CARI, Bong County – A leaked audio, which is three minutes, twenty-nine seconds, in the possession of FrontPageAfrica has revealed a ploy carried out by the acting officer-in-charge of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) Paulette Findley and David Tokpah, head of the Natural Resource Department of the entity, to steal assets belonging to CARI.

Report by Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com

Looting of the entity’s assets has become widespread since Findley assumed the helm of CARI last year. Two months ago, a 50 KVA generator reportedly owned by CARI was discovered by some staff of the entity in a compound in Gbarnga. The discovery of the generator prompted an investigation by the Crimes Services Department of the Liberia National Police after employees accused Tokpah of being responsible for the disappearance of the generator.

Police later charged Tokpah as the main suspect in a theft of property case involving three employees – Anthony Taplah, an agriculture engineer and the chief security at CARI, Sam Lewis.

According to the police, Tokpah admitted to removing the generator from CARI compound, but couldn’t state where he took it. “The issue about the whereabouts of the machine has been a major concern for our investigation so far. Tokpah admitted taking the generator from CARI compound but couldn’t disclose where he took it,” Superintendent Kelenso Flomo, head of the Crimes Services Department of the Bong County Police Detachment told FrontPageAfrica.

Tokpah, according to the police, Tokpah took advantage of the absence of Findley, who recommended him to act as acting officer-in-charge of CARI, to take the generator. Upon her return, Findley denied instructing Tokpah to take the generator away in her absence.

 “I don’t know about what transpired in my absence. What happened has brought embarrassment to the management of CARI. I am calling on the police to carry on speedy investigation to establish the reality,” Findley said.

Leaked Audio Links Findley To Stolen CARI Generator

But an audio in the possession of FrontPageAfrica has revealed that Findley and Tokpah connived to steal the generator. Findley, in the audio, mandated Tokpah to quickly remove the generator from CARI compound and take it to the vendor whom Tokpah had identified. “You people should take the generator from the compound and you people should do it quick because Nagbe (the institution’s finance officer) ma sick.”

In the audio, Findley recommended to Tokpah to give the head of the General Service Agency in Bong County one of the institution’s generators as a means of buying his silence before they begin selling items she and Tokpah have earmarked. “We should give the GSA man one generator to keep him quiet,” she said.

Tokpah, in the audio, disagreed with Findley and recommended to Findley to give him US$200.00 instead of one generator. “What?! Who should give him one generator? We should just find his US$ 200 bulks. Oldma, under this sun here, stealing da stealing. For the fact that he ate US$200 every one of us stole,” Tokpah said.

Findley, Tokpah celebrate plot to sack Jomah

Also, in the audio, Findley and Tokpah were heard celebrating the dismissal of the former director of the fishery department at CARI, Nykoi Jomah.  Jomah was dismissed for fraudulently withdrawing LD$ 10,000 from the institution’s account.

Police charged and sent Jomah to court on allegations of forgery, theft of property and misapplication of entrusted property.

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga in May 2020 dismissed the case against Jomah: “The case was dismissed by Court without prejudice to the State. The Defendant is therefore discharged by Court from further answering to the charges levied against the Defendant by the State on the proviso that the matter is dismissed without prejudice to the State,” a Clearance from the court obtained by FrontPage Africa.

Since his dismissal, Jomah has been protesting in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, terming his dismissal. He claimed Findley has refused to pay his benefits for eleven months.

“What?! Who should give him one generator? We should just find his US$ 200 bulks. Oldma, under this sun here, stealing da stealing. For the fact that he ate US$200 every one of us stole”

David Tokpah, Head of Research Department, CARI

Celebrating Jomah’s dismissal, Findley, in the audio, said her stance on Jomah has instilled fear in some workers of the entity.  “Haha, Haha, David Tokpah, you know what? My driver said “oldma, people are saying since you removed Jomah from CARI, people really afraid of you. Soon they saw you coming, they started running to go on the field. They saw Jomah as their strong man and they thought he would have overpowered me, but since I removed him, they have gotten afraid of me,” Findley is heard in a leaked audio in the possession of FrontPage Africa.

Tokpah, in his response, said he warned Jomah to be mindful with Findley because of her connections she has with the executive. “I warned Jomah, I warned him, I warned him. I told him “I have been dealing with two of you people”, I warned the man. I told him that the place the oldma (Paulette Findley and I na go) you know people, oo, but you can’t fight that woman and win.”

Findley has reportedly used her influence to instill fear in workers of the entity who differ with her on issues that don’t favor at the institution seemingly because of her proximity with the minister of state, Nathaniel McGill.

