By: Barclay Karnley Jr.
TUBMANBURG: The Internal Audit Agency (IAA), has discovered that former Bomi County Community College (BCCC) President, Dr. Abimelech Paye Gbartu, was involved in financial mismanagement and corruption during his tenure as President of the College.
Dr. Abimelech Paye Gbartu was appointed by former President George Manneh Weah on May 30, 2022, as President of Bomi County Community College to steer the affairs of the Institution.
The former Bomi College President, according to audit report, withdrew over US$212,000 from the institution’s accounts without following proper financial procedures or providing supporting documents.
According to the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) report, the funds were intended for ongoing projects, but were accessed without payment vouchers or accountability measures to ensure proper financial transaction.
The IAA report indicates that Dr. Abimelech Paye Gbartu and the former controller of Bomi Community College, Anthony Benson, were involved in the use of the money. Mr. Benson has since been dismissed.
The report pointed out that Benson handed Dr. Gbartu a blank check, enabling the withdrawal of huge amount of funds from the Institution’s accounts.
Additionally, the report stated that numerous contracts were awarded without proper oversight or board approval, in violation of institutional policies.
One notable case involves a US$624,589 contract for the construction of the General Academic and Health Sciences Building, awarded without board approval.
Furthermore, US$35,757 was disbursed to Design Group INC. for architectural designs, supervision, and monitoring services, despite no evidence of work performed.
The audit report recommends that both Dr. Gbartu and Mr. Benson account for US$224,293 and face further investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
However, Mr. Benson has been dismissed and Dr. Gbartu is reportedly on the run. This paper could not locate their whereabouts for comments on the IAA audit report.
Dr. Gbartu has been replaced and President Joseph Boakai, has appointed Dr. Zobon Norman as President of the College.
Established in 2005, Bomi County Community College holds the distinction of being the first state-run community college in rural Liberia, serving as a vital educational institution in Western Liberia.
