The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017

Stories dominating today’s edition of the local dailies include the EU-Liberia fifth Political Dialogue held recently in Monrovia; the commencement of the exhibition of Provisional Voter Roll exercise across the country by the National Elections Commission and the gathering of over 150 delegates from across Grand Bassa County to participate in the Maternal and newborn Health Conference in Buchanan.   

DOMINANT STORIES   

European Union, Liberia Hold Fifth Political Dialogue in Monrovia  

The FrontPage Africa newspaper says the European Union (EU) has expressed confidence in the National Elections Commission’s capacity and welcomed the Ganta and Farmington River Declarations in which the leaders or standard bearers of political parties committed themselves to peaceful elections and resolution of electoral disputes through mediation or judicial means. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the assertion, among others issues, was made at the end of the fifth comprehensive political dialogue convened between the Government of Liberia and the EU at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium last Thursday, June 8, 2017.  The Fifth EU-Liberia Political Dialogue, held under the theme: “Consolidating Peace and Economic Development,” was co-chaired by Foreign Minister, Her Excellency Marjon V. Kamara and Head of EU Delegation to Liberia, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann. 

Related Captions: EU, Liberia Hold Fifth Political Dialogue(The INQUIRER); EU, Liberia Hold Fifth Political Dialogue, EU Expresses Confidence In The NEC, Welcomes Ganta, Farmington River Declarations(FOCUS)

NEC Begins Voter Roll Exhibition Today

The National Elections Commission (NEC) will today commence the exhibition of the Provisional Voter Roll at all 2080 Exhibition Centers (formerly Voter Registration Centers) across the country. The exercise is part of the electoral schedule according to Article 9.2 of the Voter Registration Regulations in keeping with section 3.6 of the New Elections Law of Liberia. The Provisional Registration Roll is a compilation of names, photos, center codes, ages, and other information of individuals who registered during the voter registration period from February 1 to March 14, 2017. The key exhibition activities are confirmation of applicant’s information; inclusion, where the opportunity is given to an applicant or registrant to be included on the Provisional Registration Roll if erroneously omitted; correction, where recorded information of an applicant is allowed to be changed by correction to set the proper information for the particular applicant or registrant, according to the Daily Observer newspaper.

Related Captions: National Elections Commission Commences Voter Roll Exhibition June 12(FrontPage Africa); Voter Roll Exhibition Begins Today(In Profile Daily); Exhibition of Voters’ Roll Begins Today(The INQUIRER)

Maternal, Newborn Health Conference Gets Underway in Grand Bassa County

Over 150 delegates from across Grand Bassa County’s eight health districts are expected to assemble in the port city of Buchanan June 13 and 14, 2017, to participate in the Maternal and newborn Health Conference. The conference is being held under the theme, “No Deaths” with slogan: “Mama and Baby Must Live.” The two-day gathering is jointly convened by the Ministry of Health team and health partners with support from US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) Restoration of Health Services project implemented by Jhpiego, writes the In Profile Daily newspaper.

Related Captions: Maternal, Newborn Health Conference Gets Underway(The INQUIRER); Grand Bassa Health Districts Meet On Maternal, New Born Health(FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES  

President Sirleaf Commends Portugal On ‘National Day 

The INSIGTHT newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended Portugal on its National Day observed on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Portugal Day or Portugal’s National Day, officially known as Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas ('Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities'), commemorates the death of Luís de Camões on June 10, 1580.According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian leader extended to her Portuguese counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, best wishes to the Government and people of Portugal, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in her own name. “As we join you in commemorating the death of the national literary icon Luis de Camoes in 1580, we are reminded of the excellent bonds of amity subsisting between our two countries and peoples,” President Sireaf said. She further told President de Sousa that her government is hopeful that the relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened and expanded to the private sector to include fisheries, tourism, and agriculture, to name a few areas ready for exploration to both nations’ mutual interests.  

LEC Disconnects Hundreds In Matadi, Lakpazee For Power Theft 

The Daily Observer reports that in a campaign to replace rotten electricity transmission poles and check customers’ lines, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Foday S. Sackor, over the weekend oversaw the disconnection of hundreds of homes in Matadi and Lakpazee for power theft. It can be recalled that an eight year old boy while playing with his friend last Wednesday was electrocuted in the Matadi Community after touching a metal pole that was electrically charged. His mother who rushed to his rescue also perished. Director Sackor has vowed to ensure that the individuals who are illegally supplying power that led to the deaths of two persons in the Matadi area are brought to book and face the full weight of the law.

