Liberia: Harbel College in Dire Straits as Students Complain of Lack of School Bus, Electricity and Laboratory
Liberia: Harbel College in Dire Straits as Students Complain of Lack of School Bus, Electricity and LaboratoryThe students said the lack of electricity, a school bus for field trips and lack of laboratory for practical scientific work pose serious challenges to their learning activities. Margibi County – Students of Harbel College in lower Margibi County have raised concerns over constraints faced by the college, calling for President George Weah’s speedy intervention. The students told FrontPageAfrica interview Sunday, March 1, that the lack of electricity, a school bus for field trips and lack of laboratory for practical scientific work pose serious challenges to their learning activities. Harbel College is a government-owned institution, but the student said the college lacks the basic facilities to meet up with a degree-granting institution’s standard. He further disclosed that of the US$546,000 budgeted for Harbel College, only US$151,000 was received and that amount is being used to manage staff salaries payment.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 04, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: 959 Farmers To Benefit For Corn Production In MIA-FOA Pilot Communal Farming Project
The corn farming project is an initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs through its communal farming program targeted at mobilizing local communities in agriculture with technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture. Speaking at the opening an inception workshop on Tuesday, Madam Njie praised the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular Minister Varney A. Sirleaf who has been instrumental in reawakening communal farming in Liberia. The release quotes the FAO Boss as saying in addition to the corn project, 230 hectares of land have identified for another project in low land rice production. Meanwhile, the Minister of Internal Affairs Honorable Varney A. Sirleaf described the corn project as a good beginning for communal farming in Liberia. Also speaking was Commerce Minister, Professor Wilson Tarpeh who commended the Ministry of Internal Affairs for revitalizing communal farming.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 04, 2020 03:11 UTC
Liberia: Central Bank of Liberia Upholds Monetary Police to Curb Inflation
CBL Executive Governor, J. Aloysius Tarlue announced the maintenance of the monetary policy rate at 30 percent is in response to the global economic uncertainties, especially the Coronavirus, which is threatening the global economy. MONROVIA – The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), during its March 2020 meeting, has announced its decision to maintain the monetary policy rate of 30 percent. This comes nearly four months after the CBL Board had set a monetary policy rate of 30 percent, after transitioning from an exchange-rate-targeting monetary policy framework to an interest-rate based regime. However, he added that global economic growth rebounded in the second half of 2019 and that trend is projected to continue throughout 2020 and yield a 3.3 percent growth in global economic activity. In the wake of depressed global economic activity, Real GDP growth for Liberia was estimated to contract by 1.4 percent due to underperformance in manufacturing, services and the forestry subsectors.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 04, 2020 03:11 UTC
Liberia: Head of Asset Recovery and Restitution Team Resigns; Cites Lack of Will to Fight Corruption
Arthur Johnson said the team has not received the needed cooperation from government institutions and officials in gathering evidence to the retrieval of government money and assets at home and abroadMONROVIA – The head of the Asset Recovery Team, Cllr. Arthur Johnson has tendered in his resignation to Solicitor General Sayma Syrenius Cephus, citing lack of political will to fight corruption in Liberia. Johnson stated:“I am so constrained to tender in my resignation from the position of Chairman of the Assets Investigation Restitution and Recovery Team (AIRReT) due to the fact that my anticipation and perception about the fight against corruption is not achieving its objectives. “I am so constrained to tender in my resignation from the position of Chairman of the Assets Investigation Restitution and Recovery Team (AIRReT) due to the fact that my anticipation and perception about the fight against corruption is not achieving its objectives. The Asset Investigation, Restitution and Recovery Team is charged with the responsibility of investigating, restituting and subsequently recovering funds that were embezzled, and misappropriated from the Liberian government as revealed by reports by the General Auditing Commission, (GAC) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Source:Front Page Africa
March 04, 2020 00:39 UTC
Liberia: Think Blue, Live Green! Youth Forum on Clean Oceans and Healthy Environment Takes Place in Marshall City
