Liberia: Sheikh Al- Moustapha Kouyateh Resigns from Coalition for Democratic Change Over ‘Ruling Party’s Failure to Live Up to its Promises’
In a communication addressed to the party’s Chairman Mulbah Morlu, Kouyateh said he was ashamed that after giving so much hope to the Liberian people, the government has drifted away from its commitments. In a communication addressed to the party’s Chairman Mulbah Morlu, Kouyateh said he was ashamed that after giving so much hope to the Liberian people, the government has drifted away from its commitments. I stressed the point that we were voted into power because the people trusted us to change the narrative in Liberia for the better. I made it clear in my communication to you Sir that we have drifted away from the promises we made to the innocent people of Liberia. I made it clear in my communication to you Sir that we have drifted away from the promises we made to the innocent people of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 12:03 UTC
New British Ambassador to Liberia Presents Letters of Credence to Pres. Weah
We commend your efforts to deliver inclusive development, helping to build a more stable, equitable and prosperous society,” he said. We commend your efforts to deliver inclusive development, helping to build a more stable, equitable and prosperous society. It is vital if we are to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals and build fair, prosperous and safe societies. This includes $95 million for the World Health Organisation, $32 million for UNICEF and $19 million for the World Food Programme. We are pleased to support Liberia in protecting these valuable resources and building sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:37 UTC
Liberia: Millions of Possible Government Revenue Held Up Due to Pres. Weah’s Failure to Reconstitute the Board of Tax Appeals
MONROVIA – Millions of United States dollars and Liberian dollars could be earned by the government as revenue but President George Weah’s refusal to appoint Board of Tax Appeals is barring the government of earning said revenue should they win accumulating appeals before the Board. The taxpayer may appeal a decision of the Board to the Liberia Tax Court, provided that the appeal is lodged within 30 days of the Board’s decision and is in conformity with the rules of the Tax Court. The Board is independent of the Ministry of Finance and the Liberia Revenue Authority. The Tax Court at the Temple of Justice has on several occasions upheld the ruling the Board of Tax Appeals. Bridgeway Corporation resisted this claim before first filing the complaint about the refund to the Broad of Tax Appeal (BOTA), which had earlier ruled against Bridgeway Corporation.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:37 UTC
Paynesville City Mayor Explains Alleged Attack on Her by National Fire Service Agents
Mayor E. Pam Belcher-Taylor: “The officers of the National Fire Service attacked the Mayor of the City of Paynesville. I was personally and physically attacked as the governor of the city of Paynesville. “The officers of the National Fire Service attacked the Mayor of the City of Paynesville. Even if you wanted to do something, come back to inform me; we did a written stop order, if Director Dickson had a problem he should have come to me. Despite our stop order they ignored and decided to go ahead with the construction so I decided to go to see the site,” she explained.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:26 UTC
Liberia: House Passes Bill Increasing LIBTELCO’s Operations, Sends to Senate for Concurrence
The bill, when passed into law, will provide employment opportunities, and will enable LIBTELCO expand its services by becoming a GSM service provider. Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Plenary of the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill expanding the functions of the Liberia Telecommunications Corporations (LIBTELCO). The bill has been sent to the Liberian Senate to either concur, amend, or reject. If the Senate concurs, it will be sent to the President where he is expected to approve with his signature or veto. If he signs, the bill, which now becomes an act, it will subsequently be printed into handbill by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:18 UTC
Liberia: 18-Year-Old Laments Ordeal after Her Family Was Dubbed US$930 to Get Her on A Fake Scholarship Abroad
Liberia: 18-Year-Old Laments Ordeal after Her Family Was Dubbed US$930 to Get Her on A Fake Scholarship AbroadMonrovia – In October 2019, Kardiatu Toe left Liberia for neighboring Ivory Coast, searching for greener pasture — better education and job opportunities. But she would later return to Liberia on August 9, 2020 looking skinny and paled. It is her story that unravels the ordeal she endured while making the trip that never happened. They lied to me that I will go to school in Malaysia; but we needed to travel to Ivory Coast. The company had brought the country under the guise of providing job, travel, and scholarship opportunities.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:15 UTC
Liberia: Ex-President Sirleaf Urges Government to Use Stimulus Package for the Needy
She alarmed that the country would continue to have unfavorable reports if the response effort is not void of politics. “Today, we are faced with Covid-19, an economic and health-shock that is leaving devastating costs on lives and stifling our livelihoods. Even the well-resourced health systems are under severe stress and being rapidly overwhelmed by the intensity of the transmission,” she said. Even though the former Liberia leader said there are, and will be hard times ahead, she believes addressing these problems is incumbent upon every Liberian. Unlike Ebola, the former Liberia leader said Liberia may not have the depth of partnerships that were mobilized.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 08:03 UTC
Liberia: Paynesville Civil Society Groups Give President Weah Ultimatum to Remove Cllr. Nwabudike from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission
Monrovia – Calls by several Liberians for the removal of the Chairman of the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission since his Liberian citizenship came into question is gaining traction as a group claiming to be a civil society consortium called on President George Weah to dismiss Ndubusi Nwabudike. Speaking on several national issues of “national concern”, Joseph Koikoi, Chairman, and Samuel Sankara Johnson, secretary, said the presence of Nwabudike at the country’s premiere anti-graft institution is illegal. “Let me say this that if President Weah fails to heed to our ultimatum he will feel the wrath of the young people of Paynesville,” said Johnson. Meanwhile, the civil society consortium has also condemned the holding of meeting between LMA President Alice Yeebahn and Finance Minister Tweah because of her indictment by the General Auditing Commission. Madam Yeebahn could not been reached for comment on the matter when contacted because her phone was switched off.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 07:52 UTC
Liberia: Elections Coordinating Committee Concerned about Recent Waves of Political Violence ahead of Dec. 8 Senatorial Elections
This pattern of violence and political intimidation are early warning indicators of the potential for a violent campaign. Violence and political intolerance have no place in our current political dispensation and run the risk of undermining the country’s fragile peace and democracy. Finally, the ECC admonishes all political parties and their supporters to adhere to the laws and regulations governing the conduct of elections in Liberia. The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) is a civil society platform, comprising seven (6) organizations that observe elections in Liberia. The members include: Actions for Genuine Democratic Alternatives (AGENDA); Center for Democratic Governance (CDG); Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP); Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD); West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL).
