BONG County – The ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has unveiled long-time businessman and farmer, Melvin Salvage, as its aspirant in the upcoming representative by-election in Bong County. The party said it took the decision following consultations in the district and realized that Salvage is the right aspirant with the support of residents in the district to win the seat. Nathaniel F. McGill, Rep. Marvin Cole, former Ambassador Jeremiah Sulunteh, former Bong Senator Henry Yallah, among several other high-profile members of the party and local leaders in Bong. He called on citizens and CDCians in the district to support and campaign for Salvage to ensure he wins the election when campaign starts. In the 2017 elections, Salvage contested and finished second to former Rep.

Monrovia – The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has concurred with the House of Representatives to elevate Grand Bassa County Community College to Grand Bassa University College. The concurrence by the Senate was necessitated by an engrossed bill forwarded to the Senate by House Chief Clerk, Mildred N. Sayon. The House’s engrossed bill number 12, entitled: ‘An Act to Repeal the 2008 Act Creating the Grand Bassa County Community College’ and to Establish in Lieu Thereof a Grand Bassa University College and Grant it a Charter’ was passed during the 59th day sitting of the Senate on Tuesday, August 31st. In a related development, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate has also concurred with the House of Representatives to uplift the Nimba County Community College to the Nimba County University College. The Senate’s decision was triggered Tuesday, August 31, by the submission of an engrossed bill for the Nimba County Community College to be granted to a University status by the House of Representatives.

Monrovia — At long last, all is now set for the Liberia National Bar Association to commence the second phase of it’s multipurpose headquarters project along the Tower Hill Community, Roberts International Airport Highway. The disclosure was made over the weekend by the Bar Secretary-General Cllr. The architecture design of the entire project is a four-stores building and the current project is targeting the first floor. Mr. Livingstone told FrontPageAfrica that the headquarters project will be implemented by a Liberian-owned company GeoScope Limited, following a competitive bidding process. The LNBA Secretary-General has attributed the delay in implementing the project to a lack of funding over the years.

A Chinese company, Bao Chico Resources, has asked the Government of Liberia to grant it a 25-year Class A mining license to extract iron ore. Since then, the iron ore concession – the area where the ore mining was done – only boasts of idle machines gathering rust. The Legislature has again started the process of ratifying another Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with a Chinese Company, Bao Chico Resources Liberia Limited. Granted that the terms of the deal would depend in part on the specific iron ore deposit -- the location. The Mineral Exploration of the entity is owned by Bao Chico Resources, Liberia Ltd., which is 100% owned by Bao Chico Resources.

Liberia: Senate Labour Com’ttee Chair Suspects Malice in Death of LAC Employee Who Was Minced by Rubber Processing MachineMonrovia – The Chairman of the Senate’s Labour Committee, Senator Willington Geevon-Smith, has said that preliminary investigation into the incident that led to the death of an employee, at the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), has semblance of malice and negligence. According to him, the management at LAC was shocked when they heard that an employee had been minced by the robber processing machine while carryout usual maintenance works. On Saturday, August 22, an employee of LAC in Grand Bassa County, Emmanuel Joe, was minced by the rubber processing machine when it was reportedly switched on while he was cleaning it. It has been reported that the late Joe was instructed to clean the rubber processing machine at which time the electrical breaker sending current to the machine was off. He was minced by the machine after another employee of the company reportedly switched on the breaker.

Liberia: Three Police Officers Charged After Autopsy Report of the Late Truck Driver Alieu Sheriff Shows Injury at the Back of his Head“The autopsy report has established that the cause of death is unnatural due to blunt force injury to the back of the head, coupled with a preliminary investigation report. The three suspects who were kept in detention in keeping with the statutory period at the LNP Headquarters were later released by the Liberia National Police. The Deputy Minister for Codification at the Justice Ministry also assured the public that all will be done to ensure that justice is dispensed without prejudice. Also at the special press briefing, family members of the late Sheriff were present and expressed satisfaction over the autopsy report. We expect nothing else but the law to take its course,” Amara Fofana, a sympathizer of the late truck driver said.

Gbala’s leave of absence an acknowledgment of conflict? Gbala’s leave points to a potential conflict in the matter. The LACC’s internal investigation into the matter cited only ‘administrative lapses’ regarding the Vice Chairperson’s transactions and fell short of concluding that corruption had occurred. Widespread allegations of corruption of public sector corruption does very little to increase public and stakeholders’ confidence in the governance process. “A better Liberia is only assured when corruption is robustly and sincerely fought with the required resources, commitment, political will, and citizens’ participation!” it added.

A key factor contributing to poverty in Liberia is limited access to sustainable and viable income-generating opportunities. This initiative kicked off on Tuesday, 31, with the launch of the initiative and the application process for interested entrepreneurs; closing the application process by the 10th of September 2021, ending the first phase of the Growth Accelerator Liberia. The Accelerator is being set up to support growth stage and established businesses that are viable, effective and impactful, particularly in accelerating economic growth and activity amid COVID19 recovery efforts. Dorsla D. Farcarthy, UNDP’s Liberia Assistant Country Rep and Team Leader, speaking at the event, said Growth Accelerator Liberia is inviting Liberian Businesses, but especially entrepreneurs in Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Sinoe counties to apply. He noted that the growth accelerator, is a proven model that works; and Accountability Lab has helmed similar programs that continue be impactful.

