THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

The World Health Organization Regional Director’s confidence that a strong and resilient health system would enable African Countries resist future outbreaks, President Johnson Sirleaf’s letter to the House of Representatives requesting an extension for the submission of the 2015/16 Draft National Budget and Vice President Joseph N. Boakai’s call for Golden Veroleum Liberia to offer more opportunities to qualified Liberians are stories dominating our summary of today’s local dailies.

The summary also highlights President Johnson Sirleaf’s Proclamation declaring Saturday, April 25, as World Malaria Day.

DOMINANT STORIES

W.H.O. Alerts Regional Challenges

The World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, says besides the Ebola crisis that killed thousands of victims, the main challenge in the African Region is that the needs are so many, including emerging health issues like non-communicable diseases, weak health systems, demanding enormous support from the W.H.O. despite limited resources. Dr. Moeti and Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, jointly addressed reporters in Monrovia. Dr. Moeti has been in Liberia since Tuesday this week, to access the WHO’s impact in Liberia, specifically in the fight against Ebola, show solidarity with Liberians and commit her office’s preparedness to support and provide policy advice to the government in its recovery plan. The New Dawn newspaper says the WHO Regional Director has had meetings with President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and authorities of the Incidence Management System, Ministry of Health, current and retired staff of W.H.O., and community engagement, among others. The WHO envoy assured her organization’s support and advocacy in getting donors’ support to Liberia’s recovery plans she expressed confidence that a strong and resilient health system would enable Liberians and other African Countries to resist future outbreaks. Earlier, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Ngafuan said the Ministry of Health needs US$1bn over the next seven years to build a resilient and vibrant health system, seeking an increased support. Mr. Ngafuan said the W.H.O. is currently supporting Liberia’s EVD transition plan and strengthening surveillance at regional levels. While informing Dr. Moeti of the social and economic consequences the country has incurred due to the Ebola crisis. According to the daily, Minister Ngafuan also emphasized that orphans have increased in Liberia and families have reverted to abject poverty. He however said Liberia was not relaxing its guide against Ebola despite the fact that the country was observing its second 42 days of countdown to meet the bench to be declared Ebola freed.

Related Captions: Liberia’s Ebola Fight-A Model For The Sub-region Says WHO Regional Director(INSIGHT), WHO Regional Director For Africa Meet President Sirleaf(FOCUS), Pledge To Rebuild Resilient Healthcare System In Liberia WHO Regional Director For Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti Meet with President Sirleaf(FrontPage Africa)

2016 Nat’l Budget To Be Delayed-Pres. Sirleaf Writes House

Ahead of the submission of the Draft National Budget for Fiscal 2015/16, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has written members of the House of Representatives, indicating that there will be a delay in the submission of the fiscal document. Statutorily, it is required that the Draft National Budget be submitted to the legislature by May each year to enable lawmakers conduct due diligence, which includes heads of Line Ministries and Agencies appearing before the Legislature’s joint committees on Ways, Means and Finance to give account of public funds entrusted into their care respectively, and for the public to make import on how the national cake should be shared. President Sirleaf in a one-page letter dated April 22, 2015, cited the critical issue of the state of preparing the National Budget, and therefore requested for an extension of the deadline for the submission of the draft budget for fiscal 2015/16 from April 30 to May 31, 2015. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the plenary of the House of Representatives has forwarded the communication to the Ways, Means and Finance Committee to advise plenary within two weeks.

Related Captions: Nat’l Budget May Delay Again..Pres. Sirleaf Wants More Time TO Submit Draft Budget(INSIGHT), Draft National Budget Will Not Be Submitted On Time…Ellen Tells Lawmakers(FOCUS)

Govt Unhappy With GVL – As VP Boakai Expresses Disappointment Over Slow Pace Of Liberianization At The Company

Vice President, Honorable Joseph N. Boakai, has called on the Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) to offer more opportunities to qualified Liberians instead of continually hiring expatriates. Vice President Boakai was speaking in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, when he held a meeting with Mr. Franky Widjaja, Chairman of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food. Sinar Mas is the parent company and owner of Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL), operating in Sinoe, Rivercess and Grand Kru Counties, the INSIGHT newspaper writes.

Related Captions: VP Boakai Presses GVL On Liberianization(Daily Observer), Not Happy With GVL ‘VP Boakai Says Government Unhappy With Slow Pace Of Liberianization’(FrontPage Africa)

OTHER STORIES

2.8 Million Mosquito Nets to Be Distributed Free

The Daily Observer reports that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that a consignment of at least 2.8 million mosquito nets has arrived in the country for distribution to households across the 15 political subdivisions.  The mosquito nets are free of charge and distribution will begin Saturday, April 25 to coincide with World Malaria Day which a proclamation by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a working holiday to be observed throughout Liberia. According to the Proclamation, April 25, is the 8th World Malaria Day, which will be celebrated under the global theme: "Invest In The Future, Defeat Malaria," and the local slogan "No Mosquito, No Malaria". The President is expected to be joined by US Ambassador Deborah Malac, Chairman of the Senate and House’s Committees on Health, Senator Dr. Peter S. Coleman, and Representative Johnson Toe Chea, Health Minister Walter T. Gwenigale and Fund Portfolio Manager for the Global Fund, Noah Zahbrobsky.  

Related Caption: Tomorrow Is World Malaria Day(INSIGHT)

NEC Declares R/Cess By-Election Winner Today

The New Dawnnewspaper, the announcement of final results and certification of the winner takes place today, Friday, April 24, 2015 in Cestos City. On January 22nd  this year, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alex Tyler, informed the Commission  of a vacancy in the House occasioned by the election of Rivercess County Electoral District# 2 Representative, Francis Paye, as Senator during the December 20, 2014 Special Senatorial Election. According to the daily, the letter, which constituted the legal authority of the National Elections Commission to conduct a Representative By-Election in Electoral District Number 2, Rivercess County is a requirement of Article 37 of the Constitution of Liberia.

“US Wants Liberia to Succeed”

The Daily Observer reports that the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to see Liberia succeed and move forward. “This is why the US is partnering with Liberia in every sector to ensure that the country becomes successful. According to the daily, the US Envoy spoke at a brief program held by the management of Standard Garage in Ganta last Friday.