• ‘The Untouchables’ -President Weah’s recast budget exempts Legislature, Judiciary, and Ministry of State, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa
• President Weah Makes More Appointments in Local Government, Sources: FrontPage Africa and News Public Trust
• Video Evidence Shows Weah Did Request 6,000 Teachers from Nigeria, Source: The Bush Chicken
• Government Urged To Tackle Issues Affecting Women, Source: FrontPage Africa
• “Your Plight Is Priority to Me” First Lady on International Women’s Day, Sources: FrontPage Africa and News Public Trust
• Government Bars Entry to Illegal Migrants from Sierra Leone, Source: Daily OBSERVER
• Lassa Fever Resurfaces in Liberia, 3 Deaths Confirmed, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa
• Police IG Fumbles: “I Am New On The Job” -For the unilateral decision to allow motorcyclists into “No Go Zones”, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and News Public Trust
• ‘Liberia’s Diaspora Is Part of My Leadership’ -President Weah tells Liberians in Nigeria, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, and News Public Trust
• LRA Holds Tax Clinic For Business Stakeholders, Source: Daily OBSERVER

‘The Untouchables’ -President Weah’s recast budget exempts Legislature, Judiciary, and Ministry of State, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

President George Weah has submitted an adjusted recast budget of USD536.2 million for the 2017/2018 Fiscal Year, which indicates a cut of 100 percent of “other goods and services” that summed up to USD27.4 million. The previously approved budget was USD563.5 million. The recast budget, aimed at addressing resource constraints while ensuring efficient service delivery over the remaining period of the 2017/2018 fiscal year, from February 1 – June 30, 2018 was submitted for ratification by the House of Representatives. The Finance Ministry says the strategy of the adjusted recast budget is to protect essential items, such as compensation, drugs, food, among others.

According to the summary, fuel is reduced by 55 percent across all institutions except for the LRA, medical facilities, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Security Sector. Moreover, there is a 50 percent cut to telecommunications and workshops across all spending entities (excluding Legislature and the Judiciary). Similarly, there is a 55 percent cut to travels except for the Foreign Ministry, the Legislature, Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, and the Judiciary. Read more

President Weah Makes More Appointments in Local Government, Sources: FrontPage Africa and News Public Trust

President George Weah has made a number of appointments in government affecting the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Those appointed are Momolu Johnson, deputy internal affairs minister for administration; Joseph Jangar, assistant internal affairs minister for culture and customs; Losene Siryon, assistant minister for technical services; and Ayoubah Fofana, assistant minister for communal farming. Others appointed are Jerry Varnie, superintendent of Margibi County; Bismarck Karbiah, superintendent of River Cess County; Lee Nagbe Chea, superintendent of Sinoe County; George Prowd, Sr., superintendent of Maryland County among others. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable. Read more

Video Evidence Shows Weah Did Request 6,000 Teachers from Nigeria, Source: The Bush Chicken

Video evidence shows that President George Weah did indeed request 6,000 teachers from Nigeria during his recent trip to the West African nation. This is contrary to Mr. Weah’s clarification to journalists on Tuesday that his plea was only for Nigeria’s support in the form of experts who could build the capacity of Liberian teachers. “I spoke with the [education] minister, and what I did was to go out there and look for people to come and help to strengthen the sector, so we can have more people; not to go bring 6,000 teachers into the country,” the president told reporters on Tuesday.

However, in a video posted by OAK TV in Nigeria, Weah told a press conference in Nigeria that his government was seeking Nigeria’s intervention for 6,000 teachers, under the bilateral teacher exchange program, to make up for the shortage of qualified teachers in the country. “Under the bilateral teacher exchange program, we are seeking 6,000 teachers to make up for the shortage of good teachers in our education system,” he said while in Nigeria. Read more

Government Urged To Tackle Issues Affecting Women, Source: FrontPage Africa

Noble Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee Thursday called on the Liberian government to look at issues facing the women of the country when she delivered the keynote address at a program in observance of this year’s International Women’s Day held in Paynesville. Ms. Gbowee said women in Liberia have been marginalized over the years by their male counterparts; something she said has been responsible for their slow progress in society. She also challenged rural women in the country to stand up and speak against injustice facing them.

