Liberia: Executive Backs ‘Controversial’ Firm Hired To Expand RIA Highway
Monrovia – The Executive Mansion has come in strong defense of East International, a Chinese firm hired by the government to expand the Roberts International Airport, noting that the company is not new to the implementation of “durable projects in Liberia”. Toby said criticisms about the company are only based on critics’ misconception and hate for President George Weah. East International has been around and given several roads projects to do and they’ve been performing,” Toby said. Meanwhile, Toby said that the 54th Legislature has perused documents submitted by East International based on recommendation from President Weah and has agreed to give the RIA contract to the company. President Instructs LPRC to halt ‘Provisional Lifting’In a separate development, President Weah has instructed the Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company to halt all provisional lifting.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 26, 2020 06:11 UTC
Liberia: SUP Sends Solidarity Message to China As Coronavirus Rages
The Leadership of SUP Extending message of solidarity of the People of China through its Embassy in LiberiaMonrovia – The Student Unification Party (SUP), the student-based political party at the State-run University of Liberia, has sent out a solidarity message to the People Republic of China as the deadly Coronavirus causes fear for the Asian nation. SUP, founded in 1971, is the oldest student-based political party at the University of Liberia. The leadership of SUP which comprises of the politburo and the Central Committee members are similar to the ruling Communism party of China. In a release signed by its Secretary General Ephraim T. Nyumah to the China Embassy in Monrovia, SUP encouraged President Xi Jinping and the people of China to be steadfast in combating the deadly Coronavirus. In a time of difficulties, as it is in the case of China today, we cannot lose sight of her continuous support to Liberia,” SUP said in a statement.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 26, 2020 06:11 UTC
Canadian-Based Humanitarian Organization Donates School Materials To Needy Liberian Children
Felecia was one of more than 75 students who received book bags from the charity organization, the Less Fortunate Children Organization (LEFOCO) – a registered nonprofit organization based in Canada. In Canada, the couple spends most of their time and resources gathering school materials for the less fortunate children back in Africa, especially their native homeland Liberia. Addressing the staff and students, Madam Obey said the donation was the organization’s way of helping the less fortunate children. The Principal, Clarence S. Karkpor, thanked the organization for the donation, stating it was the first of its kind at his school. It is against this background the Less Fortunate Children Organization (LEFOCO) has come to meet some of these needs if not all,” the group said in a statement.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 26, 2020 03:22 UTC
Is Weah Administration Undermining the Justice System?
Indeed, just like in the trial of Kubaneh Ja’neh, it appears that the Weah administration is again using the justice system to settle political scores. According to our sources and the sworn testimony of the Deputy Chief of Staff, President George Weah and President Sirleaf has discussed and settled the issue and President Weah promised to replenish the funds through budgetary allocations. There is no reason to doubt that the Deputy Chief of Staff was telling the truth in court. It is now clear that the Weah administration is weaponizing the judiciary to get back at its real or perceived political adversaries. President Weah must look at recent history and guide his steps.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 26, 2020 02:48 UTC
Increased Investment in Technology Can Reduce Corruption in Liberia
On her inauguration day, Sirleaf declared Corruption as public enemy number on and received wide applause from international partners and Liberians. Corruption and Nepotism in her government was more than what Liberia experienced during the Tolbert administration, I must admit. Increase investment in Technology can reduce corruption in Liberia by using this three (3) major pillars that government stands-on e.g. Cambodia enhanced the use of information technology to provide administrative services. It is well understood that Information technology will not bring a long lasting solution without reshaping government policies.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 26, 2020 02:37 UTC
Central Bank of Liberia To Receive Technical Assistance
The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Hon. J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. has received assurances from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for technical assistance. The assistance is in response to a request from Executive Governor Tarlue to the Nigerian Central Bank Authorities. It can be recalled that upon assumption of office, CBL Executive Governor Tarlue expressed his commitment to reforming the Bank to rebuild confidence. The Executive Governor was accompanied to the meeting in Abuja by Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Dr. Musa Dukuly, Senior Technical Advisor, Mr. Mussah A. Kamara, and Senior Advisor for Multi-lateral Relations, Mr. Michael B. Ogun.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
FUMC Dispels Media Publication on ‘Corruption’ Allegation
The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) on Ashmun Street in Monrovia has taken an exception to a media publication dated February 24, 2020, connecting it to corruption and other inappropriate activities. The First United Methodist is a part is one of the protestant churches with a large congregational membership in Liberia. It operations other social services including education, healthcare, and human rights advocacy besides spiritual ministry. “We are therefore constrained to make the following clarities: Pastors of the First United Methodist Church are not involved with revenue transactions of the church (I,e. “Therefore,” the release notes, “The allegations of complicity regarding our Senior Pastor, Rev.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
‘NEC Has Not Received a Dime For October Senatorial Elections’
— Chairman Korkoya Informs SenatorsThe Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and a team of Commissioners have informed the Liberian Senate that the Commission has not received a dime for the conduct of the October 2020 midterm Senatorial Election. The midterm Senatorial Election, as expected in October, will be drawing 15 of the 30 Senators elected in 2011 whose tenure expires this year. Without the conduct of this election, it is certain that Liberia will enter into a constitutional crisis as the 9-year tenure for said Senators expires as of October. “Without sounding dramatic, I think we are seriously late with the voter roll,” Cllr Korkoya maintained. The two Senators clarified that the Liberian Senate has not taken any position regarding the East International agreement for the expansion of the road project.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
