Liberia: Investigation Shows 27K Gallons of Gasoline Went Missing amid Probe Into Acute Shortage
However, Mr. Darblah, who currently serves as a consultant of the LPRC said he has no knowledge of said investigation. Ironically, Mr. Darblah currently serves as Petroleum Consultant at the LPRC. However, Wheagar failed to state the recommendations made against the accused, Mr. Darblah. FPA cannot, however, confirmed whether the 27,000 gallons of stolen gasoline were restituted by the accused. When asked via mobile phone, Mr. Darblah said: “It is not to my knowledge,” and the phone went off.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai, Others Pleaded Not Guilty In Economic Sabotage Case
Mr. Brownie Samukai (in red tie) and sympathizers leaving the courtMonrovia – Former Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and his two former deputies, Joseph P. Johnson – former Deputy Minister for Administration – and J. Nyumah Dorbor – former Controller – have pleaded not guilty to the crimes of economic sabotage, misused of public money, money laundering, criminal conspiracy and theft of property. The three Defendants made their not guilty plea at Criminal Court ’C’ on Monday, February 17, when they were arraigned to answer to the crimes. However, the defendants have waived their right to jury trial and requested the court for a bench trial. The defendants were indicted by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County in October 2019 for the alleged commission of the crimes. The record shows that the prosecution did not take the court seriously,” Judge Gbeisay stressed.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 07:01 UTC
Liberia: Pres. Weah Wants Cabinet ‘Recalibrated’ to Curb ‘Harsh Economy’
Monrovia – President George Mannah Weah has informed officials of his government attending Monday’s Cabinet Retreat to reactivate plans that will address the “harsh economic situation” currently being faced by citizens. At the opening of the retreat on Monday, February 17, President Weah stressed that recalibration of plans will enable the government gets back to its original Pro-Pro Agenda for Prosperity and Development agenda amid series of the crisis being faced by his administration. He used the medium to recognize Liberia’s new Agriculture Minister, Jeanine Cooper, adding that the Minister is one of the cardinal government outlets for the rebranding of his leadership’s economic plan. The 2020 Cabinet retreat, unless 2019, placed a key emphasis on how officials can bring onboard plans that will help improve the economy, in the face of hike in prices of commodities, increased in the exchange rate, high transportation fares caused by shortage in petroleum products among others. In 2019, cabinet retreat held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, the Liberian leader placed special emphasis on the passage of “key legislations” pending before the National Legislature.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:45 UTC
Liberia: Musa Bility Challenges Government’s Travel Ban In Court
Monrovia – Liberian businessman Musa Bility, one of several persons placed on a government latest travel sanction, has asked the court to cancel the ban. On February 6, 2020, the Ministry of Justice filed a writ of travel ban to the Monrovia City Court requesting that the court prohibits seven persons including Mr. Bility from leaving the country. Jonathan Massaquoi of the International Law Group (ILG), called on the court to dismiss and deny the writ filed by the state at the Monrovia city. Massaquoi argued that the Ministry of Justice “failed and neglected to prove and prosecute the charges” thereby causing Mr. Bility “enormous embarrassment and reputational damage”. Massaquoi the writ, which also orders the arrest of businessman Bility, is defective and legally void.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:33 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Gray Hails Bi-partisan Tourism Act, Says It Will Spur Economic Growth
The bill, entitled “An Act to Amend Chapter 31 of the Executive Law of 1972 to establish the Liberia Tourism Authority, seeks the establishment of a separate tourism body that will regulate tourism activities in the country. Rep. Gray, speaking to reporters after session on Thursday, lauded his colleague Representative Snowe for the bi-partisan support and expressed optimism that the bill, if it becomes law, will spur economic growth and raise the profile of Liberia. “Liberia, in my opinion, has the greatest potential – a potential when tapped on, our country economy will boom. With these rich geographical and historical features, the country is to be a leading tourism destination, but that is not the case. However, Rep. Gray is optimistic that with the passage of the bill into law, an independent body will now be responsible to boost the sector.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:33 UTC
LMHRA Employees Decry Challenges; Call For Logistical And Financial Supports
MONROVIA – Three senior employees of the Liberia Medicines & Health Products Regulatory (LMHRA) have decried numerous challenges confronting the entity. According to them, the LMHRA is seeking to ensure medicines and health products brought into the country are of quality, efficacy and safe for the consumption of the general public. “If drug is not safe, it denatures the ingredients of the medicines and health products and caused deterioration in the consumer health of skin,” the Inspector General explained. He is also calling on pharmacies and medicine stores not to dispose their pharmaceutical wastes, because the LMHRA is the only institution clout with the responsibility and technical know-how to dispose pharmaceutical wastes. For Momo, he disclosed that the registration of drug is to ensure that pharmaceutical products circulating in Liberia is in compliance with the 2010 Act that created the entity.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:10 UTC
Assorted Medical Supplies Expected in Liberia-Several Health Centers in Margibi To Benefit