The Nobel Peace Laureate urged women in Liberia to involve themselves in things that will improve their lives. She continued; “Madam First Lady, please tell your husband the President of this country, that for him and his government to succeed, they must take the Liberian women agenda very serious. Women right is political and human right so, it is important for us to look at it and work on them. It is time for us to look at everything women are involved with if we are to succeed as a government and people. It is time for us to work shoulder to shoulder regardless of the sex for us to see the success of Liberia women.”  Read more

“Your Plight Is Priority to Me” First Lady on International Women’s Day, Sources: FrontPage Africa and News Public Trust

Liberia’s first lady Clar Weah Thursday joined hundreds of women from all walks of life in commemorating International Women’s Day during which she told the gathering that she was pleased to celebrate the day with them praising their courage and determination. Mrs. Weah also told the gathering that she was committed to fighting for the Liberian women in ensuring that issues affecting them are addressed. But she quickly pointed out that she was still getting herself familiar with their plight. “I want you to know that your plight remains a priority to me,” said the first lady as she assured them of fighting with all her might for the cause of women’s issues. Read more

Government Bars Entry to Illegal Migrants from Sierra Leone, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Liberian government on Wednesday barred hundreds of Sierra Leoneans from entering the country at the Bo Waterside border post because they did not have ‘traveling documents’ that could have allowed them to do so. However, the Sierra Leoneans interviewed said they were residing in Liberia and recently returned to Sierra Leone to cast their votes in the country’s presidential and general elections on March 7. Authorities at the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) told the Daily Observer Thursday that the returning Sierra Leoneans did not have travel documents and therefore, could not be allowed to enter Liberia. LIS commissioner, Lemuel Reeves, said only 566 persons were granted free passage to return to Sierra Leone, but afterward realized that upon their return the number had surpassed 1,000. Read more

Lassa Fever Resurfaces in Liberia, 3 Deaths Confirmed, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and the Health Ministry have confirmed three cases of Lassa Fever in Montserrado and Nimba counties. All those confirmed to be carrying the fever have died, the Health Ministry said in a release. The victims, according to the release, were given a safe and dignified burial. The county health teams are now doing contact tracing on both healthcare workers and community members who came into contact with the patients during their symptomatic period and are considered to be at risk. No epidemiological link has been established between those confirmed with the disease, though they have already died. A total of 134 contacts have been identified and are currently being followed-up including 37 healthcare workers. As of 7 March, no new confirmed Lassa fever cases have been reported, the release said. Read more

Police IG Fumbles: “I Am New On The Job” -For the unilateral decision to allow motorcyclists into “No Go Zones”, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and News Public Trust

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Patrick Sudue has apologized for unilaterally allowing motorcyclists on major roads in the city once regulated as “No Go Zones.” Sudue admitted being new on the job with barely a month experience as IGP. “I will like to say to this plenary and the committee on security, defense and intelligence that I am sorry for not consulting this body and all stakeholders; I am new in this position and that will be a learning piece for me. I will correct those mistakes, and I will also take key note as to what to do next time,” IGP Sudue told the Senate. The IGP’s appearance before the lawmakers Thursday was to provide clarity over the reemergence of commercial motorcycles on the main streets of Monrovia, which were once regulated as “No Go Zones.” Read more

‘Liberia’s Diaspora Is Part of My Leadership’ -President Weah tells Liberians in Nigeria, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, and News Public Trust

President George Weah has told Diaspora Liberians in Nigeria last Monday at the Liberian Embassy in Abuja that they are part of his administration and encouraged them and those elsewhere to return home and join him to move the country forward. “In my State of the Nation Address [recently], I called on the Diaspora to join us. There is no way we can leave you out of our leadership. You are part of us,” President Weah said.

He continued: “If you are Liberians living abroad, you need to come home to contribute your quota. We are looking for nurses, engineers, doctors, lawyers and good ones too. And I know Liberians are smart people. You need to come back home and settle. We will talk with the embassies to get the numbers and work with the Finance Ministry to see how to relocate you to Liberia so you can fit into the society and work. This is the hope for change that we’ve brought to you.” Read more

LRA Holds Tax Clinic For Business Stakeholders, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) says it will determinedly enforce the collection of lawful revenues, while working with all stakeholders, especially the business community, to enhance compliance and boost domestic resource mobilization. The LRA wants businesses in the country to operate within the confines of the law and pay their taxes in line with the Liberia Revenue Code in order to foster national development. The call was made last Friday when the LRA Domestic Tax Department held a one-day interactive discussion with several business stakeholders at the authority’s headquarters in Paynesville. The discussions focused on issues hindering the accurate filling of tax records, including timely payment of taxes by taxpayers mainly in the Medium and Large Tax sectors. Read more