Liberia: 2018 Incident Involving Lawmakers Shows Flaws in Controversial Amendment to Traffic Law
Dillon testified that the impounded vehicle contained plates used by lawmakers from earlier years, as opposed to the plates used when the lawmaker’s vehicle was stopped. The June 2018 traffic incident also raised a lingering issue involving lawmakers using one plate at the front of their vehicle and no plate at the backend. Some former lawmakers are reportedly also using the old REP plates without the LB inserted in the circle on the left of the plates. While some lawmakers use those plates for staffers, others use in addition to the traditional REP plates. The law also does not say anything about regular commuters who follow exempted officials in traffic in view of traffic officers.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 08:02 UTC
Liberia National Police Raids QNet Head Offices After FPA Report Uncovering Alleged Human Trafficking
Monrovia – Officers of the Liberia National Police on Wednesday, July 22, launched a raid on the head offices of Qnet International in Paynesville City, arresting 11 persons linked to an alleged human trafficking scheme. Based on the FPA report, the Government ordered the arrest of operatives and officials of Qnet International, a Chinese firm operating in the country. “My very self is against human trafficking, so my business is against human trafficking. So, even down to the founder of the company is against human trafficking so they will never support it,” Kollie said. Those who are carrying on human trafficking should be brought to justice, and should bear the full weight of the law,” he added.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:41 UTC
Liberia: War Crimes Implications of UK Probe Lingers as Agnes Taylor Returns
Since the case never went to trial, no witnesses or victims ever got to testify against Agnes Taylor. However, the highest UK Court had a slightly different understanding of the kind of authority / control that is required under that particular UK law. Legal experts note that the crimes that Agnes Taylor allegedly committed could qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. “Since we came to power, I have never one day called for the War Crimes Court. You the journalists called for War Crimes Court, Liberians are calling for war crimes court, both the victims and perpetrators are calling for war crimes court,” said President Weah.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:29 UTC
Liberia: Who’s In Charge of the National Legislature?
IN LIBERIA, and most countries in Africa, where democracy is practiced, this is not often the case. TUESDAY’S FRACAS was just in a long-line of bad tidings that continues to shine a negative light on Liberia. NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO, IN June 2018, Rep. Korlubah was involved in a similar tussle over use of illegal license plates. Nearly all of those elected in the national legislature are guilty of breaking the laws. Transport officials, queried by FrontPageAfrica Wednesday explained that members of the legislature are currently are using two license plates because nearly all of them have refused to turn in their old plates.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:29 UTC
President Weah Submits US$54 Million Credit Agreement to Boost Health Sector amid COVID-19 Surge
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – President George Weah has submitted before the Legislature for ratification a US$54 million loan agreement between the Government of Liberia and the International Development Association (IDA) for the improvement of healthcare services in Liberia. It shall be carried out through the Ministry of Health by a project implementation Unit (PIU),” the President wrote. The hospital is one of the largest providers of secondary level health services in the country, but currently functions at “maximum capacity”. Meanwhile, the agreement is submitted at a time the country is grappling with COVID-19 amid concerns about the country’s weak health care system. The Government is hopeful that the loan, when ratified, will be a milestone in strengthening the health sector.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:27 UTC
UNICEF Liberia and Gender Ministry Provide “Safe Home” for COVID-19 Infected Parents’ Children
The center came as a result of the joint efforts and cooperation between the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Liberia and UNICEF Liberia Country Office, and funded by the Andalucia’s Regional Government of SpainMonrovia – Julue-Ta, a new interim safe home for children has been established by the UNICEF Liberia and the Ministry of Gender Children to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children whose parents are admitted to the coronavirus treatment unit. The safe home will serve as an interim care center to provide alternative care services for 30 children. The center came as a result of the joint efforts and cooperation between the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Liberia and UNICEF Liberia Country Office, and funded by the Andalucia’s Regional Government of Spain. And that is why we have temporary space to separate children from infected parents,” Minister Tarr said. “In the context of Liberia, and building upon the Ebola experience, interim care centers have proved crucial for protecting children separated from their families,” she said.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Senate Probes Senator Morris Saytumah over Legislative Staff Salary Cuts
MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate has constituted a three-man committee to investigate Senator Morris Saytumah of Bomi County over claims of staffers salary cuts. During Wednesday’s session, Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie asked Senator Saytumah to turn over to the committee the payroll of the Senate. Senator Morris Saytumah is the Senate committee chairman on ways means and finance. Present in the meeting was the Senate committee chair on executive Senator Saah Joseph. For his part, Senator Morris Saytumah of Bomi County who chairs the Senate committee on ways, means and finance differed with the claims of the Legislature not being harmonized.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Fallah Leads CDC Primary Ahead of Worzie, Sheriff in District 1 Primary
The primary is being conducted on a district by district basis, beginning with District One. Montserrado County District #5 Representative Thomas Fallah is already leading the race following the conduct of District One convention with a total of 559 votes. CDC Spokesman Worzie, Representative Fallah of Electoral District Five, and Montsrrrado County and popular comedian Sheriff are all seeking to capture the most votes after the 17 district primaries. The primary is being conducted on a district by district basis, beginning with District One. The process witnessed a tough debate process in which contestant for the Montsrrrado County outlined various reasons, making then competent for the slot.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Ministry of Health Clarifies Issues Concerning Health Workers Incentives
