Press Union of Liberia Cautions LTA over Declaration of All FM Radio Licences Expired
Monrovia – The Press Union of Liberia has expressed shock over the hasty decision of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) to announce the expiration of all FM radio licenses across the country despite ongoing consultation on the approval of the draft FM regulatory policy by stakeholders. Stakeholders in broadcast like the Association of Liberian Community Radios (ALICOR), Nimba Community Radio Association (NICORA), LTA, Press Union of Liberia and Internews herself led discussions on the draft FM Regulations. Inputs from all the forums have been collated by the Internews- Liberia but unfortunately have been disregarded by the LTA. Press Union of Liberia President, Charles B. Coffey, Jr.: “This show is not good for the profile of our country. Please… we have not validated the draft FM Regulation.”Moreover, the Press Union of Liberia is advising the LTA to hold a national validation event for the draft FM Regulation where stakeholders’ inputs will make its way into the draft policy
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 17:37 UTC
Liberia: Lydia Sebwe Undertakes Third Annual Christmas Toy Distribution and Feeding Project
MONROVIA – Garpu Village, Thinker’s Village, was a scene of smiles and joy as hundreds of children received Christmas gifts. On Wednesday, Christmas Day, 25 December 2019, Mrs. Lydia Sebwe hosted her annual charity toy distribution and feeding project for children within Thinker’s Village and surrounding communities, giving out toys and feeding 475 kids from 12:30 – 5:00 pm. Like previous years, police officers and prisoners at Thinker’s Village Zone 8, Depot 1, received meals on the same day. Overall, 248 girls received gifts while 227 boys received other gifts, including soccer balls, play guns, swords, etc. The purpose of the annual Christmas Toy Distribution and Feeding Project is to reach out to all children, including the less fortunate, to share the joy of Christmas and God’s blessing.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 17:37 UTC
Liberia: December 30 Protest Leader Unveils ‘Assassination Threat’; Withdraws ‘Ill-Advised’ Comment
They said absolutely nothing against the protest!”– Mr. Henry Costa, Leader, Council of PatriotsMonrovia – Mr. Henry Costa, leader of the December 30th Protest says he has been cautioned about plans to assassinate him on the day of the protest. Mr. Costa, FrontPageAfrica has learned met with a number of international stakeholders Saturday, concerned about the security situation ahead of the December 30 protest. During that meeting, FPA has been informed, Mr. Costa was reportedly informed of the plan to assassinate him on December 30th. Mr. Costa told FPA Saturday that he made the comments immediately after an attack on him at his station’s headquarters. Looking back, I regret those comments.”During that meeting, FPA has been informed, Mr. Costa was reportedly informed of the plan to assassinate him on December 30th.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 12:45 UTC
Liberia: Government Puts ArcelorMittal in over Port of Buchanan Claims
The concession agreement with Prista was signed August 14, 2019 and approved by President George Weah on September 12, 2019. The concession agreement, Prista Port would manage the Port of Buchanan for 25 years. Of critical importance is that it awards the iron ore port and most of the associated facilities currently held by ArcelorMittal Liberia to Prista Port. Recently, representatives of the Prista Port approached ArcelorMittal in London and asserted that their concession would come into effect and that their company would eventually replace ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) as the concessionaire. The iron ore company requested the government of Liberia to confirm that it has not ratified and would not ratify Prista Port concession agreement.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 10:52 UTC
Liberia: Bong County Superintendent Threatens Staff with Dismissal Should They Join Monday’s Protest
During a press conference Friday, Superintendent Walker said, staff who would “support or participate” in the protest would face disciplinary action that “could be serious and may include termination of employment”. Superintendent Walker also threatened to dismiss any employee of the MIA in the county who will affiliate with any member of the Council of Patriots. Continuing, she added: “There will be disciplinary consequences for employees who work for the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Bong County who will support or participate in the protest. These consequences could be serious and may include termination of employment.”Asked whether her statement was a directive from President Weah, Superintendent Walker replied: “No!”Businesses to shut down in Bong on MondayThe list of businesses in Bong County planning to close on Monday continued to grow. Multiple businesses in the Gbarnga area that would normally be open on Monday, including the Bong Shopping Center, Paulma’s Business Center, Hindweh Business Center will be closed.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 10:52 UTC
