By Moses M. Tokpa
h/MARGIBI
The local administration of Margibi County is said to be embroiled in a power struggle that is hindering developmental progress, according to multiple sources within the county government.
Tensions have reportedly began escalating among Superintendent Victoria Wolobah Duncan and her three deputies, thus raising concerns about effective governance in the county.
Sources close to the county administration, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Superintendent Duncan is at odds with County Development Officer B. Lewis N. Kaine, County Administrative Officer Togea Samu Zarwea, and County Finance Officer Maria Doe.
These officials were appointed based on a recommendation from former Margibi County District 4 Representative Ben A. Fofana, who currently serves as a Commissioner at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.
The superintendent’s discomfort reportedly stems from her belief that the deputies may not align with her vision, in part due to their connection to Fofana.
The deputies have expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from key decision-making processes, particularly concerning the appointment of leadership for the Margibi Sports Association and fundraising efforts for the 2023/2024 National County Sports Meet.
Reports indicate that the deputies accused the superintendent of sidelining them in these important initiatives.
Compounding the issues, Superintendent Duncan faces allegations of double standards regarding personnel recruitment.
While she is accused of hiring individuals not on the government’s payroll, she is accused of reportedly taking issues with her deputies for similar practice.
A conflict has arisen over a pickup truck left by former county officials, which Duncan allegedly turned over to a former secretary rather than to one of her deputies as expected.
Financial management has also become a contentious topic where the finance officer, Doe, is said to have refused to sign a financial document for withdrawing funds from the county account without involving her other colleagues.
This action angered Superintendent Duncan, who allegedly sought to bypass the deputies by asking the county council to sign the document, a move that was met with strong objections from the deputies.
In response to the escalating tensions, Superintendent Duncan reportedly filed several complaints with Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin, claiming disrespect and a lack of cooperation from her deputies.
Frustrated by the ‘inaction’ of the minister, she took the matter to President Joseph Boakai, prompting the president to instruct the minister to intervene swiftly.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Internal Affairs dispatched two deputy ministers and an assistant minister to Kakata for a meeting with the county administration, a meeting that lasted for more than six hours.
Held at the CYNTHEO Guest House along the Bong Mines Road, the meeting ended without a clear resolution, leaving both sides tight-lipped about the discussion’s outcomes. Journalists from Margibi County attempted to gather insights but were met with silence.
While Superintendent Duncan indicated that the outcomes of the meeting would be communicated to the Internal Affairs Minister by his deputies, she did not provide a timeline for when the results would be made public, promising to address the press at a later date on its outcomes and other issues that the Margibi journalists are curious about.
As Margibi County grapples with this leadership crisis, the implications for local governance and community development remain significant, raising concerns among residents about the county’s future stability and growth.