Before her ascendency as officer-in-charge, Findley fell out of favor with the former director general of CARI, Marcus Jones, over his refusal to accept recommendations from her regarding employment of volunteers at the institution.

Jones was provoked to dismiss Findley after she reportedly slapped him in the face during a spat between the both of them on the compound of CARI. Findley, FPA gathered, promised Jones that she was going to return in his steer as head of CARI.

And after months, Jones was dismissed by President George Weah and replaced by Findley as acting officer in charge of CARI.

When contacted, both Tokpah and Findley confirmed their voices in the leaked audio.

TRANSCRIPT

Conversation between CARI’s acting officer-in-charge Paulette Findley and the head of Natural Resource Department of the institution, David Tokpah, on how to steal the institution’s assets

Paulette Findley: “Haha, Haha, David Tokpah, you know what? My driver said “oldma, people are saying since you removed Jomah from CARI, people really afraid of you. Soon they saw you coming, they started running to go on the field. They saw Jomah as their strong man and they thought he would have overpowered me, but since I removed him, they have gotten afraid of me.”

David Tokpah: “I warned Jomah, I warned him, I warned him. I told him “I have been dealing with two of you people”, I warned the man. I told him that the place the oldma (Paulette Findley and I na go) you know people, oo, but you can’t fight that woman and win.”

Paulette Findley: “Someone called me and said “Paulette Findley, I am afraid of you!” What! You removed Jomah from CARI?”

David Tokpah: “But Rep. Marvin Cole seh afraid of you then that Jomah?”

Paulette Finley: “It’s about time for you people to enjoy CARI while I am there.”

David Tokpah: “Tomorrow, we will call the GSA (General Service Agency) man, to prepare our receipt. The thing was on air, it was on air. We will earmark the ones we want.  We will take our own first before we call the other staff and tell them how much it cost. We will find something for the GSA man, he will be standing there.”

Paulette Findley: “We should give the GSA man one generator so that we keep him quite.”

David Tokpah: “What?! Who should give him one generator? We should just find his US$ 200 bulks. Oldma, under this sun here, stealing that stealing. For the fact that he eats US$ 200 every one of us stole.”

Paulette Findley: “You people should do it quick because Nagbe (the institution’s finance officer) ma sick.”

Dear Hon. McGill:

Greetings again as all strive to rid COVID19 from Liberia and generally, the global community. Thank you, and all copied thus far.

Today makes day fifteen since my email of 15 April 2020 to your office passionately requesting your intervention to kindly have Mrs. Paulette E. Findley, a Presidential Appointee serving as Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) have me paid approximately USD 15,000.00 and LD 500,000.00 government allotted salary (August 2019 to April 2020) she has withheld or probably expanded without my consent as well as obliterate hindrances that have hindered my entry to residence and office at CARI.

At CARI, the Code of Conduct for Public Officials serving appointed positions in government has not been  observed rather, thwarted.

Even more appalling are violations:

(1.) March 15, 2015 Act that established CARI as 

       an autonomous agency (Part II Section 5 & 3; 

        Part III  Section 8 & 1; Part IV Section 19, 21 & 22

(2.) 2015 Decent Work Act (Part II & IV) and;

(3.) 2012 Revised Civil Service Standing Order

To restore donors confidence, enhance efficiency and uphold good governance Hon. McGill I therefore, recommend the Board of CARI investigates:

Claims, counter claims and allegation into current matter that has plagued CARI since Mrs. Findley’s June 2019 appointment with reference:

a.       Unauthorized sale of containers, containers with household, building and mechanical materials  costing approximately 1 million USD;

b.      USD 93,000.00 and LD 3,000,000.00 allotted for Staff Salary and Benefits;

c.       March 2020 disappearance of approximately USD 70,000.00  IFAD Project monies from CARI

d.      Request the LACC and GAC make public their comprehensive audits on Procurement conducted 2019

Scientists achieved and realized their full potential when work environment is serene, quiet, cordial and most importantly free of politics. This is how it is being a witnessed to Agricultural Research Institutions on contributions to knowledge, accomplishments and achievements the world over.

We look forward to your prudent response at your convenience.

Accept the assurance of our highest esteem.

Regard.

Dr. Nykoi D. Jomah, PhD.

Director

Livestock, Aquaculture and Inland Fishery Program/CARI

0770530649/0886530649

Gbarnga, Bong County – Vice President Joseph Boakai says government remains committed to investing   in the agriculture sector of the country with the Ministry of Agriculture leading the way.

VP Boakai made the commitment at the Central Agriculture Research Institute CARI on Tuesday July 5, 2016 in Bong County at the official opening of the field office of the Liberia Agro- Business Development Activity.

