Liberia: Govt Empathizes with Strom Victims in Monrovia
Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through the Disaster Management Agency empathizes with Liberians who were hugely affected by the overnight storm that has caused devastation in several neighborhoods across Monrovia and surrounding counties. The government is assessing the nature of the damage in order to make interventions in designated areas where it is deemed that the destruction were heaviest and it affected the already vulnerable population. Meanwhile, in the wake of the natural disaster, building material stores have been placed in the essential business category, and will be allowed to open from 8AM to 2PM everyday except Sundays, for the next two weeks. This is necessary to allow affected residents to buy needed supplies in order to take care of repair works. However, anyone caught hoarding during this period will face the full weight of the law.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 11:15 UTC
Magistrate Accuses Former Finance Minister Tugbeh Doe of Issuing Death Threats on His Life
Last month, Magistrate Matthews requested the Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Patrick Sudue, to disrobe the Commander of Zone 6, Tarnue Kerkula. Magistrate Matthews maintained that for too long the insurance company has allegedly failed to provide its client. According to him, Magistrate Matthews has allegedly shown his lack of independence in the case as a “judicial official”. He, however, indicated that it was “unethical and unprofessional” for Magistrate Matthews to discuss “unresolved matters” in the press. “This assertion by the Magistrate (Matthews) will not be taken lightly by the management of Sky International Insurance Company and my entire family and followers.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 09:56 UTC
Why MCC & PCC City Police, Motorcycle Union, And Boy Scouts Should Not Be Allowed To Enforce The State Of Emergency Declared By The President
Irrespective of provisions by law that created these non-paramilitary institutions, their mandate does not exceed to the enforcement of a state of emergency. Section 2(b) of the act dubbed: “SECURITY INSTITUTIONS AS RECOGNISED UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE” affirm the Statutory Law Enforcement Agencies in Liberia and their respective mandate. There isn’t a section in the act that speaks about the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation city police, boy scouts and motorcycle union being a part of the joint security. Therefore, the MCC and PCC City Police, boy scouts and motorcycle union should not be allowed to carry out enforcement of the state of emergency because they are not part of the joint security under the law. Thanks to the joint security so far for service to the nation, and the government for actions taken to combat Covid19.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 01:52 UTC
Liberian Civil Society Calls On Government To Save Lives First!
At the same time, we remain apprehensive and extremely concerned over several issues in the Government-led national response. In these extremely critical, and life-threatening moments, a comprehensive national response is crucial in defeating COVID-19. We call on the mandated institutions to provide clear, complete, correct and consistent information on COVID-19 national response including testing and contact tracing. Government must immediately adopt, in cooperation with civil society, a comprehensive policy that ensures people’s human rights and freedoms, including rights related to protection and access to information. Civil Society is attuned to the risk of corruption and Liberians are already concerned about corruption and fraudulent use of these funds, as we witnessed same during the Ebola outbreak.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
Rebuttal to The National Civil Society Council of Liberia Concerns on the “Exclusion of the Civil Society in the Fight on COVID-19”
My review of your correspondence has led to the conclusion that these state entities are statutorily and operationally best placed to address the concerns raised therein. I urge that you kindly elevate your open letter to a more formal engagement with said entities to achieve the desired objective of working collectively in the national interest. Thanks for your understanding. Sincerely,Eugene Lenn NagbeMINISTERcc. Minister of Finance & Development PlanningMinister of Gender, Children & Social ProectionMinister of HealthMinister of Justice
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: Legislature Approves State of Emergency, Extends It to 60 Days
The Legislature in a joint resolution also approved the President’s US$25 million stimulus package, but with an agreement that would be disbursed through a recast budgetMONROVIA – The Legislature has approved the state of emergency declared by President George Weah – extending it to 60 days rather than the 21 days declared by the President. Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]The Legislature in a joint resolution also approved the President’s US$25 million stimulus package, but with an agreement that would be disbursed through a recast budget. The joint resolution also calls for every citizen to wear face mask when leaving their homes and as proffered by the President. The Legislature also called for an emergency relief fund to be funded through voluntary private donation. The joint resolution further calls for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Pro-Tempore of the Senate to set up committees to oversee food and water supply.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 22:05 UTC
An Open Letter to Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe on the Exclusion of the Civil Society in the Fight on COVID-19
Dear Minister Nagbe:The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) would have me convey its profound compliments to you in particular and the Incident Management Team in general as you lead the national response against COVID-19 in Liberia. To this effect, your exclusion of the civil society automatically disconnects the Government and the people of grassroots communities because that ideal synergy nurtured by CSOs is now lacking. When you exclude the Civil Society Movement as you have already done, it signals misinterpretations not only within the body politics but amongst international partners and key stakeholders about Government’s real intention in enforcing its orders. Others are involved with social mobilization, thereby harnessing grassroots support against COVID-19 and spreading sensitization and awareness amongst local people about how to stay safe from the virus across the country. Instead of leveraging on all these opportunities, the government has decided to exclude the Civil Society Movement.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 10:25 UTC
Journalist distributes anti-COVID-19 materials to districts in Nimba Countywide
