Liberia: First Lady Impressed with Massive Progress at City of Hope Construction
MONROVIA – First Lady Clar Marie Weah has expressed delight over the tremendous progress being made at the ongoing construction of the City of Hope project in Marshall, Margibi County. The City of Hope Project, which is being constructed by Mrs. Weah’s Foundation- the Clar Hope Foundation, is a massive facility to serve as a home, school, vocational training and rehabilitation center for less fortunate Liberians. According to her, the project is being named City of Hope because, when completed, it would give the younger ones hope of a better Liberia though education. The City of Hope project includes dormitories, school building, vocation and recreational training centers among others. Clar Hope Foundation is a non-political initiative aimed at creating an equitable society in Liberia where women and children are healthy, educated and fully empowered to lead a prosperous life.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 22:30 UTC
Liberia: Govt, AfDB Sign Financing Agreements for Hydro Power Plant in Nimba and Investment Promotion Projects
Orison M. Amu and Hon Samuel D. Tweah Jr signed the Financing Agreement for Renewable Energy Electricity in LiberiaMONROVIA – The Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed Financing Agreements for two Projects valued over US$33 million. The two projects are the “Renewable Energy for Electrification of Liberia (REEL Project) and Support to Investment Promotion Agencies in Transition Countries”. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. signed for the Government of Liberia, while the AfDB’s Liberia Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu signed for the Bank. The TSF Project will support the Government of Liberia’s efforts in improving the business environment and investment climate. For his part, AfDB Country Manager, Dr. Orison M. Amu underscored that the Projects are in support of Liberia’s development agenda.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 18:11 UTC
Liberia: Mr. President, Our Economic Woes Stem from Poor Governance, Not Global Economic Crisis
WE AGREE with the Collaborating Political Parties that countries in the region would have suffered similar fate with Liberia if the global economic crisis is to be blamed for Liberia’s less than 1 percent economic growth for the year 2019. GHANA’S ECONOMIC growth for 2019 was in the neighborhood of 7.6 percent. Rather, massive corruption and outright stealing by government officials, mismanagement of government resources, incompetence to implement economic growth and job creation policies and reckless spending by the President are among the reasons for economic hardship. WE TOOK KEEN note of the reality that while Liberia’s economy continued to slump, President Weah continued to travel on a private jet with a large entourage. LIBERIA HAS been in existence for 173 years, yet remains one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 09:45 UTC
Liberia: Another Suspect Arrested in Buchanan Linked to Killing of German National
Liberia: Another Suspect Arrested in Buchanan Linked to Killing of German NationalBuchanan, Grand Bassa – Another person linked to the killing of a German national in Buchanan city last week has been arrested, Grand Bassa County administration announced on Tuesday. A 38-year-old man identified as Emmanuel Kollie, who is linked to the death of a German national, was arrested in Gbarnga, Bong County on January 27. Following the arrest of the second person in Buchanan, County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh told reporters that the Government attached “seriousness” to the investigation and arrest of the culprits. “We want to assure all investors wanting to do business in Grand Bassa County to feel free because our security is strong and ready to protect lives and properties”. The county Superintendent asserted that Grand Bassa must and will be a County that remains hospitable and investment friendly.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:52 UTC
Lawmaker Wants Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority Empowered to Market, Export Cocoa
Monrovia – Representative Edward Karfia of Bong County has written the plenary of the House of Representatives, seeking their indulgence to amend the act of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority Act (LACRA) of 2016. In the past, LPMC had the power to market and export cocoa beans from Liberia thus generating millions of dollars. The Act if amended, no company in Liberia will have the power or right to export cocoa except LACRA. They will be empowered to purchase cocoa and coffee from cocoa and coffee buying companies. In May of 2019, the National Liberia Cocoa Exporters Association (NALICEA) expressed dismay over plans by the Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory (LACRA) plans to monopolize the cocoa sector.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:41 UTC
Liberia: NGO to Assist Citizens Protect Their Land From Government Officials, Companies in Bomi
That report found that the officials, with help from tribal chiefs and elders, possibly converted more than 9,000 acres of land in the Senjeh, Klay and Suehn-Mecca Districts. Sime Darby, which was taken over by Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO) earlier this month, has over 300,000 hectares, largely in Bomi. SDI is partnering with the Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group and the Bomi Chapter of the Civil Society Council of Liberia. “SDI will work with civil society council of Liberia, Bomi Chapter to build a mass movement of community members acting to defend their land rights,” the project document said. Trainings would focus on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and communities’ rights under the United Nations Principles on Business and Human Rights, it added.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:30 UTC
Economies in the Region are Booming While Liberia Continues to Decline, Collaborating Political Parties Critique Pres. Weah’s Excuse on Declining Economy
Weah’s government to do the right thing that will spur economic growth. However, all of our neighbors are experiencing economic growth and projecting high growth for this year alone, 2020. Teachers, nurses, doctors and civil servants are not being paid on time. Many civil servants now live on ‘sell-pay’ and by ‘digging hole and covering hole’. However, all of our neighbors are experiencing economic growth and projecting high growth for this year alone, 2020.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:21 UTC
Liberia: Commerce Minister Blames Shortage of Gasoline on ‘Wrong’ Inventory, Shallow Harbor
