A serious controversy has sparked between residents of Kokoyah, Tukpahblee, and Boinsen administrative Districts, and local leadership of the district over the distribution of Ten Thousand United States Dollars (US$ 10,000) Development Fund, with three officials accused of unilaterally distributing the money without proper agreement.
Those accused are Isaac Freeman, Re-Leaving Commissioner, Roslevert Uray Kerkulah Jr., Development Officer, and Halarry Garyeazon, Financial Officer respectively.
The money in question was generated as rental fees for the District’s Administrative Compound in Botota from WBHO-SC, a construction company hired by Alcelormenttal Liberia to Remediate the Rail Road from Buchanan Grand Bassa to Yekepa Nimba County.
A Lease agreement, with a copy in possession of this paper between the district’s leadership and the company, mentioned six representatives from the district and two from the company as signatories to the agreement.
Those who signed on behalf of the district included Peter N. Kpalewon (Former Acting Statutory Superintendent, Kokoyah District), Isaac Freeman ( Current Re-Leaving District Commissioner, Kokoyah District), and Mary Koinah (Former District Commissioner, Kokoyah District).
Others are Moses Kellen (Former District Commissioner, Tukpahblee Administrative District), Dennis P. Chappy (Former District Commissioner, Boinsen Administrative District), and Albertha N. Dolo (Liaison Officer, ArcelorMittal, Bong Chapter). The company was represented in the agreement by Mr. Jonah Faught, manager, and Mr. Marius Barnard, member.
Both parties agreed that the three apartments containing six rooms, a laundry, a covered storage area, parking lots, and a generator room would be leased to the company for six months for 1,500 USD per month.
It further that thirty (30) company employees reside in the facility for the period mentioned or be extended.
Before that lease agreement, the local leadership of the three administrative districts signed a resolution on December 14, 2023, to find the possibility of raising funds to renovate and improve the facilities. In that resolution, the three administrative district commissioners resolved that the facility be leased or rented to any company desiring to use the area and that any money generated should also be used to undertake developmental initiatives in the district in consultation with all local leadership of the three administrative districts.
But, speaking to our reporter on February 16, 2024, in Botota, Tokpabelee, Administrative district Youth President Samuel Kollie expressed serious disappointment in the leadership of the district for unilaterally making decisions on the money’s distribution without the involvement of all parties concerned, especially the youthful populace.
According to Samuel, he was only called by Isaac Freeman, Re-Leaving Commissioner, Roslevert Uray Kerkulah Jr., Development Officer, and Halarry Garyeazon, Financial Officer to sign for one hundred seventy United States Dollars (US $170) as share for the youth of Tukpahblee Administrative District.
However, Mr. Kollie narrated that he was not informed about the total amount of the money but was compelled to sign for it or let it go, which triggered his intention to sign for the money and have it kept as evidence.
However, Samuel Kollie and his team of young people have given a one-week ultimatum to the district leadership to reconsider their decision and have everyone invited to make plans for the distribution and usage of the money.
They further threatened to protest at the local leadership’s office or the company’s yard if their concerns were not met in the stipulated time.
When contacted on the matter, Isaac Freeman, Re-Leaving Commissioner, Roslevert Uray Kerkulah Jr., Development Officer, and Halarry Garyeazon, Financial Officer confirmed receiving Ten Thousand United States Dollars as rental fees from the company as rental fees for the compound for the period of six months.
According to them, the money was transferred to the district’s account, and an amount of little over one hundred United States Dollars was deducted from the money as tax, noting that a total of nine hundred was taken to the district for distribution.
They stated that the distribution of the money to the three administrative district commissioners had already started but failed to disclose the amount given to each administrative district Commissioner.
Meanwhile, our reporter also extended his investigation to Ansu Seleaf, Tukpahblee statutory district superintendent, to inquire how much he received.
In response, Mr. Seleaf confirmed receiving Nine Hundred Twenty United States Dollars (US $920) as his district’s share of the money. He added that he was instructed to provide receipts of the money usage to the district’s overall leadership upon receiving the money.
It remains unclear whether the nine hundred twenty United States Dollars received by Commissioner Seleaf was the same amount given to the remaining two districts’ commissioners.
By Matalay Kollie, Contributor
