By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- It has been gathered that a Representative from Bong County has allegedly been involved in the disappearance of building materials costing US$50,000 for a controversial Library project, but Representative Josiah Marvin Cole is yet to react to the reports.
Rep. Cole is said to have the building materials for the library project taken away from the project site in the central city of Gbarnga.
The materials, which consist of over 237 sizeable and valuable steels, quarter rod and pipes, where taken away on September 10, 2022.
The materials worth over four (4) thousand United States Dollars.
Sources informed www.newspublictrust.com Bong County reporter that Rep. Cole is reportedly owing some individuals mending the property.
The parties, our sources stated, are claiming over US$1,940 in payment for 14 months, while the cooks are also claiming US$300 for additional three months payment totaling US$2240.
However, Rep. Marvin Cole and his office staff have refused to provide clarity, after countless engagements in addition with text messages and calls.
Citizens’ Concern
Recently, another highly placed individual confirmed that Rep. Cole sent US$200 as an initial payment before requesting the materials less than a week.
A standstill was witnessed by some Community members over representative Cole’s indebtedness when he ordered the materials taken.
The future of the materials including the controversial Library project is now uncertain.
Currently, the facility is serving as a ghetto and a prostitution camp for unscrupulous individuals with little or nothing to salvage the situation by rep. Cole.
US$50k historicity
During the November 2018 County sitting, 50 thousand United States Dollars was allotted to the construction of the project that is at standstill, thereby posing serious Community threats to inhabitants.
After its passage by delegates, the project started on a snail pace after a year.
No reason provided.
Up to press time, it’s not however clear whether the project was being bided as required by the PPCC Act.
No construction company has since been announced but the project commenced since 2020- a violation of the PPCC act.
In late 2021, R. Marvin Cole informed people of Bong County that the project which is at elevation level needed three months to compact before witnessing full completion, but the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
At the same time, some citizens of the county have expressed sadness over the reported attitude of the lawmaker to deprive them of their funds through the construction of a library.
“We don’t understand why our lawmaker is behaving in this matter. This is taxpayers’ money. Besides, this product was agreed during the 2018 County sitting by delegates. Why will he divert it?” they wondered.
The Bong County citizens want Rep. Cole do the necessary thing to ensure the completion of the project.
Many advocacy groups in the county have however, threatened lawsuit against him if the materials aren’t returned in a month time.
“Hon. Josiah Marvin Cole can’t treat us like this! This is taxpayers’ money that he is playing with. We are hoping he returns the materials and complete the project. Someone can’t come here and do something against our will- this Library project is the heartbeat of the county considering the funds was allotted into it. We are very serious with our ultimatum,” they told Journalists over the weekend.