Monrovia – The Assistant Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Information has vehemently denied allegations of looting his office, as reported by some sections of the media.
Assistant Minister David Kolleh took the opportunity to set the record straight, providing a detailed account of the state of the office when he assumed his role in 2018. He emphasized the dire conditions, describing a workspace that was not only unkempt but also lacking essential amenities for a conducive working environment.
“I personally bought everything I had in my office from my pocket,” Kolleh asserted. He listed a range of items, from office furniture to appliances, highlighting the transformative changes he implemented in his workspace. According to him, the office was in disrepair, with broken chairs, spoiled desks, and a lack of basic necessities such as air conditioning.
He further clarified that the procurement of these items was done transparently and with the knowledge of high-ranking officials within the Ministry of Information. Notable figures mentioned included the Director of Procurement, Darlington Cheeks, Hon. Atty Daniel C Gayedyu Jr., the Minister of Information at the time, and chief Eugene Lenn Nagbe.
Kolleh went on to mention that he even extended his financial support to the New Liberia Newspaper, purchasing chairs and desks for the staff, as well as providing them with a four-door sedan to facilitate their work. However, due to poor maintenance, the vehicle reportedly sustained damage in the line of duty.
Addressing the issue of his personal air conditioner, Kolleh clarified that he recently replaced the unit as the old one was consistently malfunctioning. He insisted that no refund or reimbursement was provided for the items he procured for the office, making it fair for him to take these possessions home.
“I had no assigned government vehicle. Every vehicle I used came from my savings,” he added, countering any insinuations of misusing government resources.
The Minister of Information, Hon. Ledgerhood Julius Rennie, and the entire administration were cited as being fully aware of these facts, according to the Assistant Minister.
The response comes as a robust defense against the accusations, with the Assistant Minister maintaining that he acted in the best interest of creating a functional and comfortable working space, utilizing personal funds for the benefit of the ministry and its staff. The unfolding situation is sure to raise further discussions and debates within the public sphere as more details emerge.
