PHOTO: Protesters in Cape Mount on Monday
As youth groups protested today, Monday, May 3, 2021 in Tewor District in Liberia’s western Grand Cape Mount County over alleged fraudulent practices in the CDC government COVID-19 food stimulus package, Police are expected to charge and send to court a local official in this area.
Youth group of Tewor District staged a protest demanding that their food rations allegedly misappropriated by Commissioner Haji Jalibah of Tienii town, Tewor District be returned immediately.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs through the County’s Superintendent, Aaron Vincent on May 3, 2021 suspended commissioner Jalibah for time indefinite with immediate effect.
The youths presented a six-count petition in which they are demanding their stimulus package food back and also want their Social development funds, which the commissioner has allegedly been receiving from KVI a Chinese company since 2018.
The Internal Affairs Ministry under the signature of Grand Cape Mount Aaron Vincent suspended the Commissioner for misappropriation of stimulus package food.
According to the letter, the Commissioner is mandated to turn over properties and documents in his possession to the acting commissioner Augustine Konneh.
Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent Vincent confirmed receiving letter from WFP local partner, community against hunger who was hired for the distribution of food last week and also the commissioner will have to restitute those food items he allegedly stole.
Accordingly, it was Community Against Hunger who filed the complaint against Jalibah for his alleged misappropriation of stimulus package food.
Last week, Police in Tewor District Grand Cape Mount confirmed that they were Invesgating Commissioner Haji Jalibah of Tienii, Tewor district for misappropriation of stimulus package meant for distribution.
Items believed to be missing are Rice over 40 bags, vegetable Oil more than 250 gallons and over Beans: 40 bags.
According to report gathered so far, the WFP partner in Cape Mt Co who is heading the food distribution Mr. Azziz Ballo has complained the Dist Commissioner of Tewor Dist to the Superintendent of Cape Mt for the missed management or missing of the food.
The local partner for WFP and the District Commissioner agreed to keep the ration in a particular warehouse. In March, 2021, but it was surprising for the Commissioner to allegedly order men @ about 1 am, early morning recently to removed the food to another location which out the consent of the partner
On April 26, 2021, WFP partner team headed by Mr. Azziz Ballo came to the Commissioner for the food to continue with the distribution, the food was said to have not been available.
But Mr. Ballo said the Commissioner told him that he used the food for Administrative purpose (s.)
Tienii in Tewor District has population of approximately 4,000 and over two hundred homes who didn’t receive the food distribution. Report by Garmah Never Lomo