Monrovia – Dismissed Agriculture Minister Dr. Mogana Flomo has blamed his dismissal to division amongst leaders in his home county of Bong. Dr. Flomo told Bong citizens that division is tearing the county apart and undermining development.
Over the weekend, he spoke of how sad he is to know that his dismissal came from his home county. Dr. Flomo, however, said he is happy that he has been released from “suppression.” According to him, from the day he was appointed, he was faced with suppression from some leaders of the county.
“I am happy but I am also sad. I am happy because my one year as Agriculture Minister, I was really suppressed but I had hope that people suppressing could see reason to change. I wanted to stay there to change Liberia. I dance because I told God, You free me from trouble. The sad part is that I regretted when I knew that my removal came from Bong County. Why should it be Bong County?”
He praised President George Weah for being a “good man,” but leaders in the county are misinforming him. He also stated that the President works with people who are deceiving him.
According to him, as Minister of Agriculture, his vision was to work to be part of the solution of unifying citizens and not to be part of the division that has taken over the county. “I didn’t come to government to form part of the separation. I saw myself as a unifier. I wanted to be the reason why people will take to their leaders.
“How can everyone be divided in the county? Because I refused to be part of the separation, I was told by one of the lawmakers that I will fight you. Fellow Liberians, we need to pray; let’s forget about saying the government is not doing anything. When you sit with the President you know that he has a vision. He knows what he wants to do but people are lying to him.”
Responding to his critics, whom he said reportedly accused him of doing nothing as contribution to the county, he boasted of donating one rice mill, one grader, and two parboilers to the United People Agriculture Cooperative in Cinta, Margibi County, One rice mill, one grader, two Parboilers to Kenbeleh (Your Own Thing), Tanh Town, Grand Cape Mount County. Two combined rice mills were commissioned in Nimba County under the USAID/LADA Project in Gbedin and Karnplay, both in Nimba County
He also boasted of donating six cassava processing mills, which he said were installed Bomi, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Bong and Sinoe.
Further listing his achievements, he stated that under the under the Smallholder Tree Crop Revitalization Support Project (STCRSP), he dedicated a modern warehouse for the Zodoe Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Karnplay, Nimba County.
“We broke ground for the rehabilitation of the Karnplay to Geanplay feeder road, Nimba County. We also donated the following equipment to enhance farmers’ production: one water pump machine to Kegermah Farmers Group, Vegetable Production, Nimba County, One Power tiller to Kporkumah Farmers Group, Zalikai, Bomi County, two power tillers to Gbedin Famers Cooperative, Nimba County, two power tillers to Sua-Yelle Multipurpose Cooperative, Bong County and two power tillers to Men-Nina Cooperative, Bong County.”
On June 29, the Executive Mansion announced the dismissal of Dr. Flomo and others but gave no reason.
Despite the explanation from government circle, sources say Flomo’s dismissal was in the making ever since he fell out with Bong County lawmaker, Representative Melvin Cole – the man who reportedly lobbied to get him the post.
Flomo is not regarded as a partisan of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), a factor that lessened his influence in the cabinet and relationship with President Weah. And when he opted to reject the employment of scores of partisans recommended for employment by Rep Cole, a feud became imminent.