BWI clarifies reports

The Booker Washington Institute in Kakata, Margibi County has reacted to news reports of the dismissal of several instructors of the institution for alleged corruption and sales of narcotic substances on campus.

BWI Principal, Alexander M. Massey, said these reports, which have raised public concerns especially in Margibi, are far from the truth.

Recently, a local daily reported in Monrovia that the institution dismissed some instructors for receiving money from students for grades. 

The publication noted that Principal Alexander M. Massey declined to name the instructors allegedly involved, but maintained that they were dismissed for corruption.

On the other hand, the Drugs Enforcement Agency office in Margibi County recently reported that some students of the Booker Washington Institute were allegedly involved in substance abuse on campus. 

The DEA also narrated that a notorious gangster on the campus is involved in the sales of narcotic substances to some students, who disturb the institution after consuming the substances.

According to the DEA, the BWI administration wrote its office in Kakata to intervene in finding a remedy to the situation, which prompted the agency to arrest the notorious gangster and demolished the Miami Beach where he traded the substances.

But reacting to these reports, Principal Massey said at no time did he grant an interview with any reporter from the “Women Voices Newspaper” on instructors’ alleged involvement in corruption and dismissal.

 He said some teachers were retired, but they were never dismissed nor has he dismissed any instructor since he took office principal.

He noted that two employees, caught in theft were dismissed, but they are not teachers, adding they worked in the property control department of BWI, and previously in the procurement department. 

Mr. Massey maintained that these individuals have stolen from BWI on a monthly basis six bags of rice for two years. The rice, according to him, is provided by Firestone Plantations Company monthly for the institution.

Principal Massey said a month ago, he received a communication from Firestone Liberia, inquiring whether BWI was still receiving the rice from the company and he replied no, which the Firestone Management described as incredible.

The BWI Principal continued that thereafter, he set up committee to investigate the matter and the two employees involved admitted to  taking the rice away, and pleaded to refund, but administration was resolved that they should leave.

On the question of the DEA report, he confirmed that it is true that someone was transacting narcotic substances and other things on the premises of BWI, but none of his students were involved in substance abuse as claimed by the DEA.    

By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr. in Margibi