By Foday Morris
California, USA - In a telephone conversation this morning, an undisclosed senior party member, subscriber of APCWWN telephoned us, to thank us for the good work we are doing for our party and branch. The senior party member encouraged APCWWN to continue doing the what we are doing. He stated that, president Ernest Bai Koroma, leader of party, appreciates the work of APC Worldwide News. For almost an hour and a half, we discussed many issues, ranging from the WMC chapter to the current impasse regarding the financial statements from the APCNA National Executive.
The senior party leader expressed anger and dismay at the financial report released by Chairman Aziz Turay. "We are disappointed and angry at the way things are going on in APCNA again, particularly after the president dissolved the previous administration.", he said, in a clearly angry tone of voice. He went on to say that, he cannot believe that the APCNA administration is refusing to answer questions, or are implementing delaying tactics in answering questions regarding transparency and accountability. He concluded in saying, "I thought you guys in America are educated and civilized? How would you guys want us to respect any of you, when you come back to Sierra Leone?, he further stated, with sarcasm APCWWN can still not easily shake off.
On July 15, President of the APC Texas Chapter, Miss Nanette Thomas wrote the APCNA Financial Secretary requesting information about our branch finances. She said, " I spoke with Chairman Aziz Turay regarding the $6,000 that was given to him in Ohio for safe keeping and and how the money was spent. He refered me to the Financial Secretary and Treasurer. Bear in mind I am not talking about the inauguration. It would be good for all and sundry to have a clear statement on how the six thousand dollars was spent to stop all the he say and she say."
On July 16, the Financial Secretary Mr. Joseph Kamara, responded thus: "As per your request, I have attached a copy of a brake down of every single transaction and its related amount. Please be informed that, every amount spent by Chairman Al-Aziz has a receipt to the effect with me, and I will make them available by hand when the need arises." Our readers should note that the Financial Secretary or the Chairman responded to Miss Thomas' email without complaining about any procedural process. The turn-around-time from request th response was less than one day.
Financial Secretary Mr. Joseph attached a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet which contained a financial report that has been the subject of discussion for over a week now, because of inconsistencies or unexplained discrepancies.. Whether it was an act of sabotage or frustration in dealing with the Aziz administration on monetary issues, the financial secretary forwarded the spreadsheet as he received it from the chairman, without making changes to it. The said spreadsheet, unfortunately for the Aziz administration, landed in the hands of APCWWN and members of NAC-4-PPT and the scrutiny of it began.
On July 22. former Interim Chairman Mr. Leslie Allen, chairman of NAC-4-PPT addressed the financial statement. Mr. Allen focused on the following: the preparer being the chairman not the financial secretary, the inconsistencies and outrageous spending. Prior to Mr. Allen's analysis, APCWWN had compared another report which was prepared by the financial secretary ot the report prepared by chairman Aziz Turay..
On July 16, APCWWN published an article titled "APCWWN Audits Inauguration Costs". In that article we highlighted some of the issues raised by Mr. Leslie Allen. For many years Mr. Allen worked at the Sierra Leone Commercial where he was responsible for the preparation and auditing of financial reports amongst other duties. Mr. Allen analyzed the report in a much more chronological order. However, when the report of June 20 that was prepared by the financial secretary, is compared to the one prepared by chairman Aziz Turay, the stack differences and discrepancies are more revealing of an administration which does not handle our finances well.
Below are of the significant discrepancies:
Inauguration Hall Deposit/Phi : $1,300.00
What is a deposit? In this case, one could reasonably assume that the said amount was a security deposit for the rented hall. A deposit is sometimes held to secure property or material. How can a deposit, be included or deducted from proceeds, without an explanation of the actual amount paid or the balance refunded? On the financial report of June 20, Inauguration Hall Rental and Deposit was $1,250.00, why is it $1,300 now? WHAT HAPPENED?
APC Office rent - Two months: $970.00
Note that on the statement sent on June 20, 2010, the financial secretary appropriated, $330 for office rent. Not even a month later, the office rent has increased to $970. What happened?
Refund/Philadelphia Chapter: $1,400.00
This one of the most interesting deductions. Please note that on Sunday, June 20, 2010, 4:21 PM, Fin Sec, Joseph Kamara, released an inauguration financial report, wherein, he stated that:
Refund Philadelphia chapter for what? on the report generated by the financial secretary he said, Payment to Kebe Turay was $1,108.54, compared to $1,400. Is Kebe Turay's payment different from that of the Philadelphia chapter. The amounts are obviously different. WHAT HAPPENED?
In concluding his correspondence of Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 8:06 AM, after stating the discrepancies in the report Mr. Allen said:
"These are the reasons why we are questioning the executive about the financial report. I assume by now you all will agree with us that it’s not a fight or witch hunt, but paving a gateway for attitudinal change, transparency, accountability, responsibility and fairness to all in North America. We hope the national executive will answer our questions truthfully."