Liberians Call on Legislature to Investigate Morlu’s Leaked Audio President Weah
Liberians believe Morlu’s allegations against the President, if true, warrant his impeachment and should therefore not be taken lightly. Henry Costa, Weah’s tough critic, has been releasing the leaked audio in episodes on his widely monitored talk show – The Costa Show. Jethro Emmanuel Kolleh, a strong critic of George Weah, called on the Legislature to call off its annual constituency break to launch an impeachment probe. The revelation coming from the ruling party’s chairman needs to be looked into by the House of Representatives,” he said. He noted that the matter is grave and needs urgent redress from the House of Representatives.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 28, 2019 09:00 UTC
UNOWAS Warns Against Violence, Hopes Protest Can Be Called Off
Dated December 27, 2019, the UNOWAS communiqué makes the position of the world and regional bodies clear that they are conscious of the rights enshrined in the Liberian Constitution, whereby the citizens are guaranteed the right to peacefully assemble and petition their government and to express themselves freely. The group claims that all these social-economic issues are arising because the President is incapable to lead the country and therefore he must step down. However, the chairman of the Council of Patriots, Henry P. Costa, has reassured that the pending December 30 protest will proceed as planned. According to him, for the President to decide to wait until the next State of the Nation Address in late January 2020 to address the critical national concerns that were raised by the CoP on June 7, 2019, is yet another confirmation that President Weah is not fit to run the country. Costa also noted that UNOWAS’ suggested in its statement.
Source:Daily Observer
December 28, 2019 03:22 UTC
Liberia: December 30 ‘Protest Still On’, Says COP as President Weah Rejects Conditions
Mr. Mo Ali, Secretary General of the COP told FrontPageAfrica Friday that the COP has done everything to listen to mediators but it appears no in roads are being reached. The COP, according to a source agreed to hold the peaceful assembly to one day on condition that the President addresses the concerns being raised by protest organizers. President George Weah has refused to concede to the demands of the protest organizers, reportedly telling UNOWAS mediators that whatever he has to say to the nation would be said when he delivers his annual message in January. In a live Facebook post Friday evening, the protest leader Mr. Henry Costa said the President’s decision to address the issue in January is an insult to the COP. Are we supposed to sit down for Mr. Weah to speak in January?
Source:Front Page Africa
December 27, 2019 22:18 UTC
Liberia: Red Flagging ‘Growing Security Threat’, UNOWAS Delegation Wants Dec. 30 Protest Called Off
The delegation also acknowledges that the incumbent President is democratically elected and has a legitimate mandate of six years. During the mission, the delegation was received in audience by the President of the Republic, H.E. The delegation is hoping that both parties work toward calling off this imminent protest in the general interest of Liberia and the sub-region. The team’s visit to Liberia comes as officers of the Liberia National Police paraded through the streets of Monrovia Friday in a drill suggesting its readiness to handle the upcoming protest. The delegation is hoping that both parties work toward calling off this imminent protest in the general interest of Liberia and the sub-region.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 27, 2019 18:33 UTC
Liberia: Lawmakers Receive US$5K Each for Signing Printing of L$4 Billion Resolution
Monrovia – Unimpeachable sources have told FrontPageAfrica that each lawmaker, who signed the resolution for the printing of new banknotes, is set to receive US$5,000 as lobby fees. Article 34 C of the Liberian Constitution gives the Legislature the “express authority” to approve the printing of new banknotes. “This money is not from the Executive budget; it is our own money. But the Executive decided to hold on to our just benefits until the resolution was signed,” the lawmaker said. Because of this, the lawmaker said, the Executive subtly opted to use money captured in the budget of the House to constrain the lawmakers into signing the resolution.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 27, 2019 13:07 UTC
WASH Commission Challenging Last Well’s Progress Report?