Related Captions: LEC Disconnects Matadi, Lakparzee For Power Theft(The INQUIRER)

UNMIL Hands Over Renovated Facility To Armed Forces Of Liberia

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) recently handed over the renovated quarters of the Liberian Coast Guard in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). The renovation was a Quick Impact Project (QIP) of UNMIL in support of Liberia’s security transition plan. “It is expected that this project will mitigate the impact of UNMIL drawdown, enhance the ability of the Coast Guards to conduct maritime patrol and increase public confidence in the Government of Liberia,” said UNMIL Force Commander, Major General Salibu Zaway Uba, the INSIGHT newspaper.  

LACC Certificates 70 Anti-Corruption Ambassadors 

According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has certificated seventy (70) students as Anti-Corruption Ambassadors. The students who are from the New Hope Academy in Paynesville and Heart of Grace School in Johnsonville, respectively, were certificated recently following four months of training in various aspects of corruption and integrity. Presenting the certificates on behalf of Commissioner Aba Hamilton Dolo, who has oversight responsibility for the Education & Prevention Division at the Commission, LACC’s Program Manager for Education & Prevention, Rev. James Kingsley, admonished the students to promote transparency and accountability in their schools by exposing acts of corruption without fear or favor.

Related Caption: LACC Certificates 70 Students as Anti-Corruption Ambassadors(In Profile Daily)

Camp For Peace Liberia Targets 5000 Youths In Promoting Peaceful Elections

The In Profile Daily states that Camp for Peace Liberia, a civil society organization, has disclosed plans to sensitize about five thousand (5,000) young people in Montserrado and Margibi Counties in promoting peace during the 2017 elections. Youth Camp Liberia’s Executive Director, Mr. A. Abel Learwellie, made the disclosure on Friday, June 9, 2017, at the official launch of the organization’s project: “Achieving Behavioral Change towards Peaceful Elections in Liberia,” held at the Lutheran Church in Liberia Compound on 13^th Street in Monrovia.  

Fabrar To Supply 50 Metric Tons Of Rice For School Feeding 

The Daily Observer says Fabrar Liberia Incorporated, a Liberian owned agriculture goods processing firm, has finally completed negotiations and agreements to supply Mary’s Meals with 50 metric tons of locally produced rice per month for its school feeding program beginning June 2017. At the ceremony held on Friday, June 9, at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Deputy Minister Stephen Marvie said he was delighted to be part of an initiative that is geared towards promoting Liberian owned businesses, especially farmers. “We are delighted to see the realization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fabrar and Mary’s Meals, which is involved with the school feeding program and will now begin using Liberian rice to feed kids in school,” Minister Marvie said.

Chinese Center Launches Support For Kpatawee Farmers

The China-Liberia Agriculture Cooperation Project Team (CLATCPT) based at the China-aided Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in Suakoko, Bong County has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kpatawee Farmer Organization to enhance agriculture production in the Kpatawee Waterfall area in Bong County, the FOCUS newspaper states. 

Representative Waylee Withdraws Charges Against Rights Activist

The INSIGHT newspaper states that for lack of evidence to substantiate his lawsuit, Grand Gedeh County Representative Morias Waylee has withdrawn the criminal coercion charge he filed with the Monrovia City Court against Child Right Activist Abraham M. Keita.

GVL Breaks Ground For US$120K School Project In Sinoe County

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reads that Golden Veroleum Liberia and the citizens of Butaw have jointly broken grounds for the construction of US$120,000 eight classroom annex and a teacher quarter at the Butaw Junior High School for the elevation of the school to senior secondary high School level. The projects are fulfillment of many project commitments made to the people of Butaw in the Memorandum of Understanding Incorporating Social Agreement (MOUSA) signed between GVL and Butaw District Communities on February 10, 2017. The school will include the construction of 8 classroom annex building at a cost of US$80,000.00 to be equipped with a modern 4 rooms’ flush commode toilet, a hand pump with a reservoir overhead.