Monrovia – Within less than two days after the President accepted the resignation from one of his senior officials, another sent in his resignation, too, on Sunday, November 24.
Mr. Dan Torkarmawon Saryee, who was the Deputy MD for Technical Services at the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) had sent in his resignation on November 18, and it was acknowledged and accepted by the President on November 22.
While the talks surrounding that notification were still ongoing, Mr. Gregory O. W. Coleman, who is the Director-General of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), too, sent in his resignation.
In his letter to President George Manneh Weah, Mr. Coleman, who served as a former Police Inspector General, said, “My tenure as Director-General at the National Bureau of Concessions has been full of challenges and rewards. The Bureau’s role on the Inter-ministerial Committee on Concessions is now pivotal in determining the government’s policies toward concessions. We need to continue building capacities that extend and deepen the Bureau’s influence in positive ways, however.”
Further trying to provide his reason for wanting to leave, Coleman told the President, “I have served in government for nearly 20 years. Unlike me, many others in government have made similar commitments to Liberia and remain unsung. Therefore, I am grateful to have achieved success to the top from the first rung of the Liberia National Police.”
He, however, stated that he remains committed to service to his country and feel that there is no better calling than public service. Nonetheless, he added: “Nevertheless, it is time for me to become a private citizen, and hereby resign as head of the National Bureau of Concessions.”
He requested the President to allow him leave by November 29th “to allow for my replacement to have a smooth transitions into the job.”
It’s not yet clear if the President has acknowledged Mr. Coleman’s letter.
There are reports that he had submitted his resignation letter within 24 hours after the President had re-instated his two deputies, who had been suspended indefinitely for gross insubordination to him.
On Wednesday, July 31, tension on the compound of the NBC escalated into a physical altercation between Mr. Coleman and his two deputies, who are said to be die-hard members of President Weah’s ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
According to Coleman, when the tension flared, he had to be smuggled out of his office through the backdoor (unused gate) of the Bureau’s compound as the main entrance and exit had been blocked by the thugs brought in by his deputies.
In a Thursday, August 1st letter addressed to the Bureau’s staff, Coleman explained how he was “physically attacked and feloniously restrained” by his two deputies — Daddy Gibson and Nathaniel Bracewell.
The NBC’s DG didn’t state why his two deputies were or are at his throat; however, he charged further in the letter: “As you all may be aware, over time, there has been an escalation from wrongful communication, to incitement, then provocation, now verbal insult and physical assault.”
“DDGA and DDGC aggressively entered my office and physically attacked me, pointing fingers in my face, insulting me and violently banging on my desk. The DDGA stood in the visitor chair, while the DDGC took comfort in siting on my desk, continuing the banging and insulting me and my generation.” The Liberia National Police had to get involved to bring the situation under control.
Following the melee, the President suspended Coleman’s two deputies.
Coleman had complained Daddy Gibson, Deputy Director-General for Administration and Nathaniel Bracewell, Deputy Director-General for Concession at the National Bureau of Concession to the President, alleging that they physically assaulted, insulted and displayed gross insubordination against him.
FrontPageAfrica had gathered that Coleman’s suspended deputies had accused their boss of nepotism and corruption at the NBC.