The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014

President Johnson Sirleaf’s challenge to citizens of Sinoe and Grand Kru counties on preparation for the country’s 167^th Independence celebrations, Governor Jones’ clarity on his purported presidential ambition and perceived misuse of power at the Central Bank, the confusion between the Upper and Lower Houses on the benchmark for the passage of the Decent Work Bill, the WASH Consortium’s 3.3 million Euros Sanitation and Hygiene Project are among stories highlighted in our Wednesday, March 19, 2014 selected dailies.

Dominant stories

Sinoe citizens challenged to prepare for 167th Independence Celebrations

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is reminding the populace of Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties of the enormous task ahead of co-hosting this year’s Independence Anniversary and is challenging them to get totally involved in the preparation for the successful hosting of the celebration. As part of her decentralization of the country’s Independence Anniversary celebration, President Sirleaf, last April, announced during a visit to Sinoe County that the two southeastern counties will co-host Liberia’s 167th Independence Anniversary, with the main activities taking place in Greenville. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf is in Sinoe and Grand Kru inspecting development projects and the level of preparation made so far for this year’s Independence Anniversary celebration. President Sirleaf urged them to demonstrate their ownership of the celebration by working with county authorities to recondition their homes, thereby signaling to the visiting guests that the people of these two counties are embracing development in their communities. “The 26 celebration belongs not only to the government, but to every citizen of Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties. We want every citizen to take part in this celebration, so we want all of you to contribute to it in a small way,” she urged her compatriots.

Related captions: Pres. Sirleaf Visits Sinoe & Grand Kru (FOCUS), Pres. Sirleaf Visits Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties (The Analyst)

‘For Nothing Talk’: CBL Governor Jones Fires Back At Critics

Central Bank Governor Dr. J. Mills Jones has vehemently rejected claims by his critics both in and out of government that he and other governors of the CBL are politicizing the bank’s monetary policy for their selfish gains describing his accusers as engaging in empty talks. “Let me repeat a point made on other occasions: the CBL has not been engaged in directly making loans to any business entity,” he said. Governor Jones said the bank did not directly give any funds under the initiatives to the Liberian Business Association adding that people who continue to say so are misinforming the public. He said commercial banks are fully involved in all of the initiatives that the bank has embarked on and were consulted on many occasions before those initiatives were launched. “To clarify that the CBL has not been making loans to individual businesses, let me refer to a paragraph in the agreement on the placement/deposit with the banks on due diligence: "the (name of bank) commits itself and undertakes to exercise due diligence in assessing the creditworthiness of all potential borrowers, consistent with its lending practices, it shall ensure that loans from the placement shall be made to only creditworthy Liberian-owned small and medium enterprises",” he said. “Does this look like an operation of the Executive Governor "dividing public funds"?” He asked his critics. “A baseless statement no matter how many times it is repeated, no matter how important the office of the one making the statement, no matter how loud the voice of the person making the statement is nothing more than a baseless statement. Put simply, empty talk is empty talk.” Addressing journalists at the bank’s edifice on Warren and Carey Streets in Monrovia, Governor Jones said the CBL has only embarked on a policy that aims at making an impact on the lives ordinary Liberians. “The Central Bank is not doing anything strange, except that the Bank is breaking new paths in the Liberian economy,” said Governor Jones. “But is that a politicization of the Bank?  That the people appreciate what the CBL is doing to empower them financially should be seen for what it is.” Governor Jones said economic empowerment has implications for ensuring a stable macro economy and it also contributes to a better distribution of income. He said empowering people economically also helps them get out of poverty by strengthening their purchasing power to support local investment and this is all the bank has been trying to do over the years for which executives of the bank have been targeted by the same government elements for which it is trying to work. “If there is any lesson to be learned, it is that we all should do our jobs well, the people will appreciate all of us,” he said. “What the CBL is doing has broad international appeal and support. It has nothing to do with “dishing out the people’s money”, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related Caption: “CBL Not Dishing Out Money” (The NEWS), Related captions:  CBL Governor Breaks Silence (The Inquirer), ‘Empty Talk is Empty Talk’-Mills Jones Chides Critics (Daily Observer), “We should all be worried”-Governor Jones speaks out, make clarifications (INSIGHT),

