By: Peter Dennis
dennisrealone@gmail.com

IPNews-Monrovia: Liberia’s Agriculture Minister Dr. Jeanine Milly Cooper has expressed total sadness in the administration of the Central Agriculture Research Institute CARI headed by its Officer in Charge Paulette Findley.

Speaking Wednesday following a day-long meeting convened by the Chairman on the committee of Agriculture at the lower house, Representative Prince O.K. Tokpa, Minister Cooper said CARI under the regime of current Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Findley has lost its integrity amidst series of Media reports burning CARI as a corruption center.

“We have been concerned about the too many reports surrounding CARI. It has gained our interest. We have to make reports to the president” Madam Cooper told the IPNews.

“CARI is not functioning as it should. It is not living to its standard as a national institution” she admitted.

Madam Jeanine Milly Cooper reaffirmed the government’s commitment in order to restore the integrity of the research institute in Suakoko District.

Minister Jeanine Cooper is at the same time appealing to residents of the District including employees of CARI to remain calm as the committee headed by Rep Prince O.S. Tokpa of Nimba County applies every effort to address their plight.

She spoke when several Youths under the Banner Concerned Youths of Suakoko District petitioned the committee on Agriculture at the lower house to speedily investigate Madam Paulette Findley amidst allege media reports about continuous linked audio involving the entity’s properties and account.

The group in their communication called on the committee to immediately recommend the suspension of OIC Findley pending the outcome of the investigation.

The concern youth message was convened by its Spokesperson, Nelson Bartapaye.

In acceptance of the citizens’ petition, Hon. Tokpa promised to speedily probe in to the matter.

“We have been hearing this in the county. This is why we decided to bring the minister of Agriculuture here to be a part of the meeting. She has also heard the plights. Rep. Tokpa said.

Rep. Tokpa: “It will also enable us to take actions seriously and timely as well.”

Chairman Prince O.S. Tokpa further appealed to the youths of Suakoko district to remain calm as the best decision will be taken timely.

It can be recalled recently, Madam Paulette Findley, in a leaked audio in the possession of the IPNews, mandated David Tokpah to quickly remove a 50 KVA generator from CARI’s compound and take it to the vendor whom Tokpah had identified.

“You people should take the generator from the compound and you people should do it quick because Nagbe (the institution’s finance officer) mother is sick.” Tokpa stated.

In the audio, Findley recommended to Tokpah to give the head of the General Service Agency in Bong County one of the institution’s generators as a means of buying his silence before they begin selling items she and Tokpah have earmarked.

But Tokpah, in the audio, disagreed with Findley and suggested to Findley to give the GSA man (Nagbe) US$200.00 instead of one generator. “Oldma, under this sun here, stealing is stealing. For the fact that he ate US$200 every one of us stole,”

Tokpah said in the audio that has gone viral in the county.

Also, in the audio, Findley and Tokpah were heard celebrating the dismissal of the former director of the fishery department at CARI, Mr. Nykoi Jomah. Jomah was dismissed for fraudulently withdrawing LD$ 10,000 from the institution’s account.

In another leaked audio obtained by the Independent Probe Newspaper, Madam Paulette Findley is again heard explaining to Mr. David Togbah, the head of the Natural Resource Department that no matter, she can’t be sacked.

“Water pump machine or whatever, your carry it to my house” Madam Findley is heard instructing Mr. David Togbah.

These different leaked audios have led to high profile Bongese and other individuals in the county hosting talk shows and condemning the acts carried on by both Paulette Findley and Mr. David Togbah.

The citizens believe it is better for zogoes (Criminals) to lead the only research institution in Bong County and Liberia rather than professional people who have depleted the entity’s account.

According to them, the two persons have vandalized the entire CARI’s compound including properties.

Several casual laborers including researchers at the Central Agriculture Research Institute CARI said since the appointment of Madam Paulette Findley as Officer in Charge, the institute has lost its integrity.

“Criminal activities at the institution are well planned and meet the approval of the head, Madam Paulette Findley” they said.

In March, the administration of CARI announced that its Comptroller General, Enson Joe Amara, a “B” signatory to the voucher allegedly escaped with over 50 thousand United States Dollars.

Since the ascendency of Madam Paulette Findley, the Central Agriculture Research Institute has been marred by several corruption sagas instead of its research goal.

Meanwhile, Madam Paulette Findley is expected to appear before the committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and forestry as well as the Antonymous agency on August 12.

Madam Paulette Findley who appeared in a reprehensible mood after being lashed at by Minister Jeanine Cooper, Prince O. S. Tokpah, Representative Moimah Briggs Mensah and others in the gathering; refused to speak with the media.