Senators Oscar A. Cooper and Jim W. Tornorlah of Margibi County have rescued the Leadership of the County from a money changer group under the banner “Harbel Super Market Money Exchangers” who may have stage another protest in demand of money that was borrowed from them by the Leadership months back.
The two Senators recently gave the group the amount of two thousand United States dollars (US$2,000) as portions of the ten thousand United States dollars (US$10,000) the County reportedly borrowed from them thereby appealing to the group to bear patience and wait for the County sitting.
It can be recalled that during the 2017/2018 National County Meet, the Leadership of the County borrowed the amount of eight thousand United State dollars (US$8,000) from them at the interest rate of 25% with the assurance of giving paying US$10,000 but allegedly failed to meet up with their commitment.
This led the group to stage a protest in August 2018 at the Kakata Administrative building which is the official seat of the County Superintendent to seek redress to their grievances.
Their action prompted the Superintendent of Margibi; Jerry Varnie to give the Money Exchangers one month grace period to be able to pay their money but it was not possible due to the lack of finance and it drew the attention of the two Lawmakers who then intervened.
Presenting the cash to the group, Senator Oscar A. Cooper said the group loaned the money to the County five months ago and he saw it wise as a Senior Senator to call and appeal to them to giving the County time to be able to settle them.
“In lieu of this I contacted the Representatives and Senator Tornorlah for us to come together rally some money to give to the business people from Cotton Tree until the County sitting the and the money can be provided through the County Development Fund” he explained.
Senator Cooper added that he was able to contribute one thousand United States dollars while Senator Tornorlah contributed the same amounting to two thousand United States dollars and appealed to the group to hold on till the issue is resolved.
He narrated that they hope to call the County sitting and talk to the delegates to pass a resolution in order to generate the money from the County Social Development Fund because it is a County debt.
The Senator then promised to work behind the scene to ensure that those whom the County owes are properly compensated.
Receiving the money on behalf of the group, Michael Gbee Russell thanked the Senators for their intervention. Mr. Russell stated that five years ago the Legislative Caucus of the County borrowed their money without making attempt to call them or make payment but it was Senator Cooper who heard their voice and decided to intervene, thus engaging Senator Tornorlah and the both of them made available US$1,000 each.
He called on the public to be careful if they want to borrow their Lawmakers or the Margibi Sports Association any money on grounds that he is suffering for his money he gave the County.