MONROVIA – United States Ambassador Michael A. McCarthy has paid a courtesy call on Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson as part of his acquaintance meetings with various stakeholders among anti-graft Institutions in the fight against corruption in the Public Sector. The Meeting between the two officials seeks to strengthen continual partnership between the United States Government and the General Auditing Commission in its efforts to promote accountability of public resources across National Government. AG Jackson assured Ambassador McCarthy of the GAC’s commitment to enhanced integrity, transparency and professionalism in the conduct of audits of public fund. He noted that the GAC is currently piloting a project titled “Citizen Eye”, which will serve as an informed national platform for championing whistleblowing activities in Liberia. In remarks, Ambassador Michael McCarthy described the work of the Commission as inspiring and comprehensive and assured the Auditor General of the United States Government’s commitment to supporting the Commission in mitigating some of the challenges being experienced at the Commission.

MONROVIA – Situated in the densely populated Paynesville district is this gigantic structure name and style the Thomas P. Fallah University. It is a state of the art piece of architecture it is a name given after the CEO a members of the House of Representative Thomas P. Fallah. At first sight, you get the good impression of wanting to go to school if you are not or haven’t. He is a Liberian and is an Associate Professor in politics and International Political economy at the University of Liberia. He currently runs the international relations program the ‘IBB’ at the University of Liberia.

NUOD, currently headed by Madam Naomi B. Harris, is AIFO’s major partner in the community of disabled groups. On the side of its host Government, AIFO is working with the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD)AIFO is also sponsoring radio programs for Liberia’s disabled community to share their experiences and contribute to national development. He indicated that each of these methods is aimed at calling attention of officials of the County’s authority (of Government’s appointees) and the County’s representatives in the National Legislature. “All advocacies of disabled persons or group against violations of the rights at work places, other areas should be done in the confines of the laws of Liberia.,” advised Mr. Dempster, a popular Human Rights activist in post-war Liberia. Sign Language Interpretations were provided by from Mr. Benjamin Nathan of Liberia Sign Language Training Program; and Madam Agatha Yah Borbor of Association of Liberia Sign Language Interpreters.

MONROVIA – The Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) in collaboration with the Liberian WASH sector has completed a two-day Country-Level Self-Assessment with a pledge to ensure an inclusive participatory and timely process of the country monitoring indicators on WASH.SWA is a global partnership committed to achieving universal access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. Over the years, the it has been working with major stakeholders in Liberia including the Government, CSOs and the private sector to improve the WASH sector by building political will for WASH, use of multi-stakeholder approaches and strengthening systems and increasing financial investments. And we want to thank the WASH Commission for the standard they have set,” said Rep. Zahnwea. During the workshop, Mr. Kpeh, and Co-facilitator, Eugene Caine of WASH Commission led the participants in reviewing the six indicators. The discussion centered around the political will on WASH, MS platforms, link with other sectors, progress on commitments, finance and targeting inequalities.

Monrovia – The Liberia Poet Society (LPS) has launched its first non-fiction, titled “Unforgotten August.” The literary piece was written by one of LPS’ members, Sunnie Antonio Marcar Jr. Marcar did his beautiful piece amidst an unfriendly literary environment. Marcar Jr. launched the ‘Unforgotten August’ on Sunday, August 29, at SMART Liberia, 2nd Street Sinkor in Monrovia. ‘Unforgotten August’ is a narrative non-fiction that highlights the severe damage that the Ebola epidemic had on one particular family in Kakata, Margibi County. ‘What’s next’ was the question probed by Dwede Tarpeh to the author and in response, the author stated: ‘The publication of more books is next’. The launch was made possible through the instrumentality of LPS’ book launch team headed by Marjorie Nenneh Graham, Linda Kai, Momodu Gray and Jumah A.P.

BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER – President George Manneh Weah will on September 1, 2021 open the historic 14 Military Hospital at the Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks in Schiefflin, Margibi County. The 14 Military Hospital will provide Out-patient Services, Obstetric services, General Surgical Services and Emergency Services. It can be recalled that on February 11, 2018, while addressing servicemen and women during the 61st Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia, President Weah promised to construct a 200-bedroom Military Hospital for use by military and Para-military personnel. Some of the equipment at the hospital include two Intensive Care Unit ambulances, medical devices, laboratory equipment, emergency department equipment, obstetrics equipment, surgical equipment and out-patient equipment. The 14 Military Hospital sits on just 5 of 75 acres allotted.

Monrovia – The Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, Integrity Watch-Liberia, and the Legislative Information Service (LIS) are, in a joint release, calling on President Weah to fast track the submission and passage of a Revenue Sharing Bill in fulfillment of Chapter 4 of the Local Government Act (2018). As Liberians’ quests for sustainable development heightens, there is no better time than now for revenue sharing imperatives between central government and local government to address development and social inequalities. NAYMOTE, IW-L and the LIS opine that with the signing of the Local Government Bill into law, which authorizes implementation of decentralization of governance consistent with the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance, a specific law on revenue sharing will serve as significant bolster to actual decentralization efforts in Liberia. With the local government Act in effect and establishment operation of county service centers, there is a need to develop a strategy that enables local governments to access direct funding for their counties to support development projects; something a revenue sharing mechanism, such as a Revenue Sharing ACT will achieve. True and genuine decentralization anchored on revenue sharing is pivotal to national reconciliation, peace building and sustainable development, NAYMOTE, IW-L and LIS stressed.