MONROVIA – The Think Blue, Live Green awareness campaign for sustainable and clean communities proudly supported by the Embassy of Sweden Monrovia and organized by Miss Boss Lady (MBL) International got underway on the weekend of February 29, 2020 with a one-day youth forum in Marshall City, Margibi County. He said despite the West African nation being blessed with long Coastline unlike its neighbors, little is being done to tap on the economic advantages the country’s marine resources hold. Gwaikolo indicated that the youth workshop will enlighten young people to begin taking actions that would help them sustainably take care of marine resources and their environment given the fact that Liberia is naturally gifted. Marshall City, she noted, is privileged to be the first place to benefit from the initiative that would go a long way in helping young people to be aware of the danger that pollution poses to the waters around them and the environment. Two large trash and recycle bins were donated to be used by the Marshall City Hall and to LMTI to store trash for proper disposal.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 20:48 UTC
Liberia: Police Arrest, Investigate War Crimes Advocate
The police is yet to provide reasons why Mr. Savice was arrested but said he is being investigatedMonrovia – Police in Monrovia have confirmed that they have Mr. Emmanuel Savice, a war crime advocate, in their custody and he is under investigation. Mr. Savice, Fubi Henries, Nathan Blayee were all at the Capitol on Tuesday to present another petition to the Speaker for the establishment of war and economic crimes court. Police Spokesman Col. Moses Carter could not tell FrontPageAfrica reasons why Mr. Mr. Savice was arrested. On his Facebook page, Mr. Savice posted:Thanks to every one of you that is standing for JUSTICE. All this for the fight for War and Economic Crimes Court.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 17:26 UTC
Liberia: Pending Expiration of Cllr. Korkoya, Commissioners’ Tenure Could Be Reason Govt Is Withholding Funding for Midterm Election
“This government does not have confidence in Korkoya’s leadership and how they will handle this midterm election. The midterm election from what we see is very vital to the ruling party taking into consideration how they lost Montserrado County. Korkoya conducted the 2014 midterm senatorial election that took Weah to the Senate. “This government does not have confidence in Korkoya’s leadership and how they will handle this midterm election. The midterm election from what we see is very vital to the ruling party taking into consideration how they lost Montserrado County.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 06:22 UTC
Liberia: Baptist Prelate Urges Pres. Weah to Seek Counsel of Credible Men and Women
Rev Birch’s sermon after President Weah had launched the “Providence Baptist Church Bicentennial Anniversary.”When the President did the launching, he had cautioned religious leaders to use the pulpit to preach peace and harmony among Liberians. You need the counsel of credible men and women of God: men, and women who are filled with the Spirit of God.” – Rev. While we as Government play our part in the preservation of law and order, we expect the clergy to use the ‘Power of the Pulpit’ for the good of the country,” President Weah said. You need the counsel of credible men and women of God: men, and women who are filled with the Spirit of God.”Rev. According to the preacherman, in that game, President Weah, then an IE striker scored two goals in the first half and the entire field went into frenzy.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 06:22 UTC
African Countries Using Faulty CDC Test-Kits at High Risk of Coronavirus Spread – Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan Warns Health Authorities
Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, M.D. South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran have reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases outside of China where the outbreak began in November 2019. The Washington Post and LiveScience recently reported that testing kits sent by the CDC to state laboratories across the United States are unusable due to faulty reagents component that cause the test to return inconclusive results. Dr. Nyan’s team has offered to help African countries develop a rapid test for Coronaviruses that will function as a parallel or second test for surveillance, validation and evaluating persons under investigation for COVID-19 infection. Already, some hospitals and laboratories in the United States are pushing for developing their in-house tests for COVID-19, while awaiting the US Center for Disease Control to correct the problem with its test.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 06:09 UTC
Liberia: George Kailondo Insists His Hotel Being Used to Quarantine for Coronavirus Observation is Properly Maintained
George Kailondo, Owner of the Old Road facility being used as holding center for Coronavirus observationMONROVIA – Mr. George B. Kaiolondo, owner of the ‘Kailondo Hotel’, has denied news report that claimed that bathrooms at his hotel on the Old Road hosting people quarantined for Coronavirus observation are filthy. FrontPageAfrica on Monday reported with pictorial evidence complaints from some of those quarantined at the facility that the bathrooms were not hygienic for people under quarantine. We signed a contract with the National Public Health Institute where more than 40 persons travelling from China or other countries effected by Ebola have to go through observation. But several persons phoned FrontPage Africa to express their dissatisfaction with the condition of the Kailondo Hotel. Despite the complaints about the condition of the hotel, the National Public Health Institute insists that the place is conducive and was approved by the government to serve as a precautionary observation center (POC) for the Coronavirus.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 06:02 UTC
