Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has sent a condolence message to the Government and People of the Republic of Burundi, following the death of His Excellency Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi. President Pierre Nkurunziza died recently as a result of a cardiac arrest. President George Manneh Weah also prayed that the Almighty God will grant the people of Burundi strength, courage and fortitude during this difficult period of national mourning. Prior to his death, Nkurunziza was due to hand over power to his handpicked successor, Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye. He was elected in May to replace President Nkurunziza, who had been in power for 15 years.

The Editor,I’m a hardcore member of the community of opposition to the CDC-led administration and besides, a supporter of Sen. Abraham Darius Dillon. When I chose to be an opposition member to the ruling party, I didn’t sign in as a cult member of the opposition community. If you take my advice, we’ll, by our good consciences and a deep sense of patriotism, elevate so highly, the quality of our politics. We must encourage Senator Dillon to openly speak to the imaged-demeaning assertions made by the Pro tempore against his person. My noble conscience will not allow me to support him all the time, whether he does what is wrong or right.

A curious footnote to this is that the initial Liberian constitutional experiment was one based on segregation and disenfranchisement of the majority. There is a good reason why the Constitution does not provide for the postponement of elections. That is the reason why, just like the rigid provisions on presidential term limits, there is no room for postponement of elections in the Liberian Constitution. It is worth noting that the initial reason behind calls for postponement of the Liberian elections had nothing to do with the current Coronavirus situation. For example, similar measures were put in place during the nationwide general election held in South Korea amid COVID-19 on April 15, 2020.

There seems to be an economic lesson was learned after the printing of various dollar notes (higher banknotes) between 1857 – 1880. Nevertheless, 2019 folded with the appreciation of the Liberian dollar’s value at $186.93 – $1 US as CBL announced a debatable shortage of Liberian dollars in the market. Thirdly, the $6b unaccounted for by CBL’s authorities have depicted another picture of the dark dealings surrounding the $500 notes. you have just two $50 in in $100 note, while in $500 note, there are ten $50. Likewise, you have five $20 in $100 note, but in $500 note, you have twenty five $20.

The CDC lawmaker condemned the using US$9 million of the US$30 million being paid by the government to the World Food Program on administrative cost s disclosed by the Minister of Commerce. He wrote:“Colleagues, WFP’s $9m charge for 21 food distribution is totally unappealing. “Colleagues, WFP’s $9m charge for 21 food distribution is totally unappealing. #COVID19IsReal #StaySafe #SocialDistance #ProPoorMustSucceed.” Saah Joseph, Senator, Montserrado CountySenator Abraham Darius Dillon also of Montserrado County, on Saturday criticized the move with a Facebook post, claiming that something was fishy about it. Minister Eugene Nagbe told FrontPagAfrica that the fund would be in the total control of the World Food Program which would spearhead the food distribution.

The locomotive of 90 coaches was transporting iron ore from the mine in Yekepa, Nimba County to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County for export when it derailed in District 2, Nimba County. Zuluyee Town, Nimba County – One of ArcelorMittal locomotives transporting iron ore from Yekepa to Buchanan Port on early Saturday morning derailed, leaving about 30 coaches (buckets) of iron ore pouring to the ground and part of the rail damaged. Report by Franklin Doloquee, ContributorThe accident occurred between the towns of Zuluyee and Tondin at about 4 a.m. in District 2, Nimba County. The damage of the railroad will cause the transporting of iron ore to be suspended. The accident left the rail damagedThis is the first accident to have occurred along the railway since ArcelorMital began operations.

Ministry of Public Works Winding Down on Pavement of Diplomatic EnclaveMonrovia – Often regarded as the Diplomatic enclave in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, the Mamba Point area once boasted of being one of the city’s most prized tourist attraction. In just a matter of weeks, all that is expected to change as the Ministry of Public Works winds down its touch-up of the roads within the vicinity of the area. Public Works Minister Mabuti Nyenpan told FrontPageAfrica recently that the ministry is committed and the CDC-led Government by extension, remains unfettered, as service delivery is ingrained in the DNA of the Current Administration. Good roads bring socio-economic returns to the country, so is the case with the ongoing road works within the perimeters of Liberia’s Diplomatic Enclave, Mamba Point,” the minister said. Mamba Point is home to several luxurious hotels including Mamba Point and Cape.

