PHOTO: Truck driver and another suspect under police investigation
By Abraham K. Kollie, kollieabrahamlogic@gmail.com
KAKATAA, Liberia- Police in Margibi County are currently investigating an alleged theft involving a Truck-Load of crushed rock intended for the ongoing pavement of streets here in the county’s capital, a practice that has been reported in other parts of the country.
The current investigation follows a complaint made by Margibi County Development Officer, Lewis Kaine., something that has triggered the Police investigation. The reported theft of this large consignment of crushed rock occurred at a construction site in the Green Hill Community in this city.
According to Mr. Kaine, he had had received credible information from locals who claimed to have witnessed a truck dumping crushed rock in the Green Hill Community from the road construction site to be used by those constructing a Clinic in the area.
The clinic under construction is said to be owned by a resident of the nearby Gbofala Community.
According to Police investigation, the resident, Mr. Luah Habakkah opted to waive his right to legal counsel and provided a voluntary statement.
He claimed that he purchased the crushed rock from Mr. Alexander Melin, a 30-year-old resident of the Green Hill Community. Consequently, Mr. Melin was also invited for questioning, where he similarly waived his right to an attorney.
Mr. Melin asserted that he acquired the crushed rock from Mr. Peter S. Corneh, a 40-year-old driver who works on the road project in the area. Mr. Corneh, identified as a co-accused in the ongoing investigation, corroborated Mr. Melin’s account.
He stated that Mr. Melin approached him with the intention of purchasing crushed rock and that he subsequently facilitated a connection between Mr. Melin and one of his supervisors, a Chinese national involved in the road construction project.
As the investigation unfolds, law enforcement officials are set to invite the Chinese national for further questioning to clarify the circumstances surrounding the sale of the crushed rock. The police have communicated that they will provide updates on the case as it progresses.
The Margibi County community has expressed concerns over the alleged theft as the outcome of this investigation may impact local construction projects and operations.
The Liberian government of President Joseph Numah Boakia through the local county authorities recently enbacked on the pavement of several streets in Margibi County capital Kakata.
The ongoing Kakata Streets Pavement has generated serious interest among residents in the County.
Meanwhile, the Margibi County Police Detachment has called any individual with additional information to come forward as they continue their efforts to resolve this matter.