Liberia: Alternative National Congress Draws Distance From Ex-Partisan’s Independent Run in Nimba
Monrovia – The Alternative National Congress(ANC) says Mr. Taa Wongbe is contesting the Nimba County Senatorial Midterm elections on his own and no longer has any association with the party. In a statement Wednesday, the ANC through its National Secretary Aloysious Toe said: “Mr. Taa Wongbe has resigned from the ANC, as he made clear in a recent statement he posted on his Facebook page. “We have received confirmation that Mr. Jonathan Dolakeh of the ANC has written NEC, challenging the submission of Mrs. Edith Gongloe-Weh as the CPP Senatorial candidate for Nimba County. His action will be investigated immediately and appropriate action will be taken.”
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 07:18 UTC
Chinese Embassy Donates To COVID-19 Fight in Liberia
Paynesville – The Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) have jointly received a donation of food and computers and accessories from the Embassy of China, accredited near Monrovia to help fight COVID-19 pandemic. Presenting the items, China Deputy Chief of Embassy Kan Xu, said they have observed that the economy of Liberia makes it very difficult for government to fight COVID-19. Mr. Kan said the computers and printers would help the offices which are fighting COVID-19 do their work easily, while food would help those in the fight against COVID-19. Receiving the items, Health Minister Dr. Whilemena Jallah lauded the Chinese Government, through its Embassy in Liberia for the gesture. Dr. Jallah said the items are important for the COVID-19 fight.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 07:13 UTC
Liberia: Executive Mansion Debunks Former Passport Director’s Revelation of Pres. Weah, Top Officials of Govt Involvement with Passport Syndicate
Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Smith Toby told an Executive Mansion Press briefing on Tuesday that the President has no interest in getting involved with such act as claimed by the document. Mr. Wonplue denied entry into the United States early this month for his alleged involvement with passport fraud and corruption reportedly linked several officials of the Liberian government including President George Manneh Weah of being in the know of the passport fraud. Recently, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, in a statement Thursday announced the public designation due to Wonplo’s involvement in significant corruption. But Toby argued that Mr. Wonplue would have still been enjoying the confidence of President Weah, if The President was interested in such a ‘dubious act.’“If the President had interest in that, he was never going to dismiss him,” he said. “He was dismissed after an investigation was conducted that linked him to selling of diplomat passports to certain group of people secretly,” Toby averred.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Youth for Change, Collaborating Partners Launch Election Dialogues to Promote Peaceful Electoral Process Ahead of December 8 Polls
Other key actors including officials of National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), as well as officials of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and USAID, UNDP, The Carter Center and the Swedish Embassy will grace the occasion. In recent weeks, rival supporters of the ruling CDC and the opposition CPP have been engulfed in violent tussles that often lead to stone throwing. “There is a point where these candidates and these institutions will make commitments toward keeping this country peaceful through audio and written documents. And when people assume many times and the information is not provided them, they hold onto the wrong information and it becomes a problem. He pointed out that although the initiative is not being sponsored by donors for now, he is hopeful that support will come along the way to ensure the entire country is covered.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia Football Association Sets Minimum Wage for Local Clubs’ Players
Monrovia – Following numerous calls from players on the low salary structure of many Liberian football clubs, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has set the minimum wage for players in the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). The Football house informed the clubs and stakeholders that the minimum wage for players in the first division is L$10,000 (US$50), second division at L$5,000 (US$25) and upper women’s division at L$5,000 (US$25). “Clubs are only obliged to pay the minimum wage depending on the status of players,” LFA indicated. Prior to the setting of the minimum wage by the LFA, many of the clubs had refused to pay their players on grounds that they are not getting much from football in Liberia. Following the news of the minimum wage, the parent body of all players in Liberia, Liberia Football Players Association, appreciated the FA for their decision which they said is one of their first recommendations and proposals to the FA.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 06:56 UTC
US Diplomat Pouring Water On Duck In Liberia’s ‘Enabling Environment’ Remark
To put bluntly, Ambassador Grunder is saying that corruption in Liberia is preventing American investors from going to Liberia. Because American companies can in turn sue the US government for any losses on their investments if a particular country does not have an “enabling environment” to do business in such country. So, what constitutes an “enabling environment” that must be met for US companies to invest in a country? Is the justice system fair and impartial and does the Supreme Court stand by its slogan/motto of “Let Justice Be Done to All Men?” The Court is judged by its past decisions. God alone knows how many times our government leaders have invited American investors to invest in the Liberian economy.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 24, 2020 06:56 UTC
President George Weah’s Address to the 75th UN General Assembly (Full Text)
His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkir,President of the Seventy-fifth United Nations General AssemblyHis Excellency Mr. António Guterres,Secretary-General of the United NationsExcellencies, Heads of State and Government;Ambassadors;Heads of Delegations;Distinguished Delegates;Ladies and Gentlemen:I am honored to have the opportunity to address this 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia. YOUR EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Volkan Bozkır on his election as President of the Seventy-fifth (75th) Session of the United Nations General Assembly and assure him of Liberia’s fullest support in the discharge of his commendable duty. We must all rise above normal divisions to work for a better, fairer and more united world. As part of this process of re-evaluation, the United Nations adopted in 2015 a set of seventeen (17) Global Goals to be met by 2030. As a Founding Member of the United Nations, Liberia avails itself as a strong partner in meeting these global challenges.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 19:18 UTC
In the Midst of Two Major Encroachments, ArcelorMittal Remains Firm on Lasting Interest in Liberia