Decent Work Bill Causes Stir on Capitol Hill

According to the INSIGHT newspaper, the road to the passage of the Decent Work Bill seems yet far-fetched on Capitol Hill. The document, expected to give better incentives to the working class of the nation continues to receive blows on the politically-charged Capitol Hill. Senators’ opting for re-election passed the bill, alongside the strength of others, but the House of Representatives is yet to conquer – something hampering the 2014 chances of at least fifteen senators expected to go to the polls. The Liberian Senate has directed its clerk to communicate with the House of the Representatives requesting an update on the status of the controversial Decent Work Bill. The Senate’s decision Tuesday was followed by a report from its statutory committee on Labor informing Plenary that the conference committee set up by the House of Representatives and the Senate, is yet to agree to have US$6.00 per day as benchmark for the minimum wage nationwide. The Lower House has been proposing $7.20 for the minimum wage as oppose to the senate. The Committee in its report prayed the indulgence of the Lower House to concur with said decision, as any attempt contrary will create serious problem in the labor sector.  If the Plenary of the Lower Chamber adopts the agreement by the conference committee, the long awaited Decent Work Bill will automatically be forwarded to the Presidency for approval.

Related caption: STALEMATE OVER DECENT WORK BILL (The News), Related caption: Senate Writes House Over Decent Work Bill (Daily Observer), “Big” Clash at Capitol Building-Senate, Lower House “Fuss” Over Decent Work Bill (The Reporter)

WASH Consortium Breaks Ground For EU 3.3M Euro Water Facility Project

The Liberia WASH Consortium has broken grounds for a 3.3 million Euro Improved Sanitation and Hygiene Project in White Flowers Community, West Point Township, Monserrado County. West Point is an over populated municipality of the Liberian capital, Monrovia with a population of almost close to hundreds of thousands inhabitants. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) Water Facility. The project seeks to directly support 50,000 residents gain access to appropriate sanitation facilities and hygiene messages and 250,000 will benefit from solid waste and drainage improvements, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

 Related Caption: WASH Consortium Breaks Ground For EURO 3.3M Water Facility Project(INSIGHTS), WASH Consortium Breaks Ground For EURO 3.3M Water Facility ProjectInitiative(National Chronicle)

Legislature Enacts New Nimba District

The Liberian Senate has concurred with the House of Representatives to pass an Act for the creation of Yarwin Mehnsonoh Statutory district in Lower Nimba County. According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), a communication addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Alexander Tyler, and signed by the Secretary of the Senate, stated that the Senators made the concurrence on Thursday March 6. At the same time, the Liberian Senate has submitted several engrossed bills to the House of Representatives, seeking its concurrence in their passage into law, the NEWS says.

Related Caption: New Nimba District Act Passed(IN PROFILE DAILY),  Upper, Lower Houses Concurs On New Nimba District(INSIGHT)

Trade Fair Raises Support For Cancer Society

The FOCUS newspaper reads that Business entities and NGOs have supported a trade fair aimed at raising funds for the Liberia Cancer Society to fight the disease in Liberia. Sponsors of the event were Liberian businesses and NGOs and guests included the Nigerian Ambassador Obi Nuodozie, FORD Motor Company, Alliance Motor Corporation, Center for Liberian Assistance Inc., the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Washington DC, Hope for Women International (HFWI), and Game Changers Liberia, among others. Participants from the cancer fair showcased their products and proceeds from products on display were donated in support of the Cancer society.

Related Caption: Trade Fair Raises Support For Cancer Society(The NEWS),Trade Fair Raises Support for Cancer Society (New Dawn newspaper)

US-Based Missionaries In Liberia On Assessment Visit

The Heritage newspaper writes that three Missionaries, including a Liberian from the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church based in the United States of America (USA) arrived in the country recently for an assessment visit. As part of their assessment tour to Liberia, the three missionaries will identify conducive site for the construction of a multi-purpose center.  Speaking upon arrival, the head of delegation, Missionary Q. Alma Johnson-Flahn, said the multi-purpose center would include a church, clinic and a school for use by Liberian Children.  According to her, God has given their US-based congregation enough to share, and as such, it was now time to give back to the needy, especially to children from her country of nativity (Liberia).  “I left Liberia during the war when I was still young, and so, I know the suffering the children of this post-war nation are going through. I have come back through the help of the church where God is doing so much for us to help with the development of Liberia with focus on the children”, she said.  Missionary Johnson-Flahn said her family has contributed 10 acres of land in Kokoya District, Bong County where the multipurpose center would be built. Also speaking, Missionary George Robertson, who is a retired US school principle, said the construction period for the project would take up to six years. For his part, Missionary David Smith disclosed that the team has also brought into the country, several Bibles, children reading books and educational materials.  He said the educational material and Bibles would be donated to schools and individual kids in the country. 

