Winners Betting Company Threatens To Manhandle FPA Reporters Who Attempts Reporting About Company
These threats and muzzling are not only coming from government security officers, even private security guards are taking orders from their firms to either manhandle or threaten to beat journalists. Toby, who was standing on the outside of the building on Broad Street and was taking a photograph, was harassed by two security officers of the company. The FPA reporter later introduced himself to the Operations Manager of the company, Abraham Kollon, but Mr. Kollon also demanded that he deletes the photos before his phone is given back to him. Toby said Mr. Kollon insisted that he could not respond to any inquiry about the story on the betting industry and that FPA should not report anything about his company. When FPA editorial team contacted Mr. Kollon, he denied pressing Toby to delete the photos.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 18:22 UTC
Liberia: ‘He Turned Himself In’, NPHIL Provides Clarity on Nathaniel Blama Controversy
According to NPHIL, Mr. Blama turned himself in upon experiencing fever and unproductive cough the day following his return from SwitzerlandMonrovia – Contrary to reports that Dr. Nathaniel Blama slipped through the cracks and resisted quarantine, the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) case history report says the first Liberian victim of the Coronavirus turned himself in for testing. According to NPHIL, he self-reported to the on March 15 at about 10:43 a.m. and a sample was collected and tested at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory. This is the first confirmed to be reported in Liberia since the beginning of the pandemic in China in December 2019. Within 12hours, the case-patient had been isolated, contact identification, listing, and monitoring commenced, and National Public Health Emergency declared and WHO notified,” NPHIL report stated. The National Public Health Institute also developed an outbreak case definition, surveillance surge team to commence active search and contact tracing and updated its standard operating procedure.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 14:37 UTC
Liberia: Transport Minister Samuel Wlue Reportedly Refused Quarantine Upon Return from Italy
Transport Minister Samuel Wlue was in England which currently has over 1,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19MONROVIA – FrontPageAfrica has gathered from several impeccable sources within the Ministry of Transport that Transport Minister Samuel Wlue returned from Europe last week and refused to be quarantined. According to the source, upon his return from Italy last week, Mr. Wlue called a staff meeting but the majority of the staff refused to show up due to fear of Coronavirus. The Communications Director at the Transport Ministry told FrontPageAfrica that it would take him up to Wednesday morning to confirm whether Minister Wlue traveled to Europe. There are also concerns that Montserrado County’s district representative Dixon Seboe, who recently returned from Spain, refused to be put under precautionary observation upon his return. In a press conference on Monday, Dr. Fallah admitted to cracks within the surveillance system.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 13:58 UTC
Liberia: Second Case of Coronavirus Announced
Monrovia – The government announces that a second Liberian has been tested positive for the Coronavirus disease. The new case, Johnny Phillips, is a domestic worker in the home of Nathaniel Blama, the suspended head of the Environmental Protection Agency who earlier tested positive for the disease. Health workers have determined that Phillips was the primary contact of Mr. Blama when he returned to his residence. They are continuing to trace and test several primary and secondary persons who he might have come in contact with. The government urges all to continue to observe the health protocols that have been put in place by the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 10:09 UTC
Liberia’s First Case of Coronavirus Leaves More Dangling Questions amid Claims and Counterclaims
However, as he started feeling feverish at home, he called in health authorities to conduct further testing on him which later confirmed he is a carrier of the Coronavirus. The health authorities disclosed that they had announced that travelers returning from any country with 200 cases will be subjected to 14 days of precautionary observation. “If that was the case, why wasn’t the other EPA official who also came with Dr. Blama quarantined? So, I decided to call the people (health authorities) to take me for testing. The reporter was heard pleading to him to stay in the car, and that he will do everything to get health authorities to attend to him.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 06:33 UTC
Liberia: Ghost Names, No Show At Work, Financial Improprieties Affecting Health Care Delivery At Phebe Hospital
Though this situation continues to be spoken about in many quarters; the earlier suspicions of mismanagement could not be verified. Patrick Jackson, senior accountant of Phebe Hospital, along with three others were suspended by the hospital for alleged payroll paddingThe report indicates massive corruption, including payroll padding, breach of financial and other rules in the running of the affairs of the hospital. As per GOL procedures, the MFDP processes the payrolls and draws checks net of Income Taxes and payroll comprising of a Regular Incentive payroll, Liberian Dollars Payroll submitted to MFDP resulting in said discrepancies. Phebe Hospital is a private hospital, which has continued to receive funding from the government. From awarding construction contracts to other contracts, the new regime is threading the path of President Sirleaf, according to many.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: Ruling Party Establishing Firm Base in Unity Party's Stronghold
Voinjama, Lofa County – During the 2017 general and presidential elections, Lofa County was the only county that overwhelmingly voted the former ruling Unity Party and its standard-bearer, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai. Prominent amongst those making headways in Lofa County are Monrovia City Corporation Mayor, Jefferson T. Koijee and Montserrado County lawmaker Thomas Fallah. Prominent amongst those making headways in Lofa County are Monrovia City Corporation Mayor, Jefferson T. Koijee and Montserrado County lawmaker Thomas Fallah. Some citizens say Fallah is doing what UP’s political leader, Boakai did not do during the 12 years reign of the Unity Party. The CDC Lofa headache could be solved with such early move by officials of the CDC hailing from Lofa County.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 06:15 UTC
Touch Of Gold: Enterprising Business Facilitation Firm Looking to Bridge the Gap in Liberia