Carlor accused Mr. Wiah of preferring certain employees over them and was depriving other drivers of getting their salaries. “The Medical doctors at 14 military Hospitals have all taken pay; including the lab technicians, ambulance drivers and dead body management team have also taken pay. He even threatened the life of the Human Resource Director, and she reported to Dr. Fallah. I am just fed up with these people,” Carlor saidChrystal Smith, Human Resource Director of NPHIL, in an email addressed to Dr. Fallah, accused Mr. Carlor of threatening her life. Therefore, some of the information on people not getting pay is not true.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 06:56 UTC
Liberia: First Lady Takes Anti-Rape Campaign to Churches
Monrovia – First Lady Clar Marie Weah is challenging religious institutions to get involved in the campaign to end all forms of sexual gender-based violence in Liberia. “The First Lady has taken it (anti-rape campaign) onto herself because she understands and she identifies with what they are going through. Madam Mediem said Mrs. Weah condemns the menace as unacceptable and wants everyone to work collectively in ending rape and all forms of sexual gender-based violence. For their part, the pastors of the three churches frowned on violence against women, girls and children, re-affirming their commitment to educating their respective congregations against SGBV. It also features airs messages of Mrs. Weah against societal ills.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 23, 2020 06:56 UTC
Liberia: FrontPageAfrica’s Lawyer, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, Wants Sen. Teahjay’s Complaint Trashed; Says There’s No Legal Ground for Libel
Gongloe argues that the law of defamation does not protect a public official in the same way it does an ordinary person in society. Gongloe, is because as a public official, Sen. Teahjay is open to public scrutiny at all times and at the same time, he has the ability and right to counter any unfavorable statement made about his public conduct. It is a principle of law in this jurisdiction that ‘where there is no injury the law gives no remedy’. The response to Sen. Teahjay’s complaint captured that the publication was balanced as it contained the Senator’s denial of receiving bribe as alleged by the source. “It was a balanced story that published all sides of the story for the benefit of the public and the plaintiff, given the public interest nature of the story and the position of the plaintiff as a public official.”
Source:Front Page Africa
July 22, 2020 21:00 UTC
Liberia: Why Deputy Police Chief Attempted Arresting Opposition Lawmaker Yekeh Kolubah
Monrovia – What began as a traffic violation on Tuesday, July 21 turned into a standoff between Representative Yekeh Kolubah (District #10 Montserrado County) and Deputy Police Commissioner for Operations, Melvin Sackor. In the video, Deputy Police Chief Sackor was seen ordering his officers to impound the vehicle of the Montserrado County lawmaker. That prompted a war of words between Representative Kolubah and Deputy Police Chief Sackor, which almost sparked into a fist fight. In an interview with Spoon Fm, Representative Gray backed the action of the Deputy Police Chief. But Representative Kolubah said the incident is the work of Reprehensive Gray and the ruling party to disgrace him.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 22, 2020 07:52 UTC
Liberia: House of Representatives Wants ArcelorMittal Concession Agreement Reviewed Amid Claims of ‘Gross Violations’
Rep. Kogar, in his communication, said Article XXXVI of the amended MDA signed in 2013 called for the revision of the agreement every five years. However, that has not happened since 2013, the Nimba County lawmaker said. Speaking in plenary on Tuesday, July 21, Rep. Kogar warned that if the Legislature continues to ignore the gross violations of the MDA, Nimba County and Liberia will continue to lose as the iron ore gets depleted. Rep. Kogar told plenary that the company is still violating some of the provisions in the agreement. “Arcelor Mittal Liberia has not lived by the Mineral Development Agreement.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 22, 2020 07:41 UTC
Muslims in Liberia Call on The Legislature to Legislate Ramadan and Abraham Day as Public Holidays
Muslims in Liberia Call on The Legislature to Legislate Ramadan and Abraham Day as Public HolidaysMonrovia – The Movement for Islamic Holidays in Liberia is calling on the Legislature to pass into law two major Islamic festivals – Eid al-Fitr, known as Ramadan Day and Eid al-Adha also called Abraham day as national holidays. The group said the call to Legislate the two days as national holidays is consistent with Article 14 of the Liberian Constitution which states that all persons are entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Mali, also a secular with 95% Muslims and 2% Christians also does the same along with Senegal, 95% Muslims and 4%, and Guinea, with 85% Muslims and 8% Christians. It is saddened that our dearest country Liberia, as a secular State with 12.2% Muslims, Islamic holidays are considered an abomination, which should not be at all!” he said. Swaray said they will stage a peaceful protest on Tuesday, August 4, at the Capitol Building in Monrovia to petition the Legislature to pass into the celebration of Ramadan and Abraham Days as national holidays.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 22, 2020 07:30 UTC
Liberia: Concern Citizens of Sinoe Want Sen. Teahjay Resign; Express Disappointment in His Admission to Corruption
A. Ndubusi Nwabudike, has brought Sinoe County to total disrepute and he should resign his position. A. Ndubusi Nwabudike, has brought Sinoe County to total disrepute and he should resign his position. Senator Teahjay allegedly said in the audio: “I tell them the truth that we are the ones giving them the job,’’ he said. “I think the Senate leadership needs to investigate Senator Teahjay, because he said it’s a tradition – a statement which has indicted other senators. The Concerned Citizens of Sinoe Spokesperson, who is also the Communications Officer of Sinoe County Superintendent, alleged that Senator Teahjay is always preaching equity in the county but he is linked to the corruption that has shocked the county.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 22, 2020 07:18 UTC