THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Today’s summary of the selected local dailies highlights news of the Government of Liberia US$72 million deal for the Gbarnga-Mendikorma Highway construction projectas well as the L$2,500 fine the Press Union of Liberia levied on Voice FM for intentionally breaching the Union’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

DOMINANT STORIES

Govt. Signs US$72M Road Project

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has signed a contract worth $72 million for the Gbarnga-Mendikorma Highway construction project in the country. Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister, Amara Konneh, Wednesday, September 2nd, hosted a huge delegation of Arab lenders in Monrovia at the inception of their appraisan mission to Liberia over the proposed financing of the Gbarnga-Mendikorma Highway project. The delegation, which is expected to tour the road project after the signing of various financing agreements later this year, comprises of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID); the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ADFD); and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, respectively. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Konneh said, “To date, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has secured the financing commitments, in the tune of US$ 72 million from the majority of our lenders, for the financing of Lot 1”. He said the paving of the road from Gbarnga to Mendikorma, which is considered as Liberia’s agriculture belt, will improve accessibility of roads all year round plus connectivity of roads and bridges between Gbarnga and Mendikorma, reducing transportation cost both in travel time and money. The Minister added that the project will most particularly increase economic activities with emphasis on agriculture business that will ease access to markets, saying, “This will also significantly improve access to other social service facilities such as health care centers and schools, support gender development and ultimately reduce poverty”. The Gbarnga-Konia road, which is approximately 137 km in length, is an existing engineered gravel road situated between Bong and Lofa counties. It begins at the Lofa junction in Gbarnga city, Bong County, and ends at Konia town, Lofa County. Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Arab Delegation, the Chief Engineer in the Technical Department of the Saudi Fund for Development, Mr. Falsal M. Al Kahtani, said, “We want to thank the Government of Liberia for providing us the opportunity to support their plan for the agenda for transformation and other initiatives in the country”. He said the delegation from the Saudi Fund is committed to helping “our African brothers and sisters in their endeavors. We hope that this partnership is not the last but will continue for the future benefits of our two countries.”

Related Captions: US$72 M Financing Commitments Secured For Gbarnga-Menicorma Road(Heritage), Saudi Provides $ 72 M Highway(New Democrat), Arab Lenders Arrive On Appraisal Mission(The News),  Gbarnga/Mendikorma Road Project Appraisal Team Here (Daily Observer)

Press Union Of Liberia Fines Voice FM Over BWI Complaint

The Press Union of Liberia has imposed a fine of L$2,500 upon Voice FM for intentionally breaching the Union’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. The decision was based upon recommendations by the PUL Grievance and Ethics Committee following investigations into a complaint filed by the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) Alumni Association. The PUL has additionally directed Voice FM to immediately grant the complainant the right to state its side of stories aired about them.  During the investigation, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found Voice FM guilty of violating Articles 8, 12, 23 and 20 of the PUL Code of Conduct and Ethics, which requires prompt correction/rejoinder, ensuring of equal access, right to reply for newsmakers and social professional responsibility to various interests in society. The PUL warned Voice FM and other media institutions against violating the rights of people by denying them the right to reply, when allegations are being made against another side. The PUL said while it remains robust in protecting and advocating press freedom and social justice, it will also be forceful in naming and shaming its members and other journalists who disregard their ethical standards, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: PUL Fines Voice FM(Heritage), PUL Fine Voice FM(The News), PUL Fines Voice FM(New Democrat)

Hike In Air Fares Concern Gov’t MOT Orders Probe into Abrupt Hike in Ticket Costs

The Daily Observer reports that the apparent increment in the fares of airline tickets has caused the Government of Liberia (GOL) to commence an investigation of various airlines operating in the country, a statement from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has said.  According to the daily, the industry-wide probe is conducted by the MOT in collaboration with the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA).  Together with the LCAA, the Ministry says it will hold similar meeting with all carriers within the sector “to ensure equity among the air fares without interference to the market forces.”

Related Caption: Hike In Air Ticket Costs Under Probe(The News)

OTHER STORIES

House Elects Delegates To ECOWAS Parliament-Fails to Convene Session

The Daily Observer reports that the House of Representatives on Tuesday elected a three-member delegation to the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a four-year term. Those elected to the ECOWAS parliament are Jefferson Kanmoh of Sinoe County, Haja Siryon of Bomi County and Montserrado County Electoral District #5 Representative Edwin Snowe. Karmoh and Snowe, according to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), were elected on white ballots, while Siryon defeated Representative Munah Pelham Youngblood, 45 to 11 votes to claim the spot. Two invalid ballots were reported during the counting process. Prior to the conduct of the election, Kanmoh and Siryon as well as Eugene Fallah Kparkar of Lofa County were representing the House of Representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament.

Liberian Cabinet Endorses Key Policy Decisions

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Cabinet has officially endorsed key policies intended to make government more serviceable and responsive to the needs of the citizenry. According to an Executive Mansion release, the following critical decisions were endorsed amid further consultations: Cabinet reviewed and endorsed the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which is a culmination of three years of extensive work and commitment under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf contributing to new global development agenda. The post- 2015 Development Agenda – reflects the incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Related Caption: Cabinet Endorses Gov’t Policy Decisions=Direct Further Consultations On Other Proposals(The Inquirer)

Liberia Regains Ebola Free Status Today

The World Health Organization (WHO) will today, September 3 officially declare Liberia as an Ebola Free Country once more. Liberia had been battling the third wave of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD, which came barely 51 days after the country was announced free from the second outbreak. Speaking Tuesday September 1 at the Ministry of Information, Cultural and Tourism (MICAT) press briefing, Information Minister Mr. Lewis G. Brown, said the certification program will be held at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Congo Town at 11 AM on the outskirt of Monrovia, the Heritage newspaper reports.

China To Hand Over MVTC Soon

According to the New Democrat newspaper, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yue has disclosed that the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) extension project is expected to be completed soon and will be handed over to the government immediately. Ambassador Zhang made the disclosure Friday at a farewell reception for the 2015/2016 Chinese Scholarship beneficiaries held at the Chinese Embassy in Congo outside Monrovia.