The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017

Today’s edition of our Summary of the local dailies include President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and the people of Denmark on the special occasion, the Liberian Senate’s passage of the Ombudsman Act  and the Japanese Government’s support to the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service,

President Sirleaf Applauds Denmark

The Daily Observer reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended heartfelt greetings to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and the people of Denmark on the special occasion.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian President, in her message to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II stated: “As we join you in celebrating this auspicious occasion, we acknowledge with satisfaction, the rewarding relations our two nations and peoples continue to enjoy, particularly the positive impacts resulting from our partnership to attain the Millennium Development Goals, which advocated gender equality and women empowerment by the year 2015.” President Sirleaf further told the Danish Queen that as both nations strive to fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, Liberia looks forward to deepen collaboration in many spheres, including human rights, peace and security, and other aspects of development.

Senate Passes Ombudsman Act - Goes To House of Representatives For Concurrence

An Act to amend Part XII of the Code of Conduct for the creation of the operational framework of the office of the Ombudsman as established in the National Code of Conduct for all public officials and employees of the Government of Liberia was yesterday unanimously passed by the Liberian Senate. The Code of Conduct was passed by the Legislature, approved by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and printed into handbills; however, it did not provide a governing framework for the operations of the Ombudsman, including the qualification, scope of authority, and tenure of appointees to the office of the Ombudsman. The amended Act empowers the Ombudsman to recommend appropriate sanctions and disciplinary actions to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), as provided in Part XII Section 12.2 of the Code of Conduct. The act was prepared by an Ad Hoc Committee on the Ombudsman under the membership of Senators Jewel Howard Taylor, Joseph N. Nagbe, Stephen H. Zargo, and Morris G. Saytumah.  According to the Daily Observer, it now goes to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

 Senate Receives Special Economic Zone Bill

A bill seeking the establishment of a special economic zone in Liberia, to be known as “The Special Economic Zone Act 2017,” has been submitted to the Liberian Senate by Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan Kaipay. In his letter dated May 29, 2017, Senator Kaipay said the purpose, intent and objective of the Act, is to establish the legal framework and mechanism for the integration, coordination, planning and monitoring of special economic zones, industrial estates/parks, export processing zones and other economic zones. The Daily Observer reads that the Economic Zone Act, according to Senator Kaipay, will “promote the flow of investors, both foreign and local, into special economic zones which would generate employment opportunities and establish backward and forward linkages among industries in and around the economic zones; and will stimulate the repatriation of Liberian capital by providing an attractive climate and incentives for business activities.” According to the daily, the letter was sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

 LNP, LIS Receive 6 Patrol Boats from Japan

The Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) have received 6 patrol boats or dinghies, 2 Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop motor vehicles, 32 desktop computers, 32 Laser jet printers and 100 camp beds valued at US$371,336.22, shared equally between the two agencies. The items were purchased through a project supported by the government of Japan and were delivered by the United Nations Development Program on behalf of the Japanese government at the Liberia Maritime Authority Training Academy in Marshall, Margibi County. According to the Daily Observer, receiving the equipment and items on behalf of their respective institutions, both the IGP and the Commissioner-General LIS pledged to use them for the purpose intended and expressed appreciation to UNDP and the government and people of Japan for the donation that has greatly helped to strengthen the capacities of their institutions.

Peace Island To Get Borough Status; Act Goes From House To Senate For Concurrence

An act to turn Peace Island Community in Monrovia into a borough has been passed by the House of Representatives and forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence. Peace Island Community is commonly referred to as “540 Community” and is located in the Township of Congo Town. The community got its named “540” due to the huge settlement of disbanded officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who received US$540 as resettlement benefits. The Act was approved by Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 6, during the 37th day sitting of the 6th Session of the 53rd Legislature. According to the Daily Observer, the House’s decision was based on a report of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning and Internal Affairs. If it becomes a law, the Borough shall be headed by a Governor, who shall be appointed by the President of Liberia. It shall have a nine (9) man Council, which must have geographical balance and subject to election for the period of four years, and a magisterial Court shall be established in the Borough for the administration of justice.  The Act was sponsored by Montserrado County District # 10 Representative Julius Berrian.

Finance Minister Gives L$1M To ULSU Scholarship, Financial Aid Scheme

The Minister of Finance through the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center (LIMPAC) of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has contributed one million Liberian dollars to raise the hopes of hundreds of students of the University of Liberia, who feared being dropped for the second semester of academic year 2016/2017. Mr. Del Francis Wreh, Executive Director of LIMPAC, who presented the check on behalf of Minister Boima S. Kamara on Friday, June 2, cautioned the leadership of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU), Students Unification Party (SUP) and the general student body to remain constructively engaged with leadership of the university and stakeholders of the education sector as they pursue their academic studies. He explained that Minister Kamara’s intervention was based on a request made by the leadership of ULSU to the MFDP, reports the Daily Observer.