Related caption: US-Based Missionaries on Assessment Mission(The Reporter)

 Ellen Invites Lawmakers…To LDA Meet In Buchanan

The NEWS newspaper says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has invited members of the House of Representatives to the Steering Committee Meeting of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA) in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on March 22, 2014. The meeting is intended to review the first annual progress report on the implementation of the Agenda for Transformation, according to the Liberia News Agency. In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, j. Alexander Tyler President Sirleaf recalled that December 2013 marked one year since the National Vision, “Liberia Rising 2013 and the Agenda for Transformation” were launched in Gbarnga, Bong County. The President told the lawmakers that the meeting is also geared towards discussing options to going forward with the Agenda. President Sirleaf hoped that as important stakeholders in the nation’s development process, the Lawmakers will join her at the Buchanan meeting.

Related caption: Pres. Sirleaf Invites Lawmakers to LDA Meet in Buchanan  (In Profile Daily)

Nigerians Arrested With Liberian Passports

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization has arrested two Nigerians in possession of Liberian passports. The Nigerians include Thomas Peterside and Livingston Neymah Boniface. A BIN release said preliminary investigation conducted on suspect Peterside purported to be a naturalized Liberian with Liberian passport hearing the number OR/0078668 obtained in 2002. “This information was forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization by the Passport Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for thorough investigation on the  nationality of Mr. Peterside after he filed for the renewal of his passport recently in Monrovia,” the release said. The release said after thorough investigation, it was revealed that Mr. Thomas Peterside could not establish his Liberian citizenship. The suspect has been sent to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution in keeping with Section 21.10 of the Aliens and Nationality Law of Liberia, the NEWS reports.

Related caption: Nigerians Using Liberian Passports (New Democrat)

BIN Institutes Measures Against Illegal Entry – Official

The NEWS newspaper reports that the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) Commander in Bo Waterside in western Grand Cape Mount County, Col. Sam Mulbah, says his bureau has instituted measures at the Sierra Leone-Liberia border to prevent illegal entry into the country. He said the measures are also intended to curtail the smuggling of dangerous drugs and human trafficking between the two countries through Grand Cape Mount County. Col. Mulbah told the Liberia News Agency Sunday that under the measures, all illegal crossing points discovered by the joint security will be monitored on a daily basis to avoid by-passing.

Man, 43, Convicted For Rape

The empanelled Jury at the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga City, Bong County late Monday brought down a guilty verdict against 43-year-old Jerry B. Flomo, for raping a 13-year-old girl. Flomo is said to have raped the girl on March 17, 2013 on Goll’s Farm, Malikie Community in Suakoko District, Bong County. Meanwhile, the jury at the court has also found Dennis Cayto of Totota, Salala District guilty of “Theft of property, Criminal Facilitation, and burglary. The Jurors said they were convinced that Cayto committed the crimes he was charged with and should, therefore, bear the consequences thereof. The Resident Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Judge J. Boima Kontoe, has promised to render final judgment in the two criminal cases within the statutory period provide by the law, the NEWS reports

Related Caption: Man, 43, Convicted For Raping Girl, 13(INSIGHT), Man, 43, Convicted For Raping Girl, 13(IN PROFILE DAILY)

“Free Expression Not Absolute Right” …Deputy Justice Minister Says

 Deputy Justice Minister for Codification, Counselor Victoria Sherman Lang, has cautioned that the right to freedom of expression is not an absolute right. She said freedom of expression is subject to limitations prohibiting libel, slander, sedition and copyright violations for which person’s affected can seek criminal sanctions against journalists in the form of fines and imprisonment or civil remedies.. She observed that any country attempting to move from the precarious stage of post-conflict reconstruction to stability cannot afford to ignore the media. Cllr. Lang made the statement Tuesday at a one-day stakeholders meeting held at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia on an Act to Decriminalize the Violation of the Right to Freedom of Expression in Liberia, the NEWS reports.

