By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Email fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
Over the weekend, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. George Manneh Weah was expected to visit Saclepea City, Nimba County and to attend an appreciation program organized by citizens of the county which the President was proxy by the newly elected Secretary General of the party, Jefferson Tamba Koijee.
It was reported that the President himself did not attend the program owing to statement from Senator Prince Y. Johnson of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR, who on Friday called on the citizens of Nimba to boycott the event because it was not in the interest of the county.
The citizens of Nimba County under the banner Nimba For Weah 2023 on January 14, 2023 gathered in the city of Saclepea to welcome President Weah and to appreciate him for the level of development carry out in their county and to assure him of his re-election as hundreds of Nimbanians from towns and villages were in attendence.
In his special statement, Mayor Jefferson Koijee encouraged the people of Nimb to desist from comments that tend to undermine the county and divide its people, when he underscored that Liberia needs a sense of unity, stating that Nimba has gone through so much that only individuals in the county have benefited only because they have purported to be in the interest of the county.
The CDC Secretary General furthered that he is taking aback when people try to find a reason that government jobs are given to a particular region of people, saying Nimba should not be a place where people spread messages of division in the country.
“We know the trouble this country has suffered in the past. We started here with Congo and Native and we know to where extend that perception and thinking landed this country. The same thinking, they want to use to divide Nimba. Let us stop.
Let us rise to the occasion to speak to the sons and daughters who are beginning to have such mind set. Let lies not be used to divide our country, that you get job base on region or tribe”, he stated.
He argued that whether you are from the East, North, South or West we are all Liberians and let our conversation be Liberians. Those who have jobs are not foreigners, but Liberians adding that he believes once you are a Liberian and capable you must be given the the chance to serve your country.
“Someone just gave me statistics with names and contact here that we have close to 40 Nimbanians occupying key government positions, I did know that”, the CDC SG added.
Speaking further he said all the officials of the county should find different reasons and not to use their personal reasons to make Nimbanians appear as people involved with division, stressing “Do not make them to appear that they do not support other counties.”
“Let us stop using messages of division in our country. This country has suffered so much. When you divide the country only individuals’ benefit. Division do not benefit the collective interest of the people.”
Also, he encouraged those government officials who have served for 18 years that they are not the only sons of the county and called on them to relinquish their seats and give others the chance.
“After your 18 years step back and give others the chance and provide guidance for them and stop causing division in the county”, he warned and challenged Nimbanians to make decisions on the results of the national development agenda of the government, including the construction of roads in the county.
But, on Sunday, January 15, 2023 while serving his sermon at his church, Senator Prince Johnson called on the government of Liberia to pay money owed the county before you talking about petitioning President Weah.
The Nimba County Senator revealed that he shunned what he called petition ceremony of President George Weah over the weekend in Nimba County due to the government refusal to pay money owed the County.
Delivering Sunday’s Sermon at his Christ Chapel of Faith Ministry, the Liberian Preacher said the government owes Nimba County 7.5 million United Dollars given by companies operating in the county.
Senator Johnson indicated that such money owed by the government must be paid in order for County Authority to carter to the needs of the effected communities in the County.
He expressed serious disappointment in some County officials who mobilized people for the petition ceremony of President Weah re-election in Seclapia Nimba County over the weekend.
“Pay our money first before you talk about petition “. The Preacher told his congregation.
