for him by his church the Mount Nebo Baptist Church on Cheeseman Avenue in Sinkor, Monrovia, Ambassador Kemayah pledged his undying effort and best performance in ensuring that he implements the best policies of the government at the level of the UN and other International obligations under his domain.

Liberia to be Represented at WAFFEST

The Liberia Professional Chief Association (LIPCA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) through the office of the Deputy Minister Lance K. Gbagonyon will depart Liberia for Ghana on Tuesday September 18, 2018 to represent Liberia at the Organized West Africa Food Festival WAFFEST) to be held at the Accra Tourism Information center from September 19-22 2018. WAFFEST is organized by the Chief Association of Ghana (CAG) in partnership with Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana tourism federation and Tourism Society of Ghana with Support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Ghana. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, it is the first edition of its kind in West Africa sub-region among chiefs Fraternity and Culinary Industry.

LLA welcomes passage of Land Rights Act

The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) Executive Director Stanley N. Toe has welcomed the enactment of the Land Rights Act by the Legislature. Speaking recently, Mr. Toe said the Land Act is one in which all of the Liberian people irrespective of the socio-economic demographic status can be fully guaranteed of their rights to own land and enjoy the benefits associated with land ownership. Mr. Toe has therefore extended thanks and appreciation to members of the Legislature for the passage of the Act. He noted that the issues of who owns rights in land and its associated resources have been a major problem since the establishment of Liberia in the 1800s. At the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2003, he says it was noted that land conflicts and disputes were major contribution to the Liberia civil crisis that lasted for 14 years, theNew Dawn daily reads.

Gardnersville Commissioner warns Business Houses, Residents

The newly inducted Commissioner of Gardnersville Township, Montserrado County Rev. David Roberts warns business houses operating within the township to respect government regulations and policies. He emphasizes that government development agenda in the township would only be enhanced with the support and cooperation of inhabitants and business houses. He says now is time for residents of the township to put aside personal interest and reconcile their differences as a surest way to promulgating policy measures instituted by the administration of President George M. Weah. Commissioner Roberts says he would endeavor to seek regular consultations with chiefs, elders’ council, and leaders of various communities, among others thru government’s pro-poor development agenda.

Related Captured: Govt. Breaks Silence on Missing Money, (The New Dawn)

UBA Launches Platinum Master Card in Liberia

A new model of purchase protection that seeks to attract the attention of value seekers in the business community has been launched by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Monrovia. The model is captioned, the Platinum Master Card and geared to attract value seekers who travel around the world and spend more money but intend to get some back, said Olalekan Balogun, Chief Executive Officer of UBA. “This card is for value seekers, most especially people who travel around the world. With the card, you will have those needed opportunities elsewhere,” Mr. Balogun stated, the Frontpage daily asserts.

Liberia: Police, Motorcyclists Unite against Drugs & Traffic Offences

Unions of motorcyclists and tri-cyclists (popularly called ‘Keke’ in Liberia) under District #10 and the Community Policing section of the Liberia Nation Police (LNP) gathered Saturday, September 15, 2018 to discuss ways to reduce motor accidents in another part of Liberia: Clara Town Community, Bushrod Island, Monrovia. The day was for the launch of a four-week road safety workshop for Motorcyclists and Tri-cyclists (Clara Town’s branch), organized by the Community Services Section of Zone #10 Police Station, in collaboration with the Traffic Section of the LNP. The venue for the launching program was a private ‘Talking Point’ named “Movement for Intellectual Exchange (MIE)”, located along the main route (Street) into Clara Town, Frontpage Africa reports.

Liberia Takes Over Mano River Union Aviation Authority

Liberia, through its Transport Minister, Samuel A. Wlue, has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Ministerial Council of the Roberts Flight Information Region (RFIR). RFIR composes of Civil Aviation authorities of the three Mano River States and its Secretariat is headed by the Chairman and Secretary General, which has been assumed by Liberia as chair. The regional aviation body decides on matters of finance and general operations of the regional aviation sector. Minister Wlue took over the Chairmanship from his Guinean counterpart, Honorable Aboubacar Sylla, on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at the Roberts International Airport, the Frontpage Africa newspaper reads.

LACC Hails FIU for Support in Tackling Corruption

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has applauded the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), for being effective and resourceful in collaborating with the commission to counter corruption in the country. “There can be no appropriate time to better educate our people about the negative effect money laundry has on our economy; that is why FIU Talk is very essential,” LACC commission for enforcement, Mr. Charles Gibson, said at the recent Ministry of Information press conference. The FIU was established under the Anti-Money laundry and countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009, as an agency responsible for requesting, receiving, analyzing and disseminating suspicious transaction and other information relating to money laundering, terrorist financing or proceeds of crime, reports theHeritage newspaper.

For “Negligent” Masterminding Murder Suspect’s Escape: 2 Police Officers Sent to Court… Others remain suspended

The Liberian National Police (LNP) has sent to court two (2) of its police officers in connections with the escape of a Sierra Leonean national who allegedly killed his step son in the Banjor community, outside Monrovia. It can be recalled that recently, suspect Alusine Jalloh escaped from police custody at the LNP Headquarters Capital By-pass, just two (2) after he was arrested and officially charged for allegedly killing little Victor Fahnbulleh. Investigation conducted by the LNP shows that the boxer found on the face of the deceased who went missing for several days belong to suspect Jalloh. The incident led to peaceful protest by scores of young people in the district. Speaking in an exclusive Interview with this paper at the weekend, police spokesman, Mr. Moses Carter, named Thomas G. Cheyee ID# 5588 and Amos N. Neeplay ID# 0232 as the two (2) officers that have been sent to court for prosecution. According to him, the LNP is leaving no stone unturned in making sure that justice prevails in the matter, says theHeritage newspaper.