Health Authorities Declare Continuous Lassa Fever Outbreak in Liberia
The NPHIL National Reference Laboratory has recently confirmed two Lassa fever cases at the ELWA Hospital in Montserrado County. Also, on December 30, 2019, a Lassa fever case was reported from District #3 A/B, Grand Bassa County. A confirmed Lassa fever case was reported from the CH Rennie Hospital in Margibi County on December 18, 2019. In view of the aforementioned recent Lassa fever cases, and the fact that NPHIL has responded to an average of one Lassa fever case per week in recent months, NPHIL, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has deemed it expedient to announce that Liberia has had a continuous Lassa fever outbreak. Lassa fever is not as infectious as Ebola and rarely spread from persons to persons.
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 16:07 UTC
Liberia: No More Constitutional Violation Should Be Condoned When It Comes To Holding National Elections
SOMETIME THIS YEAR, the National Elections Commission (NEC) is supposed to conduct the midterm election for at most half of the Senate, i.e. Unlike the other 13, Senators Dillon and Watson are completing the terms of two deceased senators — Geraldine Doe Sheriff of Montserrado County and Edward Dagoseh, Grand Cape Mount County. Excuses of ‘no money’ can’t be granted as these elections’ dates are set by the constitutional provision. IN SPITE OF THIS, the National Elections Commission has begun an early warning so they will be ready to conduct this midterm election in time this October. You need to put your acts together so that there can be no more violation of the Constitution when it comes to holding of these national elections.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 08:37 UTC
Liberia: National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Announces New License Fees for Fishermen
Monrovia – The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Emma Glasco has announced a new fee structure for fisherman operating in Liberia’s territorial waters based on their engine capacity. Madam Glasco said the new fee structure will affect only 600 motorized engine and semi-industrial boats out of 4,300 small canoes. Giving detail reasons for the increment of license fees, the NaFAA boss stated that the fisherman has been operating without a legal fee structure. In 2010, the Government established the six-nautical mile limit, a fishing zone reserve for only subsistence/artisanal and semi-industrial fishing activities. She added that the authority will not allow any fisherman in its territorial waters without a valid fishing license.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 08:03 UTC
Liberia: Ministry of Transport Launches First Traffic Warden Operations
Transport Minister Samuel A. Wlue posed with LNP Chief of Public Safety, DCP John M. Saah, along with the warden officers. KAKATA, Margibi County – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday launched the country’s first Traffic Warden Operations with the commissioning of 15 warden officers charged with the responsibility of buttressing the Liberian National Police (LNP) road safety operations. Continuing, Deputy Minister Kollie stated that: “The idea was given to birth to introduce the first of its kind traffic warden officers within the Republic of Liberia. The scope of operation of the Traffic Warden Officers is basically to be enhancing the work of the Liberian National Police”. Presenting the Traffic Warden Officers, the Deputy Minister for Land and Rail Transport revealed that the officers were intensively trained by the Liberia National Police (LNP) in traffic management.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 08:03 UTC
UP USA/Canada Steps Up its Action for Active Political Activities
Mr. Kemokai sits on the National Executive Committee to ensure effective representation of the USA and Canada partisans in decision making. The gathering brought excitement and enthusiasm over the holidays, ushering in a promise of a brighter future for the party. Speaking at the program, Mr. Kemokai re-echoed the call for reconciliation and party unity by the political leader of the party, Joseph N. Boakai. Mr. Kemokai emphasized the need to raise funding for party operations, as the party will not survive in the absence of money. Those appointed are Walter Togba, Finance Chairman, Kumba Cole, Women’s Congress Chair, Minnesota and Malita Jusu, Lead Ambassador.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 07:52 UTC
EPA Empowers Five Gov’t Ministries, Agencies to Enhance Collection of Environmental Data
MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has provided five desktop computers worth over US$ 8, 000 to five ministries and agencies of the Liberian Government to enhance the collection of environmental data. The items were procured under the Cross-Cutting Capacity Development (CCCD) Project, which seeks to enable Liberia make better decisions to meet and sustain global environmental obligations. The donation of the computers follows the construction of the Environmental Knowledge Management System (EKMS), a platform intended to hold all environmental data and information and the subsequence training of information technology specialists from line government ministries and agencies. Dr. Blama indicated that the donation of the IT equipment to the five government institution would augment the gathering of environmental information that will feed into the EKMS. CCCD Project Manager, Aaron Wesseh assured that other ministries and agencies imbedded in the project will also benefit from the computer donation.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 02:48 UTC
Legislature Returns to Capitol on Monday for Crucial 3rd Session
Prior to the feast, a synchronized and joint program will be held during which the leaderships of both Houses and the President will make special remarks. Traditionally, not much gets done in the Legislature each year prior to the State of the Nation Address, which is usually in two weeks. Reports further said the President might appeal to reach a compromise in the interest of the country and the Liberian people. Meanwhile, this 3rd Session is expected to be crucial with the appeal to the Legislature to pass on (act upon or ratify) some 29 priority bills which have been submitted by the President. Also, in October 2020, there will be Special Midterm Election, wherein 15 seats will be contested in the 15 counties.
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 02:28 UTC
10 Political Parties Concerned about Liberia’s Economic Hardship
10 political parties have expressed concern over Liberia’s continued hardship facing the country and its people. He indicated that as leaders of political parties, there is a need to work together to strengthen Liberia’s democracy and uphold the peace that everyone has labored for. According to him, they believed that this will serve as a release to the people of Liberia and will avert the unfavorable conditions that have the propensity to derail Liberia’s peace. The 10 political parties have called on the government and the CoP to use dialogue to ensure that peace is sustained at all times. The 10 political parties included Liberia Restoration Party (LRP), Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE), Liberia National Union (LINU), United People’s Party (UPP), Change Democratic Action (CDA), Democratic Justice Party (DJP), Union of Liberian Democrat (ULD), People’s Unification Party (PUP), Redemption Democratic Congress (RDC) and Victory for Change Party (VCP).
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 02:26 UTC
Global Economic Prospects: Sub-Saharan Africa Slow Growth, Policy Challenges
The economic recovery in Sub-Saharan Africa lost momentum, with growth in 2019 estimated to have moderated to 2.4%, the World Bank has said in its latest Global Economic Prospects outlook for 2020 and beyond. According to the Bank, intensifying global headwinds such as decelerating activity in major trading partners, elevated policy uncertainty, and falling commodity prices, have been compounded by domestic fragilities in several countries. In South Africa, growth is expected to edge up to 0.9%, assuming the new administration’s reform agenda gathers pace, policy uncertainty wanes, and investment gradually recovers. In the West African Economic and Monetary Union, growth is expected to hold steady at 6.4%. Insecurity, conflicts, and insurgencies—particularly in the Sahel—would weigh on economic activity and food security in several economies.
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 02:26 UTC
‘Unwarranted Interferences’?
The report says the police intercepted the vehicle at the January 6 protest scene, after which the car was subjected to a vigorous search in the presence of its operator, Alexander Sampson. “But due to unwarranted interferences, the search could not be completed at the scene, therefore, the vehicle was taken at the LNP’s basement for thorough search.”What the report fails to explain further are what caused the unwarranted interferences. The investigative report claims that Sampson and his co-defendants during the probe put up a non-compliance posture which, according to the report, suggests that they are remorseful of their alleged unruly and lawless actions. The police investigative report also claims that with the evidence gathered, including the two (2) pistols, barrel of gasoline and cutlasses, they resolved to charge the defendants. Another question that remains unanswered in the police investigative report is how the protesters managed to take the coal pots and the barrel of gasoline to the site, even as police inspected all vehicles entering the area?
