Karnplay City – The Government of Ivory Coast has issued an arrest order for Daybah Zain, the Mayor of Karnplay City, after he failed to repay a debt of 85,000 Liberian Dollars (LD). The amount was owed to the Ivorians for equipment and materials rented during the funeral service of the late Senator Prince Johnson.
By Franklin Doloquee
According to officials, the debt stems from an arrangement made in early February, where Mayor Zain took materials, including canopies and other equipment, from Ivory Coast with the promise to pay the debt.
However, he has yet to settle the outstanding amount, leading to legal action and a ban on his entry into Ivory Coast.
Mayor Daybah Zain confirmed the situation and explained that he had sought out the Ivorians’ local authorities to rent the equipment in accordance with an order from the County Administration, which was led by Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono.
He further accused former Culture Ambassador Juli Endee, who had reportedly sent delegations and spent the night with him, of pressuring him into acquiring the equipment on credit from Ivory Coast.
“You know we all are living here together, so when former Culture Ambassador Juli Endee and others engaged me to borrow materials with the hope to pay later, this was the cause for me to do so,” Zain said. “But since then, I’m ashamed to even go to Ivory Coast like I used to. Those people have a different way of addressing issues. I’m a businessman who people respect, but for said funding, I’m ashamed to go to Ivory Coast. They have ordered my arrest,” he added.
Zain confirmed that he is currently being sought by the Ivory Coast authorities over the unpaid debt. Despite several interventions to resolve the matter, the Mayor has struggled to manage his creditors, causing growing tension with the Ivorians.
In related developments, it has been reported that over US$2 million were allocated for the funeral of the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, with each city in Nimba County receiving a share to help with preparations.
Ganta City Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt confirmed that he received his portion, but clarified that the funds for his city were provided by former Culture Ambassador Juli Endee.
Meanwhile, Senator Nya Twayen Jr. revealed to FrontPage Africa that the County Caucus had no knowledge of the County Administration’s alleged withdrawal of half a million U.S. dollars from the County’s social development fund without any official communication from the Caucus.
Additionally, reports indicate that the 1.5 million U.S. dollars annually allocated by ArcelorMittal Liberia for the development of the county’s mountains remains unutilized.
Former Culture Ambassador Juli Endee, when contacted for comment is yet to respond to inquiries regarding her involvement in the matter.