The veteran community of the Armed Forces of Liberia is demanding the Board of Directors of the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs to launch an investigation against the past leadership of the entity for the alleged involvement in the sale of a tractor and other equipment during their tenure. Turmoil
The spokesman of the veteran soldiers, Retired Captain Jerry K Kollie, said the tractor was given to the bureau by the Ministry of Agriculture during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for retired soldiers to use on a-100-acre farmland owned by the AFL.
According to Kollie, other equipment given to the bureau were molted plough, power tillers and other farming materials; since then, it has been discovered that these equipment and materials were sold in 2016 by some members of the management team at the bureau. Kollie said that the sale of these equipment and others have brought the farming operation by the bureau to a standstill.
Those allegedly connected to the sale of the tractor, molted plough and power tiller are Retired Brigadier General, Aaron Johnson, former Deputy Director General for Veteran Affairs; Retired Colonel Ralley Karkor, former Deputy Director General for Administration; and Retired Colonel Anthony Norpah, Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Director General for Veteran Affairs. Others are Retired Major Joseph Nyunkor, presently serving as Controller at the bureau and Retired Warrant Officer Albert Urey formerly of AFL Agriculture Battalion
Former Captain Kollie also allegedly accused Retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Wleh, former Deputy Director General for Veteran Affairs in the administration of former President George Weah of refusing to turn over the Lab-Top assigned to his office by the Officer in Charge.
But, recently, Brid Gen Aaron Johnson and Lt Col Andrew Wleh, who spoke on behalf of the ex-leadership during an interview with local radio station in Paynesville, denied the allegations made against them
Therefore, the veteran community is requesting an investigation committee to be set up by the Board of Directors of the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs where all evidence will be presented against the accused.
The veteran community is also very concerned about the equipment because the ex-soldiers are interested in establishing the farm in order to boost President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which also focuses on agriculture.
Therefore, they have requested the Defense Minister and Board Chairperson of the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs to forward the names of veterans who were thoroughly vetted by the veteran community to be appointed by the President.
