PHOTO: (L-R) Rep. Briggs-Mensah and UBCAA President Joe Kollie
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Re: UBCAA CONGRATULATES BONG LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ON ELECTING FIRST FEMALE CHAIR
The Executive Leadership, Board of Directors, and General Membership of the United Bong County Association in the Americas, Inc., extends profound thanks and appreciation to members of the Bong County Legislative Caucus for electing Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah as the first female chairperson of the Bong County Legislative Caucus. We congratulate Representative Briggs-Mensah and wish her well in her new role. We also congratulate Representatives Albert Hills Jr. and J. Marvin Cole, who were elected as Co-chair and Secretary General respectively.
Representative Briggs-Mensah’s election as chairperson of the Bong County Legislative Caucus sets forth historical precedent and a significant achievement for women’s participation at the highest level of the County legislative governance. We hope that the Caucus’ decision on February 8, 2022, to elect Representative Briggs-Mensah will help bring the Bong County legislative body together to work for the greater good of our beloved County and its people.
We are confident Representative Briggs-Mensah’s professional expertise and four years of working experience in the National Legislature will serve as vital resources to bring unity and help transform the Caucus into an effective serviceable body for the collective good of our County.
The development challenges facing Bong County are enormous. As a direct representation of our people, we want to draw the legislative caucus’ attention to the growing demands from the citizenry for basic services and accountability. Therefore, we ask you to be motivated to work collectively to address the challenges facing our beloved County.
The findings of the recent research report on the Bong County Social Development Funds Accountability Project (BCSDF ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT), which was conducted by three civil society institutions, Media and Civic Education Rural Liberia (MACE-Rural Liberia), Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), and Development Education Leadership Training
in Action Human Rights Foundation (DELTA-HRF), highlights some of the major concerns with Bong County’s resources mismanagement. The report alleged the mismanagement of public funds intended for projects and the awarding of contracts outside the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) guidelines. As a strategic partner to Bong County Development, the UBCAA calls on the new Caucus leadership to begin taking concrete actions to ensure anti-graft institutions in the Country thoroughly investigate these allegations.
We are also concerned that since 2018, there has not been a County Development Council Sitting to allow citizens and civil society institutions to participate in the decision-making process for development projects and funding allocations. We humbly request the new Caucus leadership to begin working with the local County’s administration to schedule the County Development Council Sitting to allow citizens to set development priorities for Bong County.
As stated in our January 20, 2022 recommendations to the Bong Legislative Caucus, the UBCAA will continue to partner with all stakeholders in Bong County to support the County’s development initiatives, especially investment in both human and capital resources. We want to humbly remind the Caucus of our recommendations that highlight critical development needs in Bong County, which include the following:
- The Bong County Technical College (BCTC)
There is still a need for more funding allocations to complete the construction of the BCTC building. The United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA) is pleading with the Bong County Legislative Caucus to get the needed funding to complete the construction of the BCTC building. We also recommend that the Caucus exercise its legislative oversight over the construction of the BCTC building by establishing a comprehensive review and monitoring process to provide accountability and transparency. The completion of the College will bring pride to our County and provide access to high-quality education for the young people in our County and neighboring counties.
- Budgetary Allocation to all critical healthcare institutions in Bong County
The leadership of UBCAA is asking Bong County lawmakers to work together to lobby for an increase in budget allocations for critical health institutions in Bong County. The lack of access to quality healthcare is a crucial concern for our people and should be alarming to all.
- Increment in Budgetary Allotment to Gbarnga City Corporation
Gbarnga City needs adequate funding, equipment, and staff training to keep the city clean and complete essential projects. The leadership of UBCAA is recommending to Bong County Legislative Caucus to get the needed funding allocations for Gbarnga City Corporation to undertake critical city projects.
- UBCAA Representation at the County Sitting
As a genuine partner in Bong County’s development, UBCAA wants to have a seat at the table during the County Development Council Sitting to make recommendations on the County’s development plan and funding allocations. The leadership of UBCAA is asking the County leadership for an opportunity to be officially represented at the County Development Council Sitting and be provided the opportunity to make suggestions or recommendations for projects and funding allocations.
Thank you all for the support. Let us continue the partnership in working to develop our County.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Caimon Joe Kollie
Caimon Joe Kollie-National President, UBCAA
Natt Shaajlia Dakagboi
Natt Shaajlia Dakagboi
Chairman, Board of Directors, UBCAA