• NEC Seeks $3.9million To Conduct Senate Election, Sources: New DEMOCRAT, News Public Trust, and The INQUIRER
• Death Linked Minister Confirmation Hitches, Sources: New DEMOCRAT, The INQUIRER, and The New Dawn
• Labor To Get Tough On Employment Related Issues, Source: The New Dawn
• Government, Others Owe LEC Over USD7M, Source: The INQUIRER

NEC Seeks $3.9million To Conduct Senate Election, Sources: New DEMOCRAT, News Public Trust, and The INQUIRER

The National Elections Commission (NEC) said Monday it needs USD3.9 million from the government to conduct the pending senatorial by-elections within 90 days as required by law. NEC chairman Cllr. Jerome Korkoya told reporters in Monrovia the electoral commission’s request is based on a communication received in February this year from the Liberian Senate informing it of the existence of two vacancies as the result of the elections of former Senators George Weah of Montserrado County, and Jewel Howard Taylor of Bong County as President and Vice President of Liberia respectively.

He said Pursuant to Article 37 of the constitution the NEC “Shall not less than 90 days thereafter (February 13) cause a by-election to be held” to fill these vacancies. Based on the notice from the Liberian Senate, Korkoya said a steering committee was constituted on 14 February to plan and oversee the conduct of the two by-elections within the timeframe mandated by the constitution. The steering committee is chaired by commissioner Boakai Dukuly and co-chaired by the compliance and risk management director, Anthony Sengbe. “Aware of the time frame limit within which these by-elections must be completed the steering committee commenced worked almost immediately and has developed a budget for delivery of these elections amounting to $3.9 million together with a clear electoral calendar,” Cllr. Korkoya said. Read more

Death Linked Minister Confirmation Hitches, Sources: New DEMOCRAT, The INQUIRER, and The New Dawn

Senators Monday suspended for time indefinite the confirmation hearing of health minister-designate Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah after an hour of proceeding due to ethical and legal controversy beclouding the nominee’s reputation. Dr. Jallah and her Hope for Women International clinic are facing a wrongful death case. The confirmation hearing was cut off when the nominee declined to explain to the Senators the actual story in relation to the death of the patient for which she is in court. “We have decided that this confirmation hearing is going to be suspended and the nominee will remain under oath to be subsequently called back and that’s the decision of this committee,” Senator Peter Coleman who chairs the Senate Committee on Health said.

Jallah’s refusal to answer to questions regarding the alleged role played in the death of a woman who was seeking medication at her medical center was undesirable, protested Senator Gbleh-Bo Brown and further said: “This hearing is contingent on this case. You can’t have case hanging over the nominee and she refuse to answer the question. I suggest you make a decision now Mr. Chairman.” But the health minister-designate said “I would have loved to explain this matter, but the case is under review. I can’t make any further comments with regards to the case.”  Read more

Labor To Get Tough On Employment Related Issues, Source: The New Dawn

Labor minister Moses Kollie has vowed to ensure that the ministry applies all necessary legal steps to getting employers and employment institutions adhering to the provisions of the Decent Work Act (DWA) as a source of harmonizing and restoring dignity to the labor sector of the country. Speaking Friday when he and a Labor Ministry delegation inspected the operations of the Bea Mountain gold mine in Grand Cape Mount County, Mr. Kollie expressed serious concern over the manner in which Liberian workers have been treated by sub-contractors of original companies. The labor minister then reassured Liberians that his administration will seriously address issues that run contrary to the DWA.

Government, Others Owe LEC Over USD7M, Source: The INQUIRER

The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) says the government and other customers are indebted to the entity in more than USD7 million, which is impeding its smooth operation. The CEO of the LEC, John Ashley told a news confab Monday that when he took over the corporation in January, the government was indebted to the LEC in the tone of USD5 million, but noted that government has only paid up to half of the amount. The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), according to Mr. Ashley, owes the LEC USD1.3 million, while other customers incur USD5 million debts to the electrical power company.