Liberia: LACC Board of Commissioners Hits Back at Senator Dillon, Maintains Commissioners Declare Assets Prior to Confirmation
MONROVIA – The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has sharply reacted to the Liberian Senate’s claim that they did not declare their assets prior to their confirmation. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, said contrary to Senator Dillon’s claims, the current members of the Board of Commissioners declared their assets. They clarified that only the Code of Conduct of 2014 mandates public officials and employees of Government to declare their assets. Despite report of widespread corruption in public sector, public officials accused of corruption are rarely prosecuted. Zoe reiterated the LACC’s mandate and called on all public officials concerned to declare on or before December 12.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2023 17:55 UTC
Unity Party Headquarters Accident Reveals Strained Police Relations: Deputy Inspector General Prince Mulbah Alleges Hatred from Inspector General Sudue
Monrovia – Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Prince B. Mulbah has fired back at his superior, Inspector General Col. Patrick Sudue, through a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, Cllr. “If the investigators have established criminal case and state suspect’s intent/motives, then let’s charge him with murder,” he asserted. I do not normally brief the Minister of Justice until I am instructed to do so by IG Sudue. In his absence, we (deputy IGs) brief the Justice Minister through the Deputy IG for Administration, Hon. Col. Sudue urged the Minister of Justice to intervene and institute an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the forwarding of the murder case to court without his knowledge.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 07, 2023 17:42 UTC
U.S., allies pressure Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama over Russia oil sanctions
The move marks another escalation in the West’s efforts to enforce the $60 price cap on seaborne shipments of Russian oil it imposed to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. The mechanism bans Western companies from providing maritime services such as transportation, insurance and finance that facilitate the trade of Russian oil sold above the cap. Russia has increasingly had to turn to a so-called “ghost fleet” of aging tankers to ship oil and avoid the cap. Panama, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Liberia have allowed some of those ships to carry their flags, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and oil analysts. The practice, known as “flag hopping,” allows some shell companies that have been set up to trade Russian oil to sail with ships under those flags and dodge sanctions.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 07, 2023 16:53 UTC
Powering West and Central Africa for a Brighter Future
To achieve universal access to electricity, the pace of electrification in West and Central Africa must triple by 2030. The good news is that the revolution underway in the field of off-grid energy access in our countries. Another example of large-scale investment in solar energy is the Regional Urgent Intervention Project in the solar energy sector. This project proposes a competitive bidding model to increase electricity access for millions of consumers in Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Achieving universal electricity access across Africa will require over $200 billion in financing with a crucial role for private investment.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 07, 2023 06:47 UTC
Liberia: LRA Officials Accused of Absconding with Gov’t Vehicles Across Ivory Coast Borders, But Revenue Authority Denies Allegation
MONROVIA – Reports reaching FrontPageAfrica allege that officials of government, with the help of some officers of the Liberia Revenue Authority have begun smuggling government vehicles to neighboring Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire to sell them. By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]But the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) dismissed the allegations, saying none of its customs officers aided in smuggling a purported government vehicle into Côte d’Ivoire via the Loguatuo Border in Nimba County. Sources familiar with the interception told FPA that Henry Varney (LRA Chief Examiner), Mohammed Kaiweh (Deputy collector), and Agnes (Chief Assessor) were among the LRA officials who attempted smuggling the Land Cruiser belonging to the government of Liberia. “There was no vehicle transported on the truck, rendering the claim of vehicle smuggling entirely baseless and unfounded. Following President Weah concession, it was reported that some officials of the executive and legislative branches of government were absconding with government properties.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 06, 2023 20:02 UTC
Liberia: Senate Votes To Concur OnS Fouani Brothers’ Concession Incentive
MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate on Tuesday concurred with the House of Representatives to vote in favor of a concession proposal that will give additional incentives to the Fouani Brothers’ concession. By Henry Karmo [email protected]The concession is expected to construct a factory that will transform raw materials in the Palm oil sector into finished products for consumption and other uses by the public. Though the incentive agreement received a majority of votes in favor of its passage, there are a few senators who believe that the company is already a recipient of similar incentives. Senator Jonathan Bolycharles Sogboie of River-Gee County believes the incentive agreement will disenfranchise small farmers because the new incentive will allow the company to import raw materials from other countries. However, the Senate had less than the required 19 votes to pass the incentive bill.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 06, 2023 19:35 UTC
Russia’s Putin is visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia, seeking to bolster Moscow’s Mideast clout
Putin landed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, that is hosting the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks. It was his first trip to the region since before the coronavirus pandemic and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Putin, who has limited his foreign travel since sending troops into invade Ukraine, visited China in October and made several trips to former Soviet nations in recent months. He faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the war in Ukraine. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s foreign minister, met a smiling Putin after he bounded down the stairs of his presidential plane.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 06, 2023 19:34 UTC
LERC Hosts Database Workshop for Licensed Electricity Operators
As part of project activities for the setting up of a Regulatory Database Management System (RDBMS) for the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), the Commission with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is conducting a 10-day Structured Query Language (SQL), Database Management and Security workshop in Margibi County. The training facilitated by IRIDIS Solutions brings together participants from the Commission and licensed operators that include the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Jungle Energy Power (JEP) and Totota Electric Cooperative. Providing an overview of the workshop, Dr. Kofi Sarpong Adu-Manu, Lead Consultant and Program Director, Iridis Technologies said his organization is pleased to be associated with this milestone project that the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission is undertaking. Dr. Adu-Manu said the workshop will build the capacity of technical teams from LERC and licensed operators who will be using this system. It can be recalled, the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved US$255,000 to support the establishment of a Regulatory Database Management System (RDBMS) at the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC).