All of these claims, Whitfield said, are far from reality and do not mean well for the common good of the ordinary Liberian. He said Whitfield’s claim was also misleading, has no facts and that there appears to be experiencing a breakdown in cordiality across the WASH sector; “What has happened to the WASH sector? Why this show of poor leadership manifested at a time when the nation is facing political and economic challenges?” he asked. He also noted: “The only authority that can be held responsible when no drinking water is found in our communities is the government! No NGO will be held liable for not providing hand pumps or toilet facilities to our vulnerable and poor communities”.
Source:Daily Observer
December 27, 2019 07:52 UTC
Gov’t Brands US Representative’s Observation “Untrue”
In the current geopolitical environment, one statement from a U.S congressman can turn tides, negatively or positively, in our emerging democracy, “Min. The minister further emphasized that Congressman Smith’s statement is based on allegations from the International Justice Group (IJG), a non-partisan US-based non-governmental organization, which is not credible. “It’s a responsibility that comes with power; a responsibility that should not and must not be shirked nor treated casually,” he added. Meanwhile, the US Congressman has also endorsed the upcoming Weah Step-down Campaign led by opposition politicians who run the group the COP. Nagbe further told the lawmaker that all of the elections were described by the government bilateral and multilateral partners, including his (Smith) government as free and fair.
Source:Daily Observer
December 27, 2019 07:52 UTC
Barchue FC, Mother of Light FC Win Oum El Nour’s Drug-Free Tournament
Oum El Nour is in Liberia under the auspices of the World Lebanese Cultural Union of Liberia (WLCU). The tournament took place from December 8-25, 2019, at the Barchue FC football field in the Pototore Community, Congo Town, District #10 Montserrado County. Barchue FC won the U10 tournament after beating Zahnty FC 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The U-10 winning team, Barchue FC and the U-12 winning team, Mother of Light FC, each took home L$4,000 and a giant size trophy. Other categoriesHighest goal-scorer received a cash price of L$1,500; most valuable players L$1,000; best goal keeper, L$1,000; best dressed team, L$1,000; best coaches, L$1,000; and best defender, L$1,000.
Source:Daily Observer
December 27, 2019 07:47 UTC
Miss Liberia, Nobel Liberia Identifies With JFK Patients
The office of Miss Liberia 2017 in collaboration with Nobel Liberia and LA Queen Entertainment over the weekend distributed Christmas gifts to many ill children and their mothers undergoing treatment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital in Sinkor. The donation according to the three institutions, targeted the sick children in order to make them and their parents feel elated to relieve the distress associated with their ailment. Speaking at the donation ceremony over the weekend, the CEO of Nobel Liberia, Jallah Kessely, said their presence with the patients, coupled with items donated, is another form of encouraging the sick children that they are still a part of society. Some of the items donated during the weekend include; Nobel Rice, assorted clothes, children’s toys and other non-food items. Confront Cooper, lauded the organizations’ thoughtfulness to celebrate the festive season with the sick, especially children and promised to distribute the items to the children throughout the hospital ward.
Source:Daily Observer
December 27, 2019 07:41 UTC
Those With Ears, Let Them Hear!
This newspaper has from time to time reminded President Weah to take charge and lead rather than allowing others to do so at his detriment. Similarly, the Liberia National Police is called on to remain true to their professional ethics and refrain from partisanship as has been amply demonstrated on several occasions since the ascendancy of this government. President Weah must do all he can to maintain a leash on those who believe that the might of their guns will ensue their longevity in power. So those with ears, let them hear! And so those with ears, let them hear!
Source:Daily Observer
December 27, 2019 07:41 UTC