Liberia: Illegal Mining Polluting Water in Grand Cape Mount County
Residents of Fula Town in Cape Mount told FrontPageAfrica that not only is the area being depleted of its gold through illegal mining activities, its waters are also being polluted through the illicit activityGola Forest, Cape Mount – Fula Town in Grand Cape Mount County is famously known for illegal mining activities. Liberia-Sierra Leone Sign MOURecently, the Governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone signed an MOU that will commit the two countries to protecting the Gola Transboundary Forest Landscape. Foreign Minister Gbehzhongar Findley signed on behalf of Liberia while Sam King Brima, Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Agriculture signed for his country. In 2019, WA BiCC supported the first meeting of the Coordination Committee in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and later played a key role in reviewing the suggested amendments. Through signing the amendments, Sierra Leone and Liberia will refocus their efforts on preserving their shared resource.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 06:03 UTC
Liberia: AFL Deputy Chief Tells Court President Weah Agreed to Pay US$1.4 Million AFL Fund
General George testified that President Weah had agreed in a meeting with the Ministry of National Defense Team of investigators that he would ensured the allotment of the money in the national budget. However, he said he was going to pay the money back to the army (AFL) through budgetary allotment,” George told the court. General George is the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed forces of Liberia. George was also requested to testify to the internal investigative report conducted by the Ministry of National defense concerning the AFL compulsory saving funds. “After the completion of this report, it was forwarded to the former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the President of Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: ‘No Money to Conduct Every Autopsy’ – Justice Minister Tells Lawmakers
Minister Dean, appearing before the House of Representatives recently, said Liberia has only two pathologists with no laboratory for testing of specimen. To conduct an accurate Autopsy, Minister Dean said, specimen have to be extracted and sent abroad for advanced examinations, something the Government is not able to do owing to the huge financial implications. “I can understand the impatience of the members of the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus. Rep. Younquoi called on Minister Dean to apologize to the caucus and cooperate with the lawmakers to bring the case to a closure. Rep. Gray’s comments angered Reps. Goshua and Vincent Willie (District #3, Grand Bassa County), sparking heated arguments on the floor.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:47 UTC
Liberia’s Military and Para-military Conduct Coronavirus Awareness
Military and Para-military Chaplains generated attraction at the intersection of Broad and Randall Street as they carry out Coronavirus Awareness through praise and worship songsMonrovia – For the most part of Thursday, February 20, 2020, cars could not use the intersection of Broad and Randall Street, downtown Monrovia as it was occupied by military and para-military chaplains of Liberia. All of these were aimed at giving awareness about the deadly coronavirus. The Head of the Military and Para-military Rev. He said, “By the grace of God, Coronavirus will not enter this country. He, however, called on the public to support their organization as they intend to carry on the awareness of the Coronavirus to the entire 15 Counties in the country.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:37 UTC
Liberia: Court Acquits 5 First International Bank Employees of Multiple Criminal Charges
Monrovia – The outgoing Judge of the Criminal Court C at the Temple of Justice, Nancy Sammy on Saturday, February 22 acquitted five employees of the defunct First International Bank (FIB), who were on trial for multiple criminal charges. Judge Sammy, in her ruling, said the court could not hold the Defendants guilty because state prosecutors failed to prove their case against the Defendants who were been tried for money laundering, theft of property, criminal conspiracy, forgery and criminal facilitation. Another part of Judge Sammy’s ruling ordered the Sheriff of Criminal Court “C” to return to the Defendants all properties including vehicles that were seized from them prior to the rendition of the judgment. The five acquitted Defendants are: Jeremi Tegli, Head of Operation, Africanus Freeman, Cash Manager, Robert Cummings, Teller, Victora Yanguba resident Auditor, Aurelia Tamba, a teller. They were among six other Defendants that were indicted by the state between January 2012 and February 2013.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:29 UTC
Liberian Entrepreneurs Want Government to Continue Engagement with China
Hundreds of Chinese and other nationals have died from the deadly Coronavirus virus which broke out in Wuhan, China. The entrepreneurs, under the banner, China Shopping Center, assertions were contained in a statement delivered to the Chinese Embassy near Monrovia on Monday. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 4,000 people died during the outbreak of the virus in Liberia. As we gather here today as business people, we like to assure you that we share your pains and aspirations in curbing this deadly virus”. “We like to assure you (the People’s Republic of China) that we are with you in faith and prayers especially the health workers who demonstrate the outmost sacrifices in saving lives.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:26 UTC
China Reaffirms Supports to Liberian Media As PUL Identifies with Country
Monrovia – The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has reaffirmed its continuous supports to the Liberian media. He also assured PUL that the Embassy will continue to provide short and long-term training, scholarship and exchange programs for Liberian journalists. “It will afford Liberian journalists opportunities to see and learn more about China,” he said. Also making comments, VP Nyakonah thanked the Chinese Embassy for its many efforts in Liberia’s recovery programs. Nyakonah pleaded with the Chinese Embassy to provide more scholarships for members of the union for advanced studies.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:26 UTC
Liberia: Sen. Lawrence Urges CPP to Avoid Internal Competition As they Agree on How to Select Standard Bearer
“Political aspirations are healthy for the fertilization of democracy. According to Senator Lawrence, it is expected that political leaders and members of the four collaborating parties will work within their political parties to strengthen their constituencies for all future competitions within the CPP. She also urged that the CPP to test its strength in the midterm election to preempt its 2023 performance. Sen. Lawrence: “Winning every county is not expected to be an easy feat against a government overtaken by corruption. However, it is a duty we must collectively share if we truly desire to change the direction of our country.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 25, 2020 05:26 UTC
