Gov’t to Finance Independent Autopsy on Zenu Miller’s Body
Again, our sympathies to bereaved family, especially his wife, children and the OK FM family,” Mr. Kelgbeh said. Mr. Kelgbeh said Miller’s family has been given the chance to identify their own pathologist to conduct the autopsy and the government will pay the cost involved in conducting the independent autopsy. He, however, urged the public to stop the negative insinuations about the fallen Liberian journalist as the late Zenu Miller deserves to given a befitting burial. Mr. Kelgbeh said the late Zenu was a quiet and dutiful person, noting that the result of the autopsy will be made public when conducted. The late Liberian journalist Zenu worked for Truth FM, Head of Corporate Communications of Lonestar Cell/MTN, Radio Five and later transitioned to OK FM where he worked up to the time of his death.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:26 UTC
Solicitor General Cephus Links LACC to Traveling Ban Saga
Cephus on Tuesday shifted the blamed on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). Cephus, during the traveling ban proceedings on Tuesday, February 18, at the Monrovia City Court at the Temple of Justice. There was no information from Bandiyo regarding the whereabouts of the Solicitor General and the Montserrado County Attorney, Cllr. Magistrate Jallah also refused to rule into the matter, though, the defense team asked him to do so. “This court does not have nay jurisdiction over the matter that is still under investigation by the LACC, if any,” Cllr.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:26 UTC
House Probes Increment in Rice Price by US$0.50
The House of Representatives has constituted a seven-man Specialized Committee to investigate the increment in the price of rice, by US$0.50, on the Liberian market, which was allegedly imposed by rice importers despite President Weah’s removal of tariff on the commodity. Plenary’s decision was triggered by a communication from Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah. Kanie Wesso; Montserrado County District #1 Representative Lawrence Morris; Maryland County District #1 Representative P. Mark Jurry; Rivercess County District #2 Representative Byron Zahnwea, and River Gee County District #2 Representative Francis Young. Meanwhile, in Representative Kolubah’s communication, he revealed that rice importers in the country have increased the price rice by US$0.50 despite drop in tariff on the importation of rice in Liberia. According to the Montserrado County District #10 lawmaker, the increment of rice price is causing Liberians to find it difficult to get the commodity.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:26 UTC
Fire Destroys Six Bedroom House
Speaking with the Daily Observer, Ma Damawa Johnson, the house owner, said that the fire was caused by electrical shock. However, she added, she had previously warned tenants about using LEC current wrongfully, but her warning was ignored. Mr. Kollie claimed that about 95% of community dwellers are involved in power theft. According to her, she has received insults from many people every time she raises alarm over power theft, adding that on many occasions she had been threatened by some individuals. Meanwhile, those affected by the fire include Ma Damawah Johnson, the house owner, as well as Marie Makola, Joseph Paker, Princess Markol, Watta Johnson, Roland Mark and Tetee John.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:26 UTC
President Weah Wants National Census Postponed to 2021
The Committee is required to review the President’s letter and report to Plenary in one week. The House’s decision to forward the President’s communication to the to the Joint Committee, with the Committee on Good Governance becoming the lead, followed a motion from Lofa County Representative District #2 Francis Nyumalin. President Weah attributed the delay in the conduct of the National Census on December 8, 2019, to financial constraints facing the government. “Again, similar circumstances have prevented the conduct of the national census at that time. “The Executive Branch takes seriously into consideration the conduct of the National Census as well as provide government the needed information on the distribution of the national resources of the country the President communication noted”.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:26 UTC
WAFU Women’s Tourney: Liberia Intensify Preperation
Following the draw of the 2020 West Africa Football Union (WAFU Zone A) Women’s Tournament, Coach Robert Lartey’s focus is now shifted to the senior women’s national team as they prepare for the upcoming tournament in Sierra Leone. Elsewhere in Group A, hosts Sierra Leone were pitted against Cape Verde, Senegal and Guinea. As the kickoff date of the tournament draws close, coach Lartey and his players have intensified preparation at various venues. Lartey, who led the U20 women’s national team to the first round of the Africa 2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after a 7-5 aggregate win against Guinea, over the weekend, released the listing of his final squad comprising 20 players. According to the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Lartey’s selection was done in consultation with his technical staff after a provisional squad of 24 players was earlier called-up to begin preparations.
