Defends The County’s Administration
PHOTO: Grand Kru County Superintendent, Antoinette Wowlee Nimely
By Emmanuel Koffa
SOUTHEASTERN Liberia— Grand Kru County Superintendent, Antoinette Wowlee Nimely has defended her administration against recent public criticisms over alleged financial management, insisting that documents circulating in the media were related to an Internal Audit inquiry and not the findings of a formal audit.
Speaking with Journalists in neibouring Harper city, the Superintendent said the reports had created a misleading impression that her administration had been cited for financial irregularities.
“We have just come into office. What you saw in the media was an inquiry from the Internal Audit,” Nimely said. “It was not an audit report against the county administration.”
She explained that the issue originated from the county’s financial reporting process, attributing it to the Finance Officer’s unfamiliarity with government reporting requirements after transitioning from the private banking sector.
According to the Grand Kru County Superintendent, the Finance Officer initially submitted financial reports without the required supporting documents because he was accustomed to private-sector reporting standards.
Madam Nimely said the requested documents were subsequently compiled and submitted, enabling the county to receive access to its 2025 Social Development Fund.
The Superintendent also criticized what she described as the failure of some journalists to seek the county administration’s response before publishing stories on the matter.
She argued that responsible journalism requires reporters to provide those accused of wrongdoing an opportunity to respond before allegations are made public.
Despite the criticism, Nimely said her administration would continue to handle the matter professionally and remain focused on its development agenda.
She further appealed to young people in her county to avoid making statements that could unfairly damage the reputations of public officials, emphasizing that disagreements should be addressed through facts and constructive dialogue.
The Superintendent’s comments represent her administration’s first detailed public response to concerns raised over the county’s financial reporting and the Internal Audit inquiry.