SAVE LIVES: Lockdown Now! Liberia is at war!
And test, test, test. And test, test, test. We must give the health authorities the fighting chance they need to save our lives. The world is right to expect that Liberia will undertake its fair share of heavy-lifting in the global fight against the pandemic. However heavy the weight of each decision to save lives will be, the presenting crisis demands that we act quickly, decisively and comprehensively.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 20:03 UTC
No New Case of Ebola in Liberia, WHO Coordinator Clarifies
MONROVIA – The World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Coordinator to Liberia has clarified that there is no new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. But according to Dr. Julius Monday, the report on the outbreak of a new case of the Ebola virus in Liberia is false. “To the best of my knowledge, there is no case of Ebola in Liberia. The WHO Technical Coordinator disclosed that Liberia has the capacity or system to diagnose or “pick up” any case of EVD in the country. Nearly 5,000 persons lost their lives as a result of the EVD outbreak in Liberia in 2014.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 20:03 UTC
Liberia: House Committee On Foreign Affairs Wants Government’s Intervention Into “Harassment, Restrictions” Of Blacks In China
Liberia: House Committee On Foreign Affairs Wants Government’s Intervention Into “Harassment, Restrictions” Of Blacks In ChinaRep. Edwin Snowe of Bomi County Chairs the House Committee on Foreign AffairsMONROVIA – The House of Representative Committee on Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over reports of alleged “harassment, and restrictions to the freedom of black residents, particularly Liberians, residing in some parts of the People’s Republic of China”. The Committee is headed by Bomi County Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe. He disclosed that the African Union (AU) has already held talks with Chinese Ambassador to the AU, H. E. Liu Yuxi on the matter. Representative Snowe disclosed that “seized passports and personal belongings have been retrieved and handed over to the rightful owners” in China. He urged authorities of the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to immediately follow-up on interventions reportedly made by the Chinese government to authenticate its factuality.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 19:41 UTC
Liberia’s COVID-19 Tally Now 81; More Healthcare Workers Falling Prey to Virus
The report notes that one thousand two hundred eighty-six (1286) contacts including 223 health workers have been documented. A total of 837(65%) contacts have completed 14 days since exposureMonrovia – Five new confirmed cases reported from Montserrado County took Liberia’s cumulative COVID-19 cases to 81 Saturday as healthcare workers continue to take a toll from the killer virus. Not much detail is being released on the seventh death which according to the report took place outside the Treatment Unit. The new suspected cases also give rise to the number of health workers with 18 new cases documented as of Saturday. NPHIL says it is following up ongoing contacts in Margibi.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 19:41 UTC
Liberia: Liberia’s Index COVID-19 Patient, Two Others, Released from Isolation
MONROVIA – Mr. Nathaniel Blama who was reported to have been the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Liberia been released to his family after testing negative and spending 14 extra days of observation. Blama was certificated along with two others as proof that they have recovered fully and are now negative of the novel coronavirus. He is one of seven persons to have recovered from virus in Liberia so far. Usually, after a patient is tested negative for the virus, they are released to return to their families and their community, but Blama was again isolated for an addition 14 days. “This is not a death warrant, the signature to that death warrant lies in your hand.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 11:26 UTC
Liberia: Govt Empathizes with Strom Victims in Monrovia
Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through the Disaster Management Agency empathizes with Liberians who were hugely affected by the overnight storm that has caused devastation in several neighborhoods across Monrovia and surrounding counties. The government is assessing the nature of the damage in order to make interventions in designated areas where it is deemed that the destruction were heaviest and it affected the already vulnerable population. Meanwhile, in the wake of the natural disaster, building material stores have been placed in the essential business category, and will be allowed to open from 8AM to 2PM everyday except Sundays, for the next two weeks. This is necessary to allow affected residents to buy needed supplies in order to take care of repair works. However, anyone caught hoarding during this period will face the full weight of the law.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 11:15 UTC
Magistrate Accuses Former Finance Minister Tugbeh Doe of Issuing Death Threats on His Life
Last month, Magistrate Matthews requested the Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Patrick Sudue, to disrobe the Commander of Zone 6, Tarnue Kerkula. Magistrate Matthews maintained that for too long the insurance company has allegedly failed to provide its client. According to him, Magistrate Matthews has allegedly shown his lack of independence in the case as a “judicial official”. He, however, indicated that it was “unethical and unprofessional” for Magistrate Matthews to discuss “unresolved matters” in the press. “This assertion by the Magistrate (Matthews) will not be taken lightly by the management of Sky International Insurance Company and my entire family and followers.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 09:56 UTC
Why MCC & PCC City Police, Motorcycle Union, And Boy Scouts Should Not Be Allowed To Enforce The State Of Emergency Declared By The President
Irrespective of provisions by law that created these non-paramilitary institutions, their mandate does not exceed to the enforcement of a state of emergency. Section 2(b) of the act dubbed: “SECURITY INSTITUTIONS AS RECOGNISED UNDER THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHITECTURE” affirm the Statutory Law Enforcement Agencies in Liberia and their respective mandate. There isn’t a section in the act that speaks about the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation city police, boy scouts and motorcycle union being a part of the joint security. Therefore, the MCC and PCC City Police, boy scouts and motorcycle union should not be allowed to carry out enforcement of the state of emergency because they are not part of the joint security under the law. Thanks to the joint security so far for service to the nation, and the government for actions taken to combat Covid19.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 18, 2020 01:52 UTC
Rebuttal to The National Civil Society Council of Liberia Concerns on the “Exclusion of the Civil Society in the Fight on COVID-19”
My review of your correspondence has led to the conclusion that these state entities are statutorily and operationally best placed to address the concerns raised therein. I urge that you kindly elevate your open letter to a more formal engagement with said entities to achieve the desired objective of working collectively in the national interest. Thanks for your understanding. Sincerely,Eugene Lenn NagbeMINISTERcc. Minister of Finance & Development PlanningMinister of Gender, Children & Social ProectionMinister of HealthMinister of Justice
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberian Civil Society Calls On Government To Save Lives First!
