The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

Today’s captured dominant stories in the local dailies reveals Government of Liberia supports for robust peacekeeping in Central Africa Republic, while Bassa targets ‘5 Years’ consistent win of country league Trophy as thousands storm Buchana and NOCAL empowers Don Bosco Boys.

Dominant Stories

Liberia Concerned About CAR

The New Democrat newspaper asserts that the government of Liberia (GoL) is concerned at the deteriorating security humanitarian and human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), characterized by intense and devastating religious and communal violence. According to an Executive Mansion release quoting a dispatch from Addis Ababa, the Liberian Government, in a Statement issued Friday, January 31, at the ongoing 22^nd African Union Summit in Ethiopia, asserts that the current state of peace and security in the CAR is a cause for concern and should therefore trigger concerted, robust, and expeditious actions by the international community, with the aim to restoring the country on the path of peace, stability and democracy at the soonest. The Liberian Government welcomes the recent election of Her Excellency Catherine Samba-Panza as Interim President of the Central African Republic, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2127 (2013) authorizing the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), which in December 2013 assumed authority over the ECCAS Peace and Consolidation Mission in CAR (MICOPX).

Related Caption: GOL Supports Robust Peacekeeping In CAR (The News)

Ellen Presents Final Report On Fragile States – At AU Summit

An inside page top lead story of the News newspaper says at the 22^nd Session of the Assembly of the African Union taking place in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has presented the Final Report of the High Level Panel on Fragile States, recommending bold steps to reverse the entrapment of fragile states in poverty, while promoting the spirit of friendship and partnership, embodied in optimism and commitment throughout all nations. Presenting the report, President Sirleaf, Chair of the Panel, stated that it conducted a robust year long consultative and deliberative process with African Governments and civil society whose responses noted that fragility is a universal problem; that all nations directly or indirectly are at risk and must work collectively to address it.

Death Mars Bassa’s Trophy Celebration – Several sustain Severe Injuries In  Accidents; (‘some Blame Deaths On Neejee’)

Today’s edition of the Daily Observer newspaper top front lead story reports that  16 year old Darlingboy Philips, dubbed “Dad” was crushed to death when he accidentally fell from a low-belt truck this past Saturday, amid rejoicing over Grand Bassa County’s triumph in the National County’s triumph in the National County meet after 24 years of title-drought. The truck, with the inscriptions ‘Grand Bassa County Development Fund,’ rolled over the lad and crushed his chest and smashed his skull near the entrance of the Doris Williams Sports Stadium. The Traffic Coordinator of the Grand Bassa Police Detachment, Inspector Stephen B. Kpoeh, told the Daily Observer Sunday morning that Darlingboy died instantly after he was run over by the truck on Saturday. He had been pronounced dead after he was rushed to the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan. Inspector Kpoeh said the truck driver, Samuel Barlingar, 48, has been investigated and is being detained by Police to avoid ‘unnecessary’ mob violence.

Related Caption: Bassa Targets ‘5 Years’ To win Trophy – As Thousands Storm Buchana (Daily Observer)

NOCAL Provides Scholarships – For War-Affected Youths

A sub back page lead story of the New Democrat newspaper reveals that at least 125 Don-Bosco boys in Monrovia over the weekend moved one step forward in their career when they joined 304 other graduating youth trained in various vocational trainings offered by the Liberia Opportunities Industrial Center (LOIC). The 125 youth all of whom were sponsored by the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) were trained in livelihood creation skills ranging from auto mechanics and computer to plumbing, carpentry and electricity, among others.  A total of 50 additional war affected youth also graduated making a total of 55 females and 248 males. At the event held over the weekend in Matadi Estate, NOCAL boss Dr. Rudolph McClain said he was pleased with the graduates. He said NOCAL remains committed to helping transform the lives of Liberians.

Related Caption: NOCAL Empowers ‘Don Bosco Boys’, Others – As LOIC Graduates 294(The News)

Other stories

Life Expectancy In Up To 60 Years – In Liberia

Life expectancy in Liberia has shot up from 47 to 60 years. Information Minister Lewis Brown has disclosed in Monrovia. “Though Liberians are not living as long as they wish, but they are not likely to die as early as they used to years ago,” Brown told the weekly Thursday press briefing in the Charles Gbeyon Conference hall at the Ministry of Information. Minister Brown said the percentage of people living within five kilometers of a health center today increased from 41 percent to 71 percent, while malaria incidence today is reduced from 66 percent to 28 percent, the News newspaper reports.

Motor Vehicle Now Required To Obtain 3^rd Party Insurance

“During the last two years, a Liberian died each day as a result of motorcycle accident, totaling over 12.545 recorded accident cases every year,” Vice President Joseph N. Boakai recalled from statistics over the weekend at the  launch of Liberia’s latest attempt at a Third Party Liability Insurance scheme. The objective of the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Third Party Liability Insurance should be to remove the economic burden associated with motor vehicle accidents from the victims and their relatives and transfer same to the insurance company and to stimulate financial growth and solvency within the insurance sector and the Liberian economy at large. The scheme would require all motor vehicles registered within the Republic of Liberia to obtain third party liability insurance. According to VP Boakai, “Over the years there have been many accident cases; the situation was further exacerbated with the introduction of motorcycles for commercial purposes,” the Daily Observer newspaper writes.