THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016

Dominating today’s newsstand are stories on the request of Libya for a restoration of full diplomatic ties with Liberia, the quest the revision of all concessions by the Liberian Senate, the Government of Liberia announcement on tax waiver and the reformation of the media sector. Other stories include the inauguration on the maintenance of Bo-Waterside road project, and European Union 49 Million support towards Liberia 2016/2017 budget.

Dominant Stories

Libya Expresses Desire To Restore Full Diplomatic Ties WithLiberia (Heritage)

The Heritage newspaper reports that the Government of the State of Libya has expressed its desire to restore full diplomatic ties with Liberia and reopen its Embassy in Monrovia. This would be immediately followed by the resumption of all projects that were underway by the Libyan Government before the crisis in that country. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Ambassador Mustafa Maatug made the disclosure during a courtesy call on Acting Foreign Minister Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Libyan Ambassador presented a Note Verbale to the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shoniyin during the courtesy call.

Related Captions: Libya Seeks Liberia Ties (FrontPage Africa), Libya Pushes For Renewed Ties With Liberia (Insight), Libya Restore Diplomatic Ties With Liberia (Women Voices), Libya Expresses Desire to Restore Full Diplomatic Ties With Liberia(Heritage), Libya To Re-open Embassy Here(FOCUS), and Libya Wants To Restore Diplomatic Ties(News)

Senate Wants All Concessions Reviewed (Daily observer)

The Liberian Senate Tuesday, May 10, voted unanimously to request the Executive Branch of government to begin an immediate review of all concessions within the Republic of Liberia and report to the National Legislature. The Senate reached the decision yesterday as a result of a mandate given to the Senate Committees on Concessions and Investments; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions to jointly probe a complaint filed by Senator Francis Paye of Rivercess County that some logging companies were still operating in his county after their concession agreements had expired.

Related Captions:Senate Calls For Review Of All Concession Agreement(Insight), and Senate To Review All Concession Agreements (FOCUS)

Ellen Charges PUL, Partners To Lead Reforms In Media Sector

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on the Press Union of Liberia and its partners, including Inter-news and the Liberia Media Development programs, to join the government in its efforts to make Liberia an environment conducive to the practice of journalism as a profession, and committed to the protection of journalists. The President delivered the keynote address yesterday at the two-day media law reform conference in Monrovia. It is organized by PUL, Inter-news Network; a US based international non-profit organization, and other partners, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions:Blackmailing Detested – President Sirleaf Warns Media Practitioners(Women Voices),Gov’t Supports Media Reform Agreement(Inquirer),and President Sirleaf Calls For Accountable Responsible, Professional Media(FOCUS)

Gov't Announces Tax Waivers

The Liberian Government Tuesday announced the waiver of all penalties and interests accrued on overdue taxes for all tax payers including businesses and individuals.A Ministry of Finance & Development Planning (MFDP) release issued to the effect said the government's decision comes in the wake of an approval from the President of Liberia, Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, pen the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions:Gov’t Waves Penalties, Interests On Overdue Taxes For All(Heritage), Pres. Sirleaf Waives Penalties, Interest On Overdue Taxes(FOCUS), and GOL Issues Administrative Regulations (News)

Other Stories

European Union Gives Liberia 49 Million

The European Union (EU) has given Liberia US$49 million through the fiscal budget of 2016/2017. The confirmation was made by EU Ambassador to Liberia, Tiina Intelmann on Monday at program marking the official celebration of EU 66^th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration in Congo Town, the Women Voices newspaper reports.

Bo-Waterside Road Maintenance Project Inaugurated

The European Union (EU) has inaugurated a project to maintain the Bo-Waterside road for five years, with funding from the European Union and the United Kingdom. Turning over the project to a Liberian contractor at Klay Junction in Bomi County yesterday, European Union Ambassador to Liberia, Tiina Intelmann, stated that the contractors would repair potholes, cut grass and clean ditches to ensure that the thoroughfare remains functional and not damaged by water, reports the Daily Observer.

senate Probes JFK Scandal

The New Dawn newspaper reports that Members of the Liberian Senate, sitting in plenary Tuesday, May 10, 2016 voted overwhelmingly for its Committee on Heath, Children and Social Welfare to immediately investigate the recent financial scandal at the government-owned John F. Kennedy Medical Center which has been in the media.

