THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

Today’s edition of the summary highlight news of the National Elections Commission’s discussions with stakeholders in Sanniquielie, Nimba County on the revised election law of Liberia and the Lonestar Cell MTN donation to the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project Reading Room.

DOMINANT STORIES  

NEC Consults Stakeholders in Nimba on Election Law 

The FOCUS newspaper asserts that the National Elections Commission (NEC) has held discussions with stakeholders in Sanniquielie, Nimba County, on the revised election law of Liberia. Speaking at the start of the one-day event recently, the Assistant Magistrate for Upper Nimba, Milton Paye, said the meeting has several phases involving representatives from all sectors of the country. The event brought together heads of the Nimba Chiefs and Elders council, traditional Council, students, journalists and citizens.

Related Captions: NEC Consults Stakeholders In Nimba On Election Law (Heritage), Discuss Peace During Elections – Stakeholders Call For Maintenance Of Peace During The Election (FrontPage Africa)

Lonestar Cell MTN Donates To KEEP Reading Program

Daily Observer reports that on Friday, October 14, Lonestar Cell MTN responded to the plea made by a national charity organization, the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), with the donation of five brand new computers to equip its newly completed Reading Room. The Reading Room is located at the June L. Moore Public School, located in Gbengbar Town, along the Robertsfield Highway. Making the donation on behalf of the company, Mrs. Miattah Waler-Person, Foundation Manager of Lonestar Cell MTN, said: “With the rapid growth and expansion of the ‘World Wide Web,’ the world today is very small and is getting smaller by the minute; thus it is imperative that we do not deny our future leaders and decision-makers the opportunity to be a part of expansion.”

Related Captions: LoneStar Cell MTN Donates to KEEP reading Program (Heritage), LoneStar Cell MTN Donates to KEEP reading Program (The New Dawn)

OTHER STORIES  

WB Pledges US$1bn To Support Agric In Africa 

The World Bank has pledged US$1 billion to support the agriculture sector in sub-Saharan Africa. The amount, according to the World Bank Director for the Africa Region External Communication (AFREC), Haleh Bridi, represents an increase from US$700 million since 2006. A dispatch from the World Bank quoted Bridi as announcing the pledge at the celebration of this year’s “End Poverty Day” held Monday during which the world’s largest financial commitment to increase support to the region’s agriculture sector, Heritagewrites.

Related Caption:  WB Pledges US$1bn To Support Agric In Africa (FOCUS)

Incoming UN SG Vows To Uphold Human Dignity

The Heritage newspaper reports that the incoming Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, has vowed to make human dignity the core of his work and that of the global body. He said this is dictated by the human suffering he has witnessed over the last 10 years as head of the UN Refugee agency, according to a statement issued by the UN local office in Monrovia.  “I have witnessed, first hand, the suffering to the most vulnerable people on earth.  I have visited war zones and refugee camps where one might legitimately ask: What has happened to the ‘dignity and worth of the human person?” the UNSG said.

Related Caption: Incoming UN SG Vows To Uphold Human Dignity (FOCUS)

We have The Capacity To Battle Ebola If…Liberian Scientist Asserts

A Liberian scientist has asserted that more preparations have been put in place to build the resilient effort of the country in fighting against the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) should the virus return. Speaking Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at a one-day national stakeholder advocacy engagement forum held at the Monrovia City hall, Dr. Jestinal Doe-Anderson, said more studies have been conducted and many would be derived for any apparent outbreak of the killer virus. The stakeholders’ meeting was one of the many programs of the partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia (PREVAIL), a Liberia-US joint clinical research partnership, Heritage reports.

Related Caption: Prepare To Fight Ebola-Liberia Scientist Says Ebola Can never be like Before (FrontPage Africa)

NHA, Stakeholders Discuss West Pointers’

The National Housing Authority or NHA has begun a conference in Monrovia for residents of West Point Township, Montserrado County, inviting stakeholders from relevant governmental institutions to discuss relocation of residents of the township, who have been constantly threatened by sea erosion. NHA Managing Director Samuel Wlue told UMIL Radio Tuesday stakeholders have been invited from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Public Works and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others to find an amicable solution to problems faced by citizens residing in the township, the New Dawn reports

End Poverty Day – Liberia Poverty Rate Stands At 54% - World Bank

The World Bank has announced that about 54 percent of the population of Liberia is living below the poverty line. This means they live on less than US$2.00 a day. Making the disclosure at the celebration of “End Poverty Day” on Monday, October 17, World Bank’s Country economist Daniel K. Boakye said the figure was contained in a 2014 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) implemented by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.  

Diarrhea, Pneumonia Kill 1.7M Annually…Global Washing Day Statistics Reveal 

Global statistics have startlingly revealed that approximately 1.7 million children die annually of diarrhea and pneumonia, which could be prevented by constantly washing hands. The report also narrowed that approximately 2,195 children less than five years die globally from pneumonia alone. Serving as guest speaker at the Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing in observance of the Global Hands Washing Day, Madam Shakira Franklyn said Liberians should strictly observe the safety measures to avoid illness that could be cured by washing hand,   In Profile Daily reports.

