• BY FITZSIMONS GUS • Following months of leadership crisis in the Lower House of Parliament, the plenary of the House of Representative has requested members who are desirous of contesting to become speaker to declare their intentions and resign from the positions they currently occupy in the House.

UNHCR has announced the safety arrival of some 214 Liberian refugees from the Oru and Buduburum refugee camps in Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called for strong international support to help Liberia address the development and reconstruction challenges. Liberia’s recovery, the President said, will depend mainly on the actions of Liberians themselves, but because of the extent of the destruction from the war, the country requires strong international support.

The Ministry of Education says the provision of free and compulsory primary education to Liberian children is a key priority on its agenda and that the government has intensified support to public schools.

The West African Institution for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in collaboration with UNDP Microfinance Unit, Central Bank of Liberia coupled with other financial institutions in West Africa have this weekend completed a workshop on Regulation and Practical Operations of Microfinance Institutions in West Africa.

Public Works Minister-designate Lusinee Donzo has announced that a Chinese company called Chico has won the bid to reconstruct the Monrovia-Buchanan highway. The Minister said the company is expected to begin work before the rainy season begins, as soon as the agreement is signed.

As the Liberian Government and people continue to plead with the United Nations to lift its sanction on the country’s diamomd industry, the UN Security Council is expected to review diamond sanctions on April 20, this paper has learnt.

Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is expected to lead the temporary Disaster relief Committee to visit Ganta, Nimba County and several areas affected by recent natural and other disasters in the country.

By: Rudolph G. Gborkeh A group of Guthrie workers mostly mechanics, monitors /security, drivers, teachers, clinic workers amongst others have threatened to carry out all forms of illegality on the plantation if the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) and the Unity Party led government fail to revisit the terms of agreement between them in the interest of citizens of Bomi and Cape Mount counties, in terms of employment opportunities.

UNDP Country Director Mr. Steven Ursino has handed over a 4-wheel drive vehicle along with computers, office equipment and furniture valued at US$57,840 to the Ministry of Agriculture.