Monrovia – Scott Lowe is unfazed about ArcelorMittal’s future in Liberia. ArcelorMittal, in a communication dated June 26, 2020, directly confronted Solway Mining Inc. informing them of the alleged encroachment on their concession area. Addressing the issue in an exclusive interview with FrontPageAfrica, Mr. Lowe said the company is continuing discussions with the government on the Solway issue. As a result, the company in December 2019, threatened to halt phase two of its investment in Liberia over the Prista Oil Holding deal. “I’d say that ArcelorMittal has had a good history in Liberia, there have been problems in the past, but those problems have been resolved.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:48 UTC
ArcelorMittal CEO Addresses Ongoing Encroachment Issues, Workers Union Concerns, Steel Giant’s Future In Liberia
SCOTT LOWE: We’ve committed to funding US$40 million for the Ganta-Yekepa Road – it will take a number of years. SCOTT LOWE: I’ve taken particular personal interest in the hospitals since I joined ArcelorMittal Liberia. I see a very bright future, I’m really optimistic. SCOTT LOWE: We’ve committed to funding US$40 million for the Ganta-Yekepa Road – it will take a number of years. SCOTT LOWE: We’ve been achieving high-levels of production during Covid-19.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:37 UTC
Liberia: UP Legislative Caucus, CPP Want Ongoing Voter Roll Update Process Halted and Nullified
Since the National Elections Commission (NEC) launched the voter roll update to pave the way for the December 8, 2020 special senatorial elections and national referendum, the process has been marred by allegations of fraud. MONROVIA – Amid increasing complaints of a fraudulent voter roll update, an official of the Unity Party and the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Rep. Hassan Kiazolu (District #17, Montserrado County) has hinted at the possibility of the 54th Legislature of Liberia putting a halt to the entire voter roll process to avert the country from degenerating into chaos. Since the National Elections Commission (NEC) launched the voter roll update to pave the way for the December 8, 2020 special senatorial elections and national referendum, the process has been marred by allegations of fraud. “The National Elections Commission should be the first line of integrity. “The National Elections Commission should be the first line of integrity.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:26 UTC
Liberia: NEC Investigates Three Of Its Elections Magistrates From Bomi, Grand Cape-Mount, And Grand Gedeh Counties
Dean, FrontPage Africa has gathered, was reportedly quoted as saying that there was no law against voter trucking. Armah, on the other hand, is being accused of being involved in voter trucking on behalf of a politician who is an senatorial aspirant in the county.. Multiple voter registrationsSpeaking on complaints of multiple registrations by individuals, she described as criminal anyone who will be engage in multiple registrations. In a bid to put into place measures to remedy double registrations, NEC said it will conduct a de-duplication exercise to identify multiple registrants. Addition, there will also be a period of exhibition of the Voter Roll for citizens to contest illegal registrants (non-citizens, non-residents, and multiple registrants).
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:15 UTC
Liberia: Senatorial Aspirants Warns against Electing Candidates Already in the House of Representatives
Siah Tandanpolie urged citizens to reject sitting candidates who are bent on imposing additional economic burdens on the state by participating in the senatorial election even though they are members of the House of Representatives. The senatorial election is scheduled for December 8, 2020, according to the National Elections Commission (NEC). She urged citizens to reject sitting candidates who are bent on imposing additional economic burdens on the state by participating in the senatorial election even though they are members of the House of Representatives. It is now time that Liberian women along with those progressive men stand up to close the gaps that have existed”. She maintained that Liberian women continue to linger behind due to the huge gaps between male and female at the Legislature.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:13 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Robert Womba Assertion that He is Funding US$80k Bridge in Bong’s Zota District Debunked by Project Management Committee
Rep. Robert Womba Inspecting the Bridge Project In Zota DistrictZota District, Bong County – Information provided by Rep. Robert Womba at a public event in Zota District last month that he is personally funding a US$80,000 bridge project in Shankpalai, Zota District has been rebuffed by the chairman of the Project Management Committee of Bong County, Steve Mulbah. Rep. Womba has continued to tout the bridge construction to his list of achievements since his ascendency as lawmaker three years ago. Mulbah said that though the lawmaker pre-financed the bridge construction with US$15,000, the amount was refunded to the lawmaker. “All I can tell you is that the project is funded by the county and not the lawmaker,” Mulbah said. “Now that the head of the project committee has spoken it is time that Rep. Womba clear the air to savage his integrity,” he added.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 05:03 UTC
Liberia: Public procurement Concession Commission’s Boss Says PPCC Laws Should Not Be Seen as Barrier to National Development
Nagbe-Kowo said the PPCC laws should be seen by officials and government’s entities as requirements and enhancement to attaining a true value of taxpayers’ money. She termed the implementation and adherence of the PPCC laws as the road to eliminating corruption by all entities if the government is in full compliance. Speaking further, she noted that in order to achieve the national development goals, every head of public entities should adhere to the compliance laws, most importantly the PPCC laws. The Public Procurement and Concession Commission was established by an Act of the National Legislature and approved in September 2005. The mandate of the PPCC is to regulate all forms of public procurement and concession processes and to stipulate methods and procedures for public procurement and concession.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 04:58 UTC
Liberia: Residents of Kpanyan Town, Firestone Complete Out-Of-Court Settlement In Longstanding Land Dispute
Harbel, Margibi County – Residents of Kpanyan Town in Margibi County and Firestone Liberia have finally resolved their long-standing land dispute after weeks of dialogue. This led to the intervention of their Lawmaker, Representative Tarponweh, who called on the Liberia Land Authority to conduct an impartial survey to amicably resolve the situation. The Liberia Land Authority’s recent investigative survey revealed that the disputed land, though was occupied by the town’s residents long before the existence of Firestone in Liberia, falls within the Company’s concession area, adding that the company is leasing the land from the Government of Liberia. We have realized that Firestone is paying land rental fees to our Government. With the privilege to serve, the friends of our people will be our friends; the enemies of our people will be our enemies,” Representative Tarponweh said.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 23, 2020 04:55 UTC