“Administrative Error”

-Rep. Solomon George Descends On Gov’t Over Missing LRD 16 Billion

By Reuben Sei Waylaun

As the government of Liberia intensifies search for a missing LRD16Billion dollars, a staunch member of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Montserrado County electoral district seven Representative, Solomon Claudius George says the government ‘administratively erred’ by not informing the Liberian people earlier.

The government headed by President George Weah through the Ministry of Justice issued a press statement on Monday September 17, 2018 announcing that it was investigating a missing LRD16billion, the government’s announcement comes after the media has revealed the disappearance of LRD16 billion Liberian banknotes.

According to the government, the money arrived in the country between November 2017 and August 2018 and has since gone missing. However, the government was tight-lip on the issue until the media revealed the disappearance.

Speaking in a mobile phone on Okay FM Wednesday September 19, 2018, Representative Solomon Claudius George said the delay by the government in informing the Liberian people about the disappearance of the money is a serious ‘administrative error’.

“It was good for the government to have gone on the air to inform the people of Liberia that it is having financial security problem and also announce that it is investigating the situation,” Rep George said.

The governing CDC lawmaker also said “why should you wait for the press to come out with the news before you can come out to issue statement. We need to be sincere to the Liberian people and by now those involved should be behind bars.”

“We shouldn’t wait after days or months before coming out to hold press conference. Administratively the government is in error. We need to ensure that the money is vomited by those vampires, mafias and they must bring the Liberian people money. I will not back anybody who is a part of this,” he said.

He reminded the government that the missing money is not money that can be in a wallet and it shouldn’t be taken likely, adding “we are not talking about wallet, we are talking about a container of LRD16billion and we are here joking.”

“By now we should have handcuffed people involved so that they can vomit until the container of money comes out. I say to the Liberian Government we shouldn’t joke with the Liberian people’s money. I am speaking to everybody in this country, we shouldn’t joke with the people’s security,” he added.

Representative George said the situation at hand is a serious financial insecurity that has taken place and must be handled with urgency.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Eugene Lenn Ngabe has since announced that serious investigation is ongoing to bring those involved to book.

On Tuesday September 18, 2018, the government issued traveling restrictions to people that are seriously needed to aid the investigation process.

They include former Central Bank Executive Governor, Milton Weeks and his deputy, Charles Sirleaf who is still employed at the CBL, George Abi Jaoudi, “Lebanese Businessman” in Liberia, owner and operator of Abi Jaoudi businesses in the country.

Others include Richard Walker, Mariea E.G. Toe, Musulyn R.B. Jackson, Ophelia Nyenpan and Oldada Deshield, Prince Bull, J. Barquolleh Gabriel, Theodosia B. Jreh, Zinna Davison and Solomon Jaykpah as persons of interest to the investigation who are also asked not to leave the country.

Kollie Ballah and Andrew Pabai were also listed as persons of interest who are required, as in the case of other persons named, to stay in the country and help with the ongoing investigation.