Swiss Sponsored NGO Recounts Impact
“Our focus now is in health, water, hygiene, waste and health prevention, basic medical care,” said Felix Walz, BTFS President. Laryee A. Sannor, BTFS Operations Manager, also says the foundation is currently providing safe drinking water for the people in the SD Cooper Road community. The need for safe drinking water is a challenge in most parts of Monrovia, especially during the dry season when there is less rainfall. Such formal recognition, Walz believes, will also promote the prospect of a vibrant bilateral relationship between the Liberian government and its Swiss counterpart. “We need a formal recognition from them, said Walz, “because our donors in Switzerland can wait until they see some small recognition from Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:28 UTC
County Attorney Martin Faces Arrest in Ex-Defense Minister Samukai’s Case
Martin was ordered by Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay to make available all pieces of documentary evidence to each of the three defendants, including Samukai, on Monday. Unfortunately, when Martin appeared before Gbeisay, there was no document before the judge to show that Martin had presented the evidence to the defense team. “Upon failure of Martin to pay said amount into the Government revenue, the clerk of the court will be ordered to arrest Cllr. Again, Gbeisay ordered Martin to disclose all other pieces of evidence to the defense lawyers by 4PM of Monday, February 17. As of October 2017, the amount of US$2,062,160.14 (including accrued interest), were collected and deposited into that account at Ecobank.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:28 UTC
27,000 Gallons of Gas ‘Stolen’ between 2012-2014
“Yes, when I was Deputy Managing Director for Operations, there was some investigation of theft and the theft occurred on the rack,” he said. Though the 27,000 gallons of gasoline stolen was never restituted. When asked, the accused, Mr. Darblah, also via mobile phone he said: “It is not to his knowledge,” and hung up the phone. In 2012, Universal Surveyor Incorporated also confirmed that there is a disparity between the actual stock in the tanks and the importer’s stock balances. The reports confirmed the disparity in the Universal Surveyor Incorporated report between the actual stock in the tanks and the importer’s stock balances.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:28 UTC
Liberia, S/Leone to Jointly Manage Gola Forest
The management agreement, which is an amended Memorandum of Understanding, will obligate both parties to jointly share the management of the forest, including the protection of biodiversity and all others related to conservation. “The amended MOU signing represents a renewed commitment of both countries to effectively manage the Gola Forest Transboundary Landscape which will be named Gola Transboundary Peace Park,” the release said. Gola National Forest, which covers 150,000 hectares of land from Liberia to Sierra Leone, represents one of the largest remaining blocks of the Upper Guinea Forest, the release indicated. “FDA is grateful to the USAID-funded WA BiCC program which supported several transboundary multi-stakeholder meetings in advance of the MOU signing. Through signing the amendments, Liberia and Sierra Leone will refocus their efforts on preserving and sustainably managing their shared resource.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:26 UTC
FDA, Partners, Concur on Enforcement of Wildlife Law
At World Pangolin Day celebrationThe Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Conservation International (CI) and other partners, have concurred to exert efforts in combating the illegal hunting and killing of wildlife with a high emphasis on Pangolin. The celebration brought together Conservation partners with FDA officials and workers, and representatives of the European Union who also have a key interest in the protection of Liberia’s forest and biodiversity. In Liberia, all pangolins are protected by law: it is a federal crime to hunt, kill, eat and keep them. The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary, in collaboration with the Forestry Development Authority, is the first and only wildlife rescue center for different animal species in Liberia and was founded in 2017. That is why it is of great importance to preserve pangolins in Liberia,” says FDA.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:26 UTC
PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA, THE SALT THAT HAS LOST ITS YUMMINESS
Sadly, the present Union doesn’t seem to be that “umbrella” it once was back in the day when the Union had teeth to bite and chew. This present leadership of the Press Union of Liberia, under the lead of Mr. Charles Coffey, seems to have lost it. Mr. Coffey, the Union under your watch has become that salt that has lost its yumminess. Consequently, the Press Union of Liberia’s relevance is no longer felt in the social governance structure of the nation. We think the Press Union of Liberia is not weak as the present cream of leaders have made it to be.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 17, 2020 16:28 UTC
Liberia: Ring Man in Costa’s Laissez Passer ‘Scandal’ Arrested
We didn’t know where he was; but he knows that he was going to be caught so he decided to turn himself in. Costa and Laissez PasserCosta had arrived in Liberia on December 19, 2019 from Accra, Ghana, and presented to Immigration officers at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) a laissez passer, which they stamped and allowed him entry into the country. He also argued that he had been in the country more than three weeks why didn’t the LIS accost him. According to our source, Tevez had told them the role he allegedly played in the process leading to Costa obtaining the laissez passer now at the center of controversy. “He told the LIS investigation team that what Costa had said about him in his (Costa) statement was false.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 17, 2020 15:56 UTC
Breweries Drop Points, As Gardnersville FC Takes Lead of 2nd Division
It was their second blank sheet following a goalless draw with Watanga FC at the Blue Field on 12 February. The draw takes Breweries’ lead at the top of the table to three points, ahead of second-placed LISCR FC. Oilers have 11 points, one more than Watanga and Bea Mountain, who drew goalless with 10-man Nimba FC in Sanniquellie, Nimba County. Small Town, Nimba FC and NPA Anchors are in the relegation zone with six points, three points and a point. Jai FC lost 2-1 to Keitrace FC and Heaven Eleven narrowly beat FC Fassell 3-2 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) respectively.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 17, 2020 14:03 UTC
Conex Petroleum to Offload 19K Metric Tons Today
Conex Petroleum Group of Companies, one of Liberia’s leading petroleum import firms, has announced that its vessel (Hafnia Hope), will arrive in Monrovia today, February 17, 2020, containing 19,000 metric tons (6,327,506 gallons) of gasoline and diesel (fuel). This consignment comprises 11,500 metric tons (4,025,000 gallons) of gasoline and 7,500 metric tons (2,302,500 gallons) of diesel. From the Conex consignment, Aminata and Sons has already purchased 4,000 metric tons (1,400,000 gallons) of the gasoline onboard the vessel to ensure their stations are meeting customers’ demand. “For and on behalf of Conex Petroleum Group of Companies, we want to thank the general public for your patience and resilience as we all work together to get back to normalcy. These tankers of gasoline, equivalent to 1,000 metric tons were entirely purchased by the Government of Liberia.
