The senatorial bid of Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence has hit a challenge , as thousands of citizens troop to the streets Saturday August 15, 2020 to welcome former foreign Minister Gbehzohngar M. Findley.
Several businesses remain closed as major city streets stay jam as citizens shout victory slogans.
The move by the people comes weeks after a major corruption allegation involving over US$40,000 of county scholarship funds remain unaccounted and mismanaged by the Senator office.
The funds signed for by the senator chief of office staff has provoked country citizens to suspend the county lone scholarship committee, placing hundreds of students out of classrooms.
They have moved to demand the restitution of said funds from the senator.
Citizens have also claimed that the Bassa Senator failed on several campaign promises one of which remains electricity in the county and citizens’ empowerment.
Current Senator Lawrence recently undertook several initiatives including the installation of solar streetlight in Buchanan city in a bid to rekindle her campaign promise made. Senator Lawrence who is said to be currently out of the country seeking financial support from partners and friends faces an uphill battle as citizens recount developmental gains of Findley during his era as former senator.
Findley in early 2008 led the construction of a 40 kilo-meter Monrovia-Bassa highway road, establishment of Bassa community college, county scholarship program, US$1million market loan for small business owners across the county.
He also toppled his colleagues at the Liberian Senate by his election as President Pro-Tempore, a position, citizens said they missed.
Despite said gains, citizens voted him out in 2014 and thus giving the seat to current senator Johnathan Kapaiy.
Both Senator Kanga-Lawarence and Senator Johnathan Kapaiy remain members of the opposition Liberty Party, a move citizens say may have negative impact development in the county.
“We cannot reduce Grand Bassa County to a one party county,” one Findley supporter was quoted by our reporters Saturday as saying.
Findley was recently selected by the ruling coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) during its primaries for the senatorial race in Bassa slated for December 2020.
Mr. Findley is among several aspirants including current representative Vincent Willie of District# Grand Bassa County who are eyeing the senatorial seat in the county.
Stephen Binda, our contributor, compiled this story
