The front entrance of the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism Wednesday. Senior officials told FrontPageAfrica that the former head of the Ministry, Laurence Bropleh took away several items during the clearing out of his office, shortly after his resignation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monrovia –

ays after his resignation from government as a result of findings of a draft audit report from General Auditing Commission (GAC) of Liberia released by some auditees to the public, which held him liable and recommended that he restitute US$262,772.73, former Information Minister, Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh, has according to information carried out a final ‘looting’ spree at the Ministry allegedly taking away computers, television and other valuables belonging to the Ministry but the later has described the report as rubbish.

Former Information Minister Laurence Bropleh reported departed with several properties belonging to the ministry.

Inside sources at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Toursism, hinted FrontPageAfrica that the former minister, last Saturday, January 16, 2010, walked into his office under the pretext of collecting his personal effects without being escorted by the Liberia National Police and took away six laptop computers, part of 16 computers donated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to be used by the Liberia News Agency (LINA) for counties correspondents to file in stories.

ECOWAS donated the laptops computers to MICAT sometimes ago and according to information, the Minister had been keeping the six in his office.

Former Minister Bropleh is also said to have taken away a television set purchased by MICAT that was used in his office while serving as Minister along with other items.

When FrontPageAfrica visited the Ministry Wednesday, some employees confirmed that the former Minister visited the Ministry and took away some items.

According to the employees who spoke on the basis of anonymity, some employees have been suspended for allowing former Minister Bropleh access to his office without the presence of police officers, prompting him to take away the items.

When contacted Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Norris Tweh said he could not comment on the matter unless given the go-ahead by Deputy Minister for Administration Minister Cletus Sieh.

Deputy Minister Tweh said the matter is administrative and queries must be directed to those responsible for administration.

Deputy Minister Sieh was not available to comment on the matter.

Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Norris Tweh told FrontPageAfrica that he could not comment on the matter unless given the go-ahead by Deputy Minister for Administration Minister Cletus Sieh.

When reached via cell phone after several attempts including two visits to her office for comment failed, Acting Minister Elizabeth Hoff told FrontPageAfrica “I will get to you, please let leave it for now”.

After FrontPageAfrica insisted that it needed official comment on the matter, Acting Minister Hoff said she was not willing to make official comment.

Former Minister Bropleh when contacted described the allegation against him as “nonsense and rubbish”.

He said he was not lending credence to such allegation.

The former Minister resigned recently after a draft audit from the GAC recommended that he restitute some money misapplied and also to face prosecution through the Ministry of Justice.

“Minister Laurence K. Bropleh should be made to immediately restitute US$262,772.73. This represents the funds he misappropriated from the fraudulent processing and payments of

salaries to four ghost names in the amount of US$207,160.72, the US$21,807.08 he misappropriated from the salaries and allowances paid in the name of Bernard Waritay, the

US$13,855.20 he misappropriated from the salaries and allowances paid in the name of

James Essieh, US$9, 569.73 he authorized and paid to ghost worker Nathaniel Walker and

US$10,380.00 he authorized withdrawn from the operating account of MICAT at the CBL.

Minister Bropleh should be made to restitute the total at an interest determined by the

Minister of Finance on the basis of prevailing market rate, compounded monthly since salary and allowances are paid on a monthly basis”, the GAC draft audited recommended. 

The former Minister described the GAC draft audit report as foolishness, rubbish and an unprofessional work. 

He also described Auditor General John Morlu as in competent person but public sentiments against the former Minister grew high as many Liberians supported the GAC report and called for his prosecution. 

After the audit of the foreign mission payroll of MICAT raised concerns in Liberia for weeks, Bropleh finally resigned his post, claiming he did not do so based on the audit report.