Liberia: ArcelorMittal Train Derails, 30 Buckets of Iron Ore Wasted
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 14, 2020 13:18 UTC
Liberia: Public Works Gives Mamba Point Facelift with New Pavement
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 14, 2020 10:41 UTC
Liberia: World Bank-donated Fuel Not Stolen from LWSC Facility
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 14, 2020 10:28 UTC
Liberia: US$9M of Food Distributions US$30M to be Used on Administrative and Operational Cost, Commerce Minister Discloses
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 13, 2020 21:45 UTC
‘A Diabolical Lie’: Liberian Govt. Dismisses Opposition Claim Covid-19 Money Misdirected
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 13, 2020 21:11 UTC
Liberia: Sharp Rise in COVID-19 Cases as Govt. Begins Gradual Relaxation of Restrictions
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).
Source:Front Page Africa
June 13, 2020 15:00 UTC
Liberia Expresses Gratitude to Ireland and the Republic of Malta for Contribution to Fight COVID-19
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 17:37 UTC
Food Distribution Would Not Stimulate the Economy
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 09:00 UTC
Liberia: Coalition of Opposition Political Parties Reviewing Allocation of Counties Format Ahead of Senatorial Election
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 09:00 UTC
Liberia: Woman Struggles to Fend for Children of Man Who Murdered Her Aunty
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.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 08:26 UTC
SOS CALL: 24-Year-Old Lovina Narodoh Living In Agony As A Result Of Body Burns From A Fire Disaster
Her father is visually impaired and her mother, who is a marketer, are unable to pay the bill and pay for advance medical treatment. Paynesville – Lovina Narodoh,24, is living in agony after suffering severe burns on her body when fire gutted her home in December 2019. Lovina ordeal occurred when she bravely entered the blazing house to rescue her son, who was asleep. Lovina told FrontPageAfrica Thursday that the bruises on her skin are worsening daily, making it uneasy for her to sleep at night. Her father is visually impaired and her mother, who is a marketer, are unable to pay the bill and pay for advance medical treatment.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 08:25 UTC
Liberia: Traffic Beginning to Ease on Vai Town Road as Public Works Begins Preparatory Works for Bridge-to-Bridge Project
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has also begun the steel preparatory work for the bridge-to-bridge project. Last week, Public Works Minister Mabutu Nyenpan, Minister of State Nathaniel McGill and Finance and Economic Planning Minister Samuel Tweah toured the construction in response to the many concerns being expressed by commuters who ply the route daily. Minister Nyenpan explained to FrontPageAfrica at the weekend that COVID – 19 has had a paralysing effect on the progress of Road rehabilitation works. Additionally, Minister Nyenpan says, multiple teams are being deployed to work on various sections simultaneously. Plenary voted in favor of a motion proffered by Rep. Dixon Seboe (District #16, Montserrado), citing Minister Nyenpan on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 08:13 UTC
Liberia: CPP Forms Legislative Caucus to Speak in One Voice at the Legislature
Representative Papa Kolleh (ALP -District #7 Bong County) was elected chairman. Leadership positions were divided amongst the four collaborating political parties. The All Liberian Party (ALP) was elected chairman, Former ruling Unity party (UP) took the Secretary General position, while the Liberty party (LP) is the Co-Cahir and the Alternative National Congress (ANC) Assistant Secretary General. In an interview with legislative reporters, Representative Kolleh said, the meeting by the caucus was intended to solidify the CPP caucus in making a difference in terms of how they work on national issues. “We will work to strengthen the leadership of the CPP and engage the government positively on issues affecting the country,” Rep. Joseph P. Kolleh CPP caucus chairman.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 08:03 UTC
Liberia: National Payroll Clean Up Taskforce Institutionalizes National ID Number As The Sole Biometric Identity Of Government Employees
MONROVIA – The process of removing ghost employees from the already crowded Public Sector payroll has always been a tough nut to crack. The taskforce has institutionalized the national identification number as the primary and sole biometric identity of government employees, and Civil Service Agency & the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning have been granted full access to the electronic verification platform of the national ID system. Despite its huge development needs, Liberia spent more than 60 percent of its meager budget envelope on the payment of salaries for public sector employees. Unlike other reform processes, the strategy initiated by the taskforce is providing a catalyst for payroll reform efforts. This is a view espoused by Del Francis Wreh, Executive Director of the Liberia Macroeconomic Policy Analysis Center LIMPAC, “this provides a catalyst to all the other payroll reform processes.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 07:59 UTC
Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh Says Govt Has Deposited US$25M for Food Distribution as World Bank Also Provides US$5M
The total money available for the food distribution right now is US$30 million. With this amount, we are in the position of full swing for the food distribution,” Minister Tarpeh told journalists. That test run is the first in communities, outside of dedicated location like the orphanage,” Minister Tarpeh said. He called on the residents to cooperate with the World Food Program (WFP) which he says is going to head the food distribution process in the entire 15 counties. In the food distribution process, we will also prioritize frontline responders.
Source:Front Page Africa
June 12, 2020 07:59 UTC