CBL’s Challenge: Rebranding, Restoring Integrity
— Governor Tarlue tells visiting NY Federal Reserve delegationThe Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. has said his most pressing challenge is the rebranding of the CBL to restore its integrity. The CBL Executive Governor said it is important that immediate steps are taken to restore public confidence in the operations of the Bank. The CBL statement, quoting its Executive Governor, reiterated the need for the implementation of effective internal controls that would help restore the image of the CBL. He said his institution values the relationship with the CBL and will continue to exert all efforts to enhance the capacity of the Bank. The visiting 5-member FED delegation includes Mr. Matthew Nemeth, Central Bank & International Account Services Vice President; Ms. Lara Green-Spector, Central Bank & International Account Services Officer; Mr. Matthew Trieste, Central Bank & International Account Services Senior Associate; and Ms. Lauren Comunale, Central Bank & International Account Services Senior Associate.
Source:Daily Observer
January 17, 2020 02:26 UTC
National County Sports Meet Quarter-finals Kick-Off Saturday
Following the qualification of eight counties that finished as group winners and runners-up, the stage is set this weekend for the kick-off of the quarter-finals of the country’s biggest sporting festival, the National County Sports Meet. FootballOn Saturday, January 18, Group A winners, Rivercess County, will be looking to stun Group C runners-up Grand Kru County in the first football match, before Cape Palmas Boys, Maryland county, who finished as winners of Group C, will face the Mississippi Boys of Sinoe. Later on Monday in the second round of quarter-final matches, Group B winners, Lofa County, that have stormed Montserrado County with huge publicity ahead of the game, will face current champions Bomi county in the first encounter, before Gbarpolu take on Nimba County. FixturesSaturday, January 18Rivercess County vs Grand Kru County 17:00Sinoe County vs Maryland County 19:00Monday, January 20Lofa County vs Bomi County 16:00Nimba County vs Gbarpolu County 18:00KickballBefore the kick-off of the football games, eight counties will also be battling things up in the quarter-finals of the kickball category. FixturesSaturday, January 18Margibi County vs River Gee County-12:00Grand Bassa County vs Grand Kru County-13:00Monday, January 20Lofa County vs Bomi County-13:00Bong County vs Montserrado County-14:00
Source:Daily Observer
January 17, 2020 02:15 UTC
Sime Darby Finally Shuts Down; Leaves Liberia
Monrovia – Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP), today announces the completion of sale of its entire 100% equity interest in Sime Darby Plantation (Liberia) Inc. (SDPL) to Mano Palm Oil Industries Limited (MPOI). The earn-out consideration is payable in equal quarterly instalments over a period of eight (8) years, commencing April 2023. This also includes the development of an Outgrowers’ Programme for the benefit of the local communities in Liberia. It will indeed be in the best interest of all stakeholders in Liberia to support MPOI in its endeavour for the socio-economic development of all Liberians. “SDP would like to express its gratitude to the Government of Liberia for their support throughout all these years.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 17, 2020 00:11 UTC
Liberia-China Friendship: A “Personal Terrorism Experience” Lesson from the “Senior Sister” – FrontPageAfrica
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Liberian President George Weah at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2018. In an attempt to split China, such forces advocated religious extremism and carried out a series of terrorist activities. Mr. Charles B. Coffey, Jr., president of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), said the Chinese Government professionally handled terrorism in Xinjiang. LIBERIA’S “TERRORISM” EXPERIENCELiberia’s “Terrorism Experience” has two phases: Pre-civil war phase and civil war phase. What better way for “Senior Sister” China to lecture “Junior Sister” Liberia on “Terrorism”—causes and preventive methods—besides “showing” personal experience?
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 19:41 UTC
Liberians: Should We Continue To Live With Correctable Challenges?