We know and understand their needs. Last year, Liberia exported 65 percent of its total export of rubber, which is Liberia’s main export, followed by diamonds, gold and iron (17 percent). For Hampton, Golden Touch Corporation will provide a range of services for domestic and international companies wanting to trade but don’t know how. The aim, according to Hampton is to offer services to business communities – both locally and internationally- that would promote business growth and enhanced economic development. “More explicitly, our skills set have helped businesses strategically infiltrate the Liberian market and sort out business’ needs in no time.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: Former Finance Minister Urges Upholding CBL’s Independence, Integrity
Former Finance Minister Augustine Kphe Ngafuan is urging the upholding of the independence and integrity of the Central Bank of LiberiaMonrovia – Former Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has called for the upholding of the independence and integrity of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) as one way to tackle the challenges or mitigate the impact on the country’s economy. Mr. Ngafuan has served as Director of the Bureau of Budget, before it was merged with the Ministry of Finance. He has again served as a Minister of Finance. He has even held a senior managerial post at the Central Bank of Liberia. He added: “Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia are like judges of the Supreme Court.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Koffa Will Deliver 2nd Annual Message Through Radio Ahteenah amid Coronavirus Fear
Grand Kru – The office of Hon. Rep. Koffa arrived in Grand Kru on Sunday, March 15 for an official constituency visit in all the 38 communities in his district, inspect projects and deliver his 2nd annual message. The Annual Report as planned will be delivered on next Monday via Radio Ahteenah in Barclayville Grand Kru county, and copies will be distributed amongst the six(6) statutory district in District #-2 by a courier. Hon.Cllr.Koffa will meet with the county Authority on Thursday, March 19, 2020 to discuss issues about the county. The office wishes to commend the President of Liberia and the national health authority for swift and decisive action.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 01:52 UTC
Ex-NOCAL Boss Neyor Warns against ‘Amateur Practice’ Ahead of Liberia’s Oil Blocks Bids
The ex-NOCAL President and CEO further warned against the use of “amateur practice” for the sale or exploration of oil blocks in Liberia. Even if the coronavirus is contained to some level, low oil price will linger for some time with volatility. Oil Price Vs Exploration InvestmentAccording to Neyor, the outbreak is immensely contributing to a lower demand for oil. That means a rise in oil price leads to higher investment in exploration and vice versa,” he added. He stated that though oil companies didn’t like the idea because of the high cost associated, these companies were compelled to do so.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 01:52 UTC
Liberia: ‘Shut Down the Airports, Former Senator Ballout Tells Gov’t
Some blamed Dr. Blamah for allegedly refusing to adhere to established protocols set up at the Robert International Airport by health authorities. Dr. Blamah was later suspended on Monday by President George Weah. Speaking to journalists, Mr. Ballout said the screening exercise alone cannot help; he advised government to take stringent measures by deploying military personnel at every border point of entry. The former Maryland County Senator said that he understands the difficult economic condition the decision could bring but citizens’ lives matter in the fight against the virus. “This is a country with a fragile health sector, poor economy; the people have too much to worry about than the risk of virus that we don’t have means to handle,” Mr. Ballout said.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 01:52 UTC
Liberia: Finance, Defense Ministries Confirm President Weah’s Reimbursement of AFL Pension Funds
Defense Minister Daniel D. Ziankahn ( in suit) walking out of court after testifyingMonrovia – Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Affairs Samora P.Z. Wolokollie has confirmed that the Weah-led administration has paid US$460,000 into the Armed Forces of Liberia’s (AFL) Pension Account as reimbursement funds toward the US$1.3 million used from the AFL Pension Account. At the same time, the Minister of National Defense Daniel D. Ziankahn acknowledged the payment of the amount into the AFL pension account by the government through the Ministry of Finance. And Minister Wolokollie confirmed that the amount was paid into the AFL’s account based on consultation and advice from the National Security Council of Liberia. “There is no judicial record in the Republic of Liberia where a sitting President has decided to appear in court to testify in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 17, 2020 01:41 UTC
Liberia: Creative Plan Key to Keeping Kids Academically Engaged During Coronavirus Pandemic
To stop Ebola, Liberians had to stop the way we had always lived and interacted with each other. And so, with the news of the Coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping the world and attacking the way others have always lived, loved and cared, Liberia remembers. A good measure, no doubt, except that there was no plan to mitigate the indefinite closure of schools. We need to creatively plan to keep our children academically engaged should our situation and circumstance come to it. The Coronavirus Pandemic is not unlike the Ebola Virus Epidemic – for both, as we would say in Liberia, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!”
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 18:00 UTC
Liberia: Official Who Tested positive for coronavirus Suspended by President Weah
EPA Executive Director Nathaniel Blama was suspended for allegedly refusing to adhere to health protocols at the Roberts International Airport and at his homeMonrovia – President George Manneh Weah has suspended for time indefinite, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Nathaniel Blama, for repeatedly violating prescribed health protocols and endangering public health. It can be recalled that the EPA boss refused to adhere to the established health protocols set up at the Roberts International Airport to prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus disease. The President strongly warns all officials of the government in particular and members of the general public to strictly abide by the directives of health officials as the country strives to contain coronavirus. The President reiterated his call to all citizens and residents to comply with the directives of the health authorities in order for Liberia to contain the scourge. He said, “together we fought Ebola, and together we will fight the coronavirus”.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 16, 2020 17:11 UTC