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 02:26 UTC
ICOP Sways from Original Plan
This, therefore, compelled the ICOP, being a splinter of the COP, to emerge with their own protest, which is professed to be quite different from its originally announced protest. “Over time as a result of our pressure, they quickly changed from Weah step down to step up,” the ICOP chairman scoffed. The ICOP believes, however, that the leadership of COP is not fighting in the interest of the ordinary Liberians but for their personal interests. ICOP says its own set of petitions dubbed — the “ten commandments” will be reveal to the public by Friday, January 10. He said it was because of the ICOP pressure that forced COP to change its mantra from “Step down” to “Step up”.
Source:Daily Observer
January 10, 2020 02:15 UTC
Liberia: National Elections Commission Laments Lack of Money for October’s Midterm Senatorial Election
MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it still does not have the fund to conduct the midterm senatorial election which is slated for October. Jerome Korkoyah has alarmed that the Commission is running out of time for the preparations of the election and the referendum. “To be frank with you, election is expensive and we don’t have money yet, this may hamper the process if there is no money to meet the timeline. “To be frank with you, election is expensive and we don’t have money yet, this may hamper the process if there is no money to meet the timeline. Korkoya disclosed that both the senatorial election and the referendum will be held the same day due to the lack of funding.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 01:30 UTC
Liberia: Five Council of Patriots Protesters Detained at Monrovia Central Prison
The protesters have been charged with rioting, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and recklessly endangering the life of another personMONROVIA – Detained protesters of the Monday, January 6 protest have been incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison also known as South Beach. Defendant Aaron Kennedy, Emmanuel Johnson, Josiah Tarpeh, Willie O. Flomo and Alexander Sampson were sent to jail on Thursday, January 9 by Monrovia City Court Judge Jomah Jallah. According to thepolice Charge sheet, the defendants were in active aggression when they were arrested by the police. The police investigation also established that the protesters were throwing stones at officers of the joint security task force. “Defendant Alexander Sampson who was driving HOR-65 is not gainfully employed as a driver for Hon.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 01:30 UTC
Liberia: Senator Dillon Vows to Resign from Senate of Majority of Current Senators are Re-elected
Liberia: Senator Dillon Vows to Resign from Senate of Majority of Current Senators are Re-electedAccording to Senator Dillon, he will spend most of his campaign time and resources campaigning against Senators who do not deserve being re-elected in the October midterm senatorial electionMONROVIA – Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County says he will consider leaving the Senate if he is re-elected along with the majority of current lawmakers who might be going for re-election in 2020. Senator Dillon also maintained that he will resign as Senator if the 2020 special senatorial elections are not held on schedule. In further comments, Senator Dillon called for the audit of the legislature, specifically the Senate. “If my work in the Senate isn’t enough to get me re-elected then that it is the decision of the people of Montserrado County,” he said. Dillon was elected last year to fill a vacancy created in the Senate following the death of Geraldine Doe-Sheriff who died as a result of prolonged illness.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 01:07 UTC
Liberia: Inspector General of Police Slams Human Rights Commission’s Report on January 6 Protest
Inspector General Patrick Sudue said the INHCR was biased in its report on the police action on Jan. 6Monrovia – The Liberia National Police Inspector General has accused the Independent National Human Rights Commission of “bias” and embarking on “a smear campaign” against the police and the government. “If you have a human rights commission in your country that is reporting negatively about the police, you think what the international human rights commission will do,” Sudue added when asked about the ramifications of “negative and bias” reports against the police. “There is not one person that the human rights commission pointed to say ‘this is one of the victims that excessive force was used against’. He said the INHRC rejected the medical report alleging that the medical report was “compromised by the doctor in favor of the police”. Colley: “These inconsistencies in the Independent National Human rights approach to the human rights issues involving the Liberia National Police as indicated surmise to us that the Commission is not actually independent but rather biased perhaps with the intent to win international recognition by tarnishing the image of the Police.
Source:Front Page Africa
January 10, 2020 00:56 UTC