The argument of this paper therefore, is not to justify or counter balance the accusation against the police. The critical piece is that the amount of force used must be minimum required to achieve the lawful objective (https://www.amnesty.org.uk). In a more elevated manner, excessive force refers to a situation where government official legally entitled to use force exceed the minimum amount necessary to diffuse an incident or to protect themselves or others from harm (https://criminal.findlaw.com). Answerability which requires officials and institutions to provide reasoned justifications for their actions and decisions to those they affect. Finally, the contending question of this article is, if action replaces rhetoric, love replaces hate, selflessness replaces greed, and humility replaces arrogance, why will we still be living with correctable challenges in this “cherished land” of ours?
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 19:30 UTC
Liberia Reflections: How Doe Became a Dictator
But soon, Doe became the defender of capitalism against socialism although he had no idea what either concept stood for. One man had come to Liberia, as a diplomat and soon became a close adviser and political mentor to Samuel Doe. Notwithstanding his openings towards the Eastern bloc, President Tolbert never posed any threat to US interests in Liberia. Doe soon found himself at the head of what he considered an unbeatable force totally dedicated to his protection. But with the Cold War ending, US interests in Liberia dwindled and Doe was slowly let go.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 19:18 UTC
Liberia: Is Vice President Taylor Patriotic?
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor boycotted the opening of the third sitting of the 54th Legislature on grounds of lack of operational fund, lack of an official armored vehicle and lack of fuel and lubricants for her vehicleVice President Jewel Howard Taylor is angry! But Vice-President Taylor is seething that her budgetary allotment in the 2019/2020 fiscal year has been slashed. However, it leaves much to be wondered where the patriotism of the Vice President lies—herself, not the county. When the Vice president was vying from her current job on the ticket of the Coalition for Democratic Change, she was aware that there would be trying economic times fo the country. As a Senator for well over a decade, Vice President Taylor sat in sessions where finance ministers were called in, and shortfalls in revenue collection were declared.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 07:59 UTC
Liberia: VP Taylor Confined Indoor for Several Weeks
VP Taylor added that the situation has also compelled her to remain at her home for more than three weeks. The Vice President furthered: “As a result, I have been unable to leave my home over the past 3 weeks. VP Taylor added that it was agreed that the Senate would intervene and to ensure that the issues raised are addressed. VP Taylor termed the situation as a “continuing and seemingly intentional circumstances surrounding financial obligations due in support of my duties as Vice President of the Republic and President of the Liberian Senate”. Kortu Brown, is expected to hold discussions with the relevant government officials involved to find an amicable solution to the issues flagged by the Vice President.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 07:18 UTC
Liberia: CEMENCO Receives Production Capacity Boost
The new state-of-the-art facility is expected to tremendously boost production at CEMENCOMONROVIA – The Liberia Cement Corporation (CEMENCO) is expected to today Thursday, January 16 commission “state of the art production facility”. This new production facility will increase Cemenco’s production capacity enabling the company to meet 100% market demand. The production facility that we will be commissioned Thursday, January 16, boasts of a roller press to increase production by 30%, which is 700,000 tons per year. 4 Eco Hoppers allowing unloading at the port without any atmospheric pollution or risk of contamination with food vessels. Within the Heidelberg Cement Group, Cemenco Liberia has invested the most in innovation on the African continent in 2019.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 07:18 UTC
Sinoe, Rivercess, Grand Gedeh Counties Brainstorm on Ending AIDS, TB in Liberia
Sinoe, Grand Gedeh and Rivercess were group as region 4 counties to prioritize areas of intervention for the new Global Fund grant. An inclusive country dialogue is prerequisite for eligible countries including Liberia to develop a funding request for approval by the Global Fund. The Sinoe, Grand Gedeh and Rivercess counties’ participants’ priority areas are aligned to the national strategic plans for Liberia and the modular framework of the Global Fund. As in many other high TB burden settings, economic, health and socio-demographic factors are the key issues underlying TB disease in Liberia, she continues that in 2018, about 15,000 people fell ill with TB in Liberia. She also called on participants to know the facts about TB in order to stop stigma and discrimination against TB person.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 07:07 UTC
