National Watchdog Newspaper

07/12/2023

House Passes Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Laboratories Limited Agreement

The Plenary of the Honorable House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted for the passage of an investment incentive agreement between the Liberian government and the Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Laboratories Limited. The House’s Plenary took the decision on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 during the 10th Day Sitting of the 3rd quarter of the 6th Session of the 54th Legislature following a full report from the House’s Committee on Investment and Concession.
As per the mandate of Plenary, the Committee conducted a review of the Agreement and noted the following; that the company is 65 percent Liberian and 35 percent Pakistan in terms of ownership. The Committee also established that the duration of the agreement is 15 years and the corporate income tax is no wavier and a Special incentive deduction - five percent waiver for investment activities, providing at least 200 jobs for Liberians.

Others incentives according to the committee report are: Import duties on raw materials-waiver, Import duties on spare-parts-fifty percent waiver, Import duties on fuel-five years waiver, ECOWAS trade Levy no waiver.
Others include; Withholding tax on interest-waiver for seven years, Withholding tax on dividends-no waiver, Withholding tax on payments for services-waiver for seven years and the GST on finished medical products - fifty percent waiver for five years

During the agreement review, the Committee found that the Investor will construct, and establish a manufacturing pharmaceutical plant in Liberia that will engage in the manufacturing, processing, and production of pharmaceutical products, and disposable medical supplies. The construction of this manufacturing plan, as well as a packaging plant in Liberia according to the report will have significant benefits to the local economy, including the creation of jobs, helping to curb the high cost of medicines and medical supplies on the Liberian market, and in some instances help to eliminate sub-standard medical supplies and medicines in Liberia.

“Honorable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Distinguished colleagues, we once again crave your indulgence to approve this report for passage, bearing in mind that this is a Liberian owned company that will help to improve the availability of affordable drugs in our health sector”, the Committee report states. Maryland County District #1 Representative P. Mike Jury made a motion to pass the agreement.

The instrument has been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.

30/11/2022

Ukraine to Supply Food to Vulnerable Population in Africa
- Honorary Consul Dr. C. Nelson Oniyama Discloses

The Honorary Consul of Ukraine to Liberia Dr. C. Nelson Oniyama speaking at a press conference recently on behalf of the Ambassador designate of Ukraine to Liberia His Excellency Yurii Pyvovarov, informed the Liberian people of the “Grain for Ukraine initiative” launched recently by the President of Ukraine Volodymr Zelensky.
According to the Honorary Consul of Ukraine, the initiative is aimed to deliver food to countries facing severe food shortages in Africa and other parts of the world.
Dr. Oniyama made the disclosure at the Ukraine Consulate in Monrovia on Monday, November 28, 2022.
When the Ukraine Diplomat was quizzed by journalists on the importance of the grain from Ukraine to African countries, he indicated that Africa is in desperate need of food and Ukraine stands ready to support vulnerable people in their period of need. “The launch of this initiative represents a key historical moment for poorest African countries facing severe food shortages due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine”, the Ukraine Consul General noted.
The Honorary Consul of Ukraine when asked also about countries that are recipients of the Ukraine food aid program, he mentioned Sudan, Yemen, Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria and Somalia as some of the countries that stand to benefit from the initiative.

Commenting further on how the grain from Ukraine initiative will help to ease the food crisis in poor countries, Dr. Oniyama disclosed that Ukraine wants to feed at least 5 million people facing acute food shortages by the end of the next spring under proposals set out by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the group of 20 nations.
He said President Zelenskiy during the launch of this plan, urged all countries to join their initiative to help the poorest with food.

30/11/2022

Ukraine Foreign Minister Reveals Grain for Africa Plan
- Wants Cooperation from African Countries
- As Ukraine Raises 150 million dollars

The Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has promised that his country will do all it can to send more grain to Africa meant to help ease the growing hunger crisis on the continent, despite Kyiv’s own internal crises in the face of a war with Russia.
Speaking to African journalists from Kyiv on Monday November 28, 2022, Via Zoom, Ukraine Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba disclosed that the program is intended to lift at least five million Africans out of the growing food insecurity crisis, which has been worsened by Russia’s invasion of his country.
According to him, Ukraine has held International Summit on Food Security last week with participation of over 20 world leaders. Fundraised is almost $150 million for the program. “The special program called Grain From Ukraine” initiated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and coordinated by head of his office Andriy Yermak.
Through the program, “Ukraine plans to ship at least 60 large vessels,” Mr. Kuleba said.
According to him Ukraine launched the Grain From Ukraine humanitarian program in November which will provide essential food products to those most vulnerable. Until spring 2023, and they plan to supply at least 5 million people across the African continent as part of this humanitarian effort. This will be possible through the dispatch of 1 to 10 ships per month during 2023.
African countries expected to benefit from the donations include Ethiopia, the Republic of Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, amongst others.
“Ukraine has been and remains the world's top sunflower oil exporter and our grains constitute a large share of world markets. Our agricultural exports are vital for many countries in the African continent. Before the full-scale war, Ukraine supplied more than 15% of the world's corn exports, 10% of wheat, 15-20% of barley, and more than 50% of sunflower oil” Mr Kuleba said.
“Despite the war in the Country and all the difficulties, we remain committed to maintaining food security in the world” he said.
Minister Kuleba said he wants to deepen his country’s ties to Africa and expects African Countries to join them in the quest for peace.
See full statement of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba African Briefing on pages 4 and 5

05/09/2022