By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr.
The Unity Party chairperson in Margibi County clarifies here that decision by the UP inaugural committee to seek financial assistance for the inaugural program of President-elect, Joseph Boakai was made earlier before Ambassador Boakai halted the exercise.
The NEW DAWN obtained copy of official communication from the office of the secretary general of the UP in Margibi under the signatures of county chairperson Cecelia K. Doe, inaugural program chair Mrs. Harrisona Tomah Grigsgby Grimes, Dr. Nancy T. Freeman, focal person; and Margibi Superintendent Jerry O. Varnie with the official stamp of the UP secretary general in the county, soliciting financial assistance from business houses and institutions for the pending inaugural program.
The extract of the communication reads: “Margibi County will be celebrating the inauguration of Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Kpang Koung, President and Vice President-elect on January 22, 2024, in the various political districts of Margibi County focus in Kakata. With the above, we are kindly asking your institution/business to assist us financially to make this day a successful one in Margibi County.”
But the UP county leadership says they did not receive a dime from any other person apart from the money allotted by the President-elect which is expected to be made available on January 18, 2024.
Madam Cecelia K. Doe says though the decision was reached, and letters were written, they did not take a cent from anyone when Ambassador Boakai put a stop to the process.
According to Madam Doe, who spoke to our reporter via mobile phone on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, they (UP Officials in Margibi) decided to solicit funding for the inauguration before Mr. Boakai’s return from the United States.
She insists that the President-elect halted the process and canceled all other fund-raising activities for the inauguration in the county that was planned by them, not with the involvement of the UP’s national leadership or Amb. Boakai himself.
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She also clarifies that they reached the decision in a December 29, 2023 meeting after the first meeting held on December 11, 2023, at the time their terms of reference had not been established.
Ms. Cecelia K. Doe, Unity Party Margibi Chairperson, narrates: “We were given a mandate in December before even Christmas, and on the 11th, we had our first meeting at the city hall. The committee that was given us, the names that were given us to work with the superintendent, the city mayor, the collaborating parties, and one representative from there. The seven-member committee met before even it increased to Dr. Freeman coming on board. So it was on that note that we went in our committee room, not knowing the President-elect was going to come out with a statement that he’s going to fund the process.”
She underscores that at their level in the county, they only tried to find a way to raise money for their portion of the inauguration, not knowing that the President-elect and the national leadership of the party were going to make funding available for the process.
She adds that they are expected to receive money allotted by President-elect Boakai, today, January 18, 2024, for the inauguration but could not confirm a specific amount per district.
A source from the UP in the county hints that they will make available US$5,000, while another says US$2,500 is being allotted per district.
President-elect Joseph Boakai and Vice President-elect, Jeremiah Kpan Koung are scheduled to be inaugurated on Monday, 22nd January 2024.-Editing by Jonathan Browne
