LIBERIA: In the Line of Fire, Agriculture Minister Brushes Off ‘Distractions’ Amid Lingering Allegations
In cancelling the bid, the minister argued: “Our farmers need equipment and tools suited for Liberia; for our farms and crops. ADB to Minister: ‘New Procurement Will Delay’The African Development Bank which is one of the funders of the project disagreed. On Monday April 27, Minister Cooper, sent an email to Bob Fassah of the ADB. Slamming ‘Half-Baked Truths’Three months into her reign at the MOA, Minister Cooper is no doubt facing some serious challenges. For the immediate future, the agriculture minister is racing against time to fulfill many of the deliverables she set out to accomplish for a sector which has been lagging behind for decades.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 19:01 UTC
Liberia: Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) Under Fire, as 22 Communities Complained of Abuses
MARGIBI COUNTY – Communities in Margibi and Bong Counties, represented by Green Advocates International (GAI) and three of its local partners, filed a complaint with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), against the operations of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Margibi County (Liberia). CAO is the independent watchdog and accountability mechanism for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), of the World Bank Group. How could the Assessment team be bias in favor of the affected communities? We understand that during lockdown your operations and revenues are suffering, but we are convinced that it is within the financial capabilities of the Socfin group to pay full salaries to their employees during the Covid-19 outbreak.”Historically, the Salala Rubber Corporation in Liberia (SRC) was established by a merger in July 2007 between a standalone rubber processing factory called Weala Rubber Company and a standalone rubber plantation formerly called Salala Rubber Corporation. The plantation was setup in 1959 by the Weala Rubber Company and was acquired by the Socfin Group in 2007, after the civil war in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 18:45 UTC
Liberia: Humanitarian Group Reaches Out to the Needy, Creates Awareness On COVID-19
Saryee said the donation is just the first of several other that will be carried out by the organization. Therefore, we are appealing to our parents not to doubt but to follow all the measures,’’ The Voice chief stated. In response, the Chairman of Kamara Town, Chief Momo Ballah, lauded the group for the kind gesture, stressing that it is the first group ever to reach out to them since the outbreak of the disease in the country. Like Chief Ballah, several other residents of both towns, thanked the group for what they described as a laudable initiative. So, the one these people did, I am so satisfied,” noted Mary Clarke, a resident of Kamara Town.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 18:33 UTC
Liberia: Amb. Ali Sylla Provides Safe Drinking Water to Residents in Monrovia amid Lockdown
The initiative which started three weeks ago, according to Ambassador Sylla, is called “Water Is Life” and it is a US$7,000 project. “Access to safe drinking water is essential in the fight against COVID-19,” Ambassador Sylla said at one of the distribution sites on Front Street. We are providing this safe drinking water to make sure our people are safe, to make sure our people do not go through the many challenges during this difficult period of the coronavirus.”“This initiative is to serve humanity. Susan Tukue, a mother of 4, says she since her seven years as resident on the Front Street, water has been a serious problem for them. Drinking water, we cannot get it.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 18:22 UTC
DKT Liberia Innovates Its Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Impact on Access to Family Planning
According to the Country Manager, Antonio Cazares Turcott, “The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on access to Family Planning products and services all around the world. Not only did the supply chain of Family Planning products crash from production to international shipment, but also the availability of healthcare providers has been disrupted.” Despite this scenario, he explained that the Liberians’ Family Planning needs are not on hold during this pandemic. As such he reiterated the commitment of DKT Liberia to its principle of ensuring access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right (SRHR) under any circumstances by putting in place innovative actions to mitigate COVID-19 impact on access to Family Planning. As such to facilitate these insights, DKT Liberia, committed to providing a subsidy on all Family Planning products and services. DKT Liberia, promoted free OCP doorstep delivery to prevent unwanted pregnancies by giving six cycles per woman.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 18:11 UTC
Liberia: MCC, Habitat International Launch Community Clean-up Campaign at Peace Island in Monrovia
The clean-up exercise held by community PASSA volunteers was marked by the installation of 20 signboards with the inscription “NO DUMPING BY ORDER OF MCC AND EPA – Violators will be fined LR$500.00” in the community. Speaking at Peace Island, the Commissioner of Congo Town Township, Mr. Mensah Suku, highly commended the community for initiating the project and continued engagement in their own development. Mr. Suku reiterated his commitment to support the community leadership in reinforcing of the recently developed community by-laws in accordance to city ordinances of the City government of Monrovia. He stated that this can help improve health for the local community residents. According to the Chief of Party of Habitat for Humanity International, Mr. Mathew Ndote, residents of Peace Island and the leadership have been very involved in the whole process.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:48 UTC
Liberia: COVID-19 ‘Has Humbled ‘All of US’, Says Former President Sirleaf
With more than 5 million infected and over 300,000 deaths worldwide, former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, addressing the United Nations Security Council Videoconference, said the Coronavirus pandemic is a painful human tragedy. Monrovia – Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the deadly Coronavirus pandemic has humbled the world and dealt the greatest test in living memory. Let us not fail ourselves, and posterity,” the President told a high-level videoconference on the Protection of civilians in armed conflicts, Wednesday. The videoconference was presided by the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, Sven Jürgenson and included Sirleaf, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer. Today, she explained, the UN Security Council now represents the hope and aspirations of the global community for international peace and security.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:48 UTC
World Customs Organization Donates Equipment To Boost Liberia Customs Operation
