SUAKOKO, BONG COUNTY – Investigative report in possession of FrontpageAfrica indicates that the assets of the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) have been massively looted allegedly by individuals in the present management team.
Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]
Looting of the facility’s assets became widespread and in broad daylight so much so that it prompted Dr. Marcus Jones, Director General of CARI, to request the entity’s Ethics and Grievance Committee to launch an immediate investigation as to whom are those behind the alleged illegal and unauthorized sale of the agency’s assets including several 40-foot containers, poly water tanks, iron beams, crushed rocks, etc.
In Dr. Jones’ request, he named Daniel Kokolo, Lawrence Kamara and the head of the Security Service as those to be considered for investigation.
“I would like to further request the committee to establish the facts of the matter by gathering as much relevant facts and information as possible. I will expect that the investigation be completed by Tuesday, July 17, 2018 or as soon as reasonably possible.”
When contacted Dr. Jones confirmed calling for the investigation but stated selling equipment belonging to CARI is a normal practice at the entity. According to him, CARI decides on what to do with items and equipment donated to the entity even though the items that had allegedly walked out of CARI’s premises, he claims not to be in the know of what happened, resulting into his called for investigation.
The missing items where donated to CARI by UNMIL when it was pulling out of Liberia.
According to him, if these items were to be sold, CARI didn’t need the involvement or approval of the General Service Agency (GSA) before selling those items.
“These things have been happening at CARI especially when there is a critical need and when we don’t have money. UNMIL turned over these items in question to CARI management team and as of today, we don’t have record of them. I was informed that some items had left the compound so I called for investigation,” Dr. Jones said via telephone conversation.
Grevience Committee’s Findings And Determination
The committee established that the communication received from the Director General stated clearly that five containers were authorized to be sold and the proceeds be used to fuel the generator providing electricity at the office.
They further stated that on 16 July 2018, Jones told them that in addition to the unauthorized sale of containers, water tanks and others materials belonging to the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) had illegally left the compound.
During the hearing, the committee stated that the entity’s security guards confirmed that six 40-foot containers along with 138 iron beams, two air conditioners, four water tanks, three loads of crushed rocks, two bundles of copper wires, two gas tanks and five chairs were illegally taken away by Lawrence Kamara and three other security men — Torga, Beayea, and Philip, ‘for their own selfish gains.’
According to the security guards, headcount of some of CARI’s assets included 30 containers before but 10 were illegally taken away for sale. Five sales were done “legally” while the five was done “illegally.” There were three gas tanks and two was “illegally taken away” remaining one. The inventory further indicates that out of the 139 iron beams, 138 iron beams were illegally taken away.
The investigating committee further stated that they also interviewed head of the financial department about him being aware of container sale. Mr. Nagbe, as he is only referred to in the report, told a member of the committee that he was not aware of any container sale.
The committee also said, the comptroller of CARI, Mr. Amara, refused to answer any of the committee’s questions.
The committee said one security guard interviewed, Mr. Robert Kato, recorded that, “On June 29, 2018, Lawrence, Togar and Beyea came with an individual name Mr. Cole and collected two containers from fuel cell. They told us that the Administrator was aware.
“On the 30, the same guys returned and collected two more containers from BCADP compound. On June 7, with the instruction from the administrator, the same guys took two pick-up loads of crushed rocks. According to them, the crushed rocks were taken to the administrator’s house.
“On June 8 again, one load of crushed rocks were taken in a kia motor by the same group of people. On June 16, 2018, a cable was dug out by Lawrence and Nuwoe and was taken away.
“On July 10, 2018, the same group came and collected another four containers from BCADP including 138 pieces iron poles (beams).”
According to this security guard, CARI had a total of 30 containers after Dr. Walter T. Wiles left.
Security Kato further disclosed in his report that eight containers were sold with evidence from security officers on duty and two of the containers are reportedly missing and cannot be accounted for by the administration.
“According to another guard, Inspector Chris Sirleaf, two 500-liter poly tanks were taken away from the fuel cell and the air terminal building by Lawrence, Togar, and Philip. Also, he told us that the air traffic area was burst [broken into] by John Sumo upon the order of the administrator to remove two air conditioners. He (Sirleaf) told us that most of these items were seen in Sergeant Kollie Town (SKT).” This town is adjacent to CARI, which is located in Suakoko, Bong County.
Facts Base on the Investigation
The Committee established that the director general and the administrator, Mrs. Paulette Findley, were in the know of the sale of five containers.
They accused the administrator of not following the legal procedure in the selling of the containers, indicating that she did not involve the finance and the GSA people in the sale.
They further said in their findings that though five containers were sold, six were taken away illegally and two are yet to be accounted for.
Recommendation
Among other things, the committee recommended that all the items allegedly sold without authorization be brought back and those found culpable be suspended without pay and or transferred.
War of Words
Meanwhile, a war of words has erupted between the committee members and the administrator.
Mrs. Findley accused the committee of producing a bias report because she was never contacted to get her side before they concluded their report.
The email exchanges became so heated between the committee members and Mrs. Findley that in her response on August 14, 2018, to an email from Eric S. Tokpah, who had written a day earlier, she told him: “Reading your stupidity is annoying! If you do not comprehend what I wrote then get someone to explain. It’s people like you that cause discord & pretend. You’re not innocent of taking things from CARI for personal use so stop assuming & find facts/ “hear-say” is not admissible in the court of law.”
A Call for Truce
These exchanges prompted Director General Jones to call for a truce among his subordinates, especially to Mrs. Findley, he stated: “I’ve read couple of emails exchanged between you and members of the Ethics and Grievance committee especially regarding the just-ended investigation about the unauthorized sale of containers. This is taking a twist and becoming very unhealthy as I go through the conversations by the day. Please see me immediately along with the committee members at 1:00pm today.”