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 07:49 UTC
Liberia: ‘Legislature Authorized the Printing of Liberian Bank Notes’ – Former CBL Official
Ex-officials of the Central Bank of Liberia on trial for the alleged unauthorized printing of Liberian dollar banknotesMonrovia – Indicted former board member of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Board of Governors, Kollie S. Tamba says the Legislature authorized the printing of Liberian banknotes to replace legacy banknotes in the economy. Co-defendant Tamba made the testimony on Tuesday at the Criminal Court ‘C’ when he took the witness stand. The members of the Board of Directors understood this document to be full authorization to the CBL to proceed with replacing completely all legacy currencies. “The CBL is authorized to introduce coins in lower denominations into the economy to allow fraction transaction which could help to minimize inflation. Weeks, David Farhat and Elsie Dossen Badio for the illegal printing of the alleged missing L$16 Billion Liberian bank notes intended to replace legacy bank notes.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 12, 2020 07:38 UTC
Liberia: ‘Respiratory Complications’: Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor Flown to Ghana to See Specialist
According to a Press Release from the Office of the Vice President, VP Howard-Taylor was earlier admitted at the Aspen Medical Facility, in Sinkor, Monrovia, on Friday August 7, 2020, due to respiratory complications. Monrovia- Liberia’s Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, was on Tuesday August 11, 2020, flown out of the country to seek additional medical care at a specialist hospital in Accra, Ghana. According to a Press Release from the Office of the Vice President, VP Howard-Taylor was earlier admitted at the Aspen Medical Facility, in Sinkor, Monrovia, on Friday August 7, 2020, due to respiratory complications. Having favorably responded to treatment and the state of her health stabilized, it was advised that the Vice President seeks further medical attention at a more advanced facility with specialty in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory ailments.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 11, 2020 18:11 UTC
Liberia’s COVID-19 Testing Inaccurate, Says Liberian Scientists Dougbeh Chris Nyan
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, M.D. Lately the National Public Health Institute of Liberia has been marred with producing conflicting COVID-19 testing results. Professor Tokpa took a COVIV-19 test at the National Public Health Reference Lab and was given an official “negative” results signed by the Dr. Mosoka Fallah, Director of the Public Health Institute of Liberia. These bodies were tested several days postmortem and were given inaccurate test results,” Dr. Nyan added. He has been providing COVID-19 pandemic preparedness advice to the Liberian government and awareness in Africa and laboratory diagnostic training webinar to West African laboratory personnel.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 11, 2020 09:33 UTC
Liberia: Violent Tones Rising in Buildup to Midterm Senatorial Elections in December
“I challenge President Weah to demonstrate his words into deeds by acting against Madam Teah for this unruly at of violence. 10 lawmaker of a persistent wave of verbal attacks against President Weah. Just like Sunday’s attack on Senator Dillon, the attack in Zwedru escalated from the chanting of slogans to a frenzy of stone-throwing. Condemnation from FallahRep. Fallah, used his Facebook post Monday to condemn the attacks on Senator Dillon. The incident came after President Weah had denounce Ms. Urey’ candidacy, declaring that no Urey would ever win elections in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 11, 2020 06:00 UTC
Liberia: New Elections Commission Chair Slashes Predecessor’s US$17.8M Budget for Dec. 8 Midterm Election Down to US$13.5M
After rigorous reviews by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and development partners, the budget was reduced by US$ 5.2m or 23.%. After rigorous reviews by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and development partners, the budget was reduced by US$ 5.2m or 23.%. This implies that development partners will provide US$3.5m for the financing of the elections, the lowest contribution from partners for elections since the end of the war. Experts in political governance and electioneering hailed the budget reduction as consistent with the Government’s fiscal consolidation programs and noted that this is a strong beginning for the new Chair. But analysts say fighting over costs of elections may be over since the new NEC Chair has a more realistic approach to election budgeting.
Source:Front Page Africa
August 11, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Budget Hearing Starts As Small and Medium Enterprises Become Highest Tax Contributors
The exercise began on Monday with a formal opening ceremony witnessed by the media and was followed by the discussions of the revenue components of the budget behind closed doors with officials of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). The Chairman of the joint committee, Rep. Thomas Fallah (District #5, Montserrado County), promised that the process will be executed expeditiously within the next two weeks. Domestic Revenue Mobilization by Economic SectorAccording to Dr. Wolokolie, projected revenue from the extractive sector including agriculture, forestry and mining is US$56.9 million with mining constituting US$39.7 million, agriculture US$13.1 million and forestry US$4.1 million. New Tax Policy and Revenue MeasuresAlso, to be submitted along with the FY 20/21 budget document, Wolokolie noted that there is a set of new measures to improve tax policy and administration. Meanwhile, hearing of the revenue portion of the budget continues Tuesday with the appearance of Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Liberia Maritime Authority (ʟᴍᴀ), Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), National Port Authority (NPA) and the National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).
Source:Front Page Africa
August 11, 2020 05:48 UTC