10 January 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Supreme Court Reserves Ruling In Two Election Cases, Source: The INQUIRER

The Supreme Court Tuesday entertained arguments and reserved ruling for another day in two election disputes emanating from Lofa and Nimba Counties. The first dispute involves Clarence Massaquoi of the Unity Party (UP), Korva Jorbor of the United People’s Party (UPP), and James Cooper, an independent candidate; while the second dispute was between incumbent representative Larry Younquoi and Saye Mianah, a representative candidate.  

‘Senate Not in Consensus on President Pro Tempore’ –Senator Sheriff Retorts, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Montserrado County Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff has reacted sharply to a front page story carried in the January 4th edition of the Daily Observer stating that the Senate had derived a consensus in support of Grand Kru Senator Albert Chie’s bid to succeed Gbarpolu Senator Armah Jallah as President Pro-Tempore of that body. In response to questions about her chances of success considering that she is the lone female candidate in the race, Senator Sheriff stated that she does enjoy the support of some of her colleagues although some have been dismissive of her intention to contest. She said some Senators have argued, howbeit erroneously, that she is unqualified to contest because she has only 3 years left to the expiration of her 9-year tenure, a claim which she said has no legal or constitutional basis. Read More

Elections Results Leave Deep Seated Divisions in Nimba, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The multiple court cases arising from three of the nine electoral districts in the politically charged battleground of Nimba County suggest that the 10 October legislative election is now arousing passions, anger, and divisions in ways that will make healing difficult in the area. The lawsuits, one of which was heard Monday by the Supreme Court, challenges the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) conduct of the polls in Electoral Districts #4, 7 and 8, citing fraud, irregularities, and malpractices. The two other cases out of Electoral Districts #4 and 7 are currently before the NEC for determination and are expected to reach the Supreme Court as well. Read More

Lawmakers Soliciting Money from Business People –For Weah’s Inauguration, Source: New DEMOCRAT

This paper reports that the House Committee on Elections and Inauguration has circulated letters across the business community in Liberia begging for financial contribution to undertake the inauguration of President-elect George Weah. On 22 January, Weah will be inaugurated at noon in Monrovia as the country’s 25th President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) following his victory in the 26 December 2017 presidential runoff. Under the signature of Grand Bassa County Representative Gabriel Smith, the lawmakers are asking several companies including Multinational Corporations (MCs) to fund the event. Contacted via phone, Smith confirmed the solicitation spread and said it was a normal practice but did not provide details.

Army Probes Defense Authorities –Over Soldiers’ USD3million Retirement Fund, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has constituted a task team to probe civilian authorities to establish the fact regarding a 12-year USD20 compulsory deduction affecting soldiers’ income but now lacks accountability, Army Chief of Staff Daniel Ziahkahn has said.

On Tuesday, wives of AFL servicemen set roadblocks along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) highway and demonstrated at the Edward B. Kesselly Military Barrack in Margibi County in demand of their husbands’ benefits. Some of the protestors also gathered at the Foreign Ministry Office of outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, protesting alleged misappropriation of USD3 million deducted from soldiers by Defense Ministry officials since the army’s reorganization in 2006.

They called on the departing Commander-in-Chief of the AFL, President Sirleaf, to ensure that Defense Minister Brownie Samukai give an account of the money before he leaves office. Minister Samukai and his civilian administrators instituted a policy in 2006 which resulted to compulsory deduction of USD20.00 from each soldier’s salary to be given to them at retirement or to be loaned to them if there is a pressing need for soldier’s welfare, the protestors alleged. Unfortunately, for them, the outgoing Defense Minister provided only USD700,000 with that explanation that he used a portion of the money on administrative purposes without the consent of them (soldiers).

Man Sentenced to 10 Years –For Ritualistic Killing in Grand Kru, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The 12th Judicial Circuit of Grand Kru County has sentenced to 10 years imprisonment defendant Augustine Blay for killing Alfred Gray and taking away his private parts with a cutlass. Defendant Blay committed the crime along with two men identified as Francis Seekey and James S. Nimene. After their indictment and prior to the hearing of the case, co-defendant Seekey died in jail while Nimene has been given a separate trial. Defendant Blay explained before the court that he was promised a motorbike and USD10,000 for the killing but he is yet to receive anything.

Former Bong Senator cautions Weah's government, Source: The New Dawn

Former Bong County Senator Franklin Siakor says the incoming Coalition for Democratic Change-led government must institute drastic measures against public officials who are in the habit of enriching themselves at the expense of the common people. Mr. Siakor warns in a recent interview with The New Dawn that Liberians will remain poor if the roots of poverty are not tackled by those in government. According to him, the roots of poverty can be tackled when decision makers here craft policies that will seek to minimize corruption and nepotism.

