The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018

Dominating today’s newsstand are stories on the signing on an emergency humanitarian food assistance grant between Liberia and China and installing of 2000 street lights in Monrovia by LEC.

Other stories include stories on President George Manneh Weah congratulatory message to the Mauritius, his warning to government officials and the general public to stop alienating others and Lebanese donation to Monrovia City Corporation.

Dominant Stories

Liberia, China Sign Food Aid Grant

The Government of the Republic of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China, Friday, March 9, signed an Emergency Humanitarian Food Assistance grant to Liberia. The food assistance is aimed at consolidating and strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the signing of the Certificate of Handover and Acceptance note for the China-aid grant under which China donated 50 containers of 1,243 metric tons of rice, took place in the Foreign Minister’s conference room. Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Fu Jijun, signed for his Government. The donation was made possible following a request from the Liberia government. In brief remarks, Chinese Ambassador Fu stated, “On behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, I have the honor to hand over 50 containers in the tone of 1,243 metric tons of rice to the Liberian Government and people.” Ambassador Fu indicated that the donation is another gift from the Chinese Government; adding, “The rice has arrived in the country at the right time,” reports the Inquirer newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberia, China Sign Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Aid-Rice Grant (Heritage), Liberia China Sign Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Aid-Rice Grant (In Profile Daily) and China makes humanitarian donations to Liberia (New Dawn)

LEC to Install 2000 Street lights in Monrovia, Other Places

Authorities at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) have disclosed the installation of additional 2000 street lights in Monrovia and its environs. The LEC said it supports the recent pronouncement made by President George Manneh Weah, requesting the corporation to install 2000 street lights on the main streets of Monrovia and its environs. The corporation believes this is in line with the President’s pro-poor agenda, which is aimed at improving the livelihood of the people of Liberia and reducing poverty. “Areas to be impacted by the project include: ELWA Junction to Rehab, Clara Town, Logan Town, and New Kru Town. This will also include the extension of street lights from the Gabriel Tucker Bridge to St. Paul Bridge,” the LEC said. The campaign will improve visibility and increase security in the capital. Improved and increased street lighting will also boost economics activities. Business people and petty traders will no longer have to leave the streets early for fear of being harassed by criminals at night, pens the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: LEC Connect 2000 Street Lights To Begin Soon (FrontPage Africa), Project To Connect 2000 Street Lights Begins Soon (Heritage), andWeah Asks LEC To Connect 2,000 Street Lights (Inquirer)

Other Stories

Weah congratulates Mauritius on 50th Independence Anniversary

The New Dawn newspaper reports that President George Manneh Weah has sent a message of congratulations to Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius, on the occasion marking that nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary. According to a Liberian Foreign Ministry release, President Weah, on behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Liberia and in his own name said it gives him immense pleasure to extend to Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and the Government and People of the Republic of Mauritius, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the 50th Independence Anniversary of the great country. “One this auspicious occasion, I entertain the hope that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between our two countries will be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” Mr. Weah concluded.

Weah Sounds Warning

Liberia’s President George Manneh Weah, has issued a stern warning here to his officials and members of the public to stop alienating people on the basis of partisanship. He gave the warning on Sunday, 11 March during observance of First Lady Clar Weah’s birth anniversary at Winner’s Chapel in Congo Town, stressing that no Liberian should be judged based on party lines. President Weah urges that everyone should embrace each other for the common interest of the country, reminding Liberians that campaign and elections are long over.  Mr. Weah says he is President for everyone, and not for a specific party, thus, emphasizing that Liberians must join hands to develop the country, reads the New Dawn newspaper.

Police Alarm New Stealing Method

Police authorities in Monrovia are warning the public and private security guards against a new scheme of criminality designed to drug victims by offering food embedded with drugs before stealing victims’ valuables. “Today, we call the press in to help us spread out this message to all of the private guards and the general public that they should be mindful not to eat food from anybody who will be nice to them at night because … the food that is given to you is being embedded with drugs.” Police Inspector General Col. Patrick Sudue sounded the warning at the police headquarters while returning two vehicles that were stolen under this new criminal method to their owners Mr. Mohammed A. Keita and Mr. Aleo Kamara. According to the New Dawn newspaper, this new method of stealing by drugging securities was first reported during the administration of immediate past Police Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman. He says criminals carried out the stealing method at the Mohammed Keita Used Cars Company in the Gardnerville area where criminals drove their car, claimed to be stranded and requested the security on duty to permit them to sit with them. Mr. Sudue says the suspects made several calls while sitting at the used cars company, pretending to be waiting for somebody before sharing biscuits and water with the guard that was on duty at the used car company.

