“Yes! Our attention has been drawn to the PMC financial report of November 2010-November 2011, in Grand Cape Mount County.”
A team from the Ministry of Internal Affairs leaves for Grand Cape Mount today on a fact-finding assessment amidst controversies over the usage of one million United States dollars (US$1,000,000.00) from the County Development Fund (CDF), as contained in the county’s project management committee (PMC) financial report for November 2010-November 2011; Fredrick P. W. Gaye reports.
Internal Affairs Minister, Blamoh Nelson, briefed journalists Thursday, indicating that the ministry’s attention has been drawn to the report and controversies surrounding it, thus constituting what he calls a site fact-finding team to go and verify.
“Yes! Our attention has been drawn to the PMC financial report of November 2010-November 2011, of Grand Cape Mount County,” Minister Nelson said.
He said the 2-man team will verify the application of the fund by touring projects implemented as contained in the PMC report, as well as other services contained in the report, and report to the Ministry, which will thereafter take any actions.
He was however quick to note that those who managed the fund were selected by the citizens of the county, cautioning that “this report should be dealt with in Cape Mount and not in Monrovia.” He did not give the time frame of the team, but said, “they are going to be in Cape Mount for a couple of days and report back to me.”
Minister Nelson’s caution comes in the wake of controversies over the Grand Cape Mount County’s PMC report, which has taken center stage in the media in recent time, with civil society groups joining the fray.
According to the report, a copy of which is in the possession of this paper, the Cape Mount PMC, headed by Braima Sonii, reported of using US$1 million, and even leaving with liability. The committee says it constructed schools, clinics, laid out roads, and other facilities, purchased furniture for county administrators, and provided US$30, 000.00 to victims of motor accident in the county in 2011. It also reported of providing financial contribution to the county university students and the purchase of land and operations vehicles, among others.
But some of those mentioned as beneficiaries in the PMC report have been in the media, rejecting the report, while some groups say the reality on grounds is contrary to the report.
Against this situation, Minister Nelson said the Ministry is interested in the fact, “I guest as many people may.” He maintained: “The citizens of Cape Mount County are equally interested in the fact as well.”
Despite the controversies, Minister Nelson expressed delight that the report indicates that county leaderships were conceding to the ministry’s mandates, in line with the budget law. “I am delighted that county leaderships across this country are conceding to our vigilance,” he added.
