Liberia: House Summons Mary Broh over Banana Sellers’ L$4.7M Loss

Mary Broh.

The House of Representatives has summoned Mary Broh, the Chair of the Citizens Engagement  Board (CEB), for disposing goods valued at about L$4.6 million.

The House's Plenary on December 2, the 13th Special day sitting, voted to "cite" Madam Broh for the first time since the inception of the 54th Legislature in January 2018.

In a rare motion, proffered by Rep. Abraham Vamuyah Corneh of Montserrado County District #15, the CEB chairperson and Director General of the General Service Agency (GSA), Mary T. Broh, has been summoned to appear in ‘Full Plenary’ on December 7, at about 11:00 a.m. to answer questions about the ‘goods’ belonging to the Banana Traders, as well as the CEB's roles and responsibilities.

Plenary voted with a unanimous 'yea', following a complaint from Montserrado County District #7 Representative, Solomon George. Rep. George said his complaint stemmed from a written communication from the Banana Traders that Madam Broh had destroyed and disposed of their wares without their notice, which put their livelihood in jeopardy.

According to him, more than four trucks of bananas and plantains were trashed. Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, Grand Bassa County District #3 Representative Mary Karwor, and Lofa County District #1 Representative Francis Nyumalin were among other lawmakers who argued that Madam Broh is summoned.

Madam Broh was appointed by Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Tamba Koijee as Chairperson, Citizen's Engagement Board (CEB) on October 21, 2021, to help clean the City of Monrovia for Liberia's Bicentennial celebration, which begins in December 2021, marking 200 years since the first repatriates left New York and headed for Africa, landing in what is today Liberia in 1821.

Mayor Koijee’s letter to General Broh reads: “I extend the warmest compliment and have the singular honor to appoint as the Chairperson of the Citizen's Engagement Board, (CEB). Your appointment to CEB was done in consultation with the City Council and our decision to request your service in this regard is born of the fact that you have demonstrated strong values and leadership over the years which makes you an exemplary citizen. It is our ardent hope that you will bring such immeasurable qualities to bear as you serve on this board.