From Musa Moore Sherman | GNN Correspondent | Nimba County|
A pro-democracy and advocacy group, the One Nimba Movement has publicly dispelled rumor that its Chairman, Bob Yeenuah Kartoe is masterminding a planned meeting scheduled to take place between Superintendent Nelson Korqoui and district commissioners, paramount chiefs, city mayors and other local county officials aimed towards a campaign for Harris Y. Yeanamie, Sam G. Ta-Kruah, Jr., and Richard Nyeingar for the positions of Chairman, Treasurer and Comptrollers respectively in the ensuing Project Management Committee (PMC) elections.
Responding to the allegation the chairman of one Nimba Movement noting, said at no time have he, Bob Yeenuah Kartoe or any leader of the One Nimba Movement ever coordinated or attended a meeting with the local government of Nimba County in the interest of anyone who has expressed their desirous of participating in the impending PMC elections, adding, “It must be clear that we do not anticipate being involved with the process as a movement”.
The group maintained that it remains engrossed with unsmiling efforts to safeguard a common Nimba agenda through developmental advocacy and pro-democracy engagements.
Meanwhile, with commendations, the ONE NIMBA MOVEMENT said they are overwhelmed by efforts of members of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus to buttress their call for the REVIEW AND RENEGOTIATION of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Government of Liberia and Arcelor Mittal Liberia (AML).
They Express thanks to the leadership and members of the House of Representatives of the National Legislature of Liberia for unanimously voting in favor of the review of said MDA.
However, the group told a conference that it remained disconcerted about the illicit withholding of US$260,000.00 (Two Hundred Sixty Thousand United States Dollars) from recent remittance of US$3, 360,000.00 (Three Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand) into the account of the government of Liberia which serves as 80% of the total of US$4, 200,000.00 (Four Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with Arcelor Mittal withholding US$ 840,000.00 (Eight Hundred Forty Thousand United States Dollars) as 20% for development purposes in communities directly affected by the operations of AML.
Additionally as carrier of 50% of the Social Development Fund (SDF), the amount of US$1.55m disbursed to Nimba County falls below half the amount of US$3.36m. Investigation further informed them that Nimba County should have received US$1.68M (One Million Six Hundred Eighty Thousands United Dollars) representing 50% of the total of US$3.36M (Three Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand United States Dollars) paid to the Government of Liberia by AML instead of the US$1.55m paid to the county.
At the same time, the group said its concern was driven to recent petition in the possession of aggrieved Nimbaians under the banner, the “Nimba Citizens Initiative” calling for the withdrawal of the Nimba County teams from the National County Sports Meets citing that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. D. Zeogar Wilson called the people of Nimba “HOOLIGANS” at the end of the just ended National County Sports Meet.
Again, the group quoted Minster Wilson as referring to the people of Nimba as “DIRTY PEOPLE” prior to the 2018 National County Sports Meet when he had come to inspect the county sports pitch in Sanniqullie city.
Furthermore, Minister D. Zeogar Wilson, was quoted by the group as referring to some Nimbaians as “CRIMINALS and REBELS” following the 2018 National County Sports Meet.
Therefore the group have again called on Nimba County Legislative Caucus to engage the Executive Branch of Government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to give proper account of the unaccounted for US$260,000.00 (Two Hundred Sixty United States Dollars), an amount which Nimba has US$130,000.000 (One Hundred Thirty United States Dollars);
The group is also calling for the implementations of the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 GAC audit reports and a conduct of full scale and fresh audit from the last period of audit on the management of the County and Social Development Funds be considered at the pending County Council Sitting, as we cannot continue nurturing the spirit of impunity at the detriment of the ordinary people of Nimba;
That the Nimba Legislative Caucus and the County Administration continue to display high level of leadership role so as to maintain the calmness at the next county council sitting.
“As crusader of Nimba oneness, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders in the county in Liberia and the diaspora to ensure that Nimba’s population and resources are truly transformed to valuable asserts as we endeavor to build a great Nimba that works for all Nimbains”.
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