Friday, 9 February 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

President Weah Commends Health Workers Association for Their Sacrifices, Sources: Executive Mansion News, FrontPage Africa, News Public Trust, and The New Dawn

President George Weah Thursday met with a delegation of the National Health Workers Association of Liberia at his Foreign Ministry office during which he commended the health workers for their commitment and sacrifices to the nation and assured them of his continued support aimed at revamping the health sector. President Weah said he was appalled by the existing condition of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and promised to work towards transforming the facility. He then informed the Health Workers Association that his call on them was to assess challenges confronting the sector in order to forge a partnership to enhance the sector. Read more

House Cites Commerce Minister Over Rice Price Reduction, Source: FrontPage Africa

Representative Clarence Massaquoi has requested the Plenary of the House of Representatives to invite commerce minister-designate Wilson Tarpeh to provide an explanation on how the recent reduction in the price of rice will benefit every Liberian. Representative Massaquoi request was contained in a communication written to his colleagues on Thursday during the 8th day sitting of the House of Representatives.

The Lofa lawmaker said Mr. Tarpeh is to answer to inquires as to who bears the cost of the reduction, the magnitude and cost of such adjustments to the economy; and the general welfare of the people.  Massaquoi also wants Tarpeh to explain how the drop in the price of rice will benefit the ordinary people who cannot afford to buy bags of rice but purchase per cup.

The concern raised by the lawmaker is grounded on a recent meeting held between President George Weah and the leadership of the Rice Importers Association of Liberia to negotiate a reduction in the price of the nation staple rice. Read more

Lawmaker Wants Senate Deny Confirmation of Lofa County Superintendent-Designate, Source: FrontPage Africa

Representative Francis Nyumalin has requested President George Weah to withdraw the nomination of the Lofa County superintendent-designate, William Tamba Kamba. In a communication to plenary, the Lofa lawmaker requested the chairman of the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs, Senator J. Gbleh-bo Brown not to confirm Mr. Kamba as superintendent of the county. According to Representative Nyumalin, Kamba lacks the requisite academic credentials to govern the people of Lofa. He also alleged that the superintendent-designate has not obtained a high school diploma and therefore, cannot superintend the county. Read more

“I did not order violence against journalists” –Senator Lawrence, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration has denied reports that she recently ordered the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Brigadier-General Toe Cheleh Toe to manhandle legislative reporters at the Capitol Building. Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence in a statement and an interview with the Daily Observer clarified that at no point during the confirmation of then justice minister-designate Charles Gibson, did she order violence against any journalist.

New Mines Minister Pledges Fight Against Diamond, Gold Smuggling, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The lands, mines and energy minister-designate has promised to institute reforms that would stem illicit mining and ensure that more revenues are generated to back the country’s struggling economy. Mr. Gesler Murray said illicit mining and smuggling of minerals had over the decades contributed to the low performance of the energy sector with respect to revenue generation. Murray made the statement Wednesday when he appeared for Senate confirmation.

Give The Weah Government Time …ANC Leader Cummings Asserts, Source: The INQUIRER

The political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander Cummings has urged Liberians to give the government of President George Weah time before judging it as it continues to form the government. Speaking on a local radio talk show Thursday, Mr. Cummings the ANC is being deliberate by giving the new government time, preferably six months to begin to critique its performance. Cummings said he supports a strong opposition because it is helpful in strengthening the country’s democracy.

Man, 42, Blames Wife for Exposing His Sexual Relations with Step-Daughter, 13, Source: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The media reports that the premises of the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice was last Tuesday, the scene of laughter and disbelief when a 42-year-old father of three children, in a bitter exchange with his wife, accused her of exposing his sexual relationship with her 13-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. The drama unfolded as defendant Varney Swaray, was being escorted by court officers to the Monrovia City Prison where he will await his day in court to answer to the rape charge. But on seeing his wife among onlookers, he broke down in tears claiming that she was responsible for his ordeal. The alleged rape, according to court records, took place on June 25 last year at the Pagos Island community in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. Although defendant Swaray admitted to the act during a police investigation, in court he argued that the victim had previous sexual encounters with a number of unnamed individuals. Read more

Man, 41, Charged for Sodomy, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, and The INQUIRER

Authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP) have charged a 41-year-old man identified as Christopher Worjloh for allegedly sodomizing two young men in the Saye Town Community in Sinkor. According to an LNP report, defendant Worjloh on separate dates sodomized Aaron Zaizay, 18, and Emmanuel Getty, 18. The defendant was arrested on 19 January and has been charged and detained at the Monrovia Central Prison. Read more

APM Terminals New Measures Constraining Liberian Custom Brokers, Source: FrontPage Africa

FrontPage Africa reports that new measures imposed by APM Terminals at the Freeport of Monrovia are constraining Liberian importers and custom brokers, and could have a severe bearing on the already struggling local economy in the coming months.  APM Terminals on 15 January announced that it was increasing the annual tariff, with the measure having been put into force since the beginning of February. “Per our Concession Agreement, this adjustment is calculated by a predefined inflationary formula, and will have the effect of adjusting all charges in the current Tariff upward, by 7.032%,” the company said in a statement. Meanwhile, a local group, Economy Freedom Fighter of Liberia (EFFL) is calling for the revision of the APM Terminals concession agreement.  Read more

Custom Brokers Protest Over Revenue Authority Overstepped Supervision, Source: FrontPage Africa

Normal activities at the Free Port of Monrovia were Thursday disrupted when members of the National Custom Brokers Association of Liberia (NCBAL) begun protesting against “the many unfair trade practices, inhumane unnecessary trade regulations.” NCBAL in a release said it blames the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for unfair trade practices including recruitment and training of individuals desiring to become custom brokers. According to the association, this is causing serious problems for both the business community and the consumers. The association further claims that the LRA is overstepping its bounds by performing tasks that are not part of the revenue authority’s statutory responsibilities. More so, NCBAL is also accusing the Commerce Ministry, APM Terminals, BIVAC, and shipping lines in the country for violating trade agreements at the detriment of the union. 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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