Liberia: Court Suspends Samukai, Others Trial Due to Illness of Two Defendants
Monrovia – The trial of former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and two others former officials of the Ministry of National Defense has been suspended for a week due to a reported illness of two of the three defendants. The Presiding Judge of Criminal Court ‘C’, Judge Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay, ruled that the case be suspended for a week to afford Defendants Joseph P. Johnson and J. Nyumah Dorkor seek medical attention. “Your honor defense requests for the adjournment of today’s trial due to the fact that co-defendants in person of Nyumah Dorkor and Joseph Johnson are ill. There is a medical certificate to that effect to be presented to the court,” said Cllr. He further ruled that it would have been “enough to carry his pressure up.”The Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge assured that the court is out to expeditiously handle the matter for the public interest.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 05:48 UTC
Ministry of Information Lifts Ban on Miss Liberia Beauty Pageant
Monrovia – The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) has announced the lifting of a temporary moratorium placed on the organization of the ‘Miss Liberia’ pageant. This approach, according to MICAT, is intended to address challenges which have diminished the prestige and morale of the Miss Liberia Crown, something it said has caused a decline in the zeal and momentum of the Pageant. Zone Three, MICAT added include Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties; and Zone Four covers Grand Bassa, Rivercess and Margibi Counties. PrizesAccording to MICAT, prizes are geared towards reawakening the zeal and prestige of the pageant and will include cash prize for top winners. Top Winners will also represent Liberia at international and regional pageants including ‘iss World, Miss Africa, Miss Universe, among others.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: ‘Follow Procurement, Concession Laws’ – PPCC Executive Director tells Entities
Jargbe Roseline Nagbe Kowo called on government to ensure and make it mandatory that all heads of entities follow all the procedures of the Public Procurement and Concession Act (PPCA). MONROVIA – Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) has cautioned procuring and concession granted entities to adhere to the rules and regulations to ensure national development. In an exclusive interview at the Commission’s head office on Capitol Hill, the Executive Director of the PPCC Atty. She added that the Commission is doing everything to work with stakeholders, which are concession granted entities to follow the rules and procedures. Kowo asserted that the campaign entails rotational visitation to procuring and concession entities to ensure procurement planning properly and follow the rules and regulations.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: LISGIS Trains Mappers Ahead of Census 2021
Kakata, Margibi – Kakata, Margibi – Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) has begun training selected field geo-mapping assistants to carry out the mapping exercise of the entire country. Varfee Holmes, Public Affairs Director at LISGIS, told FrontPageAfrica that the field assistants will also be used to conduct the national census in Liberia. Also among of the works of the field assistants will be to demarcate small portions of land. He disclosed that the recruitment of the field assistants was done in all of the 15 counties. Speaking further, Holmes said the statistics house is trying to catch up with time since the country has been lacking behind to conduct census since 2008.
Source:Front Page Africa
March 03, 2020 05:37 UTC
Daily Observer Receives Old Editions Ahead of Digitization Project
By Robin Dopoe and Titus BabuThe Daily Observer, Liberia’s oldest surviving newspaper recently received a sizable collection of its old editions which were mostly missing from the paper’s Stanton P. Peabody Memorial Library located in the Liberian Observer Corporation’s headquarters near the ELWA Junction, Paynesville. Both men, who have a long time associations with Liberia, respectively, are visiting the country and brought back their Observer newspapers dating back from the paper’s early years of operation—1981 to 1990. The old but well preserved newspapers have arrived ahead of the launch of a project to digitize the entire newspaper archive for which the management of the Liberian Observer Corporation (LOC) is seeking funding. “The record-keeping of Liberian history is a significant value especially that the country lost the paper trail of its history during the war,” he said. The Daily Observer is more than a paper; it’s a cultural heritage to Liberia,” the German declared.
Source:Daily Observer
March 03, 2020 02:26 UTC