Source:Daily Observer
February 19, 2020 02:15 UTC
Liberia: Senate Rejects Tarpeh Davis As Deputy Defense Minister for Operations
According to the Committee on Defense and Intelligence, Mr. Davis does not have what it takes to move the army forwardMONROVIA – The Senate Committee on Defense and Intelligence has recommended that Mr. Tarplah Davis Deputy Defense Minister for Operations be rejected because he does not have what it takes to move the army forward. His rejection comes in succession to a thread of rejections in recent by the Senate. Appearing before the Senate’s Defense and Intelligence Committee last Wednesday, Mr. Davis lied under oath as he sought to distance himself from the Facebook Live post. In the live video session, Mr. Davis promised to defend the government of President Weah, his family and others with plans intended to thwart or go against the Liberian Constitution. According to them, Mr. Davis’ comments struck fear.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 13:52 UTC
Liberia: ALJA Calls for an Independent Probe in Journalist Miller’s Death
President of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas, Joe MasonMinneapolis, MN – The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is calling for an independent probe into the sudden demise of Liberian broadcast journalist Zenu Miller. Journalists Miller was an eminent broadcaster in Liberia and a talk show host at OK FM, a privately owned broadcast radio station based in Monrovia, Liberia. The Liberian based diaspora organization described as unfortunate the insensitivity of the Liberian government in addressing the late Journalist’s allegation, which was levied against the EPS’ officers weeks before his sudden demise. The Association maintained had the management demonstrated leadership in dealing with the allegation levied against the EPS officers and director, it strongly believes the fallen Journalist would have gotten justice before his death. ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 10:41 UTC
Liberia: Diaspora Women for Change Launches SGBV Awareness Kit
MONROVIA – Diaspora Women for Change, Inc., DWC, in collaboration with Alliance for Liberian Women International launched a gender-based violence awareness skit on February 14, 2020 on Hot FM, 107.9. The skit brings awareness of the negative effects of violence against women and children and promotes a healthy relationship that consists of positive communication, mutual respect, and non-threatening/violence behavior. On December 7, 2019, Diaspora Women of Change, Inc., and Alliance for Liberian Women International, Inc., under the leadership of Dr. Francien Chenoweth Richardson and Ysindi Martin Kpei, respectively, hosted the “All Liberian Women Conference” in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference met the organizations’ goal of increasing knowledge of gender-based violence in Liberia and in immigrant communities in the Diaspora. Diaspora Women for Change, Inc. is a US based non- profit organization established to bring awareness to violence against women and children and to provide psychosocial interventions in Liberia and in immigrant communities in the Diaspora.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 10:41 UTC
Rising above the Challenges: The Resiliency of The China That I know
History recalls that China was one of the very first nations to come to the rescue of the affected countries. The latest outbreak of the Coronavirus disease in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei province has gotten the world on a red alert. History speaks of the PRC’s strong spirit of resilience amid adversities whether it is the outbreak of disease, economic crisis, famine, or even war. For example, the Great Chinese Famine of 1959-1961 caused more than 30 million Chinese to starve to death. And the China that we know, will rise above this global challenge sooner than we can imagine.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 10:40 UTC
Silence and Impunity in Liberia
I normally would prefer to avoid commenting on issues involving corruption and government’s brazen use of state power to incarcerate and intimidate dissenters. Also under President Sirleaf’s watch, the cultures of silence and impunity persisted, for Liberia to attain its rightful place in the community of nations, the principles of democracy, which demands that government tolerates opposing views, must be embraced. Dr. Martin Luther King said it best, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. So, in Liberia, the media and the human rights community must continue to work exceedingly hard to confront the cultures of silence and impunity and advance the cause of justice and equal rights. Tee Wonokay / Executive Director Foundation for Human Rights Defense / [email protected]
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 10:07 UTC
LIBERIA: Senator Johnson impressed with SDPL Exit strategy
Bomi County Senator and chairman on Concession at the upper house, Senate, Sando Johnson said he is impressed with the professional manner in which Sime Darby Liberia plantation carried out its exit plan. Speaking to journalists recently at his office, he said, the strategy applied by SDPL showed its level of responsibility in dealing with business globally. SDPL was not making profit on its Liberia investment and decided to pull out. Senator Johnson said, “It is a good thing and the transitional period is working. I think SDPL was operating and not getting profit.
Source:GNN Liberia
February 18, 2020 07:52 UTC
Liberia: A Collaborating Political Parties’ Move Worth Commending Ahead Of 2020 & 2023
WE CAN’T SAY for sure whether the present sticky issues that nearly derail the efforts of forming or merging the political parties comprising the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) have been totally resolved. This source further stated that two seats within the CPP are not going to be negotiated for. WHILE WE SUPPORT and commend this move by the CPP, we want to be swift to point out that we in no way have endorsed the CPP ahead of any political parties in the coming national elections. THIS WILL ALSO reduce the number of political parties. The coming together of the present ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in the 2017 Presidential and General Elections helped reduce the number of political parties that participated in that election.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 07:18 UTC
Liberia: Amid Gasoline Shortage, Govt Makes Move to Safeguard Supply of Rice
Although India leads the rice imports in Liberia, the plummet in number of ships out of China is triggering concerns for the Weah-led government already struggling to deal with an ongoing gasoline crisis. That has backed up cargo at terminals and warehouses at big gateways including Shanghai, Tianjin and Ningbo. American exporters are seeing cargo backed up even at U.S. hubs because of the congestion in China’s distribution networks. The China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry said more than 200 deliveries of ships under repairs or retrofitting could be pushed back. China is the world’s biggest shipbuilder, with more than 960 vessels set to be delivered this year, according to data provider Vessels Value.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 07:18 UTC
Liberia: Vessel with Gasoline Finally Docks in Liberia to Alleviate Scarcity Crisis
The vessel berthed at about 1pm on Monday with 19,000 metric tons making up for 6,327,506 gallons of gasoline and fuel. The consignment contains 11,000 metric tons (4,025,000 gallons) of gasoline and 7,500 metric tons (2,302,500 gallons) of diesel fuel. He said the vessel had to go to Senegal and Sierra Leone before berthing in Liberia as a means of reducing the weight before reaching Liberia. Aminata’s representative also disclosed that its 4,500 metric tons on the vessel would serve the public for about 10 days until their replenishment vessel arrives. “We loaded 5,000 metric tons on a vessel that was scheduled to arrive on the 9th of February to the 10th.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 07:18 UTC