THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia  

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 

 Today’s summary of the local dailies highlights news of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s commendation to US Government for observance of 240th independence anniversary, the agreement on resilience signed between the Paynesville City Corporation and the Accra Municipal Authority (AMA), including President Johnson Sirleaf’s reflection on the leadership of former British Prime Minister David Cameroon.

DOMINANT STORIES  

President Sirleaf Hails U.S. Support…During Observance of 240^th Independence Anniversary  

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the Government and people of the United States of America on the celebration marking the 240th independence anniversary - thus renewing Liberia's commitment that indeed America is a true friend.  According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader was speaking Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at programs in observance of the 240th independence of the United States of America at the U.S Embassy in Monrovia. According to the In Profile Daily, President Sirleaf expressed thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of the United States of America whose strong response in the fight against Ebola helped to calm fears and restore hope. The Liberian leader among other things recognized the immediate and timely dispatch of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) experts shortly after the outbreak, on a fact finding visit in order to better appreciate the situation on the ground. For her part, Christine Elder, U.S Ambassador to Liberia said the United States will remain focused on helping Liberia develop its infrastructure, namely its electrical grid and its roads. She said President Obama’s Power Africa initiative will help expand the electrical power grid in Monrovia, while building government capacity and providing support to key energy sector institutions. The American envoy furthered that the Liberia Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact will improve road infrastructure as well as walking with a dedicated group of international partners, many of whom are here tonight, to support the expansion of access to reliable and affordable electricity through the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Plant, reports the In Profile Daily.

Related Captions: Ellen Congratulates U.S. During Observance of 240^th Independence Anniversary(Heritage), US Govt To Improve Liberia’s Electricity, Laboratory Capacity, Others(FOCUS)

Paynesville, Accra Sign Sister-City Accord

The Daily Observer reports that the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) and the Accra Municipal Authority (AMA) through their mayors Cyvette M. Gibson and Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije have signed a Sister-City Agreement for resilience. The city of Paynesville was in May of this year selected for the 100RC (Resilient Cities) among 325, which applied for inclusion in the worldwide network. As a member of the 100RC, Paynesville has gained access to tools, funding, technical expertise and other resources to build resilience to the challenges of the 21st Century. According to a dispatch from Accra, Mayor noted that the partnership will enable both Paynesville and Accra to build resilience to withstand future shocks and stresses. The Paynesville Mayor pointed out that although Paynesville is not the capital city of Liberia, like Accra is for Ghana, it is the most densely populated city, geographically the largest municipality, and hosts the largest commercial district in Liberia. “Paynesville and Accra face many similar challenges, such as massive urban growth, rainfall flooding, sanitation and water management issues. As a post-conflict country (Liberia), at the end of our years of civil crisis, the city of Paynesville inherited a host of additional problems including growth in urban poverty and an increasing demand for basic services such as health care and installation of infrastructure,” said the PCC boss.

Related Captions: In Furtherance Of Resilient Cities Cooperation: Paynesville Signs Partnership With Accra(Heritage), In Furtherance Of Resilient Cities Cooperation: Paynesville Signs Partnership With Accra(FOCUS)

Pres. Sirleaf Reflects on Outgoing British PM Cameron

According to the FOCUS newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reflected that outgoing British Prime Minister, David Cameron proved a remarkable, energetic, charismatic and astute British Prime Minister of his time. She said Mr. Cameron demonstrated a towering and exceptional capability when Europe seem beset with a huge wave of challenges ranging from terrorism, mass migration of migrants and the quest for a united an strong United Kingdom. The Liberian leader expressed pleasure to have worked with him as one of three Co-chairpersons appointed by the United Nations Secretary General to lead a multi-nation Panel to formulate the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He contributed immensely as a great world leader as we championed the cause of a new world order to reduce poverty thus giving hope to disadvantaged people across the world. The daily reports that President Sirleaf has congratulated new British Prime Minister, Teresa May for her preferment and call on her to accept it at a challenge when the U.K. needed her dearly.

Related Caption: President Sirleaf’s Reflections On Outgoing British Prime Minister David Cameroon(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

Water and Sewer Requires Five Millions Yearly 

The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) says it needs about US$5 million each year to address the inadequate supply of water across Liberia. Speaking Thursday at the LWSC Headquarters in Monrovia, Director Hun-Bu Tulay revealed that there is a crack of the concrete protecting the pipeline thus making it unable to contain the high level of pressure from water flowing from the main stream. In an effort to repair the pipeline, Director Tulay said the LWSC has purchased a five Millimeter Steel Plate to carryout reconstruction work on the pipe affected along the Johnson route. Director Tulay noted that LWSC hopes to reinstall the Pipeline from White Plains to Palm Spring, with construction work estimated at nearly US$48 to 54 Million, something he said might take up to three years. The LWSC boss said a short term measure has been put in place, estimated at Six Million, which will take about eight months before completion while a long term measure for water supply is geared towards constructing new pipelines as a result of high demand of water in Monrovia, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: LWSC MD Provides Update On Progress(Daily Observer). In another development, the New DEMOCRAT newspaper, under the caption “Pipe-Borne Water For Six County Capitals,” reports that the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has announced it is nearing the completion of works leading to the delivery of pipe-borne water to six county capitals in Liberia. According to LWSC Managing Director, Hun-Bu Tulay, 98% of works have been done on the water plants in Buchanan and Kakata, which will begin experiencing water delivery on this July 26 while 90% of similar works have been completed on the Zwedru water plant, which will begin pumping water to the city in August.  

MOE Closes Several Schools in NimbaJuly 15, 2016 

The District Education Officer (DEO) for Bain-Garr Schools in Ganta, Nimba County, Lydon Martor, has disclosed that his office has closed several schools with immediate effect. He said the schools were closed because of their failure to send 9^th graders for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) exams. He revealed that the affected 9^th graders paid their examination fees to the administrations, but were prevented from sitting the WAEC exams, writes the In Profile Daily.

Youth, Traditional Leaders Brainstorm To Address Teenage Pregnancy

In observance of World Population Day 2016, the Ministry of Youth and Sport (MYS), with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on July 11 sponsored a day-long dialogue among traditional leaders, you women, youth and youth leads on teenage pregnancy. Held under this year’s global theme: “Investing in Teenage Girls”, localized to mean ‘Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy in Liberia’s, the meeting, held in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, drew 50 participant from five counties in southeastern Liberia – Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland, River-Gee and the host county, reports the Heritage newspaper.