Two hours later, Asst. PRO Mr. Brima M. Turay respond on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 10:00 AM
"If any member or a group of members within a Chapter requires information from the National Executive regarding finances, or any other thing for that matter, they have the privilege and the unquestionable right to obtain such information through their Chapter presidents. Once the request is received, the executive will then put the answers together and submit them to the Chapter president on behalf of his or her member or members, as the case may be. These are basic administrative principles that have existed since the creation of APC North America and since our bylaws came into effect. "
APCWWN, does not know if Mr. BMT summoned a meeting and discussed Mr. Allen's email with other members of the executive before responding. The response time of two hours should signify something about who is in control of the Aziz Administration. We have been informed that Mr. Salieu Conteh and Mr. Brima Turay run the entire administration, leaving the chairman as a mere little brother and therefor a Puppet Chairman. Nevertheless, APCWWN will address the problems we as a branch is having because of the relationship between the chairman and our Asst. PRO. We will make the case of a conflict of interest and for the chairman to be impeached, leaving the Asst. PRO in place.
After the Asst. PRO's response, Ms Nanette Thomas attempting to rescue branch members, particularly her chapter members who have been intentionally starved by the withholding of vital information they had requested through their president. In violation of branch member's Freedom of Information Rights within the same party, the Aziz Administration through Asst. PRO and Big Brother refuses to respond in a positive manner. Readers should be reminded that in his manifesto, the chairman said he holds a "Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology", where spoke eloquently about accountability and transparency.
In following up, on Mr. Leslie Allen's turned down request, Ms.Nanette Thomas made a passionate and humble request, viz "Mr. Brima Turay, This is a public official request. As President of the Dallas Chapter I would like to know the answers to the questions regarding our APCNA finances, as presented by Mr. Leslie Allen below. The members of the Dallas Chapter and my humble self are patiently waiting for answers."
Mr Brima Turay responded thus: "Thanks for your request. You, as an executive member of this new administration, should know the procedure that we announced to all members when we first came into office, as to how they could obtain information from this administration. I encourage you to respect the office of the Chairman and Public Relations Officer and follow those steps. Thanks again."
On Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 4:22 PM, Ms. Nanette Thomas followed up again, this time seeking help in locating the said administrative procedures, the Asst. PRO continues to tell us about. She said: " In the spirit of oneness and serving in the best interest of our party in North America, and with the utmost respect to yours and the Chairman’s office please direct or assist me with a reminder of the said procedures. I will also appreciate if you can direct me to somewhere in our Bylaws where the said procedures are stated. Thank you so much for your response as the members of the Dallas Chapter and my humble self await your reply patiently."
As requested by Ms. Thomas, the Asst. PRO responded quickly with "vital" information viz:
“This administration has adopted an open door policy and we will make sure that your questions are answered if you follow the proper channel. For example, if you want to know how much money we have in our account so you can keep track of how we spend it, the process is simple:
· Call the Office of the PRO
· Communicate your concerns or questions on the phone or request to email a detailed report
· Get a response within 48-72 hours depending on how much information you’re requesting
· Sit back and relax and enjoy what the NA branch executive can do for you. It is that simple!”
What is an administrative procedure in the United States?
"An act designed to give uniformity to the rule-making and adjudicative proceedings of federal administrative agencies. The federal government passed the act in 1946, in response to increasing resentment of the agencies' latitude in matters affecting the rights of individuals. Following the federal lead, most of the states also passed similar statutes during the late 1940s and early 1950s."
Retrieved from: http://www.answers.com/topic/administrative-procedures-act
Our APC North America allegedly adopted administrative procedures on matters affecting the rights of branch members without the knowledge or input of the branch members. As far as members know, no resolution was voted on by the national executive neither were the ordinary members included in the decision making process. Interestingly, the Asst. PRO cited, the Open Government Initiative (OGI) in Sierra Leone but failed to mention that such initiatives were voted for and adopted by parliament. This is not to mention that APCNA cannot be compared to APC-SL - for heavens sake this is simply a place to increase our party membership like other branches around the world. However, somehow members of the Aziz administration feel like, they are a complete government, hence they call themselves HONORABLE right here in APC North America.
NOTE: The Aziz Turay administration was elected in Columbus Ohio, on January 16, 2010. Many within APC North America believe that the only reason they came out victorious was because they formed a Tribal Coalition within our North America Branch. If we (APC) are going to accuse SLPP of tribalism, why not clean our own backyard first? And if some of these guys are ever, MISTAKENLY become political leaders in Sierra Leone, our nation could be doomed to failure again no matter what president Koroma does now. If they cannot answer simple questions and give account for a Six Thousand Dollar Gate, and we do nothing about it, what kind of leadership should we expect of them, when they return to Sierra Leone?