Thursday, 8 March 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

IMF Team Visits Liberia, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, New DEMOCRAT, and The INQUIRER

A seven-man IMF Article IV Consultation Team including the deputy division chief Western II Division of the African Department, Mika Saito is in the country to hold series of discussions and technical meetings with various stakeholders including the Finance Ministry as a way of assessing the status of the country’s economy. The team will be in the country for two weeks.

Liberia Hosts International Parliamentarians Confab, Sources: New DEMOCRAT and The INQUIRER

The plenary of the House of Representatives Tuesday agreed to host a confab under the banner “International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace” (IAPP) in Liberia this year. The confab which is expected to promote good governance and religious tolerance followed the conclusion of the International Leadership Confab 2018 hosted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Seoul, South Korea from 18-22 February 2018.

NEC’s Declaration of Nimba District #4 Winner Challenged Again, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that Nimba County Electoral District #4 is unlikely to have representation at the Legislature, because of another complaint that has been filed by lawyers representing defeated incumbent lawmaker Garrison Yealue, this time against the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) handling of the Supreme Court’s mandate. Yealue’s second complaint that is before the high court came immediately Wednesday after the electoral commission implemented the high court’s mandate that demanded a re-examination of the Kpaglay Polling Place #1, Precinct #33105 in Beo-Bargaplay District in Nimba County, and subsequently declared Gonpue Kargon again as the winner of the district seat. With the filing of the second complaint, Kargon will not take his seat, unless the Supreme Court can again decide its merit or demerit.

Yealue’s lawyer, Jallah Barbu in a complaint, argued that the court ordered that the NEC’s re-examination should cover the raw data from the disputed Kpaglay Polling Place #1, Precinct #33105 in Beo-Bargaplay District, but he claimed that the NEC restricted the process to only the ballot papers, which they believed undermined the mandate of the court, hence, the court should nullify the electoral body’s announcement of Kargon’s declaration as winner of the district’s seat. Read more

Ghana To Reactivate Permanent Cooperation with Liberia, Source: The INQUIRER

The Ghanaian government through its embassy in Monrovia has assured that it will work tirelessly to reactivate its Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation to promote common socio-economic projects and programs in Liberia. Speaking at a cocktail reception to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the independence of Ghana held at the Grand Royal Hotel in Monrovia, Ambassador EB Asare-Asiedu said Ghana will encourage its compatriots to continue to show a greater commitment to the economic advancement of Liberia through increased investment in the country.

President Weah’s Choice for Deputy Managing Director at LWSC Thriving on Falsehood, Source: FrontPage Africa

FrontPage Africa reports that while integrity issue beclouds the recently nominated deputy managing director for administration of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Moseray Momoh has opted to fight back with falsehoods and dishonesty in order to save face. Mr. Momoh, FrontPage Africa has gathered, was at the verge of dismissal for acts of corruption and conflict of interest while serving as procurement officer/manager on the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Urban Water Supply Project. But in a rather deceitful posture, Momoh at two consecutive news confabs debunking a FrontPage Africa publication that he was involved in dubious acts that led to the termination of his employment from the entity.

FrontPage Africa continued: “He went through the investigation and based on the gravity and magnitude of corruption the investigative team recommended to the Board his termination Management signed onto the recommendation, but he had the foresight, he resigned just before the MD at the time, Charles Allen, could give him his termination letter,” a former board member of LWSC told FrontPage Africa.. Read more

China, Liberia Sign More Bilateral Agreements, Sources: Foreign Ministry News, FrontPage Africa, News Public Trust, The ANALYST, The INQUIRER, and The New Dawn

The Chinese government Tuesday agreed to provide more bilateral aids to Liberia touching the SKD Sports Complex, the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), and the National Clinical Reference Laboratory.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, foreign minister Gbehzohngar Findley during the signing of the MOU thanked the Chinese government through its Ambassador to Liberia, Fu Jijun for the many assistance it continues to render Liberia. On his part, Ambassador Jijun said: “We are very glad to be here to sign these agreements, which we hope will help in some ways towards President Weah's pro-poor agenda.” According to him, the agreement specifically targeting the SKD Sports Complex is geared toward youth empowerment in the sports area, adding “We know the empowerment of young people of Liberia is of major concern of President Weah.” Read more

Special Task Force Using Armed Officers To Repossess Ex-Officials’ Vehicles, Source: FrontPage Africa

FrontPage Africa has reliably gathered that the Special Presidential Task Force (SPTF) to repossess government vehicles has allegedly resorted to Police intimation to seize vehicles suspected of belonging to the government. The latest to fall prey to such intimidation is Dr. Clarence Moniba who served as deputy chief of staff and head of the President Delivery Unit in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government. An eyewitness told FrontPage Africa that Dr. Moniba on Wednesday morning had to face the embarrassment of being “repossess” of his own vehicle by seven armed Police officers who were acting under the directive of the SPTF.

FrontPage Africa also gathered that other former government officials have experienced similar debacle at this hands of the task force including former mayor Cyvette Gibson of Paynesville whose house was reportedly intruded by the armed officers tussling with her relatives in the compound, leaving some of them wounded, before taking away her vehicle. Also, former transport minister Angela Cassell Bush experienced similar ordeal when her vehicle was also forcibly taken out of her compound by a tow truck guarded by armed officers.

Police spokesperson Woods Nyonton told FrontPage Africa that the Police have a mandate from President George Weah to repossess government-owned vehicles. Mr. Nyonton said though the government is aware that some of those vehicles were purchased by individuals and former officials of government, not all who claimed to have purchased the vehicles acquired them legally. “Imagine an official buying a 2016 model for USD600 that should let you know that vehicle was fraudulently acquired,” the Police spokesperson said. According to him, is the Police are under obligation to seize the vehicles for an investigation to ascertain the manner in which they were bought. Read more

Weah Warned Against Cruel Land Reform, Sources: All Africa and New DEMOCRAT

The Civil Society Organizations Working Group on Land Rights Reform Wednesday cautioned President George Weah and the Liberian Senate that enacting the Land Rights Bill, which has been severely altered against the interest of poor forest dwellers, would no doubt undermine the country's peace, security, and economic development. The 53rd House of Representatives approved the bill in August 2017 and is now before the Senate for concurrence and passage into law. The group at a news confab said while it welcomes President Weah’s comments and commitment to land reform especially customary land rights, they want him and the Senate to be guided by good conscience, equity, and justice in supporting a pro-poor bill that will protect community land rights.

“The version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives in August 2017 severely and unduly undermines the land rights of ordinary Liberians and community residents, most especially the vast majority of the population who inhibits rural Liberia," Lena Cummings, chair of the Women Land Rights Taskforce said in a statement. Read

LEC to Disconnect Debtors, Remove Illegal Connections, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, INSIGHT, New DEMOCRAT, and The INQUIRER

The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) will on Monday commence a major campaign to disconnect customers who owe the corporation large debts and those consumers who are illegally connected to its electricity distribution network. The LEC, according to a release, will also carry out an inspection of installed electricity meters Read more

ORANGE Liberia Celebrates International Women’s Day, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, FrontPage Africa, and The INQUIRER

In commemoration of today’s International Women’s Day, telecom giant Orange Liberia says it has used the umbrella of the global celebration to impact the lives of 100 Liberian businesswomen. The 100 women who received the prizes had all opened an Orange Money account last Monday. An Orange Liberia official, Sara Buchanan said that the event was a proud moment for her and the entire Orange Liberia family. 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.

 

 

 

Print Headlines