Financial Misappropriation Protest Hangs Over Kokoyah District

By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
A heated dispute erupted between the inhabitants of the Kokoyah, Tukpahblee, and Boinsen administrative Districts as well as the local leadership of the districts about the distribution of some US$10,000 rental fund.
The three officials who have been accused of the unilateral distribution of the money without any prior agreement are Isaac Freeman, Re-Leaving Commissioner; Roosevelt Urey Kerkulah, Development Officer, and Hilary Garyeazon, Financial Officer.
According to the residents, the money in question was generated as rental fees for the District’s Administrative Compound in Botota from WBHO-SC, a construction company hired by ArcelorMittal, Liberia to remediate the rail road from Buchanan Grand Bassa to Yekepa Nimba County.
A lease agreement, between the district’s leadership and the company, a copy of which is in the possession of this paper mentioned six representatives from the district and two from the company as signatories to the agreement.
Those who signed on behalf of the district included Peter N. Kpalewon (Former Acting Statutory Superintendent, Kokoyah District), Isaac Freeman (Current Re-Leaving District Commissioner, Kokoyah District), and Mary Koinah (Former District Commissioner, Kokoyah District).
Others are Moses Kellen (Former District Commissioner, Tukpahblee Administrative District), Dennis P. Chappy (Former District Commissioner, Boinsen Administrative District), and Albertha N. Dolo (Liaison Officer, ArcelorMittal, Bong Chapter).
The company was represented in the agreement by Jonah Faught, Manager, and Marius Barnard, member.
In the agreement, both parties agreed that the three apartments containing six rooms, a laundry, a covered storage area, parking lots, and a generator room be leased to the company for six months for the amount of US$1,500 per month.
The agreement further stipulates that 30 employees of the company reside in the facility for the period mentioned, with a possibility for an extended period.
Before the coming into force of the lease agreement, the local leadership of the three administrative districts had earlier signed a resolution on December 14, 2023, to find the possibility of raising funds to renovate and improve the facilities.
In that resolution, the three administrative district commissioners resolved that the facility be leased or rented to any company desiring to use the area and that any money generated should also be used to undertake developmental initiatives in the district in consultations with all local leadership of the three administrative districts.
But, speaking in an interview with journalists on February 16, 2024, in Botota, Tokpabelee, the Youth President of the Administrative district, Samuel Kollie, expressed serious disappointment in the leadership of the district for unilaterally making decisions on the distribution of money without the involvement of all parties concerned, especially the youth.
Mr. Kollie narrated that he was only called by Isaac Freeman, Re-Leaving Commissioner, Roosevelt Urey Kerkulah, Development Officer, and Hilary Garyeazon, Financial Officer to sign for US$170 as a share for the youth of Tukpahblee Administrative District.
Kollie expressed dissatisfaction that he was not told about the total amount of the money, but was obligated to sign for it or let it go.
According to Kollie, this motivated him to sign for the money with the intent of keeping it as evidence.
Moreover, Kollie said the young people have given a one-week ultimatum to the leadership of the district to reconsider their decision and have everyone invited to make plans for the distribution and usage of the money.
The youths have threatened to stage a protest at the local leadership’s office or the company’s yard if their concerns are not met in the stipulated time.
The accused officer confirmed receiving US$10,000 from the company as rental fees for the compound for the period of six months.
According to the local leaders, the money was transferred to the district’s account, and an amount of little over US$100 was deducted from the money as tax, noting that a total of US$9,000 was taken to the district for distribution.
The leaders further stated that the money had already been distributed to commissioners of the three administrative districts but failed to disclose the actual amount given to each commissioner.
The accused individuals further stated that they could not provide any information on the usage of the remaining money until after one week.
When our reporter contacted Ansu Sirleaf, the Tukpahblee statutory district commissioner, to inquire about the amount he received, he confirmed receiving US$920 as his district’s share of the money.
Sirleaf asserted that he is not accountable to anyone, and thus challenged the disenchanted Kokoyah residents to take the matter to a place of their choice.
Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether Commissioner Sirleaf’s share of the disputed land was the same amount given to the remaining two other district commissioners.
As intention builds up around the application of the accrued rental fee, the days ahead remain gloomy with a looming threat over Kokoyah, Tukpahblee, and Boinsen administrative districts.