When the issue first came up, the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC) denied the shortage, claiming there is sufficient gasoline in the country for regular and normal supply. Despite the denial, the situation of limited supply of gasoline continue to persist as only two recognized vendors – Petrol Trade (SP) and TOTAL – were selling gasoline, at regular price, too. He told FrontPageAfrica that the Ministry and the LPRC were misled by the inventory of stock they had in the tankers. According to him, the 4.4 million gallons that reflected on the inventory could have supplied the country for 26 days. Tarpeh, the current situation is expected to last a about a week before the situation comes to normality.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: President Weah Wants Speedy Confirmation of Agriculture Minister
According to President Weah, his vetting and selection of the new Jeanine Milly Coop was comprehensive and thoroughMonrovia – President George Weah has urged members of the Liberian Senate to speedily confirm Madam Jeannie Cooper as Liberia’s new Agriculture Minister. The President described her as the ‘right person’ to lead the charge. “I believe we have found the right person to lead this charge. Weah told Liberians through their Representatives — senators & representatives — that Liberia cannot realize full economic transformation without a vibrant agriculture program. “I believe we have found the right person to lead this charge.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 07:00 UTC
Liberia: House Invites Health Authorities to Outline Coronavirus preventive mechanisms
Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and the Acting Director-General of NPHIL, Dr. Mosoka P. Fallah have been asked to appear before plenary on Thursday, January 30. Plenary’s decision derived from communication from Rep. Dixon Wlawlee Seboe (District #16, Montserrado) on Tuesday, January 28, calling on health authorities to comment on the country’s preparedness to prevent the virus. Rep. Mariamu Fofana (District #4, Lofa County), taking to the floor, said the appearance of the health officials will help outline precautionary plans and information to keep citizens alerted. The House Chairman of the Health Committee, Rep. Joseph N. Somwarbi (District #3, Nimba County) said NPHIL and MOH are working with partners to put in place better precautionary mechanisms. The debate culminated with a motion proffered by Rep. Moima Briggs (District #6, Bong County) calling on the health officials to appear on Thursday, January 30.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 29, 2020 06:33 UTC
2020 Referendum ‘Not Possible’
“These three propositions for constitutional amendment will be voted on in a constitutional referendum to be held later this year,” the President said. “One of the many things said by the President, which I want to object to and won’t be possible in 2020, is the holding of referendum,” Rep. Dopoh said. Speaking to journalists yesterday, Rep. Dopoh said the recalled Resolution to set the Referendum Agenda is yet to be placed on the Regular session’s agenda for legislative action. “As far as we know, the Referendum Agenda was recalled and we have to re-discuss and act on it again,” the ILC co-chairman said. Ad adjustment has been proposed to hold elections now in November of each election year.”Meanwhile, it may be recalled, the House of Representatives unanimously concurred with the Senate to set agenda for a ‘Popular’ 2020 Referendum.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:37 UTC
LACRA Seeks Exclusive Right to Export Cash Crops
The LACRA Act of 2016 was sponsored by Bong County District #5 Representative Edward Karfiah. Accordingly, LACRA shall also, among other things, license exporters and serve as advisory and dispute resolution body. Meanwhile, the 2014 Act of LACRA does not give LACRA the right to export or resume the responsibility of the defunct LPMC. So, as it stands currently, LACRA does not have the power to market and or export cocoa or coffee as it was done by LMPC, which had the power to market and export cocoa beans and other cash crops from Liberia to generate cash. “No company in Liberia will have the power or right to export cocoa except LACRA.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:37 UTC
IG Sudue Bows to Court‘s Order
Inspector General (IG) of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Patrick Sudue, has finally agreed to turn over to Criminal Court ‘C” at the Temple of Justice seven vehicles that have been in the possession of the LNP since 2016. The government had earlier accused two Liberians, including one Armstrong Tony Campbell, of transporting the vehicles allegedly stolen from the United States of America. Afterward, on Monday, January 27, the court delivered the vehicles to Campbell, who the Supreme Court had mandated to take possession of his properties. The Supreme Court’s mandate, dated December 23, 2019, was that Criminal Court ‘C’ should make sure to have Campbell take immediate possession and custody of his legitimate properties (seven vehicles). The allegation was denied by Campbell and his co-defendant, Sheak K. Brown.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:27 UTC
Price of Rice to Increase If…
Rice is considered a ‘political commodity’ in Liberia. “It is the Executive Order that stops LRA from levying tariff on this sensitive commodity. If there is no renewal and importers begin importing, it means there will be tariff levied which will consequently affect the price of rice on the market for the ordinary buyers,” an LRA source indicated. Currently a 25-kg bag of rice is sold on the local market for L$2,600 and sellers are of the view that there may be possible increase in the existing price due to the exchange rate between the Liberian Dollar and the United States Dollar. Liberia is a heavy importer of rice, and the commodity comes from India, Thailand and China.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:26 UTC
EPA, Partners Launch ‘Climate Saturday’
The initiative, known as ‘Climate Saturday,’ was organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Liberian Youth Environmental Secretariat (YES), the Youth Climate Change Initiative-Liberia (YCCI) and the West African Youth Network-Liberia support from the World Bank Country Office. The issues of the crippling effects of climate change were highlighted during the launch with the residents. Mr. Taylor said Climate Saturday will be a monthly event bringing together community members to discuss issues bordering on climate change and the environment. “Climate Change poses significant risks to Liberia in reaching its goals for sustainable development and climate action. Giving the impact of climate change on the sustainability of development, Dr. Nthara called on young people to be at the center of discussions on climate change and the environment.
Source:Daily Observer
January 29, 2020 02:26 UTC