Smile Liberia Educates Liberia Children

SMILE Liberia, a local charity has embarked on an education program for less fortunate Liberian children, whose parents lack financial capacity to send them to school. The head of SMILE Liberia Prince Parker said, about 50 children have been enrolled in school, and plans are underway to reach a target of about 200 students, writes the New Dawn newspaper

New JFK Board Sets Up Three Separate Committees

According to the Heritage newspaper, the new Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center has held discussions with the JFK Administration. The New JFK board has set-up three separate committees, namely: Finance, Administration and Human Resource Program and Medical Services, charged with the responsibility to carry out critical analysis of the JFK operations and provides expert advice to the board in the reforming of the center.

Related Caption: Strategic Plan Developed For JFK(News)

Child Steps Partners With OSIWA To Launch Civic Education Program

Child Steps International (CSI) has launched a civic education program styled LAW + YOU throughout dozens of communities in Liberia. The program, which seeks to empower people know and practice their rights and responsibilities as good citizens, kicked-off on May 6, 2016. The program is designed for low-literacy out-of-school youths, who were not able to attend school because of the war, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Rights Commission Warns Lawmakers On Christian State Proposal

The FOCUS newspaper writes that the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has issued a strong worded statement to the 53^rd Legislature opposing the controversial Christian State proposal, which calls for Liberia to be a Christian Nation, instead of a Secular State. The head of the INCHR Cllr. Gladys Johnson termed preposition 24, which supports Liberia to be a Christian State as anti-democratic and intolerance. The communication from Cllr. Johnson was read on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 before the House of Representative.

House Cites NEC Officials On Restriction against Losers In Primaries

The House of Representative has reached a decision to cite the Chairman and Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to clarify what is described as anti-democratic pronouncement and electoral guideline coming from the commission. Plenary of the House yesterday agreed to invite the NEC official including its chairman and board of commissioners following a communication from MaryLand County Representative Bhafol Chambers, reports the Inquirer newspaper.

High level Clinical RM Delegation Arrives

A high level delegation from the US based contract research organization, Clinical Research Management Inc. (Clinical RM) has arrived in Liberia on a three working visit. The delegation which is headed by Clinical RM’s President Mr. Joe Sgherza includes the company’s Chief Technology Officer Mr. Jeff Burdine and senior program director Mr. Kelvin Beckford. According to Clinical RM’s representative in country Dr. Kimmie L. Weeks the delegation is in Country to review progress of the company’s work in Liberia as well as to explore new opportunities for growth, writes the Inquirer newspaper.

Judge Rises Government Attention To Get Prisoners Trained

The resident Judge of the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice has proposed that individuals held behind bars for various criminal offenses across the country should be trained in various areas of vocation while under detention. Judge Peter Gbeneweleh said when these individuals are trained they could utilize their various skills to become productive and useful in society. Speaking Monday May 9, 2016 at the formal opening of the May Term of Court, the trial Judge believes that a prison should be a place to change a person’s life after they have been sent to serve the penalty for the crime committed, reports the News newspaper.

Deputy MICAT Boss Assures Liberians

According to the News newspaper, Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs and Information Services, Isaac Jackson, has assured the people of Margibi County and the ongoing drawdown of UNMIL troops should not be seen as any threat to the security of the state. Minister Jackson said the drawdown process should rather be seen as a clear indication that the Liberian government is now fully capable of handling its security affairs. According to the Liberia News Agency, Minister Jackson made the statement over the weekend in Kakata at a security.

Bethel Opens 12 Bedroom Clinic

The Bethel World Outreach International Ministry in Congo Town has dedicated a 12-bedroom clinic in the old road community. Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony over the weekend, the Bishop of the Church, Rev. Wolo M. Belleh said the clinic was the ministry’s way of supporting the government’s efforts to cater for the health needs of Liberians, reports the Women Voices newspaper.