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NOVEMBER 28, 2007

COUNTY LEGISLATORS REPORT TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND WANT SUPERINTENDENT TO BE AUDITTED.

Maryland County Legislative Caucus under the Chairmanship of Senator Gloria Musu Scott have return to the County to give their yearly report to their Constituents. The Caucus told residents and citizens that their responsibility is only limited to enacting laws and passing of the Country’s budget. Representative James Biney of Harper District said the Maryland Legislative Caucus have placed into the budget the amount of $200, 000.00 (USD) for the fiscal year 2007 - 2008 for development purposes but said amount will be deposited and untouched until an audit is conducted on the Superintendent office for the previous development funds of 2006 – 2007 which was $166, 666.66 (USD). The Caucus Chairman Gloria Musu Scott said that Superintendent Sie Teba Neufville has not completed the first projects yet when the other County Superintendents have completed their first projects and are beginning their new projects. She said reports coming from the Offices of the Superintendent states that the development funds was misappropriated which is creating the delay in the completion of the projects therefore an audit is necessary before the disbursement of the new development budget. The Caucus suggested to Marylanders that the new development budget should go towards the purchasing of Road Maintenance equipments so that the problem of bad road condition will be eased. The Caucus donated an 11kva generator to the County School System for use by the night schools and a computer lab that is expected to open soon.

When questioned about the failure of the development projects the Superintendent blamed it on the divisive politics that is been preached in the County. He said because of that he has not been receiving the corporation of the residents and citizens and the requisite Offices that are responsible for the smooth operations of the projects but however, promised that the projects will be completed before January 1, 2008.

For her part, the Development Superintendent of the County, Mrs. Ophelia Draper, said that her office has been sidelined in the entire process and agrees that the failure is on the part of the Local authority.

Maryland County decided to built one market building in each of the four districts with their development funds from the Government but non of the buildings is completed.

MARYLANDERS COMMEND NAMCAL NEW LEADERSHIP

The people of Maryland County have expressed their satisfaction with the new leadership of NAMCAL after listening to a comprehensive report from Superintendent Sie Teba Neufville on his trip to the U.S.A. They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to Dr. and Mrs. James Elliott for hosting the Maryland delegation that attended the signing of the MOU between U.S.A. Maryland and Africa Maryland. They are calling on all Marylanders residing in the U.S.A to rally around the new leadership under the presidency of Madam Roberta Brown and vice president Mr. Eric Giko.

They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to the New Jersey, Ohio and New York Chapters for contributing to the success of Radio Harper, The voice of Hope. Radio Harper can now boost of a 5kva diesel generator, a 50 watts transmitter and several portable recorders for its smooth operations.

Marylanders also said that they are looking up to Marylanders in the diasporas to actively participate in the politics of the County.

SOME CHIEFS AND ELDERS RECOMMEND THE DISMISSAL OF SUPERINTENDENT NEUFVILLE

Some Chiefs and elders, under the Leadership of Chief Jarbo Russell, have left the County for Monrovia to recommend to the President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the dismissal of Maryland County Superintendent Sie Teba Neufville.

The spokesman of the group, Chief Jarbo Russell, said that the Superintendent is corrupt and lacks leadership ability that is contributing to the decline of the County. He said Supt. Neufville has been making decisions unilaterally since his incumbency as supt. This is why the development projects have come to a failure. Therefore they cannot work with him. The Chiefs and elders met with the Marylander Legislative Caucus on their plight but the Caucus told them that they are not clothed with the authority to remove the Superintendent who is working at the will and pleasure of the President. The Caucus therefore told them to forward their petition to the President.

For his part, the Superintendent denied all allegation levied against him and is requesting that these allegations should be proven.

The battle of removing the Superintendent from office began from the beginning of this year with the development Superintendent and the Superintendent at loggerhead over development funds.

However the Regional Coordinator of the Liberia Refugees, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission Mr. Wah Mle Elliott told residents and citizens of the County that they should not focus their minds and attention only on the Superintendent Office. He said there are other line Ministries in the County that are receiving huge sum of money for developmental purposes but are not implementing their duties. He named the Public Works and General Services agency. Former Superintendent Elliott said it is now time that Marylanders direct their attentions on these line Ministries that are enriching themselves at the detriment of the County.