By: Wilmot Konah
dadekolly20@gmail.com
0555666441/0775793638
Gbarnga, Bong County: Tornola Varpilah, the head for the Local Disaster Management Committee involving the December 26, 2023 Totota Tanker explosion has refuted claims of him failing to give a comprehensive financial report.
Providing Clarity on the report, Varpilah told DN News that he has presented the report to the Bong County Legislative Caucus.
According to him, as head of the Local Disaster Management Committee, he mandated his team to compile a comprehensive report for onward presentation to the Bong County Legislative Caucus chaired by Senator Prince Moye. He added that before the 2024 Christmas, the committee presented the report to Senator Moye for further presentation to the people of Totota through their Representative, Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah.
He is quoted as saying “We successfully carried out our mission without any personal financial or material benefit. We established strong financial control and reporting system. Nearly two months ago, I authorized my financial team to provide a comprehensive report to the people of Totota thru their Representative Hon. Briggs- Mensa. Before Christmas I led the team to meet and present the Report to the Senator.”
Moreover, Mr. Tornola Varpilah furthered clarifies that the Local Disaster Management Committee was instituted by the Bong County Legislative Caucus and some prominent citizens of Bong County to perform the following duties:
1) Mobilize citizens to contribute resources to cater to the medical needs of victims;
2) Ensure that people who died were properly buried
3) Coordinate the interventions intended to provide relief;
4) Report to the County through the Legislators.
Furthermore, Mr. Varpilah termed as politically motivated the allegation of refusing to give a detailed report levied against him and the Local Disaster Management Committee by individuals claiming to be victims of the disaster. “I think some of those who are making these false accusations may have political motive for their statements. Our committee was set up by the Bong County Legislators and some well-meaning citizens, residents and well-wishers of the county” he noted.
He averred that his committee has accounted for every funds and donations made during the heat of the December 26, 2023 devastating tanker explosion.
Recently, several citizens of Totota City, the home of the December 26, 2023 devastating tanker explosion disaster under the banner “Grievance and Victims’ Welfare Committee” reiterated calls for accountability into funds raised by the “Local Disaster Management Committee” headed by Mr. Tornola Varpilah. The “Grievance and Victims’ Welfare Committee” stated that despite their quest for Accountability through a comprehensive report from Mr. Varpilah and his team, their efforts seems not to be of importance mentioning their advocacy has spanned approximately one year without adherence.
It can be recalled that on December 26, 2023, a nine thousand gallons’ gas tanker belonging to “God’s Willing Inc.” exploded in Totota leaving to death of several citizens and fatally injuring many. At the beginning of the catastrophe, several donations were made by government officials, Local and International NGOs, The World Bank amongst others.