‘President Weah Agreed to Pay Back AFL Pension Money’
In her testimony at the Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, witness Geraldine J. George explained that President Weah said he was going to make sure the payment is made through budgetary allocation, beginning 2018. Further to her testimony, General George said, “President Weah gave the assurance that his government was willing to pay back the money at a meeting with the committee she headed that was responsible to investigate circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the money from their account at Ecobank-Liberia. Samukai had repeatedly admitted to the payment transaction, arguing that said payment was made with the approval of then Commander-In-Chief of the AFL, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. However, the current government is now claiming that the transaction was far from the purpose of the account, named and styled: “Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Pension Account” at Ecobank-Liberia. Despite Samukai’s explanation and documentary evidence established between the former President Sirleaf and President Weah, that from the 2018 budget the government would refund the money, the prosecution is persistent in prosecuting the former Defense Minister and now requesting the AFL Generals to testify in the matter.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:34 UTC
International Energy Agency Appoints Max Jarrett as its First Africa Programme Manager
The IEA has long focused on Africa’s energy sector, including work on the continent’s energy access issues since 2002. In October, the IEA published Africa Energy Outlook 2019, its most comprehensive and in-depth work to date about the continent, with a particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. He worked on Focus on Africa and Network Africa, the BBC’s daily current affairs programmes for its audience in Africa. The International Energy Agency, the global energy authority, was founded in 1974 to help its member countries co-ordinate a collective response to major oil supply disruptions. Its mission has evolved and rests today on three main pillars: working to ensure global energy security; expanding energy cooperation and dialogue around the world; and promoting an environmentally sustainable energy future.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:30 UTC
GOL, OHCHR Complete Final Validation of Human Rights Report
The government of Liberia and the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have completed the joint validation of the country’s third cycle human rights report. UPR is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council aimed at improving the human rights situation on the ground of each of the 193 United Nations (UN) the Member States. Under this mechanism, the human rights situation of all UN Member States is reviewed every 5 years. Stakeholders consultations create awareness of the state human rights obligations among government human rights unit and advocate,” Mr Oyegbulah said. In brief remarks, Kutaka Togbah, the Director for Human Rights Protection at the Ministry of Justice described the event as one of the important components of Liberia’s human rights treaties reporting obligations.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:29 UTC
Justice Minister: “Too Much Pressure on Gov’t for Autopsy”
—Lawmakers order Justice Minister to write letter of apology to Grand Bassa County Legislative Caucus over lack of collaborations, and disrespect. The Justice Minister said the country has only two pathologists and there is no laboratory in the country to do postmortem examinations. The specimens of the late Toe are said to have been extracted for autopsy in November 2019; including his deliberate refusal to respond to three communications from the Grand Bassa County Legislative Caucus over the Late Toe’s autopsy. He (coroner) came and said the person died from natural causes – but the Caucus insisted for autopsy. Grand Bassa County District #4 Representative, Vincent Willie, fumingly said the Justice Ministry disrespected the County Caucus and, if an agent of the Executive can do so, it would haunt the independence of the Legislature.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:29 UTC
EU Hires Journalists for Impact Awareness
EU Ambassador to Liberia, Hélèn Cavé said the union is pleased with its partnership with the Liberian government. “First of all, I must say congratulations to all of you 8 selected Young Media Professionals. !”“We have diverse groups of Young Professionals, coming from different parts of Europa-from North to South-as well as from different parts across Liberia. “I am confident in your different experiences and backgrounds that will be very inspiring and enriching; for yourselves, as Young Media Professionals, as well as for Europeans and Liberians hearing and reading your stories. Minister Nagbe, who spoke on Monday, February 24, 2020, at the official launch of the EU-Liberia partnership campaign for Young Media Professionals, encouraged the eight and energetic young media professionals to always set a standard and uphold professionalism in their reportage.
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:28 UTC
The Embarrassing, Painful Gasoline Shortage: The Weah Government Must Never Let This Happen Again
It reminded us of the terribly embarrassing gasoline shortage that hit Liberia over the past few weeks. The Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Madam Marie Urey Coleman, Commerce and Industry Minister Wilson Tarpeh, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Mr. President, George Weah, we plead with you all never to let this happen again! During his visit, Head of State Doe profusely apologized for the triple crisis, especially the gasoline crisis. The time has come for us to tell President George Weah something he most probably does not know. Or has anyone told him the history of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company?
Source:Daily Observer
February 25, 2020 02:18 UTC
Courtrooms Abandoned over Fuel Shortage
Judges at the Temple of Justice were forced on Friday, February 21, to abandon their courtrooms when the only generator supplying the building ran out of fuel. Before the fuel shortage, several judges have been seen buying sheets and other materials for the upkeep of their various courtrooms. Hours after the only generator went off, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor’s motorcade immediately arrived on the scene. I have instructed my administrator to make sure that the generator is fueled,” Justice Korkpor said. On the issue of the MFDP’s alleged failure to provide operational funds to the judiciary, Justice Korkpor responded: “It is not your business.
Source:Daily Observer
February 24, 2020 02:30 UTC