By Allen Labalah, lallenpaye@yahoo.com
SANNIQUELLIE, Liberia- What should have been the 8th County Sitting of Nimba County on Saturday August 22, 2020 was plunged into confusion, with few Lawmakers boycotting it and describing the process as unconstitutional.
The three lawmakers–Larry P. Younquoi district #8, Prince O.S Tokpah district#2 and Samuel G. Kogar district#5– left the County Sitting on over the weekend on grounds that the Nimba County Caucuse Chairman, Senator Prince Y. Johnson created a confusion and committed “procedural errors” in the sitting.
The Lawmakers told the delegates and citizens that they could not agree with Sen. Johnson’s procedural errors because the sitting gives all delegates the right to discuss what is suffering them, or participate in the decisions making without fear or favor.
They promised Nimbains that their issues will not still in the County instead the court will decide.
According to the three lawmakers Nimba development will not move ahead until he decides the faith of the County sitting.
“What was done today in this county sitting was illegal and as such on Wednesday August 26 2020 we as an aggrieved lawmakers will file in a write of probation on the entire process.”
On Saturday August 22, Senator Prince Y. Johnson selected his interest persons out of the 10 contestants who were vying for the county Project Management Committee (PMC).
Sen. Johnson left seven of the candidates out of the Sanniquellie City Hall and allegedly coerced citizens attending the County Sitting to do a quick head count voting for the three persons he had already expressed interest in to spearhead the Nimba PMC.
During the head count vote delegates were not distinguish amongst the observers and ordinary citizens. The process was condemned by civil society organizations and citizens.
Senator Johnson swiftly adjourned the sitting to Sunday August 23 2020 and walk out of the Hall.
Those selected by the head vote are Harry Yeanamie PMC Chair, Richard Nyeingar Comptroller and Sam Ta-Krua Treasurer.
According to a communication sent to the county authority by the Nimba Caucus it was agreed and signed by Sen. Johnson that the PMC election should be secret ballots.
There was no election commission but Senator Johnson mandated the MC to head count delegates as the election process.
The county sitting shall have concluded on Saturday August 22 because it kicked off August 21-22 but because of it confused status it was adjourned up to Sunday August 23, 2020.
Delegates were enforced to sign the controversial resolution on Saturday August 23 before receiving their transportation reimbursement.
However, Senator Johnson and his supporting lawmakers appropriated US$2.7millions for Nimba Development.
Journalists are yet to receive the copy of the document.