07 February 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Dangote’s Agreement Not ‘Pro-Poor’, Source: New DEMOCRAT

“The Investment Incentive Agreement between Liberia and billionaire Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote is wicked, and not supportive of President George Weah’s ‘pro-poor’ agenda,” a member of the Senate Committee on Labor said Monday in Monrovia, this paper reports. Senator Dallas Gueh told labor minister-designate, Moses Kollie, that it would be paradoxical for President Weah’s administration to be pushing for more jobs creation and ratify a concession agreement that is requesting to hire 80 percent foreigners and 20 percent Liberian employees. Senator Gueh encouraged the nominee to inform the president to review the Dangote investment contract before re-submitting it to the Legislature for passage.

Presidential Guard Will Use Force on Media: Official, Source: New DEMOCRAT

Liberia’s elite presidential guard will apply minimum force against journalists to ensure that the president is not venerable at public events, the deputy director for administration-designate of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) has said, the New Democrat reports. Mr. Henry Wolo made the statement Monday on Capitol Hill when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs for a confirmation hearing. “Many times journalists will force you to leave your strategic position. To avoid the VIP from being venerable, when they push us, we will use minimum force to get them out,” Wolo said.

When asked for his interpretation of “minimum force”, Wolo said, “the force will not be the kind of force that will have them to fall on the ground or injure them. The force will be a force that will push them back.”

On his part, EPS director-designate, Trokon Roberts said the presidential guard would not be belligerent or combative in its approach to protecting the presidency. Robert said his leadership would focus on ethical training and redesigning of the service.

Government vow to protect women’s right, Source: The New Dawn

Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor says the government remains committed to respecting and protecting the rights of women in Liberia. She said the government is also committed to ensuring that girls are allowed to reach their full potential, guaranteeing that no opportunity is denied them to progress in their life. ‘This is the basic human right and we owe it to every woman and girl to live and grow up in a secured environment without any threat from any quarter’, Vice President Taylor emphasized. The vice president spoke Tuesday at programs marking the celebration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM held at the Monrovia City Hall.

The vice president used the occasion to call on all Liberians and partners to remember that the fight against violence against women and girls is a collective responsibility that must be honored at every level. Taylor said violence against women and girls takes many different forms including domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, child, early and forced marriage, sex trafficking and FGM. Read more

Senator complains appointees, Sources: INSIGHT, New DEMOCRAT, The INQUIRER, and The New Dawn

Senator George Tengbeh has complained to his colleagues that some presidential appointees are allegedly by-passing confirmation hearing and taking over government institutions, hence, he wants the Senate to do a formal communication to President George Weah to advise his appointees to abide by Article 54 of the Constitution. Speaking Tuesday during regular session, Senator Tengbeh said there were some people who were appointed by the president that are going to work without confirmation, and in his mind, it is not right.

The Lofa lawmaker said on the day of the riot at the University of Liberia (UL), the mayor-designate of Monrovia had a program at the Monrovia City Hall, followed by the Paynesville City Corporation and the internal affairs minister-designate. According to Tengbeh, Article 54 of the Constitution gives the power to the president to nominate officials with the consent of the Senate; arguing that it is against the constitution for any nominee who is yet to appear before the Senate committee to be seen at work executing functions. Read more

Prominent Sons of Bong County Decry Exclusion From New Government, Source: FrontPage Africa

FrontPage Africa reports that citizens in Bong County are raising serious concerns over appointments being made by President George Weah without the inclusion of natives of the county. With over 150 appointments made so far, there is no notable person from Bong County being appointed, especially in ministerial and managing director positions.

Since the release of the first, second, and third appointment lists, citizens of the county have taken to the social media and community radio stations in the county calling on President Weah to take timely action and re-assess the prevailing reality that excludes the county from his cabinet.

They are contending that they overwhelmingly supported the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) by producing the second highest votes, next to Montserrado County. They said by now there should have been more people from the county who are equally qualified on the appointment lists.

The presidential press secretary, Sam Mannah said the president’s appointments are not based on tribe or county, but all the 15 counties in the country are currently represented in the cabinet except Bong. Read more

Gunshots at Farhat's farm –two gone missing, Source: The New Dawn

Two men are said to have reportedly gone missing from former finance minister David Farhat's farm following a tussle over a piece of land with another group that is said to be claiming the land in the Mount Barclay area in Montserrado County. The farm manager, Joseph Saye told journalists Tuesday that there was gunfire during the tussle on Monday. He said two of his men, Moses Jersey and Abakkuk Zinatuwah went missing during the tussle with a group of men loyal to one Blama King who is also said to be claiming the piece of land.

The situation on the disputed farmland appears to be causing havoc in the area, with the latest clash between the two parties stirring fears among the locals. According to Mr. Saye, some 13 men from Todee District in Montserrado County were working on Mr. Farhat's farm on Monday, 5 January when over 100 men allegedly supporting Mr. King entered the farm and allegedly attacked them. Read more

Concerns Heighten Over Refund of Regional Exams Fees, Source: FrontPage Africa

Some high school administrators and students are raising concerns over the possibility of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) refunding money paid as registration for the regional exams. They are making the request following President George Weah’s announcement during his address to the Legislature that his administration would settle the payment of WASSCE fees for all 12th graders in the country.

President Weah’s goodwill came after many students had already paid their fees to write the most prestigious regional exams. These students had complained of difficulties in getting their fees paid ahead of the deadline and that the sum was too exorbitant. Some said they borrowed money to make the payment base on an agreement to pay back.

The WAEC has, however, told FrontPage Africa it would refund the payment of fees to various school administrators when government completes the final payment, which is expected at the end of February 2018. Read more

Disclaimer
This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIL on the understanding that the choice of articles included is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIL.

 

 

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