Bong citizens react to Superintendent’s re-instatement

Huge mixed reactions have emerged in Bong County following an Executive Mansion’s statement that the county’s suspended Superintendent, Madam Selena Polson Mappy, has been re-instated.

Superintendent Mappy was suspended last year December for allegedly misappropriating US$250,000 allocated for feasibility studies to pave major streets in Gbarnga. But the superintendent fell in trouble when she told a Bong County Development sitting delegation that she had used the money to fight Ebola though the county allocated US$50,000 for the fight against Ebola, excluding other donor funding.

Civil Society in the county has been calling for restitution of the money on grounds that it was an absolute corruption. Based on huge concerns that the money was mismanaged, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf suspended Superintendent Mappyand called for an audit.

However, the audit report has not been made public, which has generated negative re-actions against the superintendent. Some citizens are demanding that the audit report be made public to have a clear understanding how the money was expanded, while others have welcomed the reported return of Superintendent Mappy.

In a live phone-in broadcast hosted by community radio stations in the county, many citizens frowned at PresidentSirleaf for re-instating Madam Mappy. Some accused the President of supporting corruption in the country, adding that is why most corrupt officials are not being penalized.

There are rumors that Superintendent Mappy has asked authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to allow her return and resign after few days in order to portray a clean exit.  Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson SirleafMonday reinstated Superintendent Selina Polson Mappy. Madam Mappy was suspended in December 2015 by President Sirleaf on allegation of the misapplication of funds meant for the Feasibility Study for Gbarnga Streets.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf in a communication informed Superintendent Mappy that an April 20, 2016 letter from the Executive Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission advised that investigation into the allegation established no conduct of criminal culpability and therefore vindicated her and sealed the investigation into the matter.

“On the basis of this conclusion, you are hereby reinstated to the position of Superintendent of Bong County and hereby urge you to take into account the sentiments of the population, existing laws and policies as you consider your future endeavors”, President Sirleaf told Superintendent Mappy.

By Papa Morris from Bong-Editing by Jonathan Browne