House Moves to Temporarily Suspend Tax Breaks
The House of Representatives has voted unanimously to put on ‘hold’ or temporarily suspend the granting of tax breaks (investment incentive) to any bidden concession or companies over a report that government loses US$50 million annually in revenues from concessions and companies which are enjoying tax relief without any economic benefit to the country. Investment Incentive is a scheme of government to waive tax aimed at stimulating private-sector interest in specified types of capital expenditure, or investment in areas of high unemployment or backwardness. These incentives may take the form of direct subsidies (investment grants) or corporate income tax credits (investment credit) that compensates the investors for their capital costs. In approximately 60 years life span of the Concession, LAC has only utilized 20% of the total land space. The House’s Specialized Committee further indicated that BIVAC’s contract expired on August 30, 2018, and was extended by agents of Executive without input from the Legislature, but the extension maintained essentially everything in the expired contract of BIVAC, including tax breaks.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
‘Give Women Priority and More Incentives towards Sustainability in Africa’
He added that women take on heavier task and workload in society and in the entrepreneurial world, but are often faced with difficulties and sometimes marginalization. He added that, “philosophically, I think women are special creatures created by God to sustain society. You can see that more women in Africa go into various types of small scale businesses and this helps to create opportunities.”A 2017 report by MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) listed sub-Saharan Africa as having the world’s higher rate of women’s entrepreneurs, at about 27 percent. The MasterCard Index placed Uganda and Botswana as having the highest percentages of women entrepreneurs globally at 34.8 % and 34.6%, respectively. “Given the same and equal opportunities, I believe that women can equally do what men can do, and perhaps even better,” Dr. Nyan said.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
Liberia, Wake Up to the Coronavirus and Get Busy!
Given the close and cordial relationship between Liberia, China and the two governments and peoples, we cannot keep silent while that country is in trouble. We all in Liberia know what our people say: When your neighbor’s house is burning, you don’t look the other way. So we use this opportunity to commend OXFAM (Oxford Committee for Famine Relief), the British NGO, for reminding us about the coronavirus. Remember, Equatorial Guinea gave the Chinese US$2 million, while Cameroon donated over US$82,350 to assist Cameroonians in China to cope with the crisis. The Liberian health authorities also need to tell the Liberian people what they should do to prevent them from contracting this disease.
Source:Daily Observer
February 26, 2020 02:15 UTC
Liberia: ‘Give Women Priority and More Incentives towards Sustainability in Africa’ – Says Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan
He added that women take on heavier task and workload in society and in the entrepreneurial world, but are often faced with difficulties and sometimes marginalization. He added that, “philosophically, I think women are special creatures created by God to sustain society. You can see that more women in Africa go into various types of small scale businesses and this helps to create opportunities.”A 2017 report by MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) listed sub-Saharan Africa as having the world’s higher rate of women’s entrepreneurs, at about 27 percent. The MasterCard Index placed Uganda and Botswana as having the highest percentages of women entrepreneurs globally at 34.8 % and 34.6%, respectively. “Given the same and equal opportunities, I believe that women can equally do what men can do, and perhaps even better,” Dr. Nyan said.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 20:26 UTC
Antoinette Sayeh Tipped for IMF Deputy Managing Director Post
— IMF Managing Director Kristina Georgieva ProposesKristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), yesterday proposed the appointment of Antoinette Sayeh as a Deputy Managing Director, effective March 16, 2020. In announcing her selection of Ms. Sayeh, Ms. Georgieva said: “We are welcoming back a dear friend and member of the IMF family. As Minister of Finance in post-conflict Liberia from January 2006 through June 2008, Ms. Sayeh led the country through the clearance of its long-standing multilateral debt arrears. Before joining President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Cabinet, she worked for the World Bank Group for 17 years, holding various senior positions. Prior to that, Ms. Sayeh worked in Liberia’s Ministries of Finance and Planning.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 15:11 UTC
Liberia: What’s in the Gasoline Report? FPA Hinted on Possible Cause of Acute Shortage
Liberia: What’s in the Gasoline Report? FPA Hinted on Possible Cause of Acute ShortageMONROVIA – The Special Presidential Task Force Commissioned by President George Weah to investigate the unprecedented shortage of gasoline in Liberia presented its findings to the President last Friday. To date, the LPRC, according to the Executive Mansion source, is yet to settle the storage charges owed SRIMEX for said gasoline. It is expected that the President will take action to ensure that those companies who owed LPRC product replace it at the soonest to avoid any such occurrence. The gasoline shortage which lasted about a month was a national crisis and was quite devasting to the economy.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 06:32 UTC
Liberia: Presidential Directive, Code of Conduct Being Ignored by Officials Eyeing Midterm Senatorial Election
“As you are aware, chapter 5.2 of the Code of Conduct, which intent was addressed by the Honorable Supreme Court prior to 2017 elections prescribe that anyone intending to contest for political office shall not continue to hold on to said office. “Therefore, all officials and civil servants covered by this category are hereby required to resign their position within 30 days of the insurance of the Presidential Memo,” the memo stated. The NEC argued that allowing him to contest would have been in violation of the National Code of Conduct. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the NEC’s decision and blasted Kamara’s lawyer, Cllr. Arthur Johnson for blatantly ignoring the law and failing to adequately advise his client.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 06:11 UTC