The former Bong lawmaker believes that alleged dishonesty on the part of government officials is a major factor responsible for the underdevelopment of the country.  Siakor also indicated that dreadful policies in different sectors of the Country have further made a significant increase in the poverty rate here. He used his encounter with The New Dawn to frown at government officials who allegedly pay less attention to private initiatives on grounds that the architects might rival them for their positions. Read more

No arrest in attack on police depot –Police Spokesperson Sam Collins, Source: The New Dawn

Barely four days following the reported attack on a police depot in Coca-Cola Community in Paynesville by unknown gunmen, police spokesperson Sam Collins, says no arrest has been made. Mr. Collins told a local radio station Tuesday that the Liberia National Police (LNP) is investigating the incident in order to identify the attackers and establish their motives especially wondering why the gunmen asked about the whereabouts of the depot commander, while holding hostage some of the officers on duty on the day of the attack on Sunday, 7 January. Read more

GAC fights back, Source: The New Dawn

The General Auditing Commission (GAC) says its political neutrality and social media policies are neither targeted at a particular political institution nor a supporter of any political party. The GAC in a statement Tuesday said the intended and primary objective of its social media policies is to protect the integrity of the Commission as a credible and professional Supreme Audit Institution (SAI). The auditing house said its clarifications are in reaction to comments made by the lead presenter of the Okay FM Morning Show on Monday in which he insinuated that the GAC suspended one of its employees for campaigning for a particular political party whose interests the GAC did not support during the just-ended 2017 Presidential Runoff election. This insinuation, the GAC says, is false, misleading, and only intended to undermine the integrity of the Commission. Read more

Patients claim maltreatment at CB Dunbar Hospital, Source: The New Dawn

Some patients at the CB Dunbar Maternity Hospital in Gbarnga, Bong County are complaining of an alleged maltreatment they face at the hands of nurses at the hospital. The patients, some of whom were seen waiting in the corridor of the hospital on Tuesday said nurses at the hospital are careless about their wellbeing whenever they go there to seek medication. Other patients complained of the hospital’s slow operations. But the hospital chief medical officer Obed Dolo described the allegation as a sweeping statement and a fallacy. Read more

3 dead, several injured in crash, Source: The New Dawn

At least three persons reportedly died and several others injured in a tragic motor accident that occurred Sunday along the Gbarnga-Monrovia Highway. Police in the county are investigation the cause of the accident. Read more

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ON LIBERIA

Health Workers Pressing for Overhaul of Liberia Health Sector, Source: News Public Trust

The National Health Workers` Union of Liberia (NAHWUL) has called for “a complete overhaul of the Health Ministry and the entire health sector” across the country. NAHWUL said with the process of repairing the sector, health care providers will benefit an effective and efficient health care delivery system in the nation that will be in the best interest of all Liberians. Speaking Tuesday at a news conference in Monrovia, NAHWUL National Secretary General George Poe Williams urged the new government to consult and listen to the views of the Union on health-related matters and when taking major decisions in this sector. The Union said over the last 12 years, the concerns of health workers had been overlooked. Read More

Liberia’s 11-year-old Philanthropist: Little Israela’s Charity Box -Prez Sirleaf Donates and Commends Isreala for Sending Kids to School, Source: News Public Trust

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made “an unspecified generous contribution” to the charity fund of an 11-year-old Liberian girl, an Executive Mansion press release said on Tuesday. Little Israela J. S. Tarway, a 7th-grade student of the Spiritan Academy in Monrovia, runs Little Israela’s charity box to fulfill her dream and contribution to children. President Sirleaf commended Little Israela, a proud winner of the Princess Diana Award in 2017 for what she termed as her humanitarian gesture to less privileged children of her age and above that are currently out of school due to lack of support from parents and guardians. “Israela, I want to commend you for what you have done and continue to do for children; you are exceptional,” President Sirleaf noted. The Liberian leader was speaking Monday at the Foreign Ministry when she met Little Israela Tarway and her mother, Amelia Tarway during a courtesy visit. Read More

Liberian Ex-lawmakers Want Rule of Law, Reconciliation Prioritize, Source: News Public Trust

Respect for the rule of law, reconciliation, and the fundamental rights of the people must be key priorities of the incoming Coalition for Democratic Change-led government of President-elect George Weah, a group of former Liberian lawmakers has said. The Association of Former Elected and Served Legislators of Liberia (AFESL) said in order for Liberia to succeed, these things must be done. Mr. Ben Patten, the AFESL president said the Association wants Mr. Weah’s government take the first step and provide firm direction for genuine reconciliation. Patten said the next government should commit to peace on the gains already made by the outgoing Unity Party-led government and international partners. Read More

Technical Vocational Teachers Benefit from UNESCO-Funded Training, Source: News Public Trust

Hundreds of technical, vocational, education and training (TVET) teachers have begun benefiting from intensive 10-day training in pedagogy and curriculum development, the Youth and Sports Ministry said in Monrovia on Tuesday. UNESCO is sponsoring the training, which is taking place at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC). The program is being implemented by the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on TVET. A Youth and Sports Ministry press release quotes Minister Saah Charles N’Tow as saying, “managing the huge expectations of the Liberian youths about their needs remain cardinal, for both the outgoing and incoming governments.” UNESCO OiC Stevenson Sadi said TVET is the best alternative to getting the young people ready for the job market. He lauded outgoing President Ellen Johnson for being instrumental in creating the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce, which he said has worked hard to set up the instruments of running TVET in the country. 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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