MONROVIA – It has been revealed by the Representative of electoral district #2 in Margibi County, Ivar K. Jones that a consignment of assorted medical supplies is expected in Liberia soon. He named some of the materials as medical beds, wheels, drugs and laboratory equipment among others. He asserted that several public health facilities such as the Dolo Town Health Center, the Cotton Tree Health Center, the RIA Health Center and the Charlesville Health Center will be supplied. The Lawmaker then expressed hope that the distribution of the medical supplies will set the basis for more containers to come to the Country. In another development, Rep. Jones has disclosed that the project management team of the Association of Firestone Residents in the Americas (AFIRA) is expected in Liberia soon.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:00 UTC
Central Bank of Liberia Executive Governor Becomes Chairman of West African Monetary Meetings
Freetown – At the end-of-year statutory meeting of the West African Institute of Financial & Economic Management (WAIFEM), the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Hon. The WAIFEM meeting chaired by the CBL’s Executive Governor was part of the joint statutory meetings of WAIFEM, WAMI (West African Monetary Institute) which includes the College of Supervisors of the West African Monetary Zone (CSWAMZ), and the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA). The end-of-year Joint Statutory Meetings were held at the International Conference Center in Freetown, Sierra Leone from 6-14 February 2020. WAMI was set up in Accra, Ghana in 2001 to pave the way for launching a single currency for the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) and the establishment of a West African Central Bank under the ECOWAS Monetary Cooperation Program (EMCP). The Joint Statutory Meetings of WAMA, WAMI, and WAIFEM are held twice a year and rotated among Member States.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:00 UTC
Four Liberian Journalists To Participate In EU Liberia Partnership Campaign
Monrovia – The Delegation of the European Union to Liberia (EU), in collaboration with the Government of Liberia through its National Authorizing Office (NAO) of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, announces the selection of eight young media professionals from Europe and Liberia to participate in a month-long campaign. The campaign, dubbed the “EU-Liberia Partnership Campaign” for young media professionals, aims to create awareness about the EU-Liberia Partnership and show the impact of the European Development Fund support provided to Liberia. The selected four candidates from Liberia are Saywhar Nana Gbaa, Andia Varba Richardson, Edward Blamo, and Augustine Bill Kollie. The selected candidates work with print, broadcast and online media networks with strong development interest. For the budget period 2014-2020, the EU allocated 279 million Euros for Good Governance, Agriculture, Forestry, Education, Energy and Transport sectors.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 06:00 UTC
Liberia: Women-Focused CSO Urges Donors to Invest More In Women Related Issues
Monrovia – Community Health Care Incorporated (CHI), a not-for-profit organization that focuses mainly on women issues, is calling on the donor community to invest more of its resources and funding toward the solution of women related issues. The Executive Director of CHI, in an interview with FrontPageAfrica at the weekend in Paynesville city, said investing in the health and rights of women will uplift women in the country. “Not just women rights and health but access to justice and land rights; women need to be empowered because when more women are, there will be change in the community because they feel part of decision making processes,” said Naomi Tulay-Solanke. She is, however, calling on all women in the country to stand behind each other, especially showing support for Liberian women with political ambition. “Women that have ambition to run for the senatorial seat all over the country so let us think women; empower them by supporting them in political leadership,” she said.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 05:48 UTC
Liberia: Humanitarian Group Donates School Kits to Less- Fortunate Students in Du Port Road Community
Paynesville – New Liberia Hope Foundation, a humanitarian group operating in Liberia has emphasized the need for well-meaning Liberians to get involved in initiatives that will help shift the lives of other struggling citizens. Speaking at the weekend when the group donated school kits to some less-fortunate students attending the Christ Academy School in the Du-port Road community, Paynesville city, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer Cecee Barnard stressed that positive initiative will change Liberia positively. Presenting the materials, which include several book bags, lunch pads and a printer for the school, Barnard was thankful that the school was helping to create a positive change. The school is said to have 86 students, bulk of their parents can’t afford to pay their fees. Mr. Weay then called on other humanitarian organizations and philanthropic individuals to help the school with other facilities that will improve its status and students learning abilities.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 18, 2020 05:48 UTC
Musa Bility: “Two Importers Responsible for Gasoline Crisis”
Two importers, who were responsible to import petroleum products in December, are responsible for this crisis,” Bility said. The importers were expected to have brought in country the gasoline product but, for whatever reason, they did not. According to Bility, other importers, including Aminata and Sons, PetroTrade, among several others were told by the LPRC’s management to wait. “What I also know is that the government is constructing a 70,000 metric ton storage capacity for petroleum products. He said theft, provisional lifting and evaporation are always responsible for the massive loss of gasoline and other petroleum products at LPRC.
Source:Daily Observer
February 18, 2020 02:30 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
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
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