The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies includes the Cabinet’s review of the state of Liberian Economy, the Ministry of National Defense release of the Calendar of events for the celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s announcement of a loss of over US$300,000 to power theft.

DOMINANT STORIES

Cabinet Reviews State of Economy; Receives Updates on Commerce-related Issues; Mandates Actions

Cabinet has reviewed the current state of the economy with emphasis on the budget execution and its existing revenue performance. Cabinet also received updates on commerce-related issues and has mandated appropriate corrective actions. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Economic Management Team (EMT) and the cabinet, under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met separately on Friday, February 3, 2017 to discuss measures aimed at addressing the current economic situation the country faces-with emphasis on enhancing ongoing efforts to diversify through agriculture and manufacturing, the FOCUS newspaper says.

Related Caption: Liberia’s Cabinet Reviews State of Liberian Economy(FrontPage Africa)

Obasanjo to Address Armed Forces Day, As MOD Releases Calendar of Events

The Ministry of National Defense has released calendar of events marking the celebrations of this year’s Armed Forces Day. In a press statement, the Guest Speaker for the 60^th Armed Forces Day Anniversary is the Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and acclaimed Statesman, H. E. Mr. Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Armu Obasanjo.  The event will be celebrated under the theme: “The AFL Supporting and Defending our Democratic Transition.”  On Sunday February 5, 2017, there was an Intercessory Prayer Service at the Sinkor United Pentecostal Church located at the Vamoma Airfield intersection, the In Profile Daily says.

Related Caption: Armed Forces Day’s Events of Calendar Released(Focus)

LEC Alarms US$300K loss Monthly to Power Theft

The management of Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has blamed power theft as the major hindrance to its operations. The Corporation says it loses over US$300,000 monthly to power theft. Mr. Foday Soko Sackor, LEC’s managing director, made the disclosure on Friday, February 3, 2017, at the Liberia National Police headquarters in Monrovia. Sackor spoke in reaction to the arrest of a man said to be a power theft ring leader by the LNP. Suspect Gabriel Koffi Abraham’s action, the LEC managing director alleged, is slowing the management’s progress in bringing poles and meters in the new energy law, power theft is a misdemeanor and if a person is guilty, he or she will serve at least one-year jail term. Sackor alleged that Suspect Abraham have several meters and devices on his own that he uses to climb poles, defrauding government of thousands of dollars, the In Profile Daily says.

Related Caption: LEC Claims Big Losses(The New Dawn),LEC Alarms US$300K(In Profile Daily)

GVL, Workers Union Sign Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Front Page Africa newspaper reports that the management of Golden Veroleum Liberia and the Golden Veroleum Workers Union have signed a collective bargaining agreement to seek the welfare of all GVL employees. The agreement among other things, calls for the assignment housing at the discretion of the company with regards to its developmental plans at no charge to them and there will be further undertakings to improve housing for the employees. However, the Company shall give the amount of US$10.00 per month as housing allowances to employees who are yet to benefit from Company housing facilities directly or indirectly. The President of the Golden Veroleum Workers Union (GOVAWUL), Stanley Carter, signed on behalf of the employees while the Human Resource Manager, Mr. Eric Goll, and the General Manager for Logistics Elvis Morris signed for the GVL management.  

ECOWAS Ends Sensitization In Ganta 

The Special Representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Liberia has commended the chairperson of ECOWAS President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her positive leadership in the region and stressed that it is about time to support ECOWAS’ activities in the entire West Africa. Mr. Baba Batunda said free movement of people, promotion of goods and services, among others, are the main objectives of ECOWAS. He disclosed plans to embark on an exercise to promote free movement of people along the Ganta-Guinea border in Nimba, which he said is intended to kick of the process between the two countries. Also speaking, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Boima S. Kamara said the importance of increasing awareness across Liberia, particularly at strategic points linking the country to key border towns in Guinea, Côte d’lvoire and Sierra Leone could not be overemphasized, given their strategic locations. He noted that ECOWAS citizens residing within the borders of Liberia are not fully informed about the benefits, challenges and prospects of various ECOWAS activities, asserts the New Dawn newspaper.

WAT Foundation Liberia Launches Anti-Drugs Awareness Campaign

The WAT Foundation Liberia, over the weekend launched an anti-drug awareness campaign in Paynesville, under the theme ‘Help WATFOL Fight Against Drug Abuse in Liberia’. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Madam Watta Holwes said the awareness is intended to sensitize young Liberians to do away with taking in harmful substances like marijuana, cocaine, etc, something she said is damaging the future leaders of the country. “This is a national awareness on drugs addiction in Liberia,” she said. The WAT Foundation is a non- profitable organization which was established in 2012, through the self-initiative and vision of Deacon Watta Holwes. The aim of the organization is to curtail the number of drug addicts in Liberia, in making Liberia free and safe from dangerous substances.

E & J Launches Free Medical Services

The Esther and Jerlyn Hospital in Ganta, Nimba County, has launched a program guaranteeing free health care services for pregnant women until they deliver. The hospital’s administrator, Lawrence Tozay, said since the hospital was inaugurated on July 1, 2016, 80 percent of their patients have been women and children. He said many women suffer from neglect and poverty, with the poor condition of the nation’s roads also preventing them from reaching the hospital for help when they are pregnant. The hospital’s administrator revealed that the free clinical care will cover registration, laboratory tests and free drugs until the women give birth. He said if there is any complication that will require surgical operation a minimal fee will be charged, reports the Daily Observer.  

Ellen To Meet Business Associations This Week 

A meeting between the President and members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Liberia Business Association, the Liberia Marketing Association and the Yana Boys Association is scheduled for this week in an effort to engage in continuing dialogue over ways of improving the current business climate in the country, the Executive Mansion press release says. The planned meeting comes following separate meetings last Friday, February 3, by the Economic Management Team (EMT) and the cabinet, under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to discuss measures aimed at addressing the current economic situation the country faces, with emphasis on enhancing ongoing efforts to diversify through agriculture and manufacturing, according to the Daily Observer.