LWSC Communications Director: “The World Bank fuel that came in had specific adherence attached to it. The LWSC management also clarified that the fuel in question was not that which was donated to by the World Bank as part of support to the its COVID-19 Response project. “The World Bank fuel that came in had specific adherence attached to it. He insisted that the LWSC is in perfect standing with the World Bank as several projects and commitments of the Bank to the people of Liberia through the LWSC are well on course. The diesel fuel provided by the World Bank, he said, is to for use at the White Plains Water Treatment Plant, WTP, sewage (desludging), and operational activities at central.

Minister Tarpeh explained that of the USD$30 million, USD$20 million will go to food cost while USD$9 million will go toward the operational costCapitol Hill – Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh has presented to the Liberian senate a working plan for the distribution of the government’s food distribution. In that plan, the minister told the Senate plenary the amount for the entire process is now US$30 million and US$9 million of that amount will go to administrative and operational cost. Minister Tarpeh explained that of the USD$30 million, USD$20 million will go to food cost while USD$9 million will go toward the operational cost. Now, the food basket is suggested both imported and locally produce food. We don’t have storage for locally produce rice.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has instructed the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to move US$25 million from the government’s account to the WFP to begin the implementation of the distribution. He told the Senators that of the USD$30 million, USD$20 million will go to food cost while USD$9 million will go toward the operational cost. The instruction from the Finance Ministry to the Central Bank, a copy of which FrontPageAfrica has obtained was prepared on June 11. He described the information posted by Senator Dillon as a “naked desperation” and “ludicrous allegations”. He opined on Facebook: “This singular decision would be more impactful and felt by nearly every home across the country.

The number of cases began going up after President George Weah began the relaxation of the lockdown. According to the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), 25 new cases were confirmed as of June 12. Bong County which is central Liberia began recorded cases of confirmed COVID-19 early last week with a current total of three. However, all three confirmed cases were tested positive for the virus after they had died. At least 11 of the 15 counties now have confirmed cases of COVID-19 with Montserrado County recording the highest number of cases – 394 cases (17 new cases).

Liberia Expresses Gratitude to Ireland and the Republic of Malta for Contribution to Fight COVID-19LONDON – The Government of Liberia has welcomed the contributions of both Ireland and the Republic of Malta as Liberia struggles to combat the deadly coronavirus. The request for assistance grew out of communication written in April to the governments of both Ireland and Malta by H.E. The Liberian leader extends profound gratitude of the Government and people of Liberia to the President of Malta, H.E. George Vella, for the donation of medical supplies in support of Liberia’s fight against the COVID19 pandemic. The contributions of the Republic of Malta and Ireland are signs that Liberia is not alone in the combat of the deadly Coronavirus.

ABRAHAM DARIUS Dillon, Montserrado County Senator, on Facebook expressed his doubt over the free food distribution promised by the government as stimulus package to ease hardship during the COVID-19 lockdown. WE STRONGLY BELIEVE that spending such a whooping amount for the distribution of food to households, and of course said distributed food might not even feed a household for up to two weeks, maybe not even a week, is a waste of taxpayers’ money. IN ECONOMICS, stimulus refers to attempts to use monetary or fiscal policy (or stabilization policy in general) to stimulate the economy. WHAT WE FIND ironic is the fact that while the government is about to use US$25 million for nationwide food distribution, it is at the same time imposing extra tax of US$0.30 each gallon of petroleum products. INCREASING THE PRICE of petroleum products has the propensity of affecting the economy adversely in several means.

He said, with the signing of a frame work to guide the four opposition political parties which include the former ruling Unity Party (UP), the All Liberian Party (ALP) and the Liberty Party (LP). But the sticky issue has been how the CPP would derive at candidates to contest each county in the mid-term senatorial elections. It is not clear how he became certain of being nominated by the CPP to contest Bomi County on its ticket. This continues to breed worries among some members of the CPP with intentions to run for the midterm elections. We will, in collaboration with the CPP, do extra work to campaign for our candidates.”In related development, the Liberty Party has again received two new members into the party.

Tokpah is appealing to the Bong County Legislative Caucus and other humanitarian organizations to help care for the children. Tokpah said she has two children of her own. Since Porkpah was sentenced in 2017, I have been the one taking care of the children by engaging into farming activities. “I know education is important, but I do not have money to send my own children to school because we can’t afford school fees,’’ she said. She said she will inform the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to see how government can help Tokpah.