Monrovia – The Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has received a donation of Testing kits for precursor chemicals and explosive from the World Customs Organization (WCO). The equipment will be used by Customs to uncover smuggling of narcotic drugs, dangerous chemicals and other harmful substances into the country. LRA Commissioner General Nah described the Authority’s engagement with the WCO “as very important” for the advancement of Liberia’s customs program. He said the testing equipment will play a useful role in helping to boost the LRA customs border management operations in detecting dangerous chemicals. The WCO’s latest donation is under the WCO’s Security project for Central and West Africa region aimed at boosting Liberia’s customs operation.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:48 UTC
Liberia: Christian Revival Church Association & Partners Embark on Drilling of Wells for 6,000 Households In Kolahun and Foya Districts
Liberia: Christian Revival Church Association & Partners Embark on Drilling of Wells for 6,000 Households In Kolahun and Foya DistrictsChristian Revival Church Association Bishop Aggrey said this current initiative will target about twenty towns and villages in Foya and KolahunMONROVIA – Christian Revival Church Association (CRCA), Water of Life and the Last Well Institutions operating in Liberia have embarked on the drilling of wells in Kolahun and Foya districts, Lofa County. According to CRCA Bishop Dennis Aggrey, the wells initiative started on May 26, 2020 and is expected to end August 2020. Bishop Aggrey said that the water initiative undertaken by CRCA and its partners is not the first of its kind in the rural parts of Liberia. Commenting on the cost of the entire drilling initiative, he noted that it amounted to US$70, 000. Christian Revival Church Association (CRCA) is an indigenous body of Chris operating in West Africa with ‘focus on education, agriculture, health, among other projects in Liberia , Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:37 UTC
A Charade or a Pie in the Sky: The Promised Food Support and How Liberians Stand a Risk of Food Insecurity
It is becoming clear that the food support which was promised Liberians over a month ago seems like yet another pie in the sky. This means that while we’re faced with a public health and economic crises, we stand a great chance of experiencing food crisis well before everyone else. This food support seems more like a charade than a fanciful promise. Until we be certain that removing the lockdown measures wouldn’t risk public health, we must ensure a flattened curve. But right now, everyone is patiently looking forward to the long awaited food support.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:16 UTC
Liberia: ‘16 Billion Case in Dilemma’: Court Gives Govt. Lawyers 7-Day Ultimatum to Proceed or Dismiss Case
Monrovia – Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has given Liberian government lawyers a seven- days ultimatum to proceed with the trial of former Central Bank Governor (CBL) Milton A. Weeks’ trial. Judge Gbeisay ruling grew out of Prosecution’s four-counts motion for continuance of the case trial for three weeks. In the motion, prosecution argued that the three weeks continuance is aim at finding an amicable solution that would mitigate the charge leveled against the former CBL Governor. In his ruling, Judge Gbeisay granted the prosecution’s motion for continuance and gave the prosecution one week (seven days} instead of three weeks. “The prosecution’s motion for continuance is therefore hereby granted with modification that it reverts to this court in seven days.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:15 UTC
Liberia: VP Taylor Blames Journalists for Heightening Political Tension in Bong County
VICE PRESIDENT JEWEL HOWARD TAYLOR: “Let journalists in Bong rise up and give hope to the county via positive stories about the county. “Let journalists in Bong rise up and give hope to the county via positive stories about the county. For this reason, Vice President Taylor said has heightened the political tension in the county among aspirants. “The two people have served and it’s left with the people of Bong County to decide who has performed to deserve their vote,” she said. Political pundits say Jewel’s support to him would be key for his election as senator of Bong County.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 17:15 UTC
Liberians Take Steps to Improve Their Livelihood Through EU
The national campaign was implemented by the Delegation of the European Union to Liberia in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Communities share their stories of resilienceNotably, the journalists met several communities taking impressive steps to improve their livelihood through agriculture. Through projects funded by the European Union, farmers improved their skills, and they have begun seeing the results of their hard work. Kpannah Varney, 26 years old, is a heavy-duty machine operator and a recent graduate of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) in Kakata, Margibi County, Liberia. For the young journalists, the 14-day travel was very intense but highly productive.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 13:07 UTC
Liberia: Civil Society Group Wants 20% Increment in Education Budget
Mr. Matthew S. Karley, Program Manager, Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia, speaking at a press conference in Paynesville. Monrovia – The Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia (YOCEL) in partnership with the More-for-Education Campaign is calling on the Government of Liberia to increase the national budget for education by 20% in June of this year (2020). According to the civil society group, the 20% increment is the minimum benchmark set for Sub-Saharan countries to allocate from their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to support their education sector. Karley further asserted that the challenges confronting the education sector can only be curtail by “Political will” with support from the Executive and the Legislature. The civil society group has been engaging education stakeholders, policy makers including lawmakers of the Legislature to increase the education sector national budget to the minimum of 20%.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 09:22 UTC
Liberia: Council of Patriots’ Dumoe Eyeing Vote-Rich Bong County Senate Race
Gbarnga, Bong County – The acting chair of the Council of Patriots (COP), Menipakei Dumoe, has confirmed recent reports claiming that he is poised to contest the senate seat in Bong County this year. However, speculations are rife in Bong County that the CPP has already given the nod to the Unity Party to select a candidate in Bong based on a “mutual consent”. This decision is likely to favor Rep. Moye over Sulunteh, FPA understands. Sulunteh, FrontPageAfrica has gathered, could go as an independent candidate if the decision favors Rep. Moye. Through out during that election, Dumoe and Rep Moye spoke against sitting lawmaker Marvin Cole of Bong’s District #3 vying for political office.
Source:Front Page Africa
May 28, 2020 09:11 UTC