Related Caption: “Free Expression Not Absolute Right” – Says Deputy Justice Minister (The Analyst), Free Expression Not An Absolute Right, Says Official(IN PROFILE DAILY)

Child With Swollen Eye Needs Help

Yesterday was a sad mood for INQUIRER staffers and other passers-by when a mother aged 19 walked into the offices of the newspaper to explain her pathetic situation regarding her first son, Gabriel Flomo, whose right eye has become swollen for the past 11 and half months.  According to his mother Hawa Flomo, Little Gabriel started suffering from an unusual eye disease when he was just 1-year, 9-months old since he turned 10 months. In an exclusive interview with this paper, Miss Flomo told our reporter that since the incident occurred, she has taken little Gabriel from one hospital to another for treatment but unfortunately, there had been no positive response regarding the solution to the child’s problem. In fact, Hawa disclosed that she and her husband, Mitchell Flomo who is currently in Guinea do not have the financial capability to seek advance medical treatment either in the country or abroad. “I do not sleep at night because my son usually cries when he is in agony. His skin gets to daily while gasping for breath because one of his nostrils is shut by the swollen eye. I have come to seek help from the government, the NGOs, Embassies, business people and other philanthropists in the country, Hawa Flomo appealed. She further indicated that during her visit at the Tapita Hospital, doctors told her that the boy is developing cancer and as such the surgical operation cannot be done in Liberia. Meanwhile Hawa Flomo can be contacted on cell phone: 0777777177 or Mr. Philip N. Wesseh: 0886516533.

Related caption: Hawa Flomo Seeks Assistance for Her Son (Daily Observer), Cancer Eats Up Baby Eye….Mother cries For Assistance (Frontpage Africa)

VP Boakai Nudges Youths On Education

Vice President Joseph Boakai has challenged Liberian youths to remain steadfast in their educational sojourn for the future betterment of the country. He observed that remaining focused was crucial, as Liberia has a youthful population that seems to be struggling with societal vices such as laziness, dependency and infatuation with the effortless amassing of material wealth. The Liberian Vice President proffered the challenge Tuesday, when he addressed the University of Liberia (UL) undergraduate honors program titled “LUX IN TENEBRIS Scholars Program Third annual Ceremony”, held at the UL Capitol Hill campus in Monrovia, the NEWS reports.

Related captions: VP Booakai Calls on Student to Be ‘Excellent in Scholarship (Daily Observer), VP Boakai Nudges Youths on Education (In Profile Daily)

Other stories

Ellen Receives WAHO Delegation – AHM Meeting In Monrovia

A head of the 15^th Ordinary Meeting of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Assembly of Health Ministers, scheduled for Monrovia in April 2014, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf received a West African health Organization (WAHO) delegation  at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Monrovia on March 12, 2014. The delegation, comprising WAHO Director General, Dr. Zavier Crespin, his Deputy, Dr. Laurent Assogba and the Organization’s Administrator, Mrs. Amoukou Lalaissa, was accompanied by the Liberian Deputy Minister of Health Mrs. Yah Zolia and the Special Representative of the President of ECOWAS in Liberia; Ambassador Tunde Ajisomo. Welcoming the WAHO delegation, President Johnson Sirleaf expressed her delight in meeting for the first time the organization’s new senior managers. She congratulated the Dr. Zavier Crespin and Dr. Assogba on their new appointment, saying hat the ECOWAS region looks up to them for meeting the region’s health challenges, the IN PROFILE DAILY reports.

Germany Gives Scholarship to Refugees

According to the New Democrat newspaper, the federal Republic of Germany, through its embassy in Monrovia, on March 18 awarded scholarships to 15 Ivorian refugees to pursue higher education in various tertiary institutions in Liberia. The second batch of 18 refugees is being identified for the 2014-2015 academic year, a statement from the UNHCR has said. The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative-DAFI (Deutsche Akademische Fluchtlings Initiatives) Scholarship was awarded to deserving refugees who are studying at the University of Liberia, United Methodist University, Stella Maris Polytechnic and the Nimba Community College. Under the DAFI programme, refugees receive tuition, housing, scholastic materials, clothing or uniform, food and transportation allowance.

