Information Minister Ledgerhood Julius Rennie has frowned at Assistant Minister David Kolleh and instructed him to return all materials he personally took from his office ahead of the period of transition of the out-going Weah-Taylor regime.
On Monday, November 20, 2023, and prior to the National Elections Commission (NEC) announcing Unity Party’s Joseph Boakai the winner of the presidential run-off election, Assistant Minister Kolleh collected his office materials and left the room empty.
Minister Kolleh, who is said to be on a study leave out of the country, has however informed the public through his social media platform that the materials in question belong to him.
But reacting to the situation, Information Minister Rennie emphasized that Kolleh’s action runs contrary to his (Minister Rennie’s) instruction, adding that a mode of transition was earlier communicated.
In a press release issued the same day of the occurrence, Minister Rennie emphasized that the behavior of the assistant minister breaches the established protocol of the General Services Agency (GSA).
“He also told his colleagues following an inquiry that, given the fact that he might not be back in the country before the administration transitions, he had given instruction to his staff to secure his personal belongings, but that his staff instead took away more than was allowed,” a press statement quotes Minister Rennie said.
The Information Minister has however emphasized that the action is wrong and not in keeping with the gracious manner in which the Weah Administration intends to usher in its successor.
“The Assistant Minister has therefore been informed to return the materials and wait for the period of transition, when all office equipment, including furniture, will be properly accounted for by the GSA,” the statement noted.