VP Boakai commended USAID, Feed the Future, and the Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture for the novel initiative. He said the co-investment fund program fully re-echoes government’s repeated reminders to stakeholders that investment in agriculture should not be considered an exclusive preserve of the government.

Vice President Boakai recalled the huge role private investment is playing in moving nations to self- sufficiency in food production.

He described the launched on LADA as welcoming and timely and said his presence was to boost support for LADA and USAID goals of strengthening the role of the private sector in the development of agriculture in Liberia.

The Liberian Vice President said it is no doubt that the activities of LADA are key to creating awareness of the critical need for the private sector to be involved in the provision of vital inputs like fertilizer, seeds and other agricultural supplies to farmers.

He said he was pleased to know that USAID has appropriated a hefty amount of US$19.3 m to strengthen the provision of private sector services to farmers for fertilizers, seeds and other inputs and expressed the hope that such supply goes hand in hand with teaching the farmers the proper use of these inputs.

For her part, US Ambassador Christine Elder who also attended the opening ceremony said the Bong field office is the first of three LADA offices.

Ambassador Christine Elder said, although she has been in Liberia for less than a month, what is clear to her is that many Liberians are engaged in agriculture.

She said Liberia has a lot of potential because of the rain, good soil and it is important for Liberians to engage in hard work to maximize productivity in the sector.

Speaking earlier, Agriculture Minister Dr. Moses Zinnah said it is important for Liberians to invest in agriculture especially at a time when the prices of rubber and iron ore, which are sources of income in the country, are reduced.

Minister Zinnah praised the government and people of the United States through USAID for their continueal support to Liberia’s development especially in the agriculture sector and assured that the ministry will work and support the Agro- dealers association of Liberia in realizing its dreams.

Earlier in his overview of the Liberia Agro-business Development activity, the monitoring and Evaluation manager Oscar Flomo said over the years, relevant summative research findings and wide- ranging consultations with stakeholders in the agriculture sector revealed that needed inputs for smallholder farming are mostly unavailable or unaffordable and supply is often unrealistic and that agro- dealers who provide inputs on credit, as well as extension services to smallholder farmers, have very limited reach.

Mr. Flomo also noted that it was gathered that commercial banks are not incentivized enough to increase agricultural lending, and most smallholders do not qualify for loans.

The CNFA/ LADA Monitoring and Evaluation manager said the kit was in response to these constraints in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors. USAID, through the Feed the Future Initiative, developed the Liberia Agro-business Development Activity as part of its Country Development Cooperation Strategy for Liberia.

He said the activity seeks to sustain and build on the work of projects such as IBEX and FED and supports the feed the future goal of sustainably reducing global poverty and hunger.

At the opening of the Bong County field office, the first six recipients of the CNFA/LADA matching fund were announced from its four operation counties of Bong, Nimba, Lofa and Montserrado.

As part of its activity, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture and the Liberia Agro-business development Activity in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the United States Agency for International Development on Tuesday June 28, 2016 ended a weeklong capacity building training for Agro- dealers in the management and usage of agro- inputs in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The Liberia Agro-business Development Association is a US $19.3 million USAID/ Feed the Future activity which is being implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA). Its other partners are Business Start- up Center Monrovia, Enclude, and Global Cold Chain Alliance.

LADA will be implemented for five years in three Feed The Future counties; Bong, Nimba, Lofa and some parts of Montserrado County.

Component one is the focus of the agro-dealer training. LADA is building the capacity of the business owners and certificating them so they can gain access to finance through its co-investment fund (CIF).

This is 50/50 match through cash or in-kind if the business qualifies. Component two will increase private sector investment in post- harvest handling support, processing, storage, transportation and marketing services and noted that component three will strengthen facilitation, marketing information services, advocacy and support for agribusinesses. Several cross-cutting issues including gender, access to finance, and the environment will also be addressed.

LADA encourages women and youth financial participation in agriculture and expects a minimum of 25% of grantees and more than 35% of training participants will be women.

It will also mobilize private input suppliers, agro -dealers, and aggregators around organized producer groups, increase the use of quality agricultural inputs and technologies, and ultimately increase the incomes of smallholder farmers (SHFs).

Initially, LADA will focus on rice and cassava, the Government of Liberia (GoL) priorities for agricultural development. It is also aligned itself with the GoL’s LATA (Liberia Agricultural Transformation Agenda’s) and has begun to analyze vegetable, cocoa, coffee, livestock, fish and oil palm value chains to identify investment opportunities and the potential to increase incomes.

LADA was launched on April 13, 2016 by its Chief of Party, Daniel Gies, CNFA executives, USAID and the GoL .