Fighting Corruption At LNP-New Police Chief Calls on Public to Report Corrupt Police Officer

The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police Col. Patrick Sudue says the new administration of the Police will not condone any act of corruption by any officer. The new Police Inspector General made the remark during the first press briefing of the CDC-led government at the Ministry of Information Culture Tourism on Thursday, March 8.  Giving his first 100 days work plan, Col. Sudue called on the public to report any act of corruption exhibited by any member of the Police.  “If we will not eradicate corruption in totality, we intent to reduce corruption in the Liberian National Police." "I am calling on the public to please assist the Police with their gadgets to recall any act of corruption that will be demonstrated by officers that are on their beats." Col. Sudue added that any officers caught in the act of soliciting bribe from citizens, whom he says have been victimized will face the full weight of the law, the FrontPage Africa newspaper reads. 

EJS’ Regrets - Former Liberian President Says Lack of Funding Hampered Delivery of Electricity and Water

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reads that former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has expressed regrets at not being able to build more vocational schools and complete the restoration of water and electricity throughout the country. Mrs.  Sirleaf said her only regrets will be “Not Building More Vocational Schools” and putting more emphasis on education to meet the challenges of our educational system. Vocational Educational could have addressed the urgent needs of post war conflict among some of Liberian students who lack the basic skills to succeed in the educational system due to the impact of the war. Electricity and water will be the other two that needed more of her government time and resources, but felt short due to lack of funding, the former Liberian President said. The Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made these remarks while speaking on the theme “Post-Conflict Democratic Consolidation: The Liberian Experience” to a jammed-packed audience at the Arthur Lewis Auditorium located in The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. 

US-Based Charity Concludes Free Medical Service in Liberia

A self-funded not-for-profit organization based in the United States comprising Liberian and non-Liberian professionals has conducted eye surgery on 50 Liberians and examined over 5,000 more people in the country.  The team, dubbed Liberia Medical Mission, comprises psychologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists and bio engineers.  Joseph Sackor, the team head, said they ended the free medical services in on Friday, March 6 and on Saturday, donated US$90,000 medical equipment to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center. “We brought that so that our brothers and sisters who do not have means of traveling to Ghana and when they have these kind of conditions (in Liberia), so that they can have the test done right here,” Mr. Sackor said. The FrontPage Africa said among other things, the team’s work also focused on general medicine – focusing on mobile clinics and established medical facilities providing free eye surgery and general medicine. 

Liberian Women Honored on International Women's Day in London

The FrontPage Africa newspaper says Mrs. Evelyn Duke-Deshield, Mrs Lena Marshall and Madam Sarah Güsten-Marr were presented with Women Appreciating Women (WAW) Honorary Award on International Women's Day 8th March at Holiday Inn, London Bloomsbury at the annual prestigious conference gala and dinner. According to the daily, the Honorary Award was given for their endless positive contribution in the society. WAW - Women Appreciating Women is a global movement established by the amazing visionary woman Dr. Pauline Long to bring women together to appreciate one another and to support each other in business, humanitarian projects, personally, professionally and in all aspects of life. The theme at WAW this year is the 21st Century Women Leaders and Economic empowerment.

UN Expert Urges Gov’t Commitment To Free Media

According to the Daily Observer, a visiting United Nations official said Liberia has made meaningful progress in the areas of freedom of expression, media independence and government transparency, but the country needs to lock in and expand the gains made in the years since the cessation of hostilities over 15 years ago. The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye said this expansion is incumbent upon measures that the new government needs to institute – some of which have no monetary attachment but political will by the country’s top leadership. Among the many issues highlighted by Mr. Kay include the defamation law and indebtedness of government to media houses, which tends to strangulate their operations.

Lebanese Community Donates 500 Rain Gears, Others to MCC

The World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) has donated 500 rain gears to the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) as part of its support to the “Weah for Clean City” initiative. Ezzat Eid, president of the WLCU, said items donated are intended for MCC’s casual workers and Monrovia City Police during the rainy season. Mr. Eid, accompanied by other members of the Lebanese community in Liberia, noted that the absence of proper equipment, including rain gears, makes it challenging to maintain the cleanliness of the city during the rainy season. He said the WLCU will remain supportive of every initiative undertaken by the Weah-led administration once it is in the interest of the country and its people. Mr. Eid however hailed President George Manneh Weah for appointing a young mayor, who he said understands the plight of his people and is prepared to work, reports the Daily Observer.