Hospitals and radio stations in the cities of Ganta and Sanniquellie also benefited from the gesture, valued at around US$1,800. The journalist, a son of Meinpea-Mahn District, also provided LD 60,000 to the three districts to facilitate the distribution. Meinpea-Mahn and Leewehpea-Mahn Districts and a small portion of Wee-Gbehyi District constitute Electoral District Number 8 in Nimba County. Mr. Paye-Layleh said he was touched when he saw footages of people in the township using their bare hands to build an access road. The journalist promised to visit this nearly-isolated part of the district to acquaint himself with self-help development efforts there.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 10:18 UTC
State Security and Their Role in Respecting The Rule of Law and Human Rights in a Period of Emergency: COVID-19 -The Liberian perspective
Usually during these periods state security take advantage of the situation, to commit human rights violations under the pretext of enforcing the supposedly mandate of the emergency. Such blanket derogation gives enough room for State Security to exercise powers that violate rights for example, the prohibition of arbitrary detention, torture, and violation of the right to life. The state security is under obligation to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the citizens are protected in line with the Constitution, and other international human rights treaties that Liberia has ratified. That the state prohibits the inclusion of undocumented or irregular paramilitary organs from performing duties as national law enforcement officers. to ensure accountability and build public trust and confidence in the security sector during this period of emergency.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 09:45 UTC
Liberia: Security Personnel Enforcing State Of Emergency Remain Vulnerable To COVID-19
Since the enforcement of the state of emergency began, many of the joint security personnel usually come in close contact with pedestrians and marketers while enforcing the directives in market places and other areas. Speaking in an interview with reporters in Monrovia recently, Dr. Kateh expressed concern over the vulnerability of the Joint Security Task Force members, who are enforcing the state of emergency. He added that despite the huge challenges in terms of logistical support, security actors enforcing the state of emergency remain a part of the Ministry of Health’s plans. The situation led to the immediate withdrawal of the LSA from enforcing the state of emergency. Health experts believed that these security actors enforcing the state of emergency would serve as a major conduit for the spread of COVID-19 across the country if they remain vulnerable while enforcing the directives from the President.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 02:03 UTC
Liberia: Army Chief Recalls Soldiers After Curfew Rampage on Slip Way Neighbourhood
The soldiers entered the home of a woman pulled her outside and inflicted bodily harm. For now, the commander for tonight patrol has been called to report to base for investigation. In Slip Way Thursday, many of the residents in the close-knit neighborhoods were sitting in front of their homes while others were inside. The AFL has in recent time taken a zero-tolerance approach against soldiers running afoul of the UCMJ. Upon receiving this information, the AFL, as a force for good, through its Military Police Investigation Team immediately launched an investigation into the matter.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 01:30 UTC
Liberia: Doctors’ Regulator Wants Inclusion in National COVID-19 Response Plan
In the Covid-19 National Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, copy of which is in possession of this newspaper, nothing is mentioned of LMDC or those other professional bodies. Responding to whether the LMDC is being given the chance to play its role in this national Covid-19 fight, she responded: “It’s kind of challenging. This situation poses serious treats to healthcare workers and their families. “The inadequacy of these supplies has hindered and continues to hinder the work of healthcare workers and puts them at risk,” she added. Please follow what the health workers say to save yourselves and your families.”
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 01:18 UTC
Liberia: National Public Health Institute to Remain Closed after Two More Covid-19 Cases Reported
In this regard the NPHIL building was fumigated today again for the second time it was closed until Monday, April 20, 2020. Field teams are to joint Montserrado County Health Team until Monday, April 20th.” – Excerpts from email sent to staffers of NPHIL Thursday. Monrovia – The headquarters of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the body tasked with detecting and responding to outbreaks and public health threats in a timely manner, will remain closed for a few more days after two more of its staffers tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus. Unfortunately, two (2) of the staff tested positive. “This is to inform the NPHIL staff that Mr. Benjamin Soko has tested positive of COVID19.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 00:22 UTC
Liberia: Two Health Workers at JFK Hospital Test Positive for COVID-19
An April 16 announcement by the management of the JFK stated, “Disinfection of the Maternity hospital is mandatory due to positive COVID-19 testing conducted on two maternity health workers, both of whom have been taken to the treatment center. This, according to sources within the JFK, has sparked fear among doctors and health workers at the hospital as couple had interacted with several persons being discovering they were positive. Some health workers had complained about the inadequate supply of personal protective equipment which remains a major challenge and now exposing more health workers to the virus. St. Joseph Catholic Hospital confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that its Human Resource Manager and an intern doctor tested positive for COVID-19. At least six persons have died of coronavirus in Liberia, according to the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 16, 2020 18:00 UTC
Liberia: Bearing Health Workers’ Adjustments, Key Provisions of President Weah’s COVID-19 Stimulus Package Look Set for Passage
And Chapter IX of the Constitution governing Emergency power cannot be interpreted that the President can extend the period thereof anytime he/she wishes. Adjustment Seeks Protective Gears for Health WorkersA portion of the Senate draft is advocating for the Weah administration to commit a minimum of US$35 million to support preparedness and response, protective gears for health workers. Explaining their rationale for this, the Senate draft states:The St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital is just one of many hospitals to be hit by the pandemic as number of positive cases continue to rise. A portion of the Senate draft is advocating for the Weah administration to commit a minimum of US$35 million to support preparedness and response, protective gears for health workers. Regarding the Government’ Domestic Debt Program, the Senate draft signals that the program will also be approved.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 16, 2020 16:18 UTC