Women Leader Calls For Feeder Roads

The president of the Maryland County Rural Women Association, Madam Felecia Tarley, has stressed the need to construct and upgrade feeder roads across the county, to ensure free movement and enhance commercial activities.  Madam Tarley said the exercise will also help improve cross-border trade with neighboring countries within the Mano River Basin. She made the call Saturday in the border town of Yookudi in Maryland County, in an interview with the Liberia News Agency. Madam Tarley noted that when feeder roads are built or rehabilitated, cross-border goods and services will flow to markets on both sides of the border. She said women of Yookudi, who have Thursday as their market day every week, trade with Ivorian women who cross into Liberia during market days to buy goods and services.
The Liberia News Agency correspondent in Maryland County, who traveled to the area at the weekend, saw an array of Ivorian women who walked one mile into the Maryland County from the border to sell agricultural commodities, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

Sen. Grupee Against 30% For Women

 The New Dawn reports that Sen. Thomas Grupee of Nimba County has reiterated his opposition to the bill seeking 30 percent allotment for women’s participation in politics, saying it’s in total violation of the Constitution of Liberia. Sen. Grupee said the Constitution of Liberia strongly condemns discrimination among the citizens, warning that if such proposition were to be legislated, it will hunt members of the 53rd Legislature. Article 8 of the Constitution of Liberia states: “The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions, and towards promoting safety, health and welfare facilities in employment.” The senator said if that bill is passed into law, it will create more harm for  Liberian Women then good as it will restrict the political ambition of women and also chase talented young girls from pursuing their future dreams. Senator Grupee had earlier filed a motion for reconsideration, against the clause in the New Election Bill currently before the senate, seeking 30 percent allocation of elected posts exclusively for women, buy his motion was massively defeated. Speaking in the plenary of the Liberian Senate Tuesday, Grupee maintained that he’s prepared to battle the clause within the bill even in the House of Representatives. According to him, his position on the matter shouldn’t be misconstrued as being against women’s participation in government, but to do the right thing by creating a level field for political participation. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf recently expressed optimism that the ongoing ECOWAS Delocalized Parliament Meeting in Monrovia will give courage to the Liberian Legislature to consider the bill seeking 30 percent women’s participation in politics. Bong County Senior Senator, Jewel Howard Taylor is forerunner of the 30% bill. President Sirleaf made the statement recently, when she officially opened the Delocalized Parliament Joint Committee on Health, Social Services, Gender, Labor, Employment and Social Welfare in Monrovia held under the theme: “Development and Promotion of Quota in the Representation of Women in Politics within ECOWAS at the Joint Chambers of the National Legislature”. The Liberian leader added that the fact that the meeting was held in Monrovia is an indication of the recognition of Liberia's role in the sub-region.

Chinese Company Busted In R’Cess

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has immediately halted an unauthorized Chinese mining firm building a boat on the Cestos River in River Cess County. While enroute to Sinoe County Sunday, March 16 via River Cess County, President Sirleaf uncovered the unauthorized mining operation of the Chinese when she made a quick stop just after the Cestors River Bridge and quizzed Mr. Elvis Luo Koinj, who spoke on behalf of his Uncle Luo, that he claimed could not understand English.  During the President’s inquiry, Elvis said documents for their gold mine company called Sky Company were not yet ready, but allegedly in process. According to him, he and his Uncle Luo were building a very large boat over the river when President Sirleaf arrived. When the President reached ITI Community or the Italian Timber Industry Community not too far from the river, she told residents that instructions have already given to Commissioner Gbey to halt the Chinese operation until their documents are fully processed, including details of royalties that should go to government, residents and the community.  “I told the commissioner; I saw the people down at the river; the people taking the country resources - they taking all the things that they want; they’re moving it from here. You can’t do that one until government gives you paper or the government says it’s alright for you to do it and we know what the government and people will get from inside,” the President said to the locales in penchant Liberian English.
She said the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has also been informed  that operations at the river should stop until government finds out what they’re doing, saying “So the Superintendent, the Minister for Lands; the Minister for Internal Affairs must sent one team here; the people must stop that thing… They take the thing and just carry to their part of country, no.”However, the Chinese explained that the place was for one Chinese firm, which gave them the go ahead to start work near the Cestos River, pending the completion of their business document. But regarding the sand on shore, they said the Sky Company did not mine it. Prior to going to River Cess, the Chinese said they resided at the Golden Gate Hotel adjacent the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, but could not say where their offices are located or where their documents are being processed. “…just coming, we not do anything. We were living Golden Gate before we came here. We just start doing the document for Sky, the document is not ready,” Elvis Luo Koinj, explained, the New Dawn writes.