Gbarnga, Bong County – A recent recommendation by the Interim Management Team (IMT) of the Bong County Technical College calling for an extension of its mandate by six months is generating mixed reactions, with many describing the call as a mockery to the progress of the college.
Report by: Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The establishment of the (IMT) came as the result of a request by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to the board of the college to conduct an audit of the system following the suspension of the college’s president Dr. Johnson S. Flomo in March,.
The IMT, which had a mandate of sixty days, when giving its report to the board of the college Saturday called for an extension of its mandate for another six months “to enable it complete work it has begun”.
But the recommendation has been rebuffed by citizens of the county. Headed by Dr. Roland Massaquoi, The three-man committee has never been short of controversy as claims of witch-hunt and whopping salaries to committee members are dogging the existence of the committee.
Interim team salaries spark outrage
A leaked payment list in the possession of FrontPageAfrica detailing how much each member of IMT receives monthly is also sparking outrage among the citizenry. The list reveals that Dr. Roland Massaquoi receives US$1, 750 monthly, while the two other board members, Madam Viola Cooper and Dabah Varpilah, are beneficiaries of US$1, 225 apiece.
The decision, citizens who spoke to FrontPageAfrica Monday said, is counter-productive to the completion of a college whose construction has been reportedly marred by serious financial impropriety.
Jerry Scott, a resident of Gbarnga, who phoned on a local radio station in Gbarnga, said it was disheartening to imagine that a team set up to audit the system of financial irregularities would be receiving a combined amount of US$4,000 monthly while construction work remains stalled as the result of what county officials say inadequate allotment of fund.
Scott said: “This is totally irritating for our college to see a committee tasked to audit the system making US$4,000 a month knowing that the college does not have money to complete its facility.”
Another resident of Gbarnga and a Financial Expert Emmanuel Diabolo told FrontPageAfrica: “There is a specific period for them the committee members to work. If they can’t come out with specific time then where are we?
Besides, it is shocking that committee members of a struggling college like the Bong Technical College would be receiving such salary and be opting for an extension.”
Members Divided over extension
FrontPageAfrica has reliably gathered that a host of board members including Deputy Information Minister for Administration Andrew Tehmeh are against any extension in the mandate of the IMT committee.
Tehmeh, it is reported, said given the whopping amount committee members of the college are receiving and the status of the college, an extension would scupper the completion of the college.
FrontPageAfrica also gathered that one of the main issues of contention during Saturday meeting was the failure of the Dr. Massaquoi-led committee to make its financial expenditure to the board.
The failure, FrontPageAfrica learnt, halted the meeting for over 35 minutes after Minister Tehmeh expressed the need for the IMT to make a comprehensive financial report to the board.
Dr. Massaquoi Appoints friend to lucrative position
On the back of the numerous allegations dogging the Massaquoi-led committee, the latter, FrontPageAfrica gathered has, also gone beyond the mandate of the institution by employing some of his friends to key positions.
One of such is the appointment of Franklin Cassell as head of the Engineering Department of the college. Cassell, FrontPageAfrica, has gathered, was appointed without any formal application. Many Bong residents feel that as always done through the department of human resources for employment.
Cassell, FrontPage Africa has learned was one of the Managing Directors at Water and Sewer Corporation but was dismissed by President Sirleaf for acts in compactable to the function of the LWSC but his man Massaquoi has found him a new job and the detriment of the College.
Besides, Dr. Massaquoi is residing in Monrovia and only goes to Gbarnga during weekends.