BUCHANAN, August 25 (LINA) – During the commemoration of National Flag Day on August 24, Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan L. Kaipay somersaulted in his pledge and agreed to sign the County Sitting Development Resolution.
He announced the change of heart during a press conference he held on Flag Day at his Buchanan Office on the Fairground in Buchanan.
On August 15, the Grand Bassa Senator declared that he would not sign the County Sitting Development Resolution if the Superintendent did not account for and provide th earth-moving equipment belonging to the county.
« Our gathering is in furtherance of the ongoing debate surrounding the mandate of delegates at our last County Sitting, buttressed by the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, relative to the return of road maintenance equipment belonging to this county, » the Senator asserted.
The reversal of the Grand Bassa lawmaker’s decision is in response to citizens’ mixed views on the matter, with some embracing Senator Kaipay’s statement as a pressure to compel the compliance of the Superintendent, while majority believe that his position places the county in »double jeopardy »; stressing that other actions could be taken against the Superintendent instead of holding development hostage.
The public outcry prompted the lawmaker to appear on Radio Dukpa and Magic FM, both located in Buchanan, and to hold a forum with Zona Heads, religious leaders and other stakeholders to consult on the issue.
« In a bid to further the development needs of our people through the building of roads, equipping of hospitals and the provision of other social services, I wish to inform our citizens that I am yielding to their calls and will sign the document for the social development funds, but will remain engaged to ensure that our equipment are returned. »
The latest decision comes barely one week after Senator Kaipay, to the dismay of the public, pronounced his uneasiness to affix his signature to the Development Resolution owing to the absence of the county equipment.
Prior to Senator’s Kaipay’s latest position statement, there were tough exchanges between him and Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh on community radios in Grand Bassa County and via Online television platforms.
Many individuals in the county have disclosed their uneasiness about the scuffle between the two officials, pointing out to the possibility of the Superintendent being ordered to appear before the Senate Plenary to account for the earth-moving equipment.
Senator Kaipay said he will be compelled to take such decision if the equipment are not returned within 15 days.
Supt. Baikpeh has returned the motor grader, front-end loader and the 966 machine, but two others – one Low Bed vehicle, which is reportedly being repaired, and a Dump Truck said to be in Sinoe County, according to Supt. Baikpeh, are yet to be returned.
Though he lauded the return of some equipment, Senator Kaipay argued that owing to the fact that the agreement with one Varney Karbah, who leased the machines, has expired since May 2019, it is important to ensure that the necessary pressure is brought to bear on those responsible for the unexplained manner in which the issue of the county’s equipment is being handled, to ensure that the items are returned in the shortest possible time.
Meanwhile, the Legislator is appealing to the citizenry to extend the deadline for the return of the equipment by another 15 days, noting that appropriate action will be taken if the Superintendent fails to return the equipment within that timeframe.
Senator Kaipay said as one of the leaders of the County, and considering that he prioritizes the people’s interest above all other interests, he would not strangulate the development initiatives of the county.
Accordingly, a communication has been submitted to the Superintendent requesting him to provide information about the locations of the equipment; indicating that he is ready to facilitate the travel of representatives of civil society actors, citizen groups and other interested parties, to those locations to ascertain their availability.
Furthermore, Senator Kaipay is appealing to citizens of the county to remain calm and support the right thing to be done in the best interest of Grand Bassa County.