Source:Daily Observer
February 17, 2020 10:42 UTC
Liberia: Fuel Ship Brings Relief With 25K Metric Tons of Fuel to Ease Gas Shortage
Another ship, the Ocean Mariners, is also bound for Liberia bring more fuel and gasoline in the tone of 5, 900 Metric Tons of PMS (gas). “We loaded 5,000 metric tons on a vessel that was scheduled to arrive on the 9th of February to the 10th. According to Minister Nagbe at a press briefing the Government had been informed that some 10,000 metric tons of fuel was always available in the tank at LPRC. The vessel which is due to arrive by 10am Monday has on it, some 250,000 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit commonly referred to as Petrol. This supply can tide the country over while a ship containing more than 10,000 metric tons arrives by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 17, 2020 06:56 UTC
Liberia: Collaboration of Political Parties Set to Seal Pact on Agreement Over ‘Sticky’ Issues
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the issue drew a divide amongst the CPP which dragged the finalization of the framework to put the collaboration into motion. Again, while some parties had argued in favor of Consensus, Voter Perception Survey (VPS) and Convention, others argued that VPS should not be a determinant for selecting a candidate. But I can tell you that it has been agreed that if there is no consensus after the consensus and convention, then we go to perception survey. Additionally, FPA has learned the field for the presidential candidate will be opened for other interested parties to participate. The Collaboration agreement signed in 2019 was initially greeted and hailed as perhaps the biggest strategic “collaboration” in Liberia’s history.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 17, 2020 06:22 UTC
Do Lawmakers Have Too Many Holidays?
Besides the 18 weeks’ constituency break, members of the Senate and House of Representatives annually benefit from two additional breaks, each consisting of two weeks, in observance of Easter and Independence celebrations. This means the Legislature are off from work for 24 weeks — about 167 days– out of the 52-week calendar year — Easter (two weeks); Independence (two weeks); Public Holidays (one week) and constituency break (18 weeks). in support to Rep. Koon’s suggestion, Montserrado County District #13 Representative, Edward Papay Flomo, told the Daily Observer via mobile phone: “I am 100% in agreement in the cut of the constituency break by two months. I believe more works are required of us.”Two other lawmakers, who requested not to be named because of of their close affiliation with the ruling political Coalition, also told the Daily Observer via mobile phone, separately, that the 18 weeks’ constituency is very long. As for the House of Representatives, at least 39 lawmakers can vote to approve an amendment (change), while for the Senate is at least 19 Senators.
Source:Daily Observer
February 17, 2020 02:27 UTC
War of Words between Nimba County Inspector and Former Sup’t
With County Inspector Mehn calling on GAC to audit former Superintendent Cooper, othersNimba County Inspector, Reginald Mehn, a top-level official who worked with former Superintendent Dorr Cooper for more than four years, is calling on the national government to audit the former superintendent without delay. Even though Mr. Cooper has not publicly declared his intention to contest the upcoming senatorial election, the county inspector claims that Dorr Cooper’s ambition for the Senate has deprived the county in many ways. The county inspector further alleged that Mr. Cooper did not care to attend any of the county’s meetings, including the County Security Council meeting as well as the board meeting, which he also served on as a chairperson. Inspector Mehn alleged that Nimba did not receive benefit from some of the companies that were prospecting minerals in Nimba during the regime of Cooper. Former Superintendent Dorr Cooper has been widely referred to by many in Nimba as “Mr.
Source:Daily Observer
February 17, 2020 02:26 UTC
‘Solicitor General Abusing Power in Corkrum’s Case’
Jonathan T. Massaquoi, of the lawyers representing the legal interest of co-defendant and a Liberian businessman Musa Bility, is accusing the Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Massaquoi claimed that Cephus’ action is a disgraceful attack on the rule of law and the attorney and client relationship. Massaquoi said, since there is no criminal investigation that involves the defendants, particularly Bility, Cephus cannot ask for traveling restriction against any of the defendants. Massaquoi also argued that Cephus’ writ is an obvious display of vexation and retaliation against Bility and the other defendants, who had earlier interposed antagonistic defense against Corkrum. “Cephus’ writ is an endeavor to represent Corkrum with whom the solicitor general has an existence attorney-client relationship, as a lawyer in his same matter,” Massaquoi further argued.
Source:Daily Observer
February 17, 2020 02:26 UTC
Strengthening Resilience For Food Security And Nutrition: The Key To Inclusive Socio-economic Growth In Liberia
Because these conditions have not been met in the past, it affected our food security in both urban and rural counties. Our farmers need reassurances that as they farm, due diligence on funding and investment opportunities will be available to support them. Agriculture consumers should also get involved by writing your representatives to voice a concern over agriculture policy issues. As Liberia’s agriculture sector makes this transition, strengthening resilience for food security and nutrition is the key to inclusive socio-economic growth and are prerequisites for building peace and reducing poverty. The commentary represents the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the Liberian Senate or the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Source:Daily Observer
February 17, 2020 02:17 UTC