Liberia: Diplomatic Note, ‘Proper Channels’ Deciding COP Leader’s Extradition Fate
Mr. Costa himself has made it clear, he would be killed if he is sent back. As midday approached, it became clear that Mr. Costa would not be on the flight, because he was never put on. The comment stated: “Henry Costa will soon die.”Such statements according to Mr. Costa, is a key reason why he was forced to flee. “We are concerned not just about this particular incident but all of the other laws Mr. Costa has committed. The parties have also written the Government of Sierra Leone NOT to return Mr. Costa to Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 16, 2020 02:37 UTC
AfDB Allocates €1.2M to Train Policymakers in Boosting Mining Revenues
First beneficiaries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Niger, Mali, Madagascar, South Sudan, and ZimbabweThe African Development Bank has allocated a €1.2 million grant to provide training to help resource-rich countries improve their mining revenues. The project will be implemented in Africa’s transitional countries from 2020 to 2022. The FIMES project will train policymakers responsible for the extractive sector to realise greater returns from natural resource investments in their countries. “Africa’s transitional countries need to build state capacity to mobilize revenues from natural resource investments, to address reconstruction, infrastructure and socio-economic priorities. More broadly, the FIMES initiative will support the implementation of African countries’ natural resource development plans.
Source:Daily Observer
January 16, 2020 02:29 UTC
VP Taylor Airs Qualms with ‘Some Members of Executive Branch’
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has exposed in the public space what could have been handled confidentially, after withholding it in mind for months without a solution. Vice President Taylor, the second person in command after the President, says she has been facing difficulties with some members of the Executive Branch of government, especially as regards budgetary allotments due her office as Vice President. According to the letter, the Vice President said after writing the Senate, it was agreed that members of that body would intervene to make things better. At the end of her communication, Vice president Taylor attached her financial record to the letter for the Pro-Tempore’s perusal to know how grave the situation is. It can also be recalled that the President complained in 2018 that the Vice President was making trips abroad without informing him.
Source:Daily Observer
January 16, 2020 02:28 UTC
Cemenco Dedicates US$14M State-of-the-Art Production Facility Today
Cemenco-Liberia has announced commissioning of its state-of-the-art production facility today January 16, 2020. According to the release, this new production facility will increase Cemenco’s production capacity, enabling the company to meet its 100 percent market demand. Authorities said with support provided by its parent company, Heidelberg Cement Group, the second-largest group worldwide in building materials, “we were able to complete this project valued at US$14 million Dollars.”The production facility will be commissioned today to boost the Roller Press to increase cement production by 30%, which amounts to 700,000 tons per year. The facility will also boost “four Eco Hoppers allowing unloading at the port without any atmospheric pollution or risk of contamination with food vessels.”The release indicated that Cemenco has positioned itself as an industry leader in technological and industrial dimensions. The commissioning of the new production facility today indicates Cemenco’s commitment to consistently producing and supplying the Liberian Market with quality cement at affordable prices.
Source:Daily Observer
January 16, 2020 02:26 UTC
Costa Safe in Sierra Leone
Amid speculations that Costa had been arrested by Sierra Leone authorities, the government of Sierra Leone through its Minister of Information and Communication, Mohammed R. Swaray, promised to protect the rights of Henry P. Costa. The CSO group then cautioned the Government of Sierra Leone not to treat Costa as a criminal but should be given due regard and his rights should be respected and protected while in Sierra Leone. The CSOs added: “We urge the Government of Sierra Leone to immediately release Mr. Costa and allow him to travel to the United States of America or his preferred destination. But after honoring the initial visit to the LIS, Costa said he felt threatened by the process and escaped to neighboring Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, Costa was cleared to depart Sierra Leone, as he wished.
Source:Daily Observer
January 16, 2020 02:26 UTC