THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016

Today edition of the summary of the local dailies highlight the commissioning of the aids to navigation facility at the Freeport of Monrovia and the National AIDS Commission over US$189 million estimate to end HIV in the country by the end of 2020.

DOMINANT STORIES

NPA Saves Millions! Launches Ships’ Aids To Navigation

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has commissioned the aids to navigation and contingency fuel unloading facility in the Freeport of Monrovia. Cutting the ribbon at the ceremony, President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf urged the NPA management to continue the development process and make the Freeport of Monrovia a first class port in the region.

Related Captions: Ellen Commissions Navigation Aids…At Freeport (The NEWS), Free Port To Provide 24-Hr Service (FOCUS)

AIDS Commission Estimates Over US$189M to End AIDS in Liberia by 2020

The National AIDS Commission (NAC) under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ivan F. Camanor has developed and launched the nation’s first National Strategic Plan (NSP), with a total estimate of over US$189,107,477 million, to end HIV in the country by the year 2020. The launching program brought together over 200 participants, including representatives of the Government of Liberia, UN System, Civil Society Organizations, Religious community and the media, the INQUIRER newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Aids Commission Requests For US$189M (The NEWS), National Aids Commission Estimates Over US$189M To End Aids In Liberia By 2020 (FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

TRANSCO CLSG Launches Local Committees…In Sierra Leone, Liberia

TRANSCO CLSG, the regional transmission company in collaboration with authorities in Sierra Leone and Liberia has begun activities marking the official launch of Local Committee and sensitization campaign for the implementation of the environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) in these countries. Local committees include representatives of various sector ministries and agencies that are involved in the implementation of the CKSG interconnection project at the local level including project affected persons, local leaders, women and youth representatives, reports the NEWS newspaper.

Related Caption: Transco CLSG Launches Local Committees In Sierra Leone, Liberia (FOCUS)

Senator Weah Wants LACC Handle Probe

The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) political leader, Ambassador Senator George Weah says the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) should conduct the probe of the Global Witness report which alleged that Sable Mining bribed some government officials. He said it is the LACC that is responsible to probe corruption cases and as such enjoy budgetary appropriation, the INQUIRER news daily writes.

NSA Chief, Wortorson, Others Appear…Before Presidential Taskforce, But…

According to the NEWS newspaper, several individuals name in the recent Global Witness bribe taking allegation are said to have appeared before the presidential taskforce for questioning on the alleged scandal. According to a statement from the Special Presidential Taskforce, those who appeared before the taskforce include former Senate Pro-Tempore Cletus Wortorson; Fombah Sirleaf, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Willie Belleh Jr., Chairman, Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC), amongst other. The statement from the taskforce said legislators including House Speaker Alex Tyler, Rep. Henry Boima Fahnbulleh and Senator Varney K. Sherman did not appear before the taskforce.

Nurses In U.S. Identify With Redemption Hospital

The Liberian Nurses Association in Dallas Fort Worth, TX, the United States of America has launched a project aimed at helping to improve Liberia’s health sector decimated by years of turmoil and recently the Ebola epidemic. A representative of the U.S. based group, Thomas Woahloe, said they are beginning the launch of the project with a donation of materials worth US$10,000 to the Redemption Hospital in the borough of New Kru Town, writes the NEWS newspaper.

US $400,000 Earmarked To Enhance Transparency

The NEWS newspaper reports that the Liberian government is expected to give US$400,000 to at least 13 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to implement earmarked projects toward enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The daily quotes Mrs. Carolyn Myers-Zoduah, NAS Coordinator as saying that in addition to the money,  the Integrated Public Financial Management Reform Project (IPFMRP) Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), will also provide funding for CSOs based in Sinoe, Maryland and Grand Kru Counties.

Veep Boakai Gives To Careysburg

A front page story of the INQUIRER newspaper reports that Vice President Joseph N. Boakai yesterday presented a generator to Careysburg for use by a school in the area. Presenting the generator to the City of Careysburg on behalf of the Vice President, Mr. Charles Snetter, Jr., said the Vice President visited the area recently and seeing the need for electricity decided to donate the generator to Careysburg for use by the City Hall and the Careysburg Public School.