04/05/2024
SUPERINTENDENT BRYANT PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO VIRGINIA TO SEEK UPDATES FROM THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE AND VERIFY MEDIA REPORTS FROM CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF VIRGINIA WATERSIDE OVER ILLEGAL OPERATION OF LICHI SAND MINING COMPANY.
Montserrado County Superintendent, Hon. Whroway Bryant pays an acquaintance visit to the office of the Commissioner of the Township of Virginia yesterday, May 2, 2024. The purpose of his visit was to seek updates and briefing on the state of affairs of the Township from the Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Isaac Joseph Cooper. Hon. Whroway Bryant and his entourage from Montserrado County was happily received by some council members and staffs of the Township which includes, Hon. Albert T. Dixon, Ward Four (4) Council man, Virginia Mango Town, and Hon. P. Ernest During, Ward Five (5) council man, Virginia Waterside, Madam Alice Weah, Iron Gate Market Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Ndorleh, Township Finance Officer, Mr. Kelvin Gbualo, Office Assistant and the Officer-in-Charge and Township Clerk, Mr. Isaac Joseph Cooper.
Mr. Cooper welcomed Superintendent Bryant on behalf of the people and Township of Virginia, and congratulated him on his confirmation and official appointment as Superintendent of Montserrado County.
Superintendent Bryant thanked the office for such a welcoming reception but frowned at the office facility and building, discouragingly that it didn't represent the structure of a government office. He condemned the usage of old wooden benches and recommended the use of plastic chairs, as he congratulated the staff for keeping up the office. Hon. Bryant thanked Mr. Cooper for providing honest reports and standing up against corruption. The superintendent assured the Officer-in-Charge(OIC) his commitment and support in promoting the vision of Mr. Cooper, to put an end to corruption in Virginia Township. The OIC briefs the superintendent on the financial and administrative matters of the Township with the prospect of introducing a financial system which promotes 100% transparency and accountability, to put an end to unstoppable corruption in Virginia Township.
Mr. Cooper, the lead voice within the Township who sees corruption as Virginia Township's biggest enemy of progress, has vowed to put an end to unstoppable corruption within the Virginia Township Administration in the shortest time he has to serve as Officer-in-Charge. The Clerk of the Township who is currently serving as Officer-in-Charge fell out with his former boss man and former Township Commissioner, Hon. Tye Socrates Weah, Jr. on the issues of financial and administrative malpractices which continue to promote unstoppable corruption in Virginia. In August of 2023, the Clerk wrote the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf for his intervention into Virginia Township affairs which underminded government operation. While it is true that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was unable to conclude such a complaint but he is hopefully looking up to the newly appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Francis S. Nyumalin, Sr. to finally resolve such complaints from Virginia.
According to Mr. Cooper Virginians deserve justice, transparency and accountability, and that leaders who are called to serve must be honest in their duty and accountable to those they are serving. He said "If proper financial systems are not introduced, Virginia will continue to lose over US$50,000 annually." Hon. Bryant expressed his support to the people of Virginia in working with the leadership to ensure Virginia gets justice. The Superintendent encouraged the Clerk and Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Cooper to make use of the county authority office in resolving some of these issues as their acquaintance meeting came to an end.
During the superintendent visit, Mr. Cooper took him to the famous Iron Gate market facility and introduced the new County Superintendent to the marketers and its leadership. According to the Market Superintendent, Madam Alice Weah, she was amazed and expressed her excitement by welcoming the County Superintendent visit. She added, that it was a privilege to meet with the superintendent of the county. Hon. Bryant thanked madam Weah and her Team for the wonderful work they do to ensure the Market serviceability to residents, and encouraged them to work with the Township Office in the promotion of peace and unity. He encouraged the market leadership to work with the office of the Commissioner in resolving issues that leads to conflicts.
On the other hand, based on recent media reports on LICHI Sand Mining Company from residents of Virginia Waterside, the Officer-in-Charge and the County Superintendent made a stop at the LICHI Sand Mining Company purposely to verify media reports against the Mining Company from residents. His stop was based on a recent report captured in the news media a few days ago alleging LICHI Sand Mining Company of illegal operation in the Township according to concerned residents of Virginia Waterside Community.
Residents had earlier accused the company of not living up to the agreement of the Township previously signed MOU since 2012 and that the company is yet to sign a renew MOU with the Township which makes their operation in the Township illegal. Superintendent Whroway Bryant encouraged the Sand Mining Company to collaborate with the community and the office of the Township Commissioner in resolving some of those minor issues that could lead into protestation and uprising. Hon. Bryant expressed his fears based on what he heard from residents in the media who threatened to lay down before the trucks and block the roads as a means of protest to express their dissatisfaction.
Talking to the Chief Accountant of LICHI Sand Mining Company, Mr. Albert Tokpah informed Superintendent Bryant that their company documents were intact and all other agreements have been met with the Township and government of Liberia through the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy. The Superintendent emphasized on issues being handled with proper care and attention to avoid tension which could disrupt the smooth runnings of business and hamper the peace of the community.
Hon. Bryant encouraged the management of the Sand Mining Company to address those trending issues with the office of the Commissioner to minimize tension in the Township between the residents and the company, by following the proper channels before it got out of control. He added, if the Commissioner Office is unable to resolve it before his office will get involved, and if his office cannot handle it too, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will definitely solve it, as he toured the facility at the mining site on the St. Paul River bank.
Superintendent Bryant who is expected to be officially inducted into office on Monday, May 6, 2024 at the County Administrative Headquarters in Bentol City, thanked Mr. Cooper and expressed his commitment to working with local officials in charge of government offices as he continued his county tour at the next Local Government Authority in the City of Brewerville among other Local municipalities within electoral District #17.
