Gbarnga, Bong County – The head of the Natural Resource Department at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), David P. Tokpah, has been suspended for allegedly selling the institution’s assets to a businessman in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Tokpah, who is a member of the institution’s Assets Committee, was last month instructed by CARI’s Officer-in-Charge Paulette Findley to assemble assets of the institution that were donated to the institution by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
This week, news of the institution’s assets being sold has dominated the local media with a faction of staffers of CARI accusing Tokpah of selling the institution’s assets.
On Friday, a 50-KVA generator believed to be owned by CARI, was discovered in a compound in Gbarnga.
Tokpah’s Denial
Appearing on Radio Gbarnga Wednesday, December 4, Tokpah denied selling the institution’s assets as being claimed by some staffers, but FrontPageAfrica has gathered that Tokpah allegedly coerced security guards, who were manning the assets.
“He forced us to allow us carry the machine as we demanded he forced his way and took the generator away,” our source said.
According to Papa Morris, the institution’s Communications Officer, Tokpah’s suspension stemmed from the missing of assets belonging to CARI.
Morris said the investigation is being done by Benedict Sampson, a member of the board of CARI.
Morris added that Madam Findley is a transparent leader, who wants to see the institution moves forward. “For several years, audit has never been conducted at CARI, but Madam Findley has ensured that audit is being conducted. This just shows how transparent Madam Findley is,” he added.
“When Madam Findley suspended Dr. [Nykoi] Jomah on the allegation of forgery, people said her action was an act of witch-hunt. Today, she has rendered similar on a man believed to be her confidant. This just shows how transparent she is,” Morris added.
In September, the former acting director of Livestock at CARI, Nykoi Jomah, was suspended and subsequently dismissed by Madam Findley for alleged forgery.
In the wake of Tokpah’s suspension, some staffers of CARI are lauding Madam Findley for instituting a stringent measure in curbing theft at the institution.