Source:GNN Liberia
December 06, 2023 07:28 UTC
Fighting erupts between M23 rebels and Congolese army as EAC forces withdraw
On Sunday, the first batch of Kenyan troops which was the first to put boots on the ground in North Kivu exited. The DRC government accuses EACRF troops of failure to launch an assault on the M23 rebels. On Monday, heavy fighting between the belligerents erupted in Kilorirwe, Karenga, Kabati, Rumeneti, and their surroundings in Masisi territory. M23 rebels were seen at Kagoma hill in the village of Malehe as the FARDC and militia coalition shelled their positions from Kiabati-kingi. Lawrence Kanyuka, M23 rebels’ political spokesperson released a statement accusing FARDC soldiers and militia coalition of launching attacks.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 05, 2023 16:27 UTC
Exclusive: U.S., allies pressure Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama over Russia oil sanctions
The move marks another escalation in the West’s efforts to enforce the $60 price cap on seaborne shipments of Russian oil it imposed to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. The mechanism bans Western companies from providing maritime services such as transportation, insurance and finance that facilitate the trade of Russian oil sold above the cap. Russia has increasingly had to turn to a so-called “ghost fleet” of aging tankers to ship oil and avoid the cap. Panama, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Liberia have allowed some of those ships to carry their flags, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and oil analysts. The practice, known as “flag hopping,” allows some shell companies that have been set up to trade Russian oil to sail with ships under those flags and dodge sanctions.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 05, 2023 15:43 UTC
Israel’s Shin Bet vows to hunt down Hamas in Lebanon, Qatar, Turkey: audio leak
The head of Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet has vowed to hunt down members Hamas in Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar, according to a leaked recording. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan aired the audio on Sunday, where Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar can be heard saying: “The cabinet has set us a goal, in street talk, to eliminate Hamas. “We will do this everywhere, in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Lebanon, in Turkey, in Qatar. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas since launching its air and ground assault on Gaza which has killed more than 15,500 people, including over 6,000 children. Read more of this storyVisited 26 times, 26 visit(s) today
Source:GNN Liberia
December 04, 2023 18:35 UTC
White House warns US is running out of money for Ukraine war
The White House has issued a grave warning to Congress that if it fails to pass legislation by the end of the year to continue funding Ukraine’s defence, then Russia will be more likely to win the nearly two-year-old war. “There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money – and nearly out of time”. Ms Young said the failure to appropriate more funding for much-needed defence assistance to Kyiv would “kneecap” Ukraine’s defence forces, “not only putting at risk the gains Ukraine has made, but increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories”. The White House budget director’s warning comes as Mr Johnson has refused to make clear whether he would allow the House to vote on a supplemental funding bill that would include aid to both Ukraine and Israel, as President Joe Biden has requested.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 04, 2023 18:04 UTC
HOLDING BOAKAI BY HIS WORDS: Naymote Releases Comprehensive Report on Unity Party’s Tracked Campaign Promises
PAYNESVILLE – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has unveiled a report of campaign promises by the Unity Party (UP) it tracked during the 2023 general elections. The promises were tracked from the winning party’s manifesto containing six pillars including its campaign rallies, media engagements, and public statements, according to Naymote. “Post-inauguration in January 2024, Naymote will commence tracking the government’s performance against these promises for the next six years. Under pillar two which tends to address health, WASH, the environment, and climate change, a total of nine promises were also tracked. Seven promises were tracked under pillar four with emphasis on foreign relations, rule of law, accountability, governance and transparency and reconciliation.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 04, 2023 14:57 UTC
U.S. And Allies Increase Pressure on Liberia, Marshall Islands, and Panama to Enforce Russian Oil Sanctions
Lloyd’s List Intelligence and oil analysts have noted that Panama, the Marshall Islands, and Liberia have been unwittingly involved in the “flag hopping” phenomenon. Approximately 40% of the 535 dark-fleet tankers have registered ownership through companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The letters addressed to Liberia, the Marshall Islands, and Panama highlight the growing concern over circumvention of the G7’s price cap on Russian oil. While the three countries are not subject to Russian sanctions themselves, the objective of this pressure campaign is not to reduce the number of ships carrying Russian oil but to tighten compliance with the price cap. Embassies in Washington for Liberia, the Marshall Islands, and Panama have not responded to requests for comments as of now.
Source:Front Page Africa
December 04, 2023 14:39 UTC
US pledges $3 billion for climate aid to poor countries at COP28
Jennifer A Dlouhy, Bloomberg News |The U.S. will pledge $3 billion toward a United Nations fund meant to help developing countries slash greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change — an effort that could help rebuild trust in rich nations’ promises of aid amid pivotal climate talks in Dubai. This is the second round of replenishment for the fund, and the U.S. promise would bring it to its highest level yet. The pledge is seen as helping to shore up U.S. credibility at the start of the two-week COP28. During negotiations at recent COPs, the limits of finance — and the long-running failure of wealthy countries to provide it — have fostered deep mistrust and tension. The rich world was supposed to provide $100 billion a year in climate finance for emerging economies starting in 2020, a milestone it appears to have reached two years late.
Source:GNN Liberia
December 03, 2023 23:41 UTC