LNFS To Begin Vehicle Inspection For Fire Extinguishers November

The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) is to embark on a massive inspection exercise beginning November to ensure that all vehicles plying routes across the country are equipped with fire extinguishers. Vehicles found not equipped with the device will be impounded until their owners comply with this regulation, according to LNFS Director of communication, Philip J. Noah. Speaking Tuesday on the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) “Super Morning Show”, Noah said the LNFS will collaborate with the Liberia revenue Authority (LRA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) in this exercise, Heritage says.

Related Caption: LNFS To Begin Vehicle Inspection For Fire Extinguishers November (FOCUS)

‘Successful Fight Against Hunger In Liberia Depends On The Political Will-power of Government’… Asserts FAO Country Director

The Country Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has disclosed that the successful fight against hunger in Liberia depends on the political will-power of the Government of Liberia. Mr. Mark Abdallah noted that the poorest and hungry people suffer the most as 80 percent of them live in the rural areas. For his part, the Acting Agriculture Minister, Dr. Charles McClain said the Liberian government attaches seriousness to food production. Noting, “this is the only way that we can ensure the well been of eco-systems and rural population, FOCUS reports.

Related Caption: Climate Change Affects Food Security…Says Acting Agriculture Minister (Heritage)

WFP Feeds 127,000 School Kids Daily-Official

The Deputy Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP), Julie McDonald, says the U.N. agency has provided daily nutritious meals for a total of 127,000 school children in target schools in nine counties. According to McDonald the WFP and Ministry of Education (MoE) are currently transitioning the daily school meals program to the home-grown school feeding program that will be more sustainable and adaptable to the Liberian scenario, FOCUS newspaper reports.

Related Caption: Official: WFP Feeds 127,000 School Kids Daily (Heritage)

UNSG Petitions All To Demolish Walls Of Poverty, Exclusion

Outgoing UN Secretary General (UNSG) Ban Ki-moon has called on governments and people around the world to break down the walls of poverty and exclusion that continue to plague so many people in every region. According to the outgoing UNSG, over one billion people are living in extreme poverty and more than 800 million endure hunger and malnutrition, noting that, “poverty  is not simply measured by inadequate income, but it is also manifested in restricted access to health, education and other essential services”,FOCUS writes.

Related Caption: UNSG Petitions All To Demolish Walls Of Poverty, Exclusion (Heritage)

Police Gear Up For 2017

Police Inspector-General Gregory O.W. Coleman has expressed confidence that the coming 2017 representatives and presidential elections will be “the most peaceful election ever held in the Republic of Liberia”, vowing that the police will do everything to keep each and every citizen safe. While his Deputy Inspector General for Operations, Col. Abraham Kromah, was formally taking over from Col. Prince Mulbah, who has been acting for some 17 months, would be coordinating, collaborating and cooperating with all political parties from the beginning of the campaign up to the day the elections will be taking place. At Tuesday’s ceremony, Mr. Kromah took over from Mr. Prince Mulbah, who now becomes the new head of the Police professional Standard Division or PSD, the New Dawn newspaper reports.

Related Caption: Political Leaders Get Police Protection…Says A.B. Kromah (The INQUIRER)

Exxon Mobil Starts Drilling First Liberia Well In November

Exxon Mobil Corp will start drilling its first exploratory well off the coast of Liberia in November, the world’s largest publicly-traded oil company said on Tuesday, Reuters has reported. “Exxon Mobil Exploration and Production Liberia Limited, an affiliated of Exxon Mobil, plans to drill a deepwater exploration well on the Liberia 13 Block, located about 50 miles offshore of the country, beginning in the country, beginning in November,” a spokeswoman said. The Canadian Overseas Petroleum (COPL), junior partner in Exxon Mobil’s Block LB-13 offshore Liberia, had earlier announced that it would continue exploring the oil block for 18 months, reports the Daily Observer.

Master Pewee Russian Wins Gold For Liberia In China

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, Master Junior Pewee Russian returned from retirement at the weekend to win a gold medal for Liberia at the 11^th Zhengzhou China International Shaolin Wushu Festival. Master Russian, a former Taekwondo Heavyweight, defeated five opponents in winning the gold medal for Liberia in the Senior category. About 2227 athletes from 67 countries from across the world are participating in the event, Master Junior Pewee; vice President and Technical Director of Wushu in Liberia, traveled to China along with young lad Amos Manneh Sawyer last Thursday for the game at the expense of the Chinese government.

Gender Minister To Attend High Level meeting In Sub-Saharan Africa

Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Julia Duncan Cassell, is expected to participate in the Merck Africa Luminary High Level Panel discussion on health challenges faced by women in sub-Saharan Africa. The two-day high level meeting will be held in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire, from Tuesday, October 18-19, 2016, Heritagenewspaper reports.

Kailando Faces Negligent Homicide Charge

According to the Daily Observer, more than seven months after a boat ride resulted into the former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GT), Mr. Dan Orogun’s death, the Monrovia City Court yesterday brought a charge of “Negligent Homicide” against George Kailando, a businessman who Orogun’s flamily claimed is responsible for his death.  Dressed in a gray coat suit at yesterday’s hearing, Kailando, himself a lawyer, was made to sit on the prisoner bench for hours before he was allowed to go back home at which time he has posted US$10,000 bail bond. A media report quoted Kailand after the incident, saying the banker had drowned, while on a cruise to celebrate his (Kailando’s) wedding anniversary.