At the same time, we remain apprehensive and extremely concerned over several issues in the Government-led national response. In these extremely critical, and life-threatening moments, a comprehensive national response is crucial in defeating COVID-19. We call on the mandated institutions to provide clear, complete, correct and consistent information on COVID-19 national response including testing and contact tracing. Government must immediately adopt, in cooperation with civil society, a comprehensive policy that ensures people’s human rights and freedoms, including rights related to protection and access to information. Civil Society is attuned to the risk of corruption and Liberians are already concerned about corruption and fraudulent use of these funds, as we witnessed same during the Ebola outbreak.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
Liberia: Legislature Approves State of Emergency, Extends It to 60 Days
The Legislature in a joint resolution also approved the President’s US$25 million stimulus package, but with an agreement that would be disbursed through a recast budgetMONROVIA – The Legislature has approved the state of emergency declared by President George Weah – extending it to 60 days rather than the 21 days declared by the President. Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]The Legislature in a joint resolution also approved the President’s US$25 million stimulus package, but with an agreement that would be disbursed through a recast budget. The joint resolution also calls for every citizen to wear face mask when leaving their homes and as proffered by the President. The Legislature also called for an emergency relief fund to be funded through voluntary private donation. The joint resolution further calls for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Pro-Tempore of the Senate to set up committees to oversee food and water supply.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 22:05 UTC
An Open Letter to Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe on the Exclusion of the Civil Society in the Fight on COVID-19
Dear Minister Nagbe:The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) would have me convey its profound compliments to you in particular and the Incident Management Team in general as you lead the national response against COVID-19 in Liberia. To this effect, your exclusion of the civil society automatically disconnects the Government and the people of grassroots communities because that ideal synergy nurtured by CSOs is now lacking. When you exclude the Civil Society Movement as you have already done, it signals misinterpretations not only within the body politics but amongst international partners and key stakeholders about Government’s real intention in enforcing its orders. Others are involved with social mobilization, thereby harnessing grassroots support against COVID-19 and spreading sensitization and awareness amongst local people about how to stay safe from the virus across the country. Instead of leveraging on all these opportunities, the government has decided to exclude the Civil Society Movement.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 10:25 UTC
Journalist distributes anti-COVID-19 materials to districts in Nimba Countywide
Hospitals and radio stations in the cities of Ganta and Sanniquellie also benefited from the gesture, valued at around US$1,800. The journalist, a son of Meinpea-Mahn District, also provided LD 60,000 to the three districts to facilitate the distribution. Meinpea-Mahn and Leewehpea-Mahn Districts and a small portion of Wee-Gbehyi District constitute Electoral District Number 8 in Nimba County. Mr. Paye-Layleh said he was touched when he saw footages of people in the township using their bare hands to build an access road. The journalist promised to visit this nearly-isolated part of the district to acquaint himself with self-help development efforts there.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 10:18 UTC
State Security and Their Role in Respecting The Rule of Law and Human Rights in a Period of Emergency: COVID-19 -The Liberian perspective
Usually during these periods state security take advantage of the situation, to commit human rights violations under the pretext of enforcing the supposedly mandate of the emergency. Such blanket derogation gives enough room for State Security to exercise powers that violate rights for example, the prohibition of arbitrary detention, torture, and violation of the right to life. The state security is under obligation to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the citizens are protected in line with the Constitution, and other international human rights treaties that Liberia has ratified. That the state prohibits the inclusion of undocumented or irregular paramilitary organs from performing duties as national law enforcement officers. to ensure accountability and build public trust and confidence in the security sector during this period of emergency.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 09:45 UTC
Liberia: Security Personnel Enforcing State Of Emergency Remain Vulnerable To COVID-19
Since the enforcement of the state of emergency began, many of the joint security personnel usually come in close contact with pedestrians and marketers while enforcing the directives in market places and other areas. Speaking in an interview with reporters in Monrovia recently, Dr. Kateh expressed concern over the vulnerability of the Joint Security Task Force members, who are enforcing the state of emergency. He added that despite the huge challenges in terms of logistical support, security actors enforcing the state of emergency remain a part of the Ministry of Health’s plans. The situation led to the immediate withdrawal of the LSA from enforcing the state of emergency. Health experts believed that these security actors enforcing the state of emergency would serve as a major conduit for the spread of COVID-19 across the country if they remain vulnerable while enforcing the directives from the President.
Source:Front Page Africa
April 17, 2020 02:03 UTC