The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017

News Concerning the honor bestowed on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Liberian Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions abroad, the signing of a US$42.48M Loan Agreement to boost the energy sector between Liberia and the African Development Bank as well as the increase in the price of petroleum product on the Liberian market are stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

The summary also includes President Sirleaf’s condolence message to the Government and People of Ethiopia for the death of at least 100 people following a landslide in that country.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Pres. Sirleaf Gets ‘Flower’ For Exhibiting Outstanding Leadership-From Liberian Ambassadors, Head Of Diplomatic Missions  

The FOCUS newspaper reads that Liberian Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions serving abroad have honored and recognized President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her efforts in improving the country's Foreign Service, her outstanding leadership role in lifting Liberia's image across the world and for improving lives. According to an Executive Mansion release, the honor was bestowed on President Sirleaf on March 15, 2017at the Executive Pavilion during a Special Testimonial Dinner and Appreciation Program held in her honor by Liberian Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions serving abroad. The Liberian Ambassadors and Heads of Diplomatic Missions presented a Chair made of wood to President Sirleaf in appreciation for what she has done for them and Liberia in particular noting: “President Sirleaf has elevated the level of Foreign Service which has tremendously improved; so we are here this evening to personally celebrate her achievements.” 

Related Captions: Diplomats Pat Pres. Sirleaf Over Liberia’s Improved Image Abroad(Heritage), Liberian Ambassadors, Heads of Diplomatic Missions Honor President Sirleaf(FrontPage Africa)

Over US$40 Million For Energy Sector

Liberia’s energy sector received major boost following the approval of US$42.48 million, constituting a combined loan and grant financing agreement intended to facilitate the smooth implementation of the Liberian Energy Efficiency Project (LEEAP). The project is being financed with the African Development Bank Group own resources from the African Development Fund (ADF), the Transition Support Facility (TSF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), as well as from the European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) trust fund for which the Bank is the implementing agency and the Government of Liberia is the counterpart funding. The In Profile Daily quoting a release from the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning (MFDP) noted that the loan and grant financing agreement which was signed by MFDP Minister, Boima Kamara on behalf of the Liberian government, will now be forwarded to the National Legislature for deliberations and ratification. The LEEAP project has a four-year life span with preparatory activities that commenced in 2016 and is expected to provide a total of 13,000 electricity connections.

Related Captions: To Boost Liberia’s Energy Sector: Minister Kamara Signs Over US$40M Financing Grant(Heritage), LEEAP Gets US$42.48 m Injection-As Minister Kamara Signs Financing Grant To Boost Energy Sector(FOCUS)

Gov’t Increases Gasoline Prices

The government of Liberia through the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has announced an increase in the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel on the Liberian market. According to a petroleum price circular issued by the government, the retail pump price for a gallon of gasoline has increased from US$3.16 or its Liberian dollar equivalent of LD$325 to US$3.26 or its Liberian equivalent of LD$340. While the retail pump price for a gallon of diesel fuel has increased from US$3.13 or its Liberian dollar equivalent of US$320.00 to US$3.26 or its Liberian dollar equivalent of LD$340.00. The New Dawn newspaper reports that the decision to increase the prices of gasoline and diesel fuel is a result of a shift in the perimeter that is frequently used to determine the prices of these products in the country.

Related Captions: Gasoline Price Increased (In Profile Daily), Petroleum Prices Increase(Daily Observer), Gasoline Price Increased(In Profile Daily)

Ellen Visits Home Of The Late Mary Brownell  

The Heritage newspaper says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on March 14, 2017 visited the home of the late veteran educator, outstanding and outspoken peace advocate, Mary Brownell to console the family and relatives for the death of their mother and grandmother. Madam Mary Brownell died at age 88 on Monday, March 14, 2017 at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia following a period of illness. President Sirleaf, upon arrival was received by family members of the late Mary Brownell including her children, Dr. H. Boimah Fahnbulleh, Jr. National Security Advisor to the President of Liberia and Madam Miatta Fahnbulleh, Liberia’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal and Child Health, among others. At the home, Dr. Fahnbulleh, thanked President Sirleaf for the visit and the sympathy expressed for the death of their mother.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Visits The Home of the Late Mary Brownell(INSIGHT), President Sirleaf Visits Late Mary Brownell’s Home (FOCUS)

Sulunteh ‘Formally’ Crosses Over to ANC

The Daily Observer reports that Ambassador Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, has officially crossed over to the Alternative National Congress (ANC) of businessman turned politician Alexander B. Cummings. The former Liberia Ambassador to United States, Canada and Mexico had served as Senior National Vice Chairman of UP that successfully concluded with the re-election of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2011. Amb. Sulunteh told a news conference yesterday at ANC’s headquarters in Monrovia that his decision to quit the UP is primarily to maintain Bong County’s oneness, noting, “Because some politicians have created an artificial rift between Internal Affairs Minister Henrique Tokpa and I for a possible vice presidential pick for the UP.” The two men hail from Bong County.

Related Caption: Amb. Solunteh Crosses Carpet-Officially Joins ANC Says Forward March, Backward Never(FOCUS), ‘Not For Vice Presidential Slot’-Amb. Sulunteh(In Profile Daily)

OTHER STORIES  

Ellen Consoles Ethiopia  

The Heritage newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has extended heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for the death of more than 100 persons and injury to many others due to an unfortunate landslide. The ill-fated incident occurred at the Koshe Garbage Landfill on the outskirts of Addis-Ababa on Saturday, March 12, 2017. The landfill has been a dumping ground for the capital's garbage for more than 50 years. According to the Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Dr. MulatuTeshome, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, prayed that the Almighty God grants His Excellency Dr. Teshome and the people of Ethiopia, especially those affected, strength, courage and fortitude that will be a solace to the people of Ethiopia as they endure this period of national mourning.

Liberia Urges UPF To Adopt African Common Position For World Peace

Maryland County Senator H. Dan Morias has underscored the need for the World Assembly of International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) to adopt an African common position by encouraging the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) to give support to and complement the peace building and development efforts of African regional and sub-regional bodies. Senator Morias said UPF needs to work with Africa through institutions and organizations such as the African Union, The ECOWAS, the MRU among others as it strives to strengthen and consolidate global peace, solidarity and development. The INSIGHT newspaper reads that Senator Morais made the comments when he spoke in Seoul, Korea at the 4^th World Summit, dedicated to addressing the World’s critical challenges including peace security and human development.

Tyler Granted Leave

Ex-speaker J. Alex Tyler has been granted leave by his colleagues to allow him attend an economic sabotage trial that results from a Global Witness report which accuses him and others of receiving US$950,000 bribes from U.K. - based Sable Mining to change a concession law here. His office wrote the House of Representatives to allow him stay away from legislative sessions on grounds that he would be attending to his trial at the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia. He is jointly on trial along with former ruling Unity Party Chair, Sen. H. Varney G. Sherman and former Lands and Mines Minister Dr. Eugene Shannon, among others. They are standing trial along with Sable Mining executives Andrew Groves and Klaus Piprek for economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation and criminal facilitation, after being accused of taking bribes to change a concession law to declare Mount Wologizi in Lofa County a non - bidding concession in favor of Sable Mining, according to the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: House Grants Tyler Permission To Attend “Criminal Case(Heritage)

Liberia And Morocco Sign 2-Year Technical Agreement

According to the FOCUS newspaper, Liberia and Morocca have signed a two year partnership agreement for Technical Corporation in football development. The agreement was signed by Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Federation Royal Marocaine De Football and Mr. Musa Haassan Bility, President, Liberia Football Association. The agreement aims to promote cooperation between the Football federations